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FG raises alarm on 18 states, FCT, says flooding may increase cholera spread

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The federal government Thursday raised the alarm over possible severe flooding beginning from the end of this month, saying 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are likely to be adversely affected.

The states at high risk to include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Rivers and Taraba as well as the FCT.

The government also warned that prolonged flooding incidents might escalate the cholera spread across some affected states.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, while addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, said Nigeria had been experiencing flash/urban floods since May, resulting from high intensification of rainfall which has been prolonged, as well as poor and blocked drainage systems in many urban areas.

He said from the end of July, the country might start experiencing river flooding, which might be more devastating.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had on Wednesday said 63 people had died of cholera with 2,102 suspected cases.

Since April 10, some states and the FCT have experienced flooding resulting in casualties and huge damage to properties.

The Water Resources minister said river flooding was expected from major rivers like the Niger and Benue, urging for continuous monitoring and proactive measures.

He noted that Nigeria is located at the lowest portion of the River Niger Basin, which means that once the upper catchment of the basin gets flooded, the country should be prepared to experience flooding incidents.

On the situation with Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, the minister said the operators had informed the country that they were currently filling the dam for hydropower generation.

He said the flow situation at Wuroboki was relatively normal now and that there was no cause for alarm.

On what the government was doing to mitigate the annual flooding from the release of water from the Lagdo Dam, he said arrangements were almost completed to build buffer dams along the water channel to camp water from that particular dam.

He said the designs of the dams had been done and that the government was almost at the implementation stage.

He said a presidential committee had been set up to see how any possible outbreak could be tackled.

He said the committee was also looking at the issue of open defecation which, according to him, is another causal factor for cholera.

Utsev said a realigned 2023 flood report had led to the formation of a new committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima to address broader disaster management issues, including erosion and desertification.

He said the committee had submitted its report which had been approved by the National Economic Council, with implementation strategies set to commence shortly.

The minister urged state and local governments, and other stakeholders to take measures to prevent the ugly flooding menace of the past years.

Clement Nze, Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), said his agency had, in the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook released in April, predicted that 148 local government areas across 31 states are at high risk of flooding this year.

He said the federal government had dispatched such outlooks to the state governments and even held a meeting on the issue with representatives of the states.

The acting Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Department, Florence Wenegieme, said the FCT Administration had been carrying out enlightenment on the need to clear drainage systems and desist from dumping refuse on waterways. States roll out enlightenment campaigns.

 

 

 

 

 

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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