News

NEMA Urges Relocation As 27 States Face Severe Flooding

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2024

The National Emergency Management Agency advises communities at risk of flooding, especially those residing along waterways, to relocate to safer, higher ground in anticipation of the peak of the rainy season.

This is as the agency released alarming data from its Emergency Operations Centre, revealing that severe flooding has affected 27 states.

NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, re-affirmed the commitment of the agency to coordinate and provide necessary support towards efficient disaster management in the country.

A Thursday press release on NEMA’s X account said that NEMA has rapidly mobilised efforts to assess the damage.

It was titled, “Update on Flood Across the Country.”

The agency is also coordinating relief operations with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).

This highlights NEMA’s proactive stance and readiness to address the nationwide crisis.

It read, “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has responded to the recent flood incidents that devastated some communities across the country and commenced the assessment of the impacts with the various States Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to provide timely and appropriate support to the affected persons.

“The timely response by NEMA to the flood incidents is in furtherance of the early preparations made by the agency in the deployment of search and rescue teams and the placement of all NEMA zonal and operation offices on alert.

“The agency has also commenced the deployment of relief items to complement efforts by the various state governments to provide succour to persons affected by the floods.”

NEMA, in its statement, added that it would keep raising awareness nationwide about solid waste management to encourage clearing blocked drainages.

“Furthermore, NEMA shall continue with public sensitisation as well as grassroots awareness through advocacies and workshops on solid waste management to raise public consciousness on the clearance of blocked drainages and waterways.

“So far, based on statistics from the NEMA Emergency Operations Centre established for the flood monitoring and coordination of resource deployment, 27 states have been impacted, with a total of 227, 494 persons affected and 32,837 houses damaged, as well as 16,488 hectares of farmlands with crops also damaged,” it added.

The NEMA boss urges SEMAs and community leaders to be prepared for rapid flood response and reassures farmers not to panic about the temporary dry spell, as it will end soon according to NiMet’s predictions.

“Umar reiterates that communities at risk of flooding and those living along waterways should relocate to safer, higher grounds ahead of the peak of the rainy season.

“Furthermore, she urges all stakeholders, especially SEMAs and community leaders, to be ready to activate, at short notice, plans and preparations for floods with the increasing incidents in some parts of the country.

“In a related development, the Director General of NEMA has advised farmers not to panic over the temporary dry season being experienced in some states, noting that the situation will soon be over as contained in the seasonal climate predictions released earlier in the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),” it concluded.

The PUNCH reports that flooding in Nigeria is a recurrent and severe issue, exacerbated by factors such as seasonal rains, poor drainage infrastructure, and deforestation.

The country experiences significant flooding during the rainy season, particularly in low-lying areas and regions near rivers and coastal zones.

Urbanisation and inadequate waste management often lead to blocked drainages, worsening the impact of floods.

In recent years, climate change has intensified these challenges, increasing the frequency and severity of flooding events.

The consequences are far-reaching, affecting millions of people through displacement, damage to homes and infrastructure, and disruptions to agriculture and livelihoods.

Efforts to manage and mitigate flooding include improved infrastructure, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.