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148 Killed By Floods -Red Cross …Mass Exodus, As Gunmen Kill 40 In Mubi
The Head, Disaster Management, Nigerian Red Cross Society
(NRCS), Mr Umar Mairiga, said yesterday
that 148 people had died as a result of flooding in 21 states of the
federation.
Mairiga told a news briefing in Abuja that 64,000 others had
been rendered homeless by the floods, adding that about 10,000 victims had been
targeted for assistance.
He said that heavy rains in recent weeks had caused
widespread destruction and forced many families into makeshift camps.
According to him, an estimated 134,000 people had now been
affected by the floods and that concern was growing about the spread of
waterborne diseases such as cholera.
“We are targeting 10,000 people in 10 locations of Adamawa,
Taraba, Kogi, Plateau, Katsina, Cross River, Jigawa, Kogi, Benue and Edo,” he
said.
Mairiga explained that in response to the worsening crisis,
the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) had
launched an emergency appeal for funds.
The decision, he said, was to aid the Nigerian Red Cross
Society to assist 10,000 victims.
According to him, a Field Assessment and Coordination Team
(FACT) and a Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) have been deployed to
support the relief effort.
He said that N33.5 million had been provided from the IFRC’s
Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to start the operation.
“The NRCS, with support from the IFRC and other partners,
has been distributing food and non-food items, including mosquito nets, shelter
tool kits, tarpaulins, hygiene kits and kitchen sets to affected families.
“Volunteers from the organisation are also carrying out
awareness-raising campaigns for people at risk from water borne diseases,’’ he
said.
Mairiga explained that one of the major concerns was the
development of a serious health situation due to the spread of water borne
diseases such as gastro-enteritis..
He also commended the National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) for its “untiring’’ efforts in handling flood issues.
Meanwhile, three persons were feared dead and several others
injured in a heavy flooding which ravaged parts of Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local
Government Area.
Among the dead are, seven year old boy who was swept away by
the flood into the River Niger and two elderly women from Obrikom and Ndoni,
respectively who drowned while returning from farm.
Apart from the deaths the floods also destroyed farmlands.
Worst affected communities include, Ebocha, Ndoni, Okwuzi, Obrikom, Idu and
parts of Omoku communities.
At Ebocha, residents told The Tide that, reptiles such as
snakes and crocodiles are now occupying their houses.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has described the
flood which ravaged parts of
OgbaEgbema/Ndoni Local Government Area as one of the worst disasters in the
state.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr Emeka Nworgu who
said this during an inspection of the affected communities said that the
government is touched by the devastating effects of the flooding.
Engr Nworgu said that the
state government would work out modalities towards assisting the flood
victims.
The commissioner, however said that the level of devastation
has underscored the need for the federal government to come to the aid of the
victims.
“At this point, the state can do very little, we asked that
the federal government should come to our aid here’ he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local
Government Area, Hon Raymond Nwokacho said that the counsel will take inventory
of those affected by the flooding with a view to assisting them.
Hon Nwokocha also said that the level of disaster is beyond
the capacity of the local government
council and urged for the support of the federal and state government.
In a related development, at least 40 people, mostly
students, have been killed by unknown gunmen in Mubi, Adamawa State officials
say.
Most of the dead are said to be students of Federal
Polytechnic, Mubi.
A college spokesman said 40 students had been killed, while
a local resident said that more than 40 people had been shot dead or stabbed.
A lecturer, who spoke to newsmen confirmed seeing about 40
dead bodies after the shooting
The killings came days after a major operation against the
Boko Haram militant group in the town.
National Emergency Management Agency spokesman Yushua Shuaib
told our correspondent that it was not
clear whether the attack was the work of Boko Haram, or the result of a dispute
between rival political groups at the university.
A Red Cross official who gave a conservative estimate, said
at least, 10 people had died.
Our correspondent recalls that mobile phone masts in the
area were recently attacked by unidentified militants, so getting information
from Mubi is difficult.
A resident, who did not want his name to be used, said that
men in military uniform went to a hall of residence away from the campus just
before midnight, got the students out of their rooms and ordered them to say
their names.
Some were then shot dead and others stabbed with knives, and
their bodies left in lines outside the buildings.
He said it was not clear why some were killed and others
spared – some of the dead were Muslims and others Christians.
He added that students and lecturers were now leaving the
town, many with tree branches over their cars – a traditional sign of
neutrality in Nigeria.
Other Mubi residents say they heard gunfire for about two
hours during the night and that those living near the hostel were also
targeted.
The authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in the
town and ordered residents to stay indoors.
The university has been temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations
Officers, Mohammed Ibrahim, who confirmed the killings, said 25 people were
killed by the gunmen, 19 of them, polytechnic students.
Similarly, the killing of students of Federal Polytechnic
Mubi at Yelwan Tsamiya (an off-campus accommodation area) in Wuro Patuji area
of Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa state has caused an exodus from the
town by both students and staff of the institution.
Some of the fleeing lecturers of the polytechnic, said they
saw at least 10 truckloads of soldiers and mobile police men moving into the
troubled North-Eastern town.
After the killings, which were said to have been carried out
around 10pm by gunmen that stormed the students’ village in Sports Utility
Vehicles (SUVs), angry students stormed the school carrying leaves and branches
in protest, stopping the second semester exams that were scheduled to take
place today.
As a result of the mass movement of people from the town,
the vehicles in the town’s motor park have been exhausted, with those not lucky
to board the polytechnic’s buses ferrying people to Mararaba area, trekking the
15-20 kilometres distance to get vehicles that will move them out of the town.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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