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Elder statesman Chief Adesunbo Onitiri has issued a stern caution to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former governors Nasir el-Rufai and Peter Obi.
Onitiri specifically warned these prominent political figures against engaging in actions or rhetoric that could destabilise Nigeria’s political climate as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Saturday from Lagos, Onitiri urged the trio, whom he acknowledged as key national figures and statesmen, to exhibit greater restraint and patriotism in their political activities.
He emphasised that escalating political tensions pose a significant threat to the country’s democratic stability.
“As one of the original democrats who risked our lives during the 1993–1994 struggle against military rule, we cannot sit idly by while some politicians create openings for anti-democratic forces to exploit,” he said.
He particularly criticised Atiku’s reported move to seek intervention from an American court to disqualify President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as “unnecessary and unacceptable to most Nigerians.”
“We committed democrats will not fold our arms while our people suffer from hunger and insecurity. The opposition should allow the President to focus on governance and the delivery of democratic dividends,” Onitiri added.
The elder statesman stressed that the current economic and security challenges demand unity and collaboration across party lines.
He called on both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition leaders to set aside partisanship and work together for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“The Federal Government is making efforts to address the inherited economic and security issues since taking office in 2023. What is needed now is cooperation, not division.”
In a significant political move ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, has tendered his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Barrister Abdullahi, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari, submitted his resignation letter on June 1 to the APC chairman in his Uke ward of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State. The letter, which was also copied to other party officials, cited personal reasons for his departure.
Close to the former minister, Mr. Samuel Akala, confirmed the decision to reporters in Lafia and suggested that Abdullahi may announce a new party affiliation soon, with a view to contesting for the governorship of Nasarawa State in 2027.
In his letter, Abdullahi expressed gratitude for the opportunities and support received during his tenure with the APC. “I wish you and the party good luck,” the letter stated.
Abdullahi has a notable track record in the state, having previously served as Secretary to the State Government under former Governor Tanko Almakura, where he contributed significantly to state development.
His resignation has raised concerns within the state party, given his previous influence and substantial followership.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of inflicting deep damage on Nigeria’s democratic fabric through a divisive style of politics that promoted hatred, fear, and intolerance.
Lamido made the claims in his newly launched autobiography, Being True to Myself, unveiled on May 13. In Chapter 15 (pages 380–381), he recounts how Buhari’s political re-emergence ahead of the 2011 general elections reshaped Nigerian politics for the worse.
Reflecting on his own re-election campaign as governor in 2011, Lamido wrote: “My team and I considered the campaigning in 2011 for a second term as no more than a formality; we knew what was there before us and what we had done in the past four years. We were also aware that the people of Jigawa appreciated what we had done for them and that they would hardly abandon us in favor of an unknown contender.”
He said the turning point came with Buhari’s return to active politics, which, according to him, disrupted the relatively cordial and tolerant political climate that once existed in Nigeria.
“His decision to engage in politics had brought a very dangerous setback to the practice of politics in Nigeria by introducing the culture of hatred and intolerance into the scene, where there was mutual respect and love before,” Lamido wrote.
He accused Buhari of dividing Nigerians along ethnic, regional, and religious lines, noting that the former military leader failed to carry himself with the decorum befitting a former Head of State.
“Buhari’s coming had created divisions… perhaps due to his character and military background, he had failed to appreciate that he was a former Head of State and… a national symbol,” he said. “There were certain actions or public discussions that he must never involve himself in… Unfortunately, in his pursuit of wild politics, he seemed to have missed that.”
Lamido further alleged that Buhari relied on intimidation and fear to force people into submission.
“Buhari seemed to have relied on sheer force of fear and intimidation to make everyone submit to him… for fear of one’s personal standing in society, political interests, political future, or even the interests of one’s family.”
He lamented that Buhari’s influence even extended into family units, where he reportedly sowed division and distrust.
“His political influence was able to alter the relationship in a family and cause divisions between a father and his son, cause hatred between two brothers within the same family. Outside family relations, Buhari’s influence was able to divide people living within the same community.”
Lamido concluded that Buhari’s brand of politics introduced a dangerous narrative — one that equated support for him with patriotism and dissent with treason.
“One was either in support of him or one did not love Nigeria. That was the new phenomenon in Nigerian politics,” he wrote.
The autobiography adds a critical voice to the ongoing debate over Buhari’s legacy and his impact on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Many Nigerian investors still face the persistent challenge popularly known as unclaimed dividends.
Over 13 listed companies on Nigeria’s major stock market declared N69 billion in unclaimed dividends for 2024, despite efforts in capital market investor education, technology adoption, and automation.
Unclaimed dividends represent lost profits for investors—funds that could have been reinvested or used for other purposes.
Many retail investors, especially those with modest shareholdings, are unaware of the accumulating funds registered in their names. Heirs also frequently encounter administrative obstacles when attempting to collect dividends from deceased shareholders.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), disclosed that the total value of unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market amounted to N215 billion as of March 2024.
Experts explain that these unclaimed dividends are mostly funds accumulated before the SEC introduced the Electronic Mandate initiatives aimed at resolving the issue. Despite the introduction of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) in collaboration with the SEC, some banks still recorded unclaimed dividends in the 2024 financial year.
For instance:
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc reported N46 billion in unclaimed dividends in 2024.
- Zenith Bank reported N30.6 billion in 2024, up from N30.1 billion in 2023.
- Access Holdings reported N17.73 billion in 2024, down from 21.3 billion in 2023.
Market analysts project that unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market will likely increase further this year.
The SEC’s Director General emphasized,
“The SEC is at the forefront of reducing unclaimed dividends. We will continue to do our best by deploying technology, promoting investor education, and encouraging the public to understand the processes around claiming dividends. Accurate identification and proper documentation are essential. Any initiative that helps reduce outstanding dividends is a positive development.”
Recovering dividends may require professional mediation, especially when documentation is incomplete. However, there’s a simple solution. The NIBSS Self-Service Platform enables you to get instant alerts, update your records, and check for unclaimed dividends with just a few clicks.
To reclaim your dividends, visit the E-Dividend Mandate Management Portal and provide the following information:
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- Bank name
- Account number
- Last name
You will also need to upload:
- A valid means of identification
- Passport photograph
- Your signature
Dr. Agama emphasized that identity verification remains the key challenge. He stated that once accurate shareholder information is maintained, there will be no reason for investors to stop claiming their dividends.
Investors looking for lost dividends can also visit the SEC’s official portal for additional information.
As Nigeria’s financial ecosystem continues to evolve, there is a growing demand for improved shareholder communication, greater transparency, and digital integration. Stakeholders remain hopeful that ongoing reforms will lead to a seamless and efficient dividend retrieval process, ensuring investors receive their rightful earnings without delay.
The examination expressed its reservation in a statement released by the Council and signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani.
It stated that the purpose of the counterfeit Facebook account is to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“The Council wishes to draw the attention of the public to the existence of this fake Facebook account in order to avoid being swindled by the fraudsters.
“Security agents have been informed to take appropriate action against the perpetrators of this fraudulent act,” the statement from NECO reads.
The Federal Government has mandated that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for their examinations starting from 2026.
Naija News reports that this announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a monitoring exercise alongside officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Bwari on Monday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), over two million candidates registered to take part in the ongoing examinations at more than 800 centres nationwide.
Dr. Alausa explained that WAEC and NECO would commence the administration of objective papers using CBT beginning this November.
He further stated that by May or June 2026, both objective and essay sections would be conducted entirely via CBT.
The Minister emphasised, “If JAMB can successfully conduct CBT exams for more than 2.2 million candidates, WAEC and NECO can do the same.”
He added, “We are going to get WAEC and NECO to also start their objective exam on CBT. By 2026 exams which will come up in May/June, both the objectives and the essay will be fully on CBT. That is how we can eliminate exam malpractices.”
The minister also mentioned that a committee is currently reviewing national examination standards, and their recommendations are expected to be submitted next month.
[NaijaNews]
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state has advised activists who are in politics to lead by example and be accountable to the people on whose mandate they are in office.
The Governor also argued that “the welfare and security of the people must be our top priority. We must avoid actions that will make the people to lose faith in democracy.’’
Governor Uba Sani gave this advice at the public presentation and formal book launch written by Hon Abdul Oroh titled, “Demonstration of Craze: Struggles And Transition To Democracy.’’
The Governor who was represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, said that activists ‘’have a collective responsibility to defend this democracy.’’
“Anyone who experienced military rule will not toy with democracy. Despite its imperfections, constitutional democracy remains the best system of government.
“Its key principles like participation of citizens, rule of law, equality, transparency, accountability, human rights, political tolerance, multi-party system, and free and elections are critical to the building and sustenance of a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria,’’ he added.
Governor Sani however urged pro-democracy activists, and indeed civil rights activists to continue to constructively engage governments at both federal and state levels.
‘’Activate your governance observatories. Keep us on our toes. We are servants of the people. Together, let us grow and sustain this democracy,’’ he advised.
According to the Governor, the book is a major contribution to the growing literature on Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles and the search for a Nigeria of our dreams.’’
Describing Abdul Oroh as his long standing comrade and dependable ally in the struggle for fundamental rights and freedoms, the Governor recalled that ‘’we were in the trenches together.
‘’We fought side by side against military authoritarianism. We advocated for the expansion of democratic space and the deepening and consolidation of constitutional democracy,’’ he added.
He further said that the author ‘’made a mark in journalism and later became the Executive Director of Civil Liberties Organization (CLO). In 2003, he made a foray into partisan politics and was elected Member, House of Representatives.’’
On the book, Governor Sani commended Hon. Abdul Oroh for giving insights into his formative years, his driving philosophy, and his participation in the pitched battles against military rule.
‘’How do you navigate the slippery world of Nigerian politics with your values and ethics. This is the dilemma some of us continue to face as we strive to leave lasting legacies of selfless service,’’ he added.
[DailyTrust]
Workers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have pulled out of the January 2 industrial strike called by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria JUSUN, citing the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The workers of the apex court said they opted to decline participation in the strike as a result of cogent and verifiable assurances extracted from the CJN after a closed door meeting.
This is as workers of the National Judicial Council, NJC and those at the Federal High Court, FHC, have also resolved not to go ahead with the strike.
NJC had in a statement by Mr. Joel Ebiloma, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), JUSUN NJC Chapter, hinted that a two -week grace was granted the authorities concerned to enable them put their house in order to meet their demands.
The statement further said that the strike was put on hold to allow relevant stakeholders engage necessary authorities to ensure that the Accountant General of the Federation released the statutory allocations to the Judiciary based on the 2025 Appropriation in which the arrears of the Wage Award, minimum wage, and the 25%/35% salary increase have been captured.
However, the Supreme Court in a communique issued at the end of its meeting said the workers came to the conclusion of not joining the industrial action after assessment of issues and struggle of the CJN to get their demands met.
The communique confirmed that the CJN had already visited the Presidency and tabled their demands in order to get them resolved fully.
The communique signed by 12 principal officers of the Supreme Court Chapter of JUSUN led by the Chairman, Comrade Danladi Nda said that joining the June 2 strike will amount to misplacement of priority and neglect and will result in exercise in futility,
“With CJN commendable efforts, we owe her our unwavering support in order to get the expected allowances and others paid”.
“Lower sister courts position on the planned nationwide strike cannot be managed by us in the Supreme Court as it will put the CJN efforts in vain, jeopardy and swept under the carpet.
“We pray that our colleagues be calm and allow the efforts of the CJN to achieve meaningful results.
The communique hinted that the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN has commenced discussing with all the federal chapters to see reason and drop the planned nationwide industrial action for now.
“We urge those insisting to participate in the strike action to be patient and calm and go along with the CJN to achieve deserved result”, the communique said.
According to some credible sources, the CJN had obtained concrete assurances from the various federal government agencies she discussed the issue with and that everything would be resolved soon, which makes the call for strike unnecessary for now.
[DailyPost]
The President/CEO of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), Adeniran Aderogba, has urged African nations to confront the structural and financial barriers that continue to hinder the continent’s mining sector.
The maritime guru lamented that while financial institutions on the continent are increasingly interested in value-added ventures like processing and manufacturing, the upstream segment — where mining projects are initiated and developed, Aderogaba said, “Remains largely unfunded due to its perceived risk.
Speaking during a high-level panel discussion on “Mobilising Domestic Capital for Africa’s Mining Sector” at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings just concluded in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Aderogba highlighted four persistent constraints obstructing the sector’s growth: a crippling shortage of early-stage capital, the absence of quality geological data, weak development activity, and a chronic lack of integrated infrastructure. These issues, he said, are not merely technical bottlenecks but foundational deficiencies that continue to blunt Africa’s competitiveness and discourage long-term investment
He painted a sobering picture of a region brimming with mineral wealth yet stalled by systemic weaknesses that prevent meaningful development and value creation.
“Africa’s mineral wealth is not in question — our challenge is transforming potential into productivity,” Aderogba said. “We are facing a systemic shortage of early-stage capital that discourages exploration, limits geological mapping, and stalls project preparation. Without addressing these constraints, the full value of our resources will remain trapped underground.”
The Maritime Bank CEO noted that local financial institutions are often reluctant to fund early-stage exploration because of uncertain returns and limited mechanisms to mitigate risk.
He proposed that African governments and central banks adopt a more assertive role in shaping a viable investment environment, including deploying credit enhancement tools and fiscal incentives.
To bridge the financing gap, Aderogba outlined a strategic suite of financial innovations. These include the introduction of mining bonds, mineral royalty securitisation, and blended finance models that combine public and private funds to de-risk investments. He also emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships and the urgent need to strengthen project preparation capacity across the continent.
“Africa must not rely solely on foreign capital. We need to build a resilient domestic financial architecture that supports the full mining value chain — from exploration to beneficiation and beyond,” he said. “Finance ministries must provide fiscal incentives while central banks support investment-friendly monetary policies and guarantee frameworks.”
Aderogba’s remarks were especially timely given the global acceleration of the energy transition, which has catapulted demand for minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements. He cited projections showing the global market value for these critical minerals is expected to more than double from US$325 billion in 2023 to US$770 billion by 2040, with copper leading the surge due to its indispensable role in electrification technologies.
Africa, he stressed, is central to this transition. The continent is home to two-thirds of global cobalt reserves, 30 percent of lithium, 20 percent of graphite, and over 30 percent of manganese.
“This places Africa not at the periphery, but at the heart of the global energy transition,” Aderogba stated. He highlighted Guinea’s vast bauxite reserves, Gabon’s dominance in manganese production, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 70 percent share of global cobalt supply as key pillars of this opportunity.
However, he warned that unless Africa shifts from being a raw material exporter to a hub of industrial transformation, it risks repeating the historical pattern of resource dependency.
“Extracting minerals is not enough. The real value lies in processing them locally, creating industries, jobs, and self-sustaining economies,” he said.
Adding a crucial maritime dimension, Aderogba underscored the role of Africa’s seaborne infrastructure in realising the continent’s full economic potential. “To facilitate intra-African trade, minerals must benefit from major value addition, giving rise to rapid industrialisation,” he said. “The goods produced through that industrialisation — vehicles, batteries, components, machinery — can then be traded across African borders and efficiently moved through our major maritime channels.”
This integrated vision, he explained, would not only strengthen Africa’s internal markets but also reduce its dependence on external trade corridors and pricing systems. He said this perspective is rooted in RMDB’s broader mission: to enhance the maritime and logistical connectivity of Africa’s coastal and landlocked countries, turning mineral wealth into tangible, tradable value across the continent.
Aderogba also welcomed growing international interest in Africa’s mining sector but cautioned that global partnerships must contribute to local capacity building and value chain development.
“Africa must act with unity and urgency. Mobilising domestic capital is not just an economic imperative — it is a sovereign necessity,” he declared. “Let us rise to meet the moment and build an Africa that thrives on the strength of its resources, connected by land, by industry, and by sea.”
He added that in a century defined by climate action and technological upheaval, Africa’s minerals may very well be its passport to prosperity — “if the continent can summon the collective will to finance its future,” he said.
[TheNation]
The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has lamented that Nigeria is currently engulfed in a serious insecurity crisis with bandits residing in many communities.
Sanusi stated that Nigerians are living alongside bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.
He made these remarks during the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja on Saturday.
Sanusi said, “For all those cautioning that we should be careful before entering a crisis, please wake up.
“We are living with bandits and Boko Haram; we are already there.
“We are already in crisis; it has already happened. The question is how do we get out of it.”
He also attributed Nigeria’s multi-dimensional poverty to the failure of its leaders.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria criticised the country’s elites for being unaware of the extent of poverty afflicting Nigeria.
Emir Sanusi’s statements at Rotimi Amaechi’s birthday celebration, as reported by Punch Online are a continuation of his long-standing and concerns about the state of Nigeria.
Over the years, Sanusi has frequently highlighted the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria, where banditry and insurgency have become deeply entrenched.
His pronouncements have often served as a reminder to both the populace and the government of the gravity of the crisis.
He has repeatedly linked the widespread violence to rising poverty, displacement, and a general sense of despair among affected populations.
[Punch]
Africa is the fastest ageing continent in the world. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicts that by 2050, more than two billion people globally will be aged 60 or older — a significant portion of whom will live in Africa.
This growing elder population puts increasing strain on social welfare systems that often have limited resources.
Despite these challenges, several African nations have established pension systems that provide meaningful support to their senior citizens.
Below is ranking of the countries offering the best pension payments, based on monthly pension amounts, system sustainability, and eligibility criteria, per TheSouthAfrican.
The Top 10 African Countries with the Best Pension Payments
1. Zambia
Monthly Pension: $215 (about R3,830)
Zambia offers a comprehensive social security system with a strong legal framework and multiple pension tiers. The pension is means and asset tested and requires beneficiaries to be 60 years or older and citizens.
2. South Africa
Monthly Pension: $120 (about R2,210)
South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) pension is one of the continent’s most developed, providing monthly grants to low-income seniors aged 60 and above. It operates under a strong legislative framework and multiple pension tiers.
3. Mauritius
Monthly Pension: $118 (about R2,157)
Mauritius has a robust pension scheme primarily serving public sector employees, backed by stable economic management. The scheme features partial means testing and limited asset testing.
4. Botswana
Monthly Pension: $90 (about R1,630)
Botswana’s pension system covers mainly government employees, supported by a stable economy. Partial means testing and limited asset testing apply.
5. Namibia
Monthly Pension: $80 (about R1,450)
Namibia provides a well-structured pension system for the public sector, offering good legal protections to retirees. Pensions are means tested with minimal asset testing.
6. Morocco
Monthly Pension: $70 (about R1,270)
Morocco’s pension system covers both public and private sector workers and includes means testing with limited asset testing.
7. Tunisia
Monthly Pension: $60 (about R1,087)
Tunisia offers a comprehensive social security system with relatively high coverage for a North African country, including means and moderate asset testing.
8. Algeria
Monthly Pension: $55 (about R997)
Algeria’s state-managed pension system benefits from significant oil revenues. The system is partially means tested and has minimal asset testing.
9. Egypt
Monthly Pension: $50 (about R906)
Egypt maintains multiple pension schemes but faces challenges with economic volatility. Its pensions are means tested with limited asset testing.
10. Kenya
Monthly Pension: $40 (about R725)
Kenya is actively reforming its public service pension system to improve sustainability. The scheme includes means testing and minimal asset testing.
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Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, says Rotimi Amaechi demonstrated courage by refusing to step down for President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary contest of 2022.
Soyinka spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the 60th birthday celebration of Amaechi, who served as governor of Rivers state from 2007 to 2015.
The playwright said he was particularly moved by Amaechi’s defiance at the primary election, which he followed live from Abu Dhabi.
“The main reason why I had to be here today — it’s first of all that I admire Rotimi Amaechi’s fighting spirit,” he said.
“And it’s a very consistent one, but the most memorable for me — because I watched this event live on TV all the way from Abu Dhabi.
“I wanted to see the drama of all the primaries going on during the election. I wasn’t really here but I said I want to watch this contest and I’m glad I did.
“Because it gave me a great — most malicious pleasure, rascally if you like, pleasure — to see the incumbent president being given a dose of his own medicine.”
Soyinka said Amaechi’s decision to stay in the race reminded him of Tinubu’s own defiance during the Olusegun Obasanjo era.
“Let me explain this. For somebody we knew as the last man standing when he fought to a standstill, a former president who was manoeuvring himself into a position of changing the constitution and obtaining a third term,” he said.
“He keeps denying it but he and I know for a fact and so do others. And towards that goal, he was sort of emasculating the powers of the constituent elements of the federation.
“And by the end, this president was the last man standing, resisted that effort. All the others had sort of cowed down because their statutory allocation had been stopped — contrary to the constitution.
“But one man — he was the last man standing. Well, he obtained a dose of his own medicine from Rotimi Amaechi during the primaries. I enjoyed that very much.
“While everybody was, you know, falling over one another conceding, there was one individual who got on the podium and he said no, I’m not conceding.
“I didn’t come all the way here to commit ‘lúlẹ̀’. And that man was Rotimi Amaechi. And I said this is what democracy is all about.”
Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other presidential hopefuls in the primary election.
Amaechi, former minister of transportation, polled 316 votes to come second, with then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo receiving 235 votes.
[TheCable]
A former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-rufai has querried the current leadership structure in Nigeria, noting that the country has been taken over by urban bandits.
El-rufai made the disclosure in Abuja on Saturday at the 60th birthday lecture of the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, with the theme “Weaponization of Poverty in Nigeria.”
He said, “Nigeria is in its biggest trouble since 1914 and that is why we are together working and conspiring to build a coalition to take Nigeria back on track because it is off track.
“It has turned to this level because we have allowed bandits, not the ones in the bushes but the ones in the urban areas called the urban bandits to take over leadership.
“I believe that the problem that we have, which I think (former) Governor Babangida referred to, is that we just get incompetent people and we hand over leadership to them. Most of them don’t really know what to do. They just know how to grab power but don’t know what to do with it.”
He said Nigerians must stand up and vote leaders that have the competence, capability, capacity and commitment to move the country forward.
[DailyTrust]
Four days after the devastating flood that swept through Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, residents are still frantically searching for bodies of their loved ones to ensure they are given a proper burial.
DAILY POST reports that official figures have already put the death toll at 151, with more than 100 others still missing
The magnitude and suddenness of the disaster shocked the community to its core and left 50 houses destroyed, about 3,018 persons homeless, with many of those affected currently taking refuge at the Mokwa Central Primary School provided by the local government.
The disaster, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) was triggered by a downpour that lasted several hours, causing homes to be submerged and buildings to collapse.
In an update on Saturday, Niger State Government disclosed that the death toll from the flood had risen from initial 21 on Thursday to 151.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), in a statement by its Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, the disaster has also resulted in 11 people sustaining various levels of injuries, 3,018 persons displaced, and 50 households destroyed.
NSEMA also said 265 houses were affected across three communities, two roads washed away, as well as two bridges destroyed
Earlier, Baba-Arah during a visit to the area said the Agency received a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities, Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, in Mokwa town, Mokwa LGA last Thursday.
According to him, “In response, the agency in collaboration with Mokwa local government saw that this flood is beyond our imagination.
“We have never witnessed anything like this before. The people affected are the poorest of the poor, many with large families.
“Even Islamic scholars reside in the affected areas. The corpses of the almajiri haven’t been counted yet because we still don’t have a record of their number.
“We are talking about a large number of people who died. This is not a small area where you can easily count the number of corpses,” he said.
He emphasized that so far, he had personally counted over 40 corpses buried on Friday.
“Even today alone, we discovered more than five. There are still corpses trapped under collapsed buildings,” he stated.
However, eyewitness accounts gave a painful scenario of the development, stating that more than 200 corpses were buried on Friday alone, while many more are still unaccounted for.
This position contradicts NSEMA’s account of recovering 151 bodies on Saturday.
However, they noted that while the road to recovery will be long, their immediate priority remains saving lives and ensuring the dead receive a proper burial.
One of the grieving residents, Alhaji Belle Ibrahim, who lost his entire family in the flood.said, “I am still searching for their remains to give them a proper burial”.
The victim narrated how the floodwaters surged into their home while they were sleeping.
He said in tears, “This is the worst tragedy I have seen in over 35 years of living in Unguwan Hausawa.”
Musa Adamu explained that families are desperately combing through debris and floodwaters with hope of finding their missing loved ones.
According to him, “The exact number of casualties remains uncertain as we are still searching for the bodies of our relatives.”
Hauwa Kudu, a journalist based in Minna, whose relatives live in Tiffin Maza community told our correspondent that, “my auntie’s four children are still not yet found. My auntie was found and buried last night (Friday). My family is still searching for them.”
She further explained that the auntie’s co-wife survived with two out of her four children, while the other two are still missing just as their husband survived because he did not sleep at home on the day of the disaster.
Abdul Ibrahim, said, “We woke up in the morning preparing to go to the farm, when suddenly our house was submerged by flood; we cannot say where it came from.
“The floodwater submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost our relatives, including children, women and men. It’s so heartbreaking for us.”
Some residents further revealed that the floodwater began rushing in around 6 am on Thursday and before long, overwhelmed Unguwan Hausawa, while most people were still asleep.
The flood was also said to had blocked Tatabu Bridge in Mokea area, which links the North to the South-West, leading to a major traffic gridlock.
The development left motorists heading to Lagos and other southern parts and those heading to the northern part of Nigeria stranded for several hours.
It took the intervention of local authorities in the area who deployed graders to clear the road and restore movement for travellers.
Also, in an interview with the leader of the Hausa community, Mal Tanko Bala, he told DAILY POST that they woke up on Thursday at 7:10 am to a strong floodwater that hit their communities.
“As it is now, we cannot ascertained the number of lives affected.
“We have so far buried over 100 and those we are still searching for are more than 100.
“We have cases where out of a family of 40 only two survived, we are still searching for 38. We had a family of 12- all gone, a family of 10 cannot be accounted for. These persons are still missing and we are still searching for them,” he lamented.
The community leader called on governments to come to the aid of the people who have lost their relatives and homes in the affected communities.
“We have lost lives, property and many more to this flood. We are disturbed and calling on the government at all levels to look into our plights,” he stated.
Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba during an on-the-spot visit with his team on Friday confirmed that search and rescue operations were ongoing, and that the state government was working round the clock to provide relief materials to the victims.
He called on members of the community to be patient and remain strong in faith as they face the devastating loss.
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stated that officials were on ground coordinating the response efforts.
She explained that many families have been severely impacted, with some losing multiple members.
Also, leading a federal government delegation on a sympathy visit to the state, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris said President Ahmed Bola Tinubu had been fully briefed on the disaster and was deeply concerned about the loss of lives.
Idris disclosed that the President had directed that all available resources of the Federal Government be deployed to address the situation and that efforts were being made to avert or mitigate the recurring flood disasters in the country.
The Minister also revealed that the National Orientation Agency has been directed to carry out sensitisation campaigns to ensure that people avoid living around river banks.
Malagi also commended the State and other relevant agencies that are assisting in the search operations, saying, “the Federal Government is collaborating to ensure a seamless operation.”
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors through NEMA which is ongoing,” he stated.
The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatdo, who is also part of the delegation, pledged to review the situation on the needed areas of support to the IDPs and migrants in order to meet their needs.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago stated that efforts were being intensified to ensure the construction of stem water drainage in Mokwa and Mashegu council areas.
The Governor pleaded with the federal government for intervention in the areas of temporary camp and taking assessments of the communities in order to proffer solutions to the menace.
Garba disclosed that the state government had approved for distribution 6,000 bags of rice and other essential materials to cushion the effects of the disaster on the victims.
The situation currently remains dire, with many corpses still trapped under collapsed buildings and especially a large number of almajiri (Quranic school pupils) unaccounted for, even as the government and emergency responders are working tirelessly.
[DailyPost]
The Lagos state Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mrs. Funmi Sessy has advocated a shift from aggressive unionism to strategic engagements.
She said this during the 2-day capacity-building workshop for executive members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Lagos Chapter.
Held at the Lagos State Assembly premises, the event themed: ‘The Role of Unionism in a Political Environment,’ had many dignitaries in attendance such as Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo, Deputy Clerk; Mrs. Kemi Quadri, Director of Finance; Princess Jumoke Sotonwa, Director of Training and Mrs Branco Adekoya Abisola , Director of Public Affairs.
While appreciating the Speaker of the House, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the Clerk , Barr. Onafeko Olakekan for supporting the training, Sessy said; “Now it is about using strategy and knowledge. This kind of programme equips union members with practical understanding and operational skills.”
She urged continued training and capacity-building initiatives to keep PASAN members aligned with their counterparts across the state.
Chairman of the association, Mr. Babatunde Ogunlana, stressed the need for executive members to fully understand their responsibilities within a political setting. He pointed out the significance of revisiting the union’s involvement in the events of January 13 at the assembly, noting that it serves as a backdrop for the workshop.
[TheNation]