The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the death toll from the building collapse at Noman’s Land Quarters, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, has risen to three with two injured persons.
The NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, confirmed the development to NAN in Kano on Thursday.
NAN reports that a two-storey building at Noman’s Land Quarters collapsed at about 2 am.
Abdullahi said: “Four persons earlier rescued by our team included a husband, wife and two children.
“Out of the victims, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment.
“The dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.”
The NEMA chief also said that the search and rescue operation’s team recovered one trapped body from the rubbles of the collapsed building.
“Our search and rescue operation is still ongoing to rescue one remaining trapped victim.
“We are still looking for her, maybe she fell inside water because there is water close to the collapsed building.
“We ordered the Kano State fire service to dive and check the girl’s body under the water.
“We have also informed the Emir of Water (Sarkin Ruwa) to check if the water has taken the trapped victim’s body,” Abdullahi said.
NEMA, Kano State Fire Service, Police, Red Cross, NSCDC, SEMA and other volunteers were among the search and rescue team.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday confirmed two persons dead and two injured in a two-storey building collapsed at Noman’s Land Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.
Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, confirmed the incident to NAN in Kano.
He said, “The agency received a distress call today at about 2:00 a.m from a good samaritan that a two-storey building collapsed at Noman’s Land Quarters, Kano.
“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene.
“Four persons rescued by our team were husband, wife and two children; out of the victims, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment” Abdullahi said.
He noted that the search and rescue operations were still ongoing to rescue trapped persons in the building.
The Kano State Fire Service, Police, Red Cross, NSCDC, SEMA and others were among the search and rescue team.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday issued a stern warning to residents living in flood-prone communities across 27 Nigerian States to start relocating immediately.
According to NEMA Emergency Operations Centre established for flood monitoring and coordination of resource deployment, 27 States have been affected by flood.
Mr Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement in Abuja, while also reporting that the floods caused significant damage to 32,837 homes and 16,488 hectares of farmland.
NEMA added that mobilised search and rescue teams are distributing essential relief supplies in partnership with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs).
“27 States in Nigeria have been impacted by recent floods, affecting 227,494 individuals and damaging 32,837 houses and 16,488 hectares of farmland. NEMA is conducting assessments and deploying relief items to support affected communities,” it says.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, emphasised urgency for communities in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as the rainy season progressed.
Umar also called for increased public awareness on proper waste management to help prevent future flooding.
“The agency emphasises the importance of public awareness on waste management to prevent flooding and advises at-risk communities to relocate to safer areas.”
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, reassured farmers about the temporary dry season, pointing out that it would soon pass.
Community leaders and stakeholders were urged to implement rapid response measures to mitigate the ongoing flood threats.
TNG reports the map below shows States that have been impacted and those yet to be impacted by flood.
STATES AFFECTED BY FLOOD FROM APRIL, 2024 TILL DATE
NEMA warns: 362 vulnerable communities at high risk of flood
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that 362 vulnerable Communities in 14 local government in Kano State are at high risk of flood.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, made this known at a one-day stakeholders meeting in Kano on Thursday.
The meeting was on Solid Waste Management and Flood Preparedness: Downscaling 2024 Flood Early Warning Strategies for Grassroots Action.
The theme of the workshop is: “Enhancing Community Resilience through Effective Solid Waste Management and Proactive Flood Preparedness”
Umar, who was represented by Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Territorial Coordinator Kano Office said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) AFO has predicted a population of 3,749,200 were at a risk of flood in the state.
She listed the local govt to include: Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura and Dala.
Umar said the meeting was also to implement effective early actions that would safeguard lives and livelihoods throughout the rainy season.
“Floods of 2012 and 2022 have highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts across all levels of government in managing disaster risks.
“Kano State has historically experienced severe impacts from floods, and the current predictions highlight that certain areas will continue to face challenges, especially with improper solid waste disposal in our communities,” she said
The DG emphasised the need to collaborate to sensitise the public on waste management as well as downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation at the grassroots levels.
“Improper solid waste disposal affects the environment, human health as well as the economy, due to uncontrolled dumping of large amount of wastes, which prevent rainwater from flowing freely leading to overflow and flooding.
Umar noted that NEMA has engaged in extensive planning and analysis, Stakeholders’ Technical Meeting and an Emergency Coordination Forum.
“Disaster management is everyone’s business. By coming together, we can protect our communities, preserve critical infrastructure, and maintain socio-economic stability in Kano state.
“This aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on socio-economic growth and development under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Umar said
The Kano state Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, reiterated Gov.Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s commitment to protect the people against disasters and emergencies.
Abdullahi, represented by the Ministry’s Director Disaster Management and Rapid Response, Mr Mustafa Yunusa, commended the organisers of the workshop .
The Managing Director of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, Alhaji Amadu Haruna-Zago urged residents to desist from dumping refuse on the road and water ways.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Abudullahi-Kubarachi commended NEMA and other stakeholders for their efforts in sensitising the public on disaster issues.
The workshop was organised by NEMA in collaboration with SEMA, Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has cautioned residents of Rivers on impending flash flood in 13 local government areas of the state.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator, Babatunde Adebiyi, raised the alarm in Port Harcourt on Thursday at a public awareness campaign on proper waste management and flood preparedness.
Adebiyi listed the high-risk areas as: Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Degema, Emuoha, Ikwerre, Obio Apkor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas.
He said that it was expedient for residents of the state to prepare for eventual flooding between now and November.
“We are here to sensitise people of Ozuoba and surrounding communities in the Akpor area about the impending flood, we encourage you to take proactive measures to lessen the impact.
“We are doing this to enable you to be on alert and take steps towards reducing the impact of the flooding in your communities,” he said.
Adebiyi stated that proper waste disposal was crucial to flood mitigation and control, saying,’ “removing solid wastes from water channels will facilitate easier flow during rainy season.
“It is also important to identify higher grounds that the people can move to when the flood comes,” he advised.
The zonal coordinator noted that two Internally Displaced Persons camps had been established to accommodate flood victims in the area.
He said aside NEMA’s sensitisation efforts were additional strategies in the agencies flood containment programme.
In his speech, AC Bassey Okama, the Head, Disaster Management, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), advised residents to act swiftly in order to minimise the danger and risks associated with flooding.
“Unplug electrical appliances to prevent electrocution. It is important to switch off the electricity connections to your homes when the flood begins,” she said.
Sheriff Obasi, the Head of Operations, Federal Fire Service Office, Rivers, said that the service was prepared to contain any fire outbreak during the period.
He advised the immediate removal of combustible materials from homes to prevent fire disasters.
Mr Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, commended NEMA for its awareness campaign across the area.
He expressed the council’s commitment to support NEMA in its efforts to implement measures towards reducing the impact of the impending flood.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of Delta to imbibe environment-friendly habits to reduce the impact of flooding in the State.
Umar made the call at a One-Day stakeholders sensitisation workshop, organised by NEMA in Asaba on Thursday.
The theme of the workshop organised in collaboration with the Delta State Emergency Management Agency, is: “Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparation”
Represented by the Head of Operations, Mr Dahiru Yusuf, the NEMA D-G urged residents of flood-prone areas in the state to take preparatory measures ahead of the incident.
She said that communities in 18 local government areas in the state were predicted to witness flooding during the 2024 rainy season.
The NEMA boss said that the workshop was aimed at encouraging behavioural change among residents to ensure sustainable waste management practices and flood mitigation strategies in the state.
“This workshop is to raise awareness on the importance of proper waste management culture and practice among residents.
“To educate the public on the adverse effects of improper waste disposal on the environment and public health, and to promote practical measures for flood preparedness and resilience,” he said.
Earlier, Delta Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Ejiro Etacherure, described the sensitisation exercise as ‘timely and well-intended’.
He said that the state government had established flood committees, and setup displacement camps at strategic places to mitigate the impact of flood across the state.
The commissioner commended NEMA for its proactive steps in tackling the impacts of the flooding that had been predicted to ocurr in the state.
Also speaking, the Director, Delta Emergency Management Agency, Mr Karo Ovemeso, said that the 18 local government areas invited to the workshop were the flood flash points in the state.
He said that the sensitisation was to prepare residents of flood-prone communities on the steps to take towards reducing the impact of the incident.
“The situation may persist until the government constructs dams to take off the excess water from the overflowing rivers.
“So there is need for collaborative efforts by waste management agencies, residents and the private sector to ensure proper waste management in the state.
The programme attracted participants from security agents, Red Cross, Roads Safety, environmental organisations, among others.
A day after lifting visa ban on Nigerians the Federal Government has successfully repatriated 190 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to a statement by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), signed by the Director General, Bashir Garga, the returnees were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 5:57 am on Tuesday by a team of government officials led by NEMA.
The returnees have been profiled and documented by relevant agencies and were sensitized on the need to “behave with decorum and responsibility” upon their return to Nigeria.
“The federal government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may be, to act as exemplary ambassadors of their country, upholding the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, decency, and integrity,” the statement said.
This follows a similar repatriation in October 2022, when the Federal Government brought back 542 Nigerians from the UAE.
In related news, the Federal Government has announced that Nigerian passport holders will be able to obtain visas for travel to the UAE starting July 15, 2024.
This development was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, on Monday during a briefing with State House correspondents following the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders,” Idris stated.
“This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”
Nigerians wishing to learn more about the updated visa conditions can visit the UAE’s official website.
This announcement comes over two years after the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians, following a prolonged diplomatic row with Africa’s most populous nation. It also comes about two months after UAE national carrier Emirates Airlines announced the resumption of flights to Nigeria, with daily Lagos-Dubai flights scheduled to resume from October 1, 2024.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has predicted flooding in nine Local Government Areas in Benue.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, the agency’s Director -General, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during the Downscaling of Flood Early Warning Strategies for Early Actions in the State, said about nine LGAs may be affected by the 2024 flooding.
She said that three LGAs of Bururku, Makurdi and Guma would be the mostly hit.
Represented by Air Commodore Kennedy Mataluwo, the NEMA boss, said the flood may have impact on 31 States in the country with 148 LGAs been predicted to be within the high risk areas.
She stated that 35 States, including FCT with 249 LGAs are considered to fall within the moderate flood risk areas, while the remaining 377 LGAs are forecasted as the low flood risk areas.
“NEMA’s records of flood incidents in Benue shows that the state has been severely impacted by floods, but for the 2024 rainy season, some Local government areas in the state are still predicted to be affected by flooding.
“These LGAs,which are under high and moderate flood risk areas include Buruku, Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Tarka, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande and Katsina-Ala.
“They are already listed in the earlier NEMA communication to the Government of Benue.
“This underscores this flag off, in the State today. Accordingly, I call for support in this initiative of downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation messages to the grassroots,”she said.
The D-G explained that these flood risk areas were presented with their degree of vulnerability to serve as a tool for government at all levels to develop risk reduction measures to avert disaster during the rainy season.
She urged Nigerians to take actions that would drastically reduce the adverse impacts of floods on the entire landscape and the population, especially for most vulnerable persons living in communities identified to be at risk of flooding.
“We must work together to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in the State.
“It is my hope that today’s event will go a long way in reducing the impact of the annually recurring floods and to safeguard the private, communal and livelihoods of the people of the state,”she said
Gov. Hyacient Alia, commended NEMA for always being there for Benue people in times of need.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Joseph Alakali, said the State would constitute “Technical Committee” on flood for effective action.
He said that flood history has shown that about 17 LGAs maybe affected by this year’s flood.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr James Iorpuu, said that 17 LGAs were prone to flooding in the State.
Iorpuu said that Makurdi and Buruku have already witnessed heavy flash flood in the recent weeks.
He said that SEMA has already procured 45 live jackets to be donated to Buruku LG for rescue mission following the growing increase of the water level in River Katsina-Ala.
He said that more jackets were needed to be donated to Agatu LGA for the same usage.
Speaking to newsmen, Caretaker Chairman, Konshisha LGA, Mr Philip Achua, said the LGA would further downscaled the information to all the communities.
Participants during the sensitisation programme included the 23 LGA Chairmen in the State.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed three persons dead and two injured in a three-storey building collapse incident at Kuntau Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano.
Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, NEMA Kano Territorial Coordinator, who confirmed the incident and casualty figures on Friday in Kano, said:
“We received a distressed call today at about 9:20 a.m from a good Samaritan that a three- storey building under construction collapsed at Kuntau quarters.
“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene.
“So far, five persons were rescued and taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, out of which three were confirmed dead, while two victims sustained injury and are receiving treatment” Abdullahi said.
He noted that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing to rescue those trapped.
“NEMA rescue team, Kano State Fire Service, Police, red Cross, NSCDC and SEMA among others are still at the site of the incident to ensure removal of other trapped victims,” Abdullahi said.
Thee Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has called for urgent measures to prevent flooding in the country.
She said action must be taken now in view of the just released 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook.
The D-G stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at a 2-day Technical Expert meeting on 2024 Climate Related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies.
Umar added that it was important to use reliable data to develop effective response strategies to flooding and other disasters.
She called for more collaboration among stakeholders in sensitising Nigerians to take proactive measures against flooding.
On the meeting, she said it was to come up with actionable mitigation strategies to climate related disasters in the country.
“Stakeholders with vast experiences in various fields such as Agriculture, Health, Water Resources and Infrastructure would brainstorm and come up with actionable climate related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies,” the D-G added.
She said that the strategies should assist in preparing and responding to the expected impact of the climate hazards.
Umar highlighted the significance of early warning information to enable communities and institutions anticipate and prepare for disasters before they occur.
She said that the meeting was also part of NEMA’s 2024 flood management action plan, in view of the seasonal alert by the Nigeria Metrological Service Agency (NiMet) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
“We brought all stakeholders together based on the report we received from NiMet and NIHSA, and we are here to map out plans and strategies.
“Rather than responding, we want to be fully prepared for whatever is coming our way in terms of flood, we are looking at ways to sensitise Nigerians not to build on waterways.
“We have already gone out, we have started sensitising the general public not to build on waterways and today, we are goin to map out more strategies to see how we can mitigate the effect of these flooding or drought in the country,” she said.
The D-G urges the participants to also articulate early warning messages that would help relevant authorities including Emergency Management Agencies in states and local governments, as well as other stakeholders.
According to her, this will enable them to take the necessary actions required to reduce the risks in their respective jurisdictions.
She assured that NEMA would continue to map vulnerable communities based on the prediction and enhance and strengthen enlightenment campaigns in critical states.
The NEMA D-G further said that the agency would continue to encourage and promote effective cooperation, collaboration, and partnership for efficient disaster management in Nigeria.
Also, the Director-General, NIHSA, Mr Clement Eze, said the agency would continue to provide necessary hydrological data to aid NEMA in its flood management activities.
On his part, the Secretary General, Nigerian Red Cross, Dr Abubakar Kende, said that flood forecasting and early warnings were among the most effective risk management strategies to minimise the negative impacts of flood
Kende, represented by Mr Benson Agbro, the Red Cross Director, Disaster Management, commended NEMA for the meeting.
The technical experts are expected to analyse the seasonal predictions and flood outlook and draw up measures to address pressing issues of climate-related disasters
They are also expected to develop actionable blueprint, focusing on enhancing early warning systems and mapping vulnerable communities.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the recovery of the body of a male passenger that drowned having fallen into the Lagoon from the bus that crashed on the Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, made the confirmation in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Farinloye said the Marine Police recovered the body close to the scene of the accident.
He, however, said search and rescue was still ongoing to recover the body of the female passenger.
According to reports, two passengers were thrown out of a commercial vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday when the bus somersaulted and hit the rails of the bridge.
Emergency responders have been searching for the bodies of the two passengers, a male and a female, that were thrown into the lagoon as a result of the impact.
![NEMA confirms recovery of male body from Lagos Lagoon [Photo]](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lagos-Lagoon.jpg)
