News
SEMA calls for aggressive tree planting to reduce effects of storm

Ilorin, Sept. 21, 2020 (Nigerian News 24) The Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA) has called on the residents to embark on aggressive tree planting to minimise the effects of storm in the state.
Mrs Motunrayo Adamu, the Secretary of KSEMA, told the Nigerian News 24 on Monday in Ilorin that trees check deforestation and serve as windbreakers to minimise the effects of rainstorm.
The SEMA secretary was speaking against the backdrop of the rainstorm which caused losses of lives and properties on Saturday night in Ilorin.
She said that although storm is a natural disaster, the effect could be minimal if there were trees to serve as windbreakers.
“After an assessment by the agency on Sunday around Ilorin metropolis, it discovered that no less than 5,000 houses were destroyed.
“We went to Pakata, Okekere, Okelele, Alagbado, Sarumi, Ita merin, Ita Amo, Omoda, Adangba and some other places. We noticed that some of the houses were totally blown off, while some were partially blown off.
“Other houses collapsed totally, while some suffered partial collapse, but it was a precarious situation.
“We also got reports from Ifelodun Local Government that the area was affected; all these can be guard against if there are trees serving as windbreakers,’’ Adamu said.
She noted that some of the affected houses were built by non-professionals who used substandard products that contributed to the damage.
“We also discovered that some of the houses were built on waterways which, in itself, is dangerous even before rainstorm.
“Residents should desist from dumping refuse into the drainage systems to avoid blockage; because no matter the blockage, water will always find its way,’’ Adamu said.
She said that the state government had set up a committee to assist the victims
News
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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