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Flood: NEMA Sensitises Stakeholders On Disaster Prevention

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2024

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a one-day sensitisation programme for environmental stakeholders on flood prevention and waste management in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the programme on Tuesday, Mrs Ummunah Ahmed, Head of Operations, NEMA, Gombe Office, said that the sensitisation became necessary after the Nigerian Meteorology Agency’s prediction of possible flooding in some states and Local Government Areas across the country.

According to her, two LGAs in Bauchi states, Itas Gadau and Toro were listed among high-risk areas, while Seven others like Bauchi, Jama’are, Ganjuwa, Shira, Zaki, Warji and Katagum were listed in moderate-risk areas.

She affirmed that the objectives of the programme was to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management practices in the communities and educate the public on the adverse effects of improper waste disposal on the environment and public health.

Ahmed added that the programme was to also promote proactive measures for flood preparedness and resilience in communities and to encourage behavioural change toward sustainable waste management practices and flood mitigation strategies.

“Improper waste disposal has severe and far-reaching consequences on our environment, health and climate, hence the reason why experts on environmental issues have been invited to do justice to the given topic.

“As you are aware that flood is always associated with improper waste management, so we are enlightening you, creating awareness among you, so as to avoid flooding.

“If you look at our drainages and waterways, you will find out that they are all filled up with waste, so if we can clean and clear up our drainages, dispose our wastes properly, this is a good measure in avoiding flooding.

“I therefore urge you all to listen to expert presentations, advice and extend the same message to the grassroots,” she said.

She also urged the people living in flood prone areas to move to safer grounds, adding that when there is flooding, people living in sloppy areas would be affected first.

Also, Mr Haruna Suleiman, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Bauchi state Ministry of Health, lauded NEMA for organising the programme, adding that the danger associated with improper waste disposal could not be overemphasised.

“We in the Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare already have a structure which is the risk communication and community engagement where communities are engaged and sensitised on the importance of proper waste management and the effect of improper waste management to our health.

“We have so many structures in the communities that will help us in communicating this message in order to consider proper waste management as a vital tool in prevention and control of diseases and flooding.

“I would like to advise other stakeholders to have structures at the community levels because community engagement is very critical in whatever you want people to do.

“Without a structure in the community where the community members are part of the implementing body, then there will be problems but you can easily achieve whatever you want to achieve if the community members are participating in your activities,” he said.

Some of the stakeholders in the programme included members from the Bauchi state Environmental Protection Agency, Bauchi state Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Health and Environment.

Others included members from both the state and Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Army, the Police, traditional and religious leaders, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Orientation Agency, among others.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

8 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

9 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”