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Lagdo Dam: FG urges frontline states to begin evacuation of Nigerians

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2023

Lagdo Dam: FG urges frontline states to begin evacuation of Nigerians

The Federal Government has advised state governments in frontline areas to take necessary measures towards mitigating the potential impact Lagdo Dam floodgate.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu, gave the advice while issuing flood warning alert during meeting of Presidential Committee on coordination and implementation in Abuja.

Edu said, the call became necessary following an alert by the Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the country’s Lagdo Dam.

The minister who spoke at the instance of the Minister of Water Resources and that of Environment expressed the need for effective implementation of policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating against the impacts of the flooding.

Edu while acknowledging the State Government’s zeal in tackling emergencies, urged them to ensure immediate evacuation of Nigerians living in flood front areas to safer destinations.

”State Governments have done quite a number of preparedness, we also appeal to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.

”Lagdo Dam floodgate has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities and that all the frontline States may experience flooding within the next seven days” she said.

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She also pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work with Subnational and Local Governments towards providing shelters for the affected Citizens.

”Because, some of the people living in most of the communities who may be affected are afraid of losing their ancestral homes, despite the warning” she said.

She therefore assured Nigerians on the resolve of President Tinubu-led administration to put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako said the ministry has already activated the necessary flood warning alerts being release on hourly basis.

”Especially, on the water level of River Benue and River Niger as well as vulnerability level of the affected areas” he said.

Salako also said, the ministry has designed a veritable platform that will provide regular and real time information to Environmental Corespondents on the floor warning alerts without waiting for the Ministry.

He noted that recommendations on long term measures and solutions will be presented to Mr. President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding lasting solution to the menace of flooding.

He also reiterated the resolve of the present administration towards working with Cameroon authorities towards ensuring that the impacts of the release of Lagdo Dam floodgate do not result to loss of lives and property as well as ensure that the damages are minimized.

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Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, tasked Nigerians on the need to take necessary steps toward clearing drainages while government at all levels play their roles.

Utsev assured Nigerians that his ministry will on the long run ensure construction of dams as well as dredging of Rivers across the country with the view to end the menace of annual flooding, which has led to loss of several lives and property.

He also noted that the Ministry is already meeting with relevant stakeholders at various levels in the bid to control the waters.

The committee also assured Nigerians of its resolve to provide necessary medical support to Nigerians who may be affected by the flooding, including scourge of malaria and other water borne diseases.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Cameroonian authorities said they will open the dam “in days ahead, due to heavy rainfall around the dam catchment area in Northern part of the country.

A letter dated Aug. 21, 2023, and signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs ministry by Umar Salisu, Director, African Affairs, addressed to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NENA).

NAN reports that the letter noted that “ it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of lagdo dam will be releasing on modulated variable mall amount of water at a time, in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin both Cameroon and in Nigeria.

Lagdo Dam: FG urges frontline states to begin evacuation of Nigerians

(NAN).

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Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

Published

4 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

The Lagos State Government has rolled out stricter measures to combat noise pollution, requiring nightclubs, lounges, bars, and worship centres to obtain permits for events involving amplified sound.

The measure, it said, aimed to safeguard the health and well-being of Lagosians during the festive season and beyond.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on noise pollution.

Wahab highlighted that events with amplified sound must be conducted in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect residents from the harmful effects of excessive noise.

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“Establishments such as worship centers, nightclubs, lounges, and bars must now obtain permits for events involving amplified sound and ensure these activities take place in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect neighboring residents,” the statement read in part.

To enforce these directives, the government said it had established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

This task force, in collaboration with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LSNSC) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), would oversee compliance, arrest offenders, and prosecute violators of noise regulations, it stated.

The statement further noted that starting January 2025, the government would roll out a public awareness campaign to educate Lagosians on acceptable noise levels and the benefits of a quieter environment.

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

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Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

Published

4 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

Singer, Dammy Krane has stated that social critic, Very Dark Man, is joking with claims that N180 million was diverted from the NGO account he created in October this year.

VDM shocked Nigerians on Friday, December 27 when he released a video claiming hackers had breached his NGO website and moved N180m leaving only N20 million.

The news shocked many Nigerians who took to social media to slam him.

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However, in a post shared on his Instagram page this evening, Dammy Krane claimed that VDM is renovating a school in Jos, and was only joking with the story of stolen funds.

Also, a Human Rights activist, Omotayo Williams, claimed the man VDM showed in his video as an officer accompanying him to Jos is a well-known member of the Kogi State Taxi Taskforce.

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

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Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

Published

5 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has expressed support for the proposed implementation of Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing its historical presence in Yoruba culture.

Oba Akanbi noted that Sharia principles have long been part of Yoruba land, citing examples such as Sharia banking and the existence of a Sharia college in Iwo, Osun State.

He stated, “Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years… It’s the right of Muslims to choose customary law or the high court.”

Recall that the discussion around Sharia law gained traction after plans were announced for the inauguration of a Sharia council on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely following widespread public criticism.

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Critics have argued that the Yoruba-dominated South-West, where Muslims and Christians coexist, is distinct from the predominantly Muslim northern region where Sharia is more widely practiced.

Addressing concerns, Oba Akanbi explained that Sharia law is already embedded in Nigeria’s constitution and should not cause alarm for non-Muslims.

“Sharia law is only for Muslims and does not concern others. If any other person likes it, they can convert to Islam, and Muslims can also convert to Christianity. Everyone is free,” he said.

The monarch also drew attention to the challenges faced by Muslims under existing laws, particularly in matters such as inheritance and divorce, where Western legal frameworks may not align with Islamic traditions. “Many Muslims feel disenfranchised… Western education doesn’t understand the ways of Muslim divorce, marriage, and inheritance,” he added.

Oba Akanbi emphasized that Sharia law represents the inalienable rights of Muslims and should not be viewed as a threat to other religions. “No government can deny Muslims their inalienable rights,” he concluded.