President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has visited Borno State on Monday, where he pledged increased support for citizens affected by recent floods and other disasters.
Addressing the media at the Borno Government House, Tinubu announced a new disaster relief fund aimed at aiding those impacted by the climate-induced crisis.
He emphasized the urgency of the relief fund, citing the increasing unpredictability of the climate and its impact on vulnerable areas across Nigeria.
Tinubu further called on the private sector to contribute to the fund, underscoring its importance in the face of such disasters.
During his visit, President Tinubu, accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, toured several affected areas, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Government Secondary School in Maiduguri, and conducted a drive-through of disaster-stricken regions.
The President remarked, “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change. There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas. If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging.”
In his address, Tinubu extended gratitude to several state governors, including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their support across party lines during this crisis. He emphasized that Nigeria’s diversity should lead to collective prosperity.
The President also expressed sympathy to the people of Yobe State and other flood-affected regions, promising his administration’s ongoing support for natural disaster victims.
“For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” he assured.
Tinubu commended Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for his swift response and the Nigerian military’s Theatre Command for their lifesaving evacuation efforts.
He praised the efforts of all ministries, agencies, and security forces involved, as well as the international organizations working in the state.
Governor Zulum expressed gratitude for the President’s visit and the prompt action taken by federal agencies, particularly NEMA and the military.
At the palace, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked President Tinubu for his visit and requested an investigation into the cause of the Alau Dam collapse, which led to the flooding.
