Flood: Nigeria receives 50 tonnes of relief materials from UAE

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2024

The aid is to support internally displaced persons affected by the flood disaster in parts of the country.

The reports have it that the relief items arrived at the Cargo wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2.40 pm.

The items were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA).

The UAE Ambassador, Salem Alshamsi, presented the relief items to the Nigerian government.

Alshamsi said that the donation was in line with the UAE’s gesture to support countries affected by natural disasters.

He said that the donation was done at the directive of the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan, to cushion the effect of the hardship caused by the floods.

“This urgent humanitarian aid of 50 tonnes of basic supplies has been provided to our friendly people of Nigeria, to support areas affected by the recent floods.

“The UAE, as usual, is always helping nations affected by natural disasters. So we are happy to be here,” Alshamsi said.

Receiving the items, Dr Ahmed Dunoma, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended the government and people of UAE for supporting Nigeria at this crucial time.

Dunoma described the donation as unprecedented, adding that it showed the kind of excellent relationship Nigeria had with the UAE.

“We want to seize this opportunity on behalf of Mr President to convey the appreciation of the Nigerian government and her people, to the President and the people of UAE.

“We believe that this will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the people affected by this recent flood,” he said.

Dunoma said that the items would be distributed to Nigerians affected by the floods.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said that the relief materials would immediately be distributed to Borno and other states affected by the flood, once cleared.

“This does not only symbolize our partnership but also support at this dire time when so many areas of Nigeria have been flooded.

“It could not have come at a better time.

“I want to assure Nigerians that once we take custody of these items, they will be shared accordingly with those affected by the flood. That is an assurance.

“This will not only stop in Maiduguri. As of yesterday, parts of Enugu State were also being flooded. So we are going to target all areas, even Kaduna was slightly flooded two days ago.

“So we are going to target the whole country. I am sure that is what the government of UAE also wants us to do,” she said.

According to NEMA, 29 states and 172 local government areas have been hit by flooding, affecting 1,048,312 people, displacing 625,239, and resulting in 259 deaths between April to September 2024

NAN

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

4 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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