President Bola Tinubu has expressed great regret for the deaths and destruction caused by the recent flood in Yola, Adamawa State, and a boat disaster in Guni village, Niger State.
In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president expressed his sympathies to the afflicted families and praised the emergency personnel who have been on the front lines of rescue operations.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the communities and families of victims affected by the flood disaster in Yola and the tragic boat accident in Niger State,” the president was quoted as saying.
He described flooding as “a global phenomenon driven largely by climate change” but warned that local human activities often worsen its impact.
“We must not engage in behaviours that compound the effects of natural disasters,” he said.
Tinubu praised the heroism and dedication of emergency responders, local divers, volunteers, and community leaders who worked around the clock in both states.
“Their bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity give us hope and demonstrate the strength of our shared humanity,” said Tinubu.
Despite ongoing efforts by relevant government bodies to educate the public, the president expressed concern about the recurring nature of such tragedies.
“It is worrisome that these incidents persist in spite of continuous enlightenment campaigns by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the National Inland Waterways Authority,” Tinubu noted.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local authorities to intensify community-level advocacy to promote safety practices, especially on the waterways.
“I call on opinion leaders and concerned authorities to continue their advocacy on safety. Our people must understand that these losses are preventable,” he added.
Tinubu directed urgent intervention from relevant federal agencies to provide immediate relief and support to victims.
“I have mandated the National Emergency Response Centre and NEMA to collaborate with the Adamawa and Niger State governments on a comprehensive rescue and relief operation,” he said.
The president also urged individuals and businesses who rely on waterways for transportation and commerce to adhere to strict safety measures.
“We cannot continue to allow negligence or ignorance to cost lives. Compliance with safety measures is not optional. It is essential,” he stated.
