The Nation Newspaper

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  • 1 million people displaced in Northcentral, says NEMA

    The floods which devastated most parts of the Northcentral displaced more than one million people, Malam Mohammed Abdulsalami, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Zonal Coordinator, has said.

    Abdulsalami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos yesterday that the agency had established 36 camps to accommodate such Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “The camps are spread among the six states of the Northcentral,’’ he said, adding that the worst-hit was Kogi, closely followed by Benue.

    “The two states had the worst cases because of their positioning along the River Niger and River Benue.

    “In fact, in the case of Kogi, many people have even fled to parts of Anambra but we have followed them and established camps there,’’ he said.

    Abdulsalami said, however, that many IDPs were not in the camps, preferring to live with neighbours, relations, family friends and clergymen.

    “Many IDPs have complained of the inconvenience, regimented life and poor sanitation in the usually crowded camps and have opted to stay away.

    “For such people, usually referred to as Non-camped IDPs, who are even more in number, we register them and give them some succour pending when we shall make a more permanent arrangement.

    “We usually ask them to stand in front of the houses into which they are accommodated where we get their pictures and the other details to help us to sort them out,’’ he said.

    The official described the effect of the flood as “very, very colossal’’.

    He said 300 people were confirmed killed in the floods, while farmlands, houses, roads and bridges were destroyed, in addition to numerous livestock that were killed.

    “As I speak, many people are still missing and we still receive distress calls from communities in danger of being submerged,’’ he said.

    Abdulsalami commended the respective state governments for working with NEMA to assist the affected persons, and particularly lauded prominent citizens of Benue, who directly assisted victims.

    “In Benue, prominent indigenes like Senate President David Mark, NAFDAC Director-General Paul Orhii and Senator Barnabas Gemade have offered lots of assistance to the victims by bringing all kinds of relief materials,’’ he said.

    He said that to ensure that the relief materials reached victims, the distribution was being done directly unlike in the past when the items were routed through traditional rulers and community leaders.

    “We have often been inundated with complaints that some leaders were diverting the items.

    “We have, therefore, changed the mode of distribution to ensure that the relief materials were not cornered by people who did not suffer any damage,’’ he said.

    Other states in the zone affected by the floods are Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Niger.

  • 2013 Budget proposal didn’t consider flooding, says ANPP

    The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of not taking the menace of flooding in the country into consideration before drawing next year’s Budget.

    The party questioned the N81.41 billion voted for agriculture and rural development.

    The ANPP, in a statement, said: “Last week, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2013 budget proposal to the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, where he submitted that the budget gives priority to food security. Considering that a relatively meagre N81.41 billion was budgeted for agriculture and rural development, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) believes that it is either not fair to the sector.

    “Every Nigerian is affected by the current environmental hazard pummelling the nation, but more affected are the coastal and rural dwellers, the petty agriculturalists and subsistence farming-dependent citizens who can barely survive outside their familiar rural territory.

    “In fact, the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Mailafiya, recently stated that the country faced imminent food crisis, as more than 5,000 farmlands in many states had been washed away and there could be food shortage. We see no other way of addressing the looming danger apart from concerted, strategic and broad intervention based on a budgetary blueprint for next year in the agricultural and rural development sector, which underpin the affected areas. However, looking at provisions for these sectors in the 2013 budget proposal, we can only see the handwriting of a government that is not prepared to face this manifest challenge.”

  • Flooding forces NYSC to cancel passing-out ceremony in Bayelsa

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bayelsa will not conduct a passing-out ceremony for 2011 Batch ‘C’ corps members because of the flood disaster in the state, an official said.

    The NYSC Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa, Mr Pius Iyamah, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa yesterday.

    Iyamah said: “The passing-out which is scheduled to hold on October 18, 2012 without the usual ceremony.

    “We will assemble them at the secretariat and call out their names to receive their certificates due to the situation in the state occasioned by the flood disaster.”

    Iyamah disclosed that the ongoing distribution of relief materials to flood victims had compelled the NYSC to shelve the ceremony.

    The Yenagoa City Hall normally used for the passing out ceremony by the NYSC has been turned to a storage centre for relief materials, he said.

    The flood has also affected social and economic activities in Yenagoa, as almost every available space has been taken over by flood victims.

    The victims are currently camped at the Indoor halls of Samson Siasia Sports Stadium, Bishop Dimeri Grammar School, and the premises of Community Primary School in Ovom, among others.

  • Ahmadu Bello Foundation donates relief materials to Benue

    Ahmadu Bello Foundation (ABF) has donated relief materials to victims of Benue flood disasters.

    The materials were presented by the foundation’s Chairman Advisory Council (CAC), Justice Mamman Nasir yesterday. They were received by Governor Gabriel Suswam and his deputy, Chef Steven Lawani.

    Justice Nasir said the materials were part of efforts by the foundation to ameliorate the hardship face by those affected by the floods.

    Justice Nasir advised that rivers in Cameroon should be diverted to Lake Chad to avoid destruction of lives and farmlands to flood.

    He said if Sir Ahmadu Bello was alive, he would have personally brought the relief materials because of his concern for the welfare of the people.

    Suswam praised the foundation for the gesture.

    The Director, National Center for Remote Sensing (NCRS), Efron Gajere, has said the proper use of the environment would help curb flooding and other disasters.

    Gajere spoke in Jos as part of the activities marking the world space week.

    He said: “The Nigerian population is completely ignorant of the best way to make use of our environments, we are using the environment negatively and the consequence is heavy on Nigerians and the Federal Government.

    “If the society is adequately informed and enlightened on best practices of managing our environments, we will not have natural disaster like flooding and desertification.

    “All the disaster we called natural disasters are man-made and this is largely due to our ignorance of how to use this free gift from God.

    “So, flooding and desertification can be prevented if we are equipped with adequate knowledge of usage of our environment and this is where the Ministry of Environment should come in and put up serious public enlightenment, educate our children in schools so that we can all together have a better use of our environment.

    “We owe it to our children a befitting environment, if we destroy it now what are they going to inherit tomorrow.

    The director NCRS advised Nigerians living on water ways to vacate before the rain set in next year, those living by drainage channels should clear them as this is the only way to avoid another flooding in the next rainy season.

    “Our negative attitude against the environment should change so that we can enjoy this environment.”

  • Fed Govt urged to evacuate Bayelsa residents

    An Ado-Ekiti indigene, who just returned from Bayelsa State, Mrs. Olusola Ayodele, has urged the Federal Government to evacuate flood victims trapped in Bayelsa.

    Mrs. Ayodele, who runs a chain of private schools in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, said she had lived there for over 14 years.

    She said many victims cannot access the relief materials provided by the Federal Government because they cannot come out of their homes.

    Mrs. Ayodele added: “Ogbia Local Government Area is submerged. The President’s hometown, Otueke; Emea 1 and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa are all covered with water.

    “The government is trying to assist people, but the assistance is not getting to those trapped in their houses. The only vehicles that can get into Bayelsa now are trucks, because they are very high.

    “The water level has continued to rise and many people cannot come out of their homes. As I speak, my younger sister, Mrs. Olubukola Ake, is among those trapped in their homes.”

    Mrs. Ayodele said the cost of food in Bayelsa State has sky rocketed. She said a sachet of water now costs between N20 and N30.

    She said the whole state is flooded and the only way to save the people would be to take them out before the situation gets worse.

    Mrs. Ayodele said: “I am saying all these because I have come to see Bayelsans as my extended family and their condition has been giving me sleepless nights. Although I am back in Ado-Ekiti, my roots, I am concerned about them.”

    The Governor Peter Obi Administration in Anambra State has spent N40 million to assist victims of flood disaster.

    Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Prof. Stella Okunna spoke at a news conference in Awka yesterday.

    According to Okunna, the 21 camps created by the state government for the displaced persons in different parts of the state are properly planned to take care of the victims.

    She dismissed any fear of epidemics in the camps, saying that health workers had been engaged and mobilised to provide health care services to the displaced people.

    The commissioner said all children of school age whose parents were displaced had been enrolled into various schools within the camps to prevent disruption of their academic calendar.

    Okunna also spoke on plans by the government to constitute a flood disaster relief coordinating committee to be headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze.

    She said government had opened accounts in Diamond Bank and Fidelity Bank for people wishing to donate to the victims.

  • Vegetable is rich in nutrients

    Vegetable is rich in nutrients

    People who eat fruit and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet generally have a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

    Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C.

    Potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Dietary fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease.

    Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy need adequate folate to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida during fetal development.

    Health benefits

    The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body.

    Eating a diet rich in vegetables may reduce risk for stroke, other cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes.

    Eating a diet rich in vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may also protect against certain cancers.

    The high levels of potassium in vegetables may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.

    One and one-half to two and one-half cups of vegetables are recommended each day.

    •Culled from www.mealsmatter.org

  • Landlord commits suicide in Enugu

    The body of a man, who was said to be a landlord, has been found hanging in his room at New Haven, Enugu.

    The police identified him as Chinedu Eziobu of 67 Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu.

    A police bulletin by the spokesman of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, said one of the deceased’s tenants, Joseph Bassey, had complained that his landlord had not been seen since Saturday.

    The police broke open Eziobu’s door and found him hanging from the ceiling.

    The police said they found a suicide note in the room.

    It reads: “Ben, my brother, gave black plastic bag for Mr. Nwafor and the black plastic bag with its contents is to be handed over to his brother, Benjamin Eziobu.”

    Amaraizu said the police have begun investigation into the death, adding that the body has been deposited at the Eastern Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

  • Firm organises wellness festival

    Firm organises wellness festival

    Lagosians will have an opportunity to learn more about natural ways to stay healthy on Saturday at the Jhalobia Gardens, Murtala Muhammed Road, Ikeja. This is courtesy of a wellness and advocacy company, Indulge Nigeria Limited.

    Its Managing Director, Dr Bisi Abiola said about 5,000 people are expected to participate in the event tagged the ‘Feel good festival.’

    She said positive lifestyle and the objective of reigniting family relaxation culture of the 80s for the purpose of well being and family cohesion, among others, will take the front burner.

    Also, she said, information promoting regular medical checks, among other health issues will be discussed.

  • Public school pupil wins Felabration debate

    HIS victory was simply to demonstrate that products of public schools in Lagos can match their counterparts in private schools.

    And it was endless applause for Temitope Ejide of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, who beat nine other contestants in a debate tagged: Social Media in Africa: Is it good or evil? organised by the family of the late music maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, last Tuesday.

    Ejide won with 68 points ahead of Kemi Adeyemi of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Ikeja, the first runner-up (58), and John Okorie of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja Cantonment who placed third with 55.

    The schools of the top three winners were rewarded with a plasma television each.

    Felabration competition is an annual event put together by the family of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti in their father’s honour.

    Ejide’s feat hasb reaffirmed the Lagos First Lady Dame Abimbola Fashola’s confidence in public school products.

    Represented by a Director at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mercy Olaoye, dame Fashola said: “I was so excited by the way the pupils spoke, especially the boy from Oriwu College. You can see that he was prepared, he had gone through a lot of research. I’m so happy that the state schools pupils are improving which means that there is a better future for the public schools.”

    Daughter to the late Fela Ms Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti said the competition, among other things, aims at building the young ones to become better leaders.

    Her words: “Felabration is a one-week event but we have included the young ones to bring them up to be better leaders instead of being corrupt. I’m happy a public school emerged winner this year and this shows that the government is doing well in education.”

    One of the judges, Mr Adebola Williams, said the debate was to display the innate creativity of the participants.

    “We have considered many things to pick the winners. To be sincere, the winners show all the required skills. This will help them to be orators. The debate will give these young ones the boldness to present issues and challenge issues as Fela used to when he was alive,” he said.

    Also a son to the late Fela, Mr Dotun Kuti urged the pupils to always give their best.

    Ejide who was rewarded with a capsule cell phone thanked his creator that his many years of burning midnight candles never went in vain.

    “Immediately I received the topic, I went in research of materials which could be of help. I consulted the Internet and some others useful materials. My daddy supported me. He explained many things to me and corrected my grammatical mistakes,” he said.

     

  • Reps raise panel on Kogi ex-Speaker’s removal

    The House of Representatives yesterday named a committee to mediate in the removal of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

    The House said the state is battling ecological problems caused by the recent floods and cannot afford a political crisis.

    Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha announced the House’s decision at plenary yesterday.

    He named Deputy Chief Whip Ahmed Murktar Mohammed (Kaduna PDP) the leader of the mediation team.

    Other members are: Hassan Ibrahim El-Sudi, Sokonte Davis, Pally Iriase, Nkem Abonte, Ali Ahmad and Adams Jagaba.

    Members of the House of Assembly removed Abdullahi Bello and 10 other principal officers on Tuesday.

    A member of the House of Representatives, Osai Osai (Delta PDP), raised the matter on the floor yesterday.

    He said members should condemn the action.

    Ihedioha agreed with the position of the members.

    The Speaker noted that it would be unjust to debate the issue without hearing from all parties in the impeachment.

    The Deputy Speaker said the committee would today unravel what led to the removal of the Speaker and other principal officers to enable the House to make an informed decision.

    The security aides to the former Speaker of the Kogi State House Assembly, Abdullai Bello, were yesterday withdrawn.

    Bello was on Tuesday impeached by 17 members of the Assembly for alleged high-handedness.

    The impeached Speaker had said his impeachment was illegal and cannot stand.

    A senior police officer told The Nation that the action followed the receipt of an official letter of command by the Clark of the House on the changes in the Assembly.