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Jigawa Flood Victims Receives Relief Materials From Humanitarian Ministry

Published

5 years ago

October 9, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq has donated relief materials and food items to victims of extreme flooding in Jigawa state which killed over one hundred and forty persons and left many others homeless.

Minister who sympathized with the government and people of Jigawa state during a visit on Friday, October 9, 2020, expressed sadness over the flood which affected several Local Government Areas including Hadejia, Malam-Madori, Auyo, Miga, Kirikasamma, Kafin-Hausa, Guri, Birniwa, Ringim, Taura, Jahun, Kaugama, and Maigatari.

In a statement, signed by the Senior Assistant on Media to Minister Nneka Anibeze on Friday in Abuja.

Umar Farouq said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Ministry to activate the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately respond to displaced and other victims of the flood.

According to her, the President, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is concerned about the flood and had directed the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to deploy some relief items, mainly essential non-food items that were distributed as pre-assessment support to the affected persons. We are here also with more relief items approved for distribution to complement the support of the State Government to the affected persons”.

Earlier during a courtesy visit, the deputy governor of the state Alhaji Umar Namad who stood in for Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (MON) described the flood as a disaster. He said the state had never experienced such a flood even in the last 100 years.

“We lost over one hundred and forty-four persons to the flood. One hundred thousand acres of farmlands were also washed away while hundreds of persons have been driven away from their communities by the flood. We designed several water channels and prepared for the rainy season but still, we were overrun by the floods. We appeal to the federal government to assist us in desilting the remaining waterways”.

The deputy governor also narrated the ordeal of farmers in the state and urged the minister to quickly come to their aid.

“The most pathetic thing is that these farmers borrowed money to buy fertilizers to farm and now everything has been destroyed. We urge you to use your kind office to get fertilizers for the farmers so that they can farm and harvest crops before the dry season”.

The Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq promised that three hundred trucks were already being loaded with fertilizers for onward distribution to the state.

Items donated include 5,952 mattresses, 5,952 nylon mats,

5,952 blankets, 5,952 mosquito nets, 200 cartons of detergent, and 200 cartons of toilet soap.

Food items donated are 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Rice, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Beans, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Maize, 149 bags (20kg) of Salt, 298 kegs (20Ltrs) of vegetable oil, 496 cartons of seasoning, and 248 cartons of tomato paste.

4,500 bags of Cement, 4,500 bundles of Roofing sheets, 4,500 pieces of Ceiling boards, 1,000 bags of 3 inches Nails, and 3,000 packets of Zinc Nails were also donated to the state to help put up makeshift shelters for the affected persons.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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