The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rainstorm

  • Rainstorm disaster: Alumni donates N5m to Ekiti poly

    Rainstorm disaster: Alumni donates N5m to Ekiti poly

    The Alumni association of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has donated N5 million to the institution towards repair of its alma mata that was ravaged with rainstorm.

    The national president of the association, Dr  Oyedokun Abiodun who disclosed this in in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, lamented that the damage done to the institution’s facilities by rainstorm runs into several millions.

    Abiodun said the donation was made from contributions by members, bearing in mind the fact that government or the institution alone couldn’t bear the huge cost of replacing the damaged property.

    He appreciated the alumni chapters in Rivers, Delta, FCT, Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti states and Europe for their financial support as he appealed to some members who had made promises to come to the aid of the institution.

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    “In April this year, the alumni association, received the sad news of the havoc done by the rainstorm.The  damage runs into several millions of naira but thank God no life was lost.

    “In view of this natural disaster, the FPA Alumni Association donated the sum of N5m to the school as her widow’s mite towards the repair of the damage”.

    “The management of the institution has already acknowledged receipt of the said N5m, and at the same time, we still want the whole world to know about the problem in the polytechnic”, he said.

    The alumni president commended the Rector, Dr Temitope Alake for keeping the institution’s flag flying, saying, “He has kept the school running peacefully without crisis, the new innovations he has introduced into the learning system is yielding good result. He is a worthy alumnus.”

    He appealed to the federal government “to urgently ensure elimination of the age long dichotomy between HND and BSc  graduates to encourage the students in the polytechnic system.

    “We are appealing that the governments should not allow polytechnics education to suffer. They should equip the institutions so that they can be more sound practically. We strongly believe that polytechnic products will be self-sufficient, self-reliant. Most of them will not look for white-collar jobs. They can always be on their own,” he said.

  • Rainstorm: JSS2 student gets electrocuted in Enugu

    The Nsukka Catholic Diocese has confirmed the death of a student, allegedly electrocuted on Thursday night at the Queen of Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, Enugu state.

    The diocesan Director of Communications, Rev.- Fr. Matthew Eze, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday.

    Eze, who described the death of the student as shocking, prayed for the eternal repose of her soul.
    He also prayed God to give the bereaved family and friends, students, management and staff of the school the fortitude to bear the death.

    The school is owned and run by the Nsukka Catholic Diocese.

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    An eyewitness account said that the JSS2 student, identified as Maureen Amadi, was electrocuted around 9.30 pm outside her hostel.

    She was said to have come out of her hostel to pick her clothes inside during a heavy downpour, when the incident occurred.

    It was learnt that she got electrocuted when she allegedly had contact with a wire from an electric pole said to have been pulled down by a thunderstorm.

    “Everybody in the school has been in a mourning mood over the death of the girl last night,” the eyewitness said on the condition of anonymity.

    The Principal of the school, Rev.-Fr. Luke Eze, was said to have led a delegation of the school to Aku in Igboetiti Local Government Area (LGA) for the burial of the deceased, when NAN correspondent visited the school.

    When contacted, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said that the command had yet to receive the report.

    NAN reports that the thunderstorm also destroyed buildings and other property worth millions of nairn in Nsukka town and its environs.

    Some residents of the area described the effect of the thunderstorm as devastating and colossal.
    Mr Onyema Idoko, the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Nsukka LGA, said that the rainstorm pulled down a telecom mast in his neighbourhood.

    He said that the mast in turn fell on top of the roof of his building, located at 52 Enugu Road, Nsukka.
    Idoko said that he would need at least N500,000 to pull out the mast and fix the damaged roof.

    He, however, thanked God that no life was lost in the unfortunate incident.

    Also affected was the roof of St. James Catholic Church building at Umakashi in Nsukka LGA, which was reportedly blown off by the rainstorm.

    It was further learnt that many trees, electric poles and structures at the Nsukka Mechanic Village were also pulled down during the heavy rain. (NAN)

  • Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Osogbo

    A rainstorm has wreaked havoc in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, destroying property worth millions of naira.

    Roofs of hundreds of buildings at Oke-Baale, Gbonmi, Isale-Osun, Kelebe, Ofatedo, Igbona, Oke Onitea and others were removed Wednesday night.

    The rain, which started at about 7:10 pm and fell for almost two hours, also pulled down electric poles and fences.

    Wooden and iron containers were also carried away. However, there was no report of casualty in the affected areas.

    Following the incident, traffic was obstructed as electric poles fell across road in Kajola Street, Balogun and Oke Bale. There was total power outage in all parts of the town overnight. Many victims were seen parking out of their buildings yesterday after the roofs were removed by the rainstorm.

    The Head of Kajola community, whose house was also affected, Chief Tiamiyu Ibraheem, while narrating his ordeal to The Nation, described the incident as terrible.

    At Kelebe area, the rainstorm also wreaked havoc and no fewer than roofs of 40 houses were removed, including churches.

    General Manager, Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) Oluyemi Olanipekun Olanrewaju said the agency has directed the affected people to come forward to make official complaint for necessary action.

     

  • 55 Ogun fish farmers lose N100m to flood, rainstorm

    Fifty-five fish farmers in Ogun State have lost live fish estimated at over N100 million to a flood which swept away their ponds following a two-day torrential.

    Their cluster catfish farms are at Idagba area of Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area.

    The fish farms had about 110 ponds, which were submerged by the water from Idagba River when it overflowed its banks.

    It was learnt that the river was the fish farmers’ main source of water supply.

    Some residents defied the downpour and followed the river’s course to catch school of fish the torrent was carrying away from the ponds.

    An eyewitness told The Nation that a basin of table-size cat fishes was sold for as cheap as N4,000 in Ayetoro area by some youths who made a fortune out of the farmers’ misfortune.

    One of the farmers, Mr David Adeniyi, a retired banker who operates a fish farm with his wife, said the flood swept away his seven active fish ponds.

    The businessman regretted that he lost over N5 million to rainstorm.

    Also affected is 76-year-old Pa. Akanni Olateju, who claimed to have lost fish estimated at N6 million to the flood.

    He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to help the affected fish farmers.

    According him, majority of the affected fish farmers took loans to invest in the business.

  • Ogun farmers lose N100m fishes to flood, rainstorm

    Ogun fish farmers, 55 of them, have lost over N100m worth of live fishes to a devastating flood which swept them away following a two – day torrential rainfall.

    The cluster – cat fish farms located at Idagba area of Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State and housing about 110 ponds were submerged at the weekend when the overflowing Idagba river emptied into them.

    It was learnt that the river which incidentally was their source of water supply, the reason the farms were sited near, experienced overflow with the heavy down pour.

    The Nation gathered that some of the villagers had a luck day as they defied the heavy downpour and followed the Idagba river course to catch swarms of fishes being washed down its path.

    A witness told The Nation that a basin of table -size cat fishes were sold as cheap as N4000:00 in Ayetoro area by some youths who made fortune out of the farmers’ misfortune.

    One of the farmers, Mr David Adeniyi, a retired banker who operates a fish farm in conjunction with his wife, said the flood swept away his seven active fish ponds, lamenting that he has lost over five million naira to devastating rainstorm.

    Also affected is 76 year – old Pa. Akanni Olateju, who claimed he personally lost six million naira worth of fishes to the flood and appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to their help.

    According Olateju, majority of the affected fish farmers invested in fish farm business with loans.

  • Rainstorm kills 6, destroys Air Force Base, 583 houses in Katsina

    Rindstorms on Friday night killed no fewer than six persons following the first rainfall of the year in Katsina.

    The windstorms also destroyed buildings belonging to the 213 FOB, Nigeria Air force base in Katsina and 583 residential houses.

    Reporters that called at the Air Force base for pictures of the damaged buildings were turned back by the Officer- in- Charge who said he was not authorised by his superiors.

    The downpour, which started at about 5:30 pm lasted for about one and half hours, rendering thousands of residents homeless.

    The affected communities were Kukar-Gesa, Shinkafi ward A and B in Modoji village, Ambassadors’ Quarters, Makera, Company, and Kambarawa.

    Victims were seen squatting with friends and relatives in some communities with government yet to provide relief materials or temporary camps for them.

    The Executive Secretary of Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Aminu Waziri, told reporters: “In Kukar-Gesa 100 houses were affected, Shinkafi Ward A and B 150 houses were destroyed, and Ambassadors’ Quarters 70 houses were also affected, while at Makera village 40 houses, Company 30 houses and Kambarawa Quarters 100 houses were completely destroyed by the rainstorm.

    “Other places affected by the heavy downpour are army barracks and the Nigerian Air Force base where a total number of 53 houses including the administrative block of the Nigerian Air Force nursery and primary schools were damaged.”

    The SEMA secretary further assured affected residents that necessary measures would be taken by the state government in no distant time to alleviate the suffering of victims in the affected villages.

     

  • Rainstorm destroys students’ properties in UI

    An evening downpour in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has destroyed some buildings at the University of Ibadan (UI). The affected buildings had their roofs blown off by rainstorm, which also destroyed some property in the town.

    The university community woke up to the reality of the destruction witnessed in Block C in Lord Tedder Hall and Students’ Union building.

    Although, no life was lost, the rainstorm which lasted for few hours destroyed properties of students living in Lord Tedder Hall. The rooms destroyed in the hall included Room 4,5,6 and 7.

    Also, only the ceiling layer was left at the Students’ Union building, which had its roof blown off by the wind. The building has been under lock and key since last May, following a students’ protest that led to the proscription of the union.

    Occupants of the affected rooms described the incident as natural disaster, but they expressed disappointment in the management for using “low-quality roofing materials” for the hall.

    One of the affected students, who did not want his name in print, relived the incident. He said: “My roommates and I were not in the room when the incident happened. We were called that our properties have been damaged. So, we rushed back to the room and met our personal effects floating on water. All our mattresses, books and clothes were soaked.”

    The students said the hall was due for renovation many years ago, lamenting the management’s attitude towards putting the hall in good shape.

    A student living in Room C6 said: “They have not carried out renovation in the hostel for years. Chemistry department and Geology were recently renovated because it might affect lecturers. We are afraid now, because they may use the destruction as an excuse to justify the increase in accommodation fee. Since 2015 that I have been living in the hall, there has not been any renovation done.”

    Another victim, who identified himself as Damola, said he was in the room when the rainstorm blew open the roof.

    “First, I heard the sound of broken louvers. Then, the ceiling blew off. I had to carry my laptop and some things I could get my hands on.”

    Another victim said: “The level of devastation is too much. I have stayed in this room for one year. Now all my properties have been destroyed by the rain. I cannot see some personal belongings. Although this could have been seen as a natural disaster, we should thank God no life was lost. I’ll advise the management to fix the rooms on time.”

     

  • Rainstorm destroys properties in Ilorin

    Rainstorm has destroyed more than 40 electricity poles and other property worth millions of naira in some parts of the Kwara state capital, Ilorin, resulting in blackout.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rainstorm  which took place on Monday night in  areas such as Offa garage, Olulade, Ita-Alamau, Gaa-Akanbi and Budo Efo culminated in downpour that lasted several hours.

    A witness’ account also revealed that some public utilities on Ajase-Ipo road including some newly installed solar powered-street light were affected by the rainstorm.

    The source further told NAN that the driver of a taxi cab sustained injuries when a pole at Ita-Alamu fell on the moving taxi.

    NAN reports that the damage came less than a week when a similar rainstorm rendered hundreds of residents of Ilorin township homeless.

    The facilities in the Kwara stadium and some commercial banks were also destroyed by the rainstorm.

    Commenting on the incident,  Mr Asaju Kolawole, the Regional Communication Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Ilorin, stated that the technical team of the company had moved to scene to assess the extent of destruction for the management’s necessary action.

    Kolawole, who assured the residents that power would be restored to the affected areas before the end of the week.

    “You know, this damage of poles entails a lot of things. We will have to dig a hole, erect the pole and wait for sometimes before we lay wire.

    “So it will take sometimes before we restore light. However, before this week ends, all the issues revolving around it would be resolved,” he said.

  • Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ilorin

    Rainstorm has destroyed more than 40 electricity poles and other property worth millions of Naira in some parts of the Kwara state capital, Ilorin, resulting in blackout.

    The rainstorm  which took place on Monday night in  areas such as Offa garage, Olulade, Ita-Alamau, Gaa-Akanbi and Budo Efo culminated in downpour that lasted several hours.

    A witness’ account also revealed that some public utilities on Ajase-Ipo road including some newly installed solar powered-street light were affected by the rainstorm.

    The source further told our correspondent that the driver of a taxi cab sustained injuries when a pole at Ita-Alamu fell on the moving taxi.

    The damage came less than a week when a similar rainstorm rendered hundreds of residents of Ilorin township homeless.

    The facilities in the Kwara stadium and some commercial banks were also destroyed by the rainstorm.

    Commenting on the incident,  Mr Asaju Kolawole, the Regional Communication Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company ( IBEDC ) in Ilorin, stated that the technical team of the company had moved to scene to assess the extent of destruction for the management’s necessary action.

    Kolawole, who assured the residents that power would be restored to the affected areas before the end of the week.

    “You know, this damage of poles entails a lot of things. We will have to dig a hole, erect the pole and wait for sometimes before we lay wire.

    “So it will take sometimes before we restore light. However, before this week ends, all the issues revolving around it would be resolved,” he said.

    NAN

  • Rainstorm destroys over 200 homes in Ekiti

    Rainstorm destroys over 200 homes in Ekiti

    Rainstorm has destroyed over 200 houses in Ekiti State in the first two months of the year.

    The General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Jide Borode, broke the news in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The agency chief said the disaster affected about four local government areas.

    Expressing shock at the devastation the rainstorms caused and what he called the monumental loss the residents suffered, Borode noted that there was need to be grateful to God as there was no report of death.

    He listed the affected communities as Ado metropolis, Emure, Ise and Erinjiyan in Ekit West Local Government Area, where he said the damage ran into hundreds of millions of naira.

    Borode urged the Federal Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the victims of the rainstorms.

    The agency chief said the effect of the damage was too massive to be left for the state government alone to handle.

    He added that the victims needed succour that would enable them to recover as quickly as possible.

    Borode also warned the residents to avoid building houses in flood-prone areas, saying the best period to acquire land was during the rainy season when flood-prone areas could be easily identified.

    The SEMA chief also cautioned against acts that could hinder free flow of water in the canals.

    He urged the residents to plant trees to protect houses from storms and erosion.