Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has been faced with Severe flooding that has submetged Major roads, houses, and shops in the metropolis, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area displacing thousands and damaging critical infrastructure.
The immediate cause of the disaster has been attributed to Heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Alo Dam, which draws water from River Ngadda and Lake Chad
The effect has led to widespread devastation, affecting homes, major roads, markets, and public institutions.
The humanitarian crisis has been unfolding as the State contends with one of its worst flood disasters in recent history.
The University of Maiduguri, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Shehu’s Palace were all submerged.
The flood also broke through a prison wall in the Custom area, resulting in some inmates allegedly drowning, while others escaped. Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park, a popular landmark, reported the loss of 80% of its animals, with the remainder escaping into the city.

Thousands of residents, predominantly women and children, have been displaced from flood-prone areas, many seeking shelter under trees along major roads.
The flood has also led to the shutdown of the University of Maiduguri and Borno State University, while local businesses and markets, including the Monday Market and Cattle Market, were severely impacted.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief and evacuation for victims. He expressed deep concern and assured the state government of the Federal Government’s readiness to support the displaced and mitigate the damage caused by the flood.

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

During a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund at the Government House in Dutse, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi disclosed that the recent flood disaster has affected over 40,000 people and claimed 28 lives.
The Governor informed his visitors that the flood has devastated 14 local government areas, displacing 8,000 people who are currently in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Additionally, he indicated that the disaster resulted in the collapse of over 7,500 houses and the destruction of 6,500 farmlands.

Governor Namadi expressed concern over the early onset of flooding, attributing it to the silting of dams and the release of water from dams. He urged the federal government to conduct environmental impact assessments for road constructions and other projects to prevent artificial environmental problems.

Citing the example of the Shuwari-Maiduguri federal highway construction, Governor Namadi noted that it has caused flooding in previously unaffected areas. He appealed to the committee to assess the damage and provide special assistance to the state.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund, Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, stated that the committee is in Jigawa to identify areas requiring special intervention to address ecological challenges. He explained that Jigawa was selected among a few states to benefit from the committee’s tour due to its significant ecological challenges.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

As part of this year’s International Youth Day celebration, the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA) in partnership with United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has engaged hundreds of youths in massive tree planting in 3 Nigerian/Niger boarder local government areas of the state.

Speaking while launching the project at Sule-tankarkar town, the managing director of JISEPA Alhaji Adamu Sabo indicated that the agency with support from UNICEF has engaged hundreds of youths in Babura, Maigateri and Suletankarkar local government areas of the state in planting and maintenance of the trees.

Alhaji Sabo explained that, 3 frontline local government areas of deforestation and desertification including Sule-tankarkar, Maigatari and Babura have been selected and their youths engaged for massive tree planting in all the areas.

According to him, “The idea to engage youths for the tree planting project is in line with the Jigawa State Government 12 points agenda, mitigation of climate change, erosion, desertification control and observance of carbondioxide.

He stated further that “availability of trees would also provide more oxygen for human use”.

The managing director commended UNICEF for the support as he urged the youths to embrace tree planting habit by at least planting one tree in their life.

On his part, the Programme Specialist, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), UNICEF Field Office Kano, Dr. Uba Lawal said, the tree planting campaign is a key approach to mitigating the effects of Climate Change, especially in the semi-arid areas of northern Jigawa where deforestation has severely affected the region.

“The campaign aims to plant 1,500 trees, 900 trees have already been planted in Babura, where JISEPA and UNICEF provided different types of seedlings for both economical and non economical trees.

According to him “UNICEF is supporting Jigawa State Government by providing resources to mobilize and educate the people of Jigawa on the importance of tree planting and the role that youth will play, being the leaders of tomorrow” he said.

He urged the youths to lead in sustaining and nurturing the trees being planted as they are the foremost beneficiaries of a greener future.

“In apparent recognition of the importance of the tree planting campaign in mitigating the effects of Climate Change, the youth of Jigawa have decided to focus on tree planting to celebrate the International Youth Day” , he said.