Editorial
Averting Flood In Rivers
Considering the ravage that floods have been wreaking across Nigeria, especially during the rainy
season, it is mandatory on the federal and state governments to adopt opportune and exacting measures to assuage the impact of the nuisance, as it is practically impossible to completely hold back nature’s rage. Furthermore, this measure is propitious since the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has made some climate predictions this year.
Giving a report, NiMeT said the 2022 rainfall was projected to commence in the coastal states of Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom in late February and around July in the Northern states including Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States. However, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Kaduna States might encounter earlier than normal onset when compared to the long-term averages while Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, parts of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Bayelsa and Rivers might experience delayed onset of rainfall.
The report also provides an overview of assorted climatic variables, such as rainfall and temperature models in Nigeria for the year. These forecasts offer the government, stakeholders and the general society early warning information for timely preparedness against potential hazards associated with heavy rains, floods, and high temperatures, as well as dry spells in parts of the country.
Properly transmitting warnings of impending storms and floods will not only provide an opportunity for people to take proactive measures to prevent damage to their property, it will also save lives. In Europe, initiatives like flood early warning systems and dyke monitoring are made to overhaul how natural disasters, such as flooding, can be properly evaluated and when warnings should be communicated.
Although flooding has become part of life in Nigeria because of its unparalleled geographical features, which boast many rivers that criss-cross the hinterland, with the Atlantic Ocean bordering the southern part, the changing pattern of rains has further compounded the situation. In a country where natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are remarkably rare, flooding is rapidly becoming the main cause of concern.
This early warning from the agency should be given sufficient attention by all levels of government and should not be lightly addressed. The months of July, August, September and October are usually associated with heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding in most areas of the country. Floods are often exacerbated by the transboundary influx of the Niger and Benue Rivers from outside the country before they drain into the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria.
Flood is one of the most frequent natural disasters in our country with a devastating aftermath on the poor and vulnerable populations who live along river banks and rely on flood plains for livelihoods. Whenever a flood occurs, it affects a variety of sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, transportation, infrastructure, and the livelihoods of people living in affected communities.
Tragically, since the devastating flood of 2012 which swept away many communities across the country, and the early warnings by pertinent government agencies on the impending flood and how to mitigate it, Nigerians have been flouting the directives from pertinent agencies and maintaining unhealthy lifestyles that result in flooding and the attendant consequences.
That is why government, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including individuals and public enterprises, must do their utmost to avoid flooding this year. Rivers State, particularly, known for its perennial floods, must be prepared. Drains should be cleaned, while people living in flood-prone areas should be relocated. Now that the floods have yet come, there should be a massive awareness campaign in the state.
Those that need to be evacuated in Port Harcourt should be encouraged to voluntarily do so. Aside from de-silting the drains to ensure free flow of water, excavated refuse should be properly disposed of to avoid blocking the roads and returning into the canals. Construction along water courses should be advised against. Violators must be apprehended and prosecuted diligently while the structures must be demolished immediately.
The inappropriate disposal of waste by Port Harcourt residents and the failure of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to do its job is a major concern. While some residents can afford to pay private waste disposal operators for their services, others who cannot afford it are dumping waste into drains and open spaces. Traders, who dispose of garbage haphazardly, should be punished. Non-payment of sanitation rates by residents is affecting the work of RIWAMA. The agency can only operate properly when there are funds to carry out its duties.
The state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the 23 local government areas which usually holds on the last Saturdays of every month with strict restrictions on human and vehicular movements during the exercise should be reintroduced. This will enable Rivers people to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision of a clean and safe environment. RIWAMA has a responsibility to ensure that Rivers State remains clean and healthy for its citizens.
As a long-term solution to permanent flooding during the rainy season, the state government should establish a master drainage plan for Port Harcourt. This will receive, handle, and transport surface or groundwater runoff within the city. As well, it will ensure the proper operation of the state capital’s drainage system. Also, a stakeholders’ meeting with the communities experiencing the disaster has to be convened.
Suitable measures should be defined to put an end to flooding. Apart from clearing of drains, especially in coastal and flood-prone areas, the Rivers State Government should initiate an effective town planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations and by-laws. Preventive measures are more a matter for the government and local authorities. Therefore, there cannot be any excuse for preventable flooding this year:
With the increasing burden of climate change on humanity, it is required for everyone to take action to improve the impact of floods. Experts say there are several ways of preventing flooding. To achieve this, Nigeria should improve on its warning system, promote flood resilient buildings, construct buildings above flood levels and increase spending on the construction of flood defences. Other measures such as strategically planting trees, restoring natural waterways and introducing water storage areas are imperative.
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) disclosure of an alleged plot to target its ad hoc personnel ahead of the 2027 general elections demand urgent national attention. The reported arrest of suspects, with intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS), is encouraging, but must not breed complacency. Any attack on electoral workers threatens not only human lives but also Nigerians’ constitutional right to choose their leaders through credible elections. The alleged conspiracy must be thoroughly investigated, its sponsors identified and all those found culpable prosecuted.
Particularly troubling is the reported targeting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who play a vital role in Nigeria’s electoral process. Many serve far from home and undertake sensitive assignments at polling units and other electoral locations. As civilians, they should not be exposed to intimidation, abduction or violence without adequate protection. If election workers are vulnerable, the safety of other officials, observers and voters cannot be guaranteed.
Nigeria’s electoral history offers painful lessons. Human Rights Watch reported in Nigeria’s Post-Election Violence, published in May 2011, that more than 800 people died in the violence following the 2011 general elections. NYSC members serving as electoral officials were among the victims. This tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of political tension, incitement and disputed outcomes. Nigeria must act on the latest warning before another preventable disaster occurs.
INEC deserves recognition for uncovering the alleged plot, while the DSS and other security agencies merit commendation for their reported assistance. However, arrests are only the beginning. Investigators must establish the suspects’ identities, motives, networks and intended targets, ensuring that evidence is admissible in court. The process must remain impartial and free from political interference. Credible public updates are also necessary, provided they do not compromise investigations or operational security.
The authorities must adopt a comprehensive, intelligence-led security strategy for 2027. INEC’s proposed security conference should produce practical measures developed in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the police, the DSS and other relevant agencies. Threat assessments should guide personnel deployment, secure transportation, emergency communications, evacuation procedures and rapid response. Protection must extend beyond polling day to the distribution of sensitive materials, collation centres and the safe return of ad hoc personnel.
Those who provide intelligence must also be protected from retaliation. Confidential reporting channels and appropriate safeguards should be established for informants and others assisting investigations. Equally, security deployments must not intimidate voters or facilitate political repression. Personnel should act professionally, impartially and proportionately, within the law. Clear mechanisms for reporting misconduct and investigating abuses are essential to maintaining public confidence.
The threat also highlights broader concerns about trust in the electoral system. The European Union Election Observation Mission’s June 2023 final report identified shortcomings in transparency and operational implementation during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, alongside concerns about the legal framework and electoral dispute resolution. Credible elections require more than security; they depend on transparent procedures, accountable officials and consistent enforcement of electoral laws. INEC must demonstrate measurable progress in addressing previously identified weaknesses.
Voter apathy presents another challenge. INEC’s published figures indicate that approximately 25 million people voted in the 2023 presidential election, out of about 93.5 million registered voters, a turnout of roughly 26.7 per cent. Although insecurity is not the sole cause of low participation, threats against electoral personnel can heighten public anxiety and discourage voters from exercising their franchise. INEC should strengthen civic education, improve polling accessibility and communicate procedures clearly. Political parties, civil society and the media must promote peaceful participation and reject electoral intimidation.
Misinformation and manipulated digital content pose additional risks. False reports, fabricated announcements and deepfake videos can inflame tensions, impersonate officials and mislead voters. INEC should establish a well-resourced, rapid-response communication system supported by verified digital channels and timely public statements. Collaboration with credible media organisations and fact-checkers would help counter falsehoods without suppressing legitimate criticism. Clear, consistent communication is indispensable, as administrative confusion and delayed explanations often allow rumours to spread.
Electoral integrity must also begin within INEC itself. The chairman’s warning against partisanship, negligence, extortion and ethical misconduct deserves serious attention. Security measures cannot compensate for officials who abuse their positions or disregard established procedures. INEC should strengthen staff training, ensure transparent recruitment and deployment, provide secure channels for reporting misconduct and enforce disciplinary rules consistently. Allegations of bribery and political interference must be investigated regardless of rank, while ad hoc personnel should receive adequate briefing, support and prompt payment.
The legal framework also requires clarity and consistent enforcement. INEC should explain the precise provisions and applicability of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, including the obligations of electoral officials and security personnel, and publish authoritative guidance on neutrality and professional conduct. Complaints by opposition parties that they have been prevented from campaigning in certain states must likewise be investigated impartially. Any established violations should attract appropriate corrective action. Electoral fairness requires not only impartial polling officials but also lawful campaigning, access to competing viewpoints and freedom from intimidation.
The alleged plot against INEC’s ad hoc personnel is a warning against complacency ahead of the 2027 general election. Governments, security agencies, INEC, political parties and civil society must work together to prevent violence, punish misconduct and protect citizens’ participation. The commission should communicate its security priorities, maintain accessible threat-reporting channels and provide periodic updates on preparedness. Nigeria’s democracy cannot be safeguarded by assurances alone; it requires demonstrable preparation, impartial law enforcement and an unwavering commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
Nigeria joined the world in commemorating the International Day of the Girl-Child on 11 March 2026, an observance dedicated to advancing girls’ rights and amplifying their voices. This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” confronts a deep-rooted injustice and demands an end to sacrificing girls’ futures to prejudice and expediency.
The focus is child marriage, not as an unavoidable misfortune but as a preventable injustice. Though prevalent in many societies, the practice remains particularly troubling in parts of northern Nigeria, where it has become normalised. Reports of girls aged 10 to 13 being married off are disturbing. The controversy surrounding a Nigerian senator and former governor who married a 13-year-old girl further exposed the practice to global scrutiny, yet accountability at home appeared limited. When lawmakers disregard the law, society’s moral compass is compromised.
UNICEF’s statistics reveal the scale of the crisis. Globally, an estimated 650 million women and girls alive today were married before turning 18, while more than 12 million girls enter marriage annually before adulthood. In Nigeria, about 33 per cent of girls marry before 18 and 11 per cent before 15. The prevalence reportedly reaches 63 per cent in Jigawa and Zamfara States and 61 per cent in Sokoto and Katsina. These figures represent millions of childhoods interrupted and futures imperilled.
These statistics explain why the United Nations continues to campaign against child marriage and advocate investment in girls. The consequences are devastating. Girls whose bodies are not fully developed face increased risks of maternal death, obstetric fistula, sexually transmitted infections and psychological trauma. The economic cost is equally significant. A 2017 World Bank and International Centre for Research on Women Study estimated that ending child marriage could generate an additional $7.6 billion in earnings and productivity for Nigeria, as early marriage deprives girls of education, skills, and opportunities to contribute to national development.
Educating a woman benefits the entire society. As a mother, she often becomes her children’s first teacher and a vital influence on their character. An educated mother helps raise enlightened children, just as one candle can light many others without losing its flame. Denying women education undermines families and communities. To expect wisdom while deliberately withholding knowledge is to demand the impossible.
Several reasons are offered for marrying off young girls, including economic hardship, cultural practices and religious beliefs. In some households, daughters are treated as commodities, married early so that their bride price can finance their brothers’ education. While boys enter classrooms, their sisters are sent to matrimonial homes. This discriminatory practice is shortsighted, depriving the nation of half its human potential. A country cannot expect to run effectively after deliberately crippling one side of its capacity.
Beyond these justifications lies the entrenched belief that women ultimately belong in the kitchen, regardless of their education. This outdated notion is demonstrably false. Countries where women lead governments, businesses, research institutions and other sectors show what investment in female talent can achieve. Rwanda’s substantial female parliamentary representation is one example. Confining women to domestic roles limits not only their ambitions but also the nation’s progress.
A girl-child must not surrender her childhood to poverty or prejudice. Some traditions discourage women from attaining educational heights comparable to or greater than those of men, driven by the baseless fear that educated women will disrespect their husbands. Such thinking equates enlightenment with insubordination and empowerment with threat. This patriarchal mindset perpetuates inequality and keeps society trapped in backwardness.
Consequently, some parents consider educating their daughters a waste of resources, likening it to watering another man’s garden. This attitude is deeply misguided. Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue her dreams. Early marriage mortgages her future, stifles her potential and traps her in circumstances she might otherwise overcome. No society can justify sacrificing a child’s prospects to outdated customs or immediate financial gain.
Ending child marriage must, therefore, go hand in hand with investing in girls’ education, safety and rights. Every girl should have the opportunity to realise her potential. This requires more than annual declarations, billboards, posters and seminars held in air-conditioned halls. Awareness without action is like a cloud without rain: promising, yet incapable of nourishing the ground.
The campaign must move beyond tokenism to practical intervention, particularly at the state level, where the problem is acute. Governments should formulate policies that protect girls and make education accessible. Scholarships, bursaries, conditional cash transfers, school feeding programmes and other incentives can help keep girls in school. When education is affordable and adequately supported, more girls can choose the classroom over the bridal chamber.
Civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and traditional institutions must intensify efforts to challenge child marriage and dismantle harmful beliefs disguised as religious or cultural obligations. Parents must also uphold their responsibility to protect and educate their daughters, despite economic pressures. A society that educates its girls invests in its future; one that marries them off in childhood mortgages that future at an incalculable cost.
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