•President gives NEMA marching orders on Benue flood
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In his Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari admitted, once again, that prayers from his compatriots helped restore his health.
The president also admitted that prayers from Nigerians not only energised him, but also tasked him to work for the greater good of the country.
President Buhari was in London, the United Kingdom, on medical vacation, for 104 days.
In his Sallah message, to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, the president appealed to Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep the country together.
“I felicitate with you all, particularly the Muslim faithful, on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
“I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.
“From the outset, I want to seize this opportunity to thank all Nigerians who prayed for my recovery and have continued to extend their goodwill and support after my return to the country.
“Indeed, your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religion, political and ethnic divides, has energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.
“On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together.
“For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim.
“As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.
“We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that “a family tie is like a tree, it can bend, but it cannot break.”
“Once again, I assure you that this administration, which has made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until we see the Nigeria of our dream.
I wish everyone happy Sallah celebrations.”
Meanwhile, the president has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to assist victims of flooding in Benue State.
On Monday, Governor Samuel Ortom pleaded with the Federal Government to come to the state’s rescue.
The follwing day, over 90, 000 were displaced from their homes in Makurdi, the state capital, following torrential rain which had started on Saturday night.
Areas worst hit were Media Village, Achusa, Welfare Quarters Extension, Nyiman Layout, Wadata, Wurukum and Naka Road, among others.
By yesterday, flood had sacked 110, 000 residents from their homes in the state capital and 23 communities in the state, according to Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president expressed concern over the flood, but assured that he was “closely monitoring the situation, and will be receiving regular updates on the scale of the disaster, as well as the federal government’s humanitarian response.
Buhari extended his sympathies to the government and people of Benue state, and assured that the federal government will make available any assistance needed to enable the state government and the affected communities cope with and surmount the impact of the flooding.