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Seven die as flood overruns seven Niger councils

Published

3 years ago

September 3, 2022

FILE PHOTO

Seven persons have died in the last four days in the flood caused by heavy rainfall in Niger State.

Seven local government areas are experiencing the negative impact of the rainfall, which has lasted for four days unstopped.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim Inga disclosed these to newsmen in Minna.

According to him, six people died in Magama local government area while one person died in Rafi local government.

He said several others have been rendered homeless as a result of the flood.

NiMet had predicted four days of heavy rainfall in five States with Niger included.

“The State has started experiencing the negative impact of the flooding with houses, farmlands, bridges and some linked roads washed away in some LGAs located at up and downstream of the four Dams.

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“These rendered many homeless and have affected the socio-economic activities of the communities. The local government areas include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mashegu and Wushishi,” he said.

He called on the people living in riverine areas to relocate to safer grounds that have already been identified urging residents across the state to avoid dumping refuse in drainages and limit their activities around the river banks during this period to avoid being flooded.

Inga also cautioned against people standing under trees during rainfall and staying in substandard structures as the heavy rainfall is predicted to be accompanied by violent windstorms.

In a related development, Kontagora town has been overtaken by flood as the heavy downpour has displaced residents and made people lose properties, businesses and farmlands.

The Nation gathered that the flood affected residents of Unguwan Yamma, Sabon Gari, BCG, and Mayanka which are all inside the Kontagora town.

The Kontagora incident was as a result of the heavy downpour which occurred on Wednesday night into Thursday morning entered the homes of people and several of them are yet to get the water out of their homes.

A businessman, who is into fish rearing, Malam Musa Umar, said that he lost more than 6,000 fishes to the flood apart from other valuables which he lost.

The residents of Kontagora have called on the state government to intervene and help them in alleviating the impact of the flood.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in Kontagora saying that they are still conducting an assessment of the damage caused by the flood.

The Nation

Related Topics:Featured flood Niger councils

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

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FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

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Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.