News
HOMEF Sympathizes With Niger Flood Victims, Charges Government To Be Proactive

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has sympathized with the families of the victims of the recent flood that struck Mokwa – a transit town for traders in Niger State, North Central Nigeria.
According to reports, at approximately 3:00 am on Thursday, May 29, 2025, there was intense rainfall which was followed by a hazardous flood, which was said to have displaced over 3000 residents, destroyed properties, and claimed
over 100 lives, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
HOMEF, while mourning the tragic loss in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Wednesday, emphasised that the government must take proactive measures to prevent similar or worse incidents from
occurring in the future.
The Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, while reacting to the recent flood event in the statement, noted that communities and cities in flood-prone areas could seize to exist if nothing is done to address this menace.
READ ALSO: Why We’re Heavily Investing In Book And Culture Series – HOMEF Director, Bassey
“This is a horrendous recurring decimal. There is no word to describe
our lack of preparedness and our ill-maintained infrastructure. Combined with insecurity and the fact that more rain is expected, the
displacement problems will be compounded. There is no time for excuses. This is the time to declare an environmental state of emergency across
board. This national emergency can impact our national wellbeing by leading to food scarcity, environmental degradation, mass displacement,
increased poverty, water-borne diseases and exacerbate insecurity.”
Dr Bassey further responded on forecasts and early warnings from
different agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA).
He expressed his disappointment, emphasising that these warnings become meaningless if provisions are not made to move people and settle them on safe and higher ground.
“Nigeria needs to be proactive; our government needs to have emergency
preparedness and be able to relocate people when these warnings and forecasts are made, to avert the kinds of disasters we see when flooding events like this occur. We sympathise with the families affected by the
floods and stand in solidarity with the communities that have been impacted.”
READ ALSO: World Earth Day: HOMEF Holds Climate Justice Assembly, Tasks N’Delta Activists On Unity
Also lending his voice, Stephen Oduware, Programme Manager of Fossil Politics at HOMEF, noted
that flood damage continues to escalate, making recovery challenging and
problematic.
“The rains are just beginning, and there are signs of more flash floods. Apart from the usual palliative measures and reactionary responses, what plans are in place to ensure that the already predicted localised heavy
rainfalls do not result in the kinds of catastrophes we witness during
floods? What is the Nigerian government doing to address the issues of flooding holistically? When floods occur, they leave a trail of destruction, causing damage to properties, loss of lives, livelihoods,
and other socioeconomic impacts.”
According to the ecological think tank organization, flooding is both a consequence of climate change and
a result of poorly planned urban areas and inadequate emergency
preparedness. While the effects of climate change are widespread, many Nigerian cities and towns are also beset by the latter.
READ ALSO: HOMEF Trains Communities On Energy Transition, Approaches
The organization, therefore, called for immediate measures to address the root cause of climate
change, for improvement on practices that preserve natural habitats and
wetlands, and investment in infrastructure that can help reduce the
frequency and seriousness of flooding.
It also called on all relevant agencies to work together in a fully
synchronised manner to ensure that every facet of the disaster is
addressed and succour is extended to the impacted people.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
News
N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.
The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.
At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.
Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.
READ ALSO:I’ve Been Blacklisted In Music Industry For 13 Years – Seun Kuti
Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.
“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.
“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.
This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”
“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
READ ALSO:My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti
“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”
Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.
Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.
Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.
He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.
READ ALSO:South Africa To Investigate ‘Mystery’ Of Planeload Of Palestinians
“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.
He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.
“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.
READ ALSO:South African Ambassador Found Dead Outside Paris Hotel
“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.
DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
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