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We are ready for predicted flooding — South-South states

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The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says it has made adequate arrangements to mitigate flooding in the state as the year runs out.

The Director of SEMA, Mrs Carol Odion, stated this in Benin while answering questions during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey on preparedness of South-South states for predicted 2021 flooding.

Odion said that aside carrying out advocacy and sensitisation programmes across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, the agency had also met with relevant stakeholders on the issue of flooding.

She also said that the agency had prepared the temporary shelters for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ahead of any emergency evacuation.

“We have cleared and prepared the IDPs camp in case of any flooding. We have worked on the camps in Etsako Central and Esan South-East local government areas.

“We have some relief materials like beddings and foodstuffs received from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to cater for these persons in case of evacuation.

“We have carried out advocacy and sensitisation programme across the state, we have also advised those in the riverine areas on the need to move to the upland,” Odion said.

Similarly, Mr Lucky Wasa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, said the state government was collaborating with relevant stakeholders, especially local government officials in this regard.

Wasa said the government was working on immediate and long term solutions to the menace of erosion in the state.

“We are quite aware of the warning that has been given as regards the states that will likely experience flooding this year.

‘’We are working to prevent and mitigate the impact it will have on our people.

“We have started massive desilting of drains across the state and we are going to carry out this action across the 18 local government areas.

“We are working in concert with the council areas, focusing on the councils that are prone to flooding in the state,’’ he explained.

Meanwhile, Mr Gabriel Adie, Director Flooding, Cross River Ministry of Environment, says the state is yet to witness serious flooding in 2021 rainy season.

Adie told NAN in Calabar that only one area in the state capital had witnessed flooding and the ministry was already working in the area to prevent future occurrence.

“We have experienced flooding around Zone 6 area as a result of blocked drains.

“Other than this, we have not heard of another in other part of the state. There is no serious flooding like cars submerging or houses submerging,” he said.

In Akwa Ibom, the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh, blamed the constant flooding and erosion experienced during rainy season in many parts of Uyo on human factor.

Udoh said the state government had embarked on various projects aimed at mitigating flooding in Uyo, the state capital.

“There is something that I want us to learn here – that most of the environmental problems we are tackling in the state are man-made problems.

“For instance in the past 15 years, there were flooding problems on IBB Road because houses are built on water channels.

“That is why public education, sensitisation is important against blocking the drainages with debris.

“We are planning to bring back days of sanitary inspection, the environmental officials whose business it is to promote environmental health,” he said.

On ways to tackle flooding in coastal areas, an expert on Environmental Systems Management, Prof. Orlu Waiogosu, suggested that coastal states should have a robust embankment plan.

Waiogosu who spoke in Port Harcourt noted that coastal states had a tidal regime that increased the sea level and because the coastal areas were on low land, ocean surge had become inevitable.

“There should be an active regional management model to address the peculiarities of the various regions in respect to flood management.

“This would enable the states bring resources together and execute sustainable projects aimed at mitigating flood,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Godwins Tepikor, South-South Zonal Manager, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has blamed local government administrators for not showing readiness in respect to the 2021 flood prediction.

Tepikor said that eight local government areas in Rivers were predicted to experience flash flood.

He expressed concern over the silence of the authorities of the local government areas in these flash points. (NAN)

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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

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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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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

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The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

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Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

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The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

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