News

Severe Flooding Kills 100 In 10 States

Published

7 years ago

September 19, 2018

Nigeria has declared a national disaster after severe flooding left about 100 people dead across 10 states, the country’s main relief agency said, yesterday.
Heavy seasonal rains have caused the Niger and Benue rivers to burst their banks, inundating communities, farms and trapping tens of thousands of people in their homes.
Speaking with newsmen, yesterday, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, declared flooding a national disaster in four states including Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra, placing eight others on the watch list.
NEMA made the declaration last Monday, days after the President ordered the agency to declare the situation a national disaster.
Following the order, Maihaja had earlier inaugurated five Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) to facilitate prompt search and rescue operations as well as humanitarian support in the 12 states worst affected by flooding.
The Emergency Response Centres will be responsible for planning, organising, directing and supervising deployment of resources with the affected state governments and local authorities and communities.
The primary objective is to localise the responses and expedite intervention to save lives and facilitate quick recovery.
At the command centre in Abuja, the NEMA DG and other chief executives will be responsible for the formulation of policy and operational guidelines for the conduct of emergency operations in all the worst affected states.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had earlier warned that the steady rise in water levels and weather forecast in the coming weeks have put Nigeria at risk of witnessing a recurrence of the catastrophic flooding similar to what it witnessed in 2012.
In 2012, catastrophic flooding had affected up to 30 states in the country and resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and displaced more than two million people, according to data from NEMA.
NIHSA, therefore, believes the country is at risk of a recurrence of the disaster if proper steps are not taken.
With the increase in rainfall and the daily rise in the water levels on both the rivers Niger and Benue, many states have fallen victim to the flooding which has killed many and rendered several others homeless.
In Kogi State, 10 local governments have been submerged by flood in the last 72 hours, according to the state governor, Yahaya Bello.
As a result, 33 camps have been created for the victims numbering about 4,000.
Also in Niger State, more than 100 communities have been submerged, Channels tv reports.
In Kano State, Government has confirmed the death of 31 people and destruction of more than 10,000 houses during the recent flood disaster in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.
Alhaji Ali Bashir, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano .
Bashir said that the cost of the disaster, which wreaked havoc on more than 10,000 houses in the affected areas, was estimated at over N5 billion.
“Thirty one people lost their lives and more than 10,000 houses that are estimated at over N5 billion were affected.
“Most of the affected houses were either totally or partially destroyed,” the Executive Secretary said.
He explained that no fewer than 35,000 farmers were also affected by the disaster in eight local government areas of the state.
In Edo State, at least 30,000 persons have been displaced by flood submerged 42 communities in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo.
Newsmen report that over 8,000 houses and thousands of hectares of farmland were affected by the flood.
The communities that are mostly are on the bank of River Niger, and had their crops, such as rice, were washed away by the flood.
The council chairman, Mr Victor Emuankhagbon, while lamenting the loss, called for urgent assistance for the victims.
He said because of the enormous destruction occasioned by the flood, there was little or nothing the council could do.
While noting that no fewer than 30,000 persons were displaced by the flood, he said a temporary camp was set up to accommodate the displaced.
“It is huge natural disaster which mainly affected Ifeku Island and Illushi mainland.
The destruction is such that I cannot quantify the loss. “I am appealing to all relevant government agencies, as well as the state and Federal government, to come to the aid of the victims. “The disaster is mind boggling.
Homes are submerged, some destroyed, farmlands and crops washed away.
People don’t have homes to sleep in, no dry land to even cook their meals. “We are in the process of evacuating them to safer locations.
But the job is obviously beyond us; hence we are calling on both the state and federal governments to come to our aid without delay,” said Emuankhagbon.
The council boss listed some of the affected communities to include: Illushi Oji, Oji Ozigono, Oji Awenje, Ajobe, Ajabutu, Owoli, Iyegbi and Ukpodo.
Emuankhagbon noted that four wards out of the ten wards in the council, were affected by the disaster.
Also in Niger State, Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) yesterday disclosed that 160 communities had been submerged by flood in the state since the rains began in June.
Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, Director General, NSEMA, disclosed this when officials from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kaduna Field Office, visited him to assess the extent of flooding in the state.
Inga said that the state government had approved release of N28 million to NSEMA to cater for displaced flood victims in Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps.
He said that the agency had established seven IDP camps for families and persons whose communities were submerged by the flood.
According to the director-general, the IDP camps are located at Zungeru Central Primary School, Maikakaki, Muye, Ceku, Ebbo, Gbaciku and Gungu.
“The flood situation confronting us in Niger is beyond the state’s capacity, even one year of the state’s budget cannot solve the problem, and children and women are the most vulnerable,’’ he said.
Inga said that the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Association of Medical Practitioners, Red Cross and the State Child Rights Agency were partnering the agency to give aid to victims, especially children and women.
Earlier, Mr Rabiu Musa, Communication Officer and Focal Person Emergency, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, said that the team was on assessment of the flood situation in the state.
“Our visit to Niger is to assess the situation and report back on what we have seen for further decision and action,’’ Musa said.
In another development, All primary, post primary and tertiary schools in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra have been temporarily closed down in reaction to the flood disaster in the area.
The council Chairman, Mr Arinze Awogu disclosed this while inaugurating the distribution of relief materials at the council headquarters, Atani yesterday.
Awogu said the closure of the schools was in line with the directive of Gov. Willie Obiano who said schools in the affected areas should close down to avert loss of life.
“We are in an emergency situation and for us, safety of life is paramount, people will not have need for education when they are dead.
The council boss said Ogbaru had taken delivery of buckets, mattresses, mats, mosquito nets and blankets from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) but noted that it was still a far cry from what was required.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday he had approved the release of three billion naira ($8.3 million, 7.1 million euros) to buy medical and relief materials.
Flooding along the rivers is a frequent occurrence during the annual rains, which fall from May to September.

News

FG approves 3 critical civil service policies

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government has approved three transformative policies aimed at boosting productivity and enhancing service delivery across the civil service. These are the Rewards and Recognition Policy, the Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and the Civil Service Mentoring Policy.

The approval was granted during the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The move marks a new era of performance-driven governance, strategic talent development, and enhanced accountability, with the policies designed to work in synergy to motivate staff, foster a culture of excellence, and significantly improve service delivery to Nigerians.

According to a statement signed by MrsEnoOlotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, MrsDidi Esther Walson-Jack, affirmed that the policies are central to staff welfare and the enhanced value proposition of civil servants and also align with the 2021 Public Service Rules (060101–060111).

She commended the President for his commitment to transforming the civil service and fostering a workplace culture that is efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-friendly. The Head of Service noted that the approval demonstrates the government’s firm resolve to value public servants, reward excellence, and systematically groom the next generation of leaders.

The Rewards and Recognition Policy establishes a comprehensive framework designed to attract, nurture, develop, and retain top talent within the service. It seeks to promote excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, thereby strengthening overall institutional performance.

The Incentive and Consequence Management Policy introduces a clear, transparent, and equitable system where exceptional performance is rewarded and under-performance is addressed through structured corrective measures. It aims to entrench fairness and accountability at all levels while providing developmental support to staff requiring improvement.

The Civil Service Mentoring Policy, described as a strategic investment in the future of the service, is intended to bridge experience gaps and ensure the systematic transfer of institutional knowledge.

“It will equip the next generation with the requisite skills, values, and ethical grounding for strategic leadership, while preserving invaluable institutional memory against the tide of retirements, thereby ensuring continuity and sustained excellence,” the statement added.

MrsWalson-Jack reiterated that the President’s approval for the implementation of these policies is not merely an administrative milestone, but the foundation upon which a modern, agile, and empowered civil service will be built. She assured civil servants that their dedication will be recognised, excellence rewarded, and personal growth supported.

News

RSG CHARGES JOURNALISTS TO SHOWCASE GOVT PROGRAMMES

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has charged journalists to serve as a bridge between the government and the people by reporting effectively on government’s policies, projects, programmes and achievements, thereby keeping the public informed on its activities.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. BeniboAnabraba, gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, led by the Chairman, Mr. Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba emphasized that as the fourth estate of the realm, journalists owe the public a duty to provide a platform for constructive criticism of government and serve as watchdog of society.

He indicated that public opinion via the mass media is significant to help the government appreciate public perception, and also to create awareness on government initiatives, programmes and policies as they affect the citizenry.

“As a Government, we also appreciate the fact that you are our partner in conveying government policies and activities to the people, for their consumption, appreciation and review. We implore you to continue to publicise matters of importance in governance and encourage civic participation particularly on issues such as civil rights, voters’ registration, actions against gender-based violence, etc.

“You also have an obligation to promote morality and balanced criticism of government,” he stated

The chairman of the Rivers Council of NUJ, Mr. Paul Bazia-Nsaneh thanked the State Government for receiving them and intimated him of their desire to work with the government.

He explained that the union is poised to positively portray the State through an agenda of development communications, adding that the union has also outlined strategic projects to this effect.

“As a union, we need to change the narrative and to talk about development communications. If we don’t put out the opportunities that are available in River State, then we can not have people who will be interested in investing in the opportunities that are available to us. So we decided to put out some key areas that we need to focus on development communication trajectory,” he added.

News

Police Arrest Sex Trafficking Syndicate, Rescue 15 Young Girls InOndo

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Ondo State says it has dismantled a notorious sex trafficking syndicate exploiting young women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Akure by the command’s spokesperson, DSP OlusholaAyanlade.

Ayanlade said one Jayeola Joshua was arrested along with two others, while 15 young girls aged 20 to 26, accommodated in an apartment in Alagbaka, Akure, for illicit activities, were rescued.

The Police spokesperson, who said the sex syndicate was arrested by the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), explained that efforts were on to apprehend the remaining accomplices.

According to him, investigations revealed that the syndicate lured victims across the country with false promises of lucrative employment, including domestic work, ushering services, and overseas placements.

He said the syndicate’s arrangement not only facilitated exploitation but also highlighted how organised criminal elements prey on the vulnerability of unsuspecting young women seeking legitimate opportunities.

“Further inquiry uncovered that the victims were manipulated into sending nude images and videos, which were subsequently transmitted to clients procuring sexual services.

“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as producing “relationship content” on social media, misleading the public and masking criminal intent.

“Following the rescue, the 15 victims were taken to the Police Hospital, Akure, for medical care, psychological evaluation, and counseling,” he said.

Ayanlade explained that evidence indicated the apartment was specifically rented to facilitate these activities, prompting the Commissioner of Police (CP) to direct the landlord’s invitation for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

He also stated that the CP directed the case be transferred to the command’s Gender Desk for further investigation, counseling, and the reintegration of the victims into society.

According to the spokesperson, the CP issued a marching order that all arrested suspects must be prosecuted to demonstrate the command’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“This reaffirms the command’s determination to eradicate criminal and sex networks engaged in human trafficking and sexual exploitation,

“The CP has urged parents and guardians to verify job offers and recruitment agents before allowing their wards to travel.

“He also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that can aid in preventing and detecting crime across the state, underscoring the vital role of community partnership in maintaining public safety,” he said.