From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has concluded arrangements for a massive sensitisation in some council areas in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States on the 2026 Flood Predictions.

The Information Officer of NEMA Enugu Operations Office, Ezeani Nnanyelugo, disclosed this to Journalists in Enugu, emphasizing that the Agency, its partners and stakeholders would carry out robust sensitisation in the states.

The flood preparedness sets of actions followed the 2026 Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released on Feb.

Nnanyelugo said that the two agencies in their predictions noted that there would be high rainfall and high risk of flood in the three states under the NEMA Enugu Operations Office namely: Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States.

According to him, we have fliers on flood risk reduction activities and actions in both English and indigenous language (Igbo) to distribute to flood prone communities identified in the prediction.

He said, “We have started and would sustain public enlightenment on the prediction through television, radio and online news platforms.

“Recently, the NEMA South-East Zonal Director and Information Officer shared information with the NTA on the NEMA preparedness plan.

“NEMA is also partnering with NiMet and NIHSA officials to ensure that their predictions are discussed among stakeholders in various meetings, training and workshops for the purpose of reducing flood risk in the states.”

The information officer also said that the Agency would be conducting flood sensitization programs including drills/simulation exercises with other stakeholders in major flood prone council areas within the state.

He said that NEMA had started the process of downscaling of flood early warnings to identified hotspot council areas and would soon commence direct writing to the authorities of councils and communities involved.

Nnanyelugo said, “We have started sharing weekly alerts forecast from NiMet/NIHSA to all relevant stakeholders via WhatsApp forum/meetings notwithstanding numerous stakeholders meetings. The public is advised to stay informed.

“The Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with international humanitarian organisations (KSRElief, UNOCHA, WFP, IOM) to enhance service delivery and support vulnerable populations across Nigeria.

“We will partner with SEMAs and Community leaders soon to identify higher grounds and update on existing Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps conditions as well as updating the equipment holdings of stakeholders.”

The information officer noted that part of the soon coming engagement would centre on review of the historical flood occurrence in the states in order to mitigate huge losses associated with flood disaster generally.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said telecom operators will compensate subscribers for poor network quality through airtime credits under a strengthened regulatory enforcement framework nationwide.

The measure is part of renewed efforts to improve service delivery, protect consumers, and hold operators accountable for persistent lapses in network performance across the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a media breakfast meeting on Thursday, outlining the commission’s latest compliance and enforcement strategies.

Maida said the compensation directive followed verified failures by operators to meet established minimum quality of service standards in several locations.

“It is not a refund from the regulator but a compliance obligation placed on service providers,” he said, stressing operators must bear full responsibility.

He explained that the framework relies on detailed monitoring at local government level, enabling the commission to pinpoint exact areas and periods of poor service.

This granular approach, he said, allows regulators to move beyond general complaints and focus on measurable, location-specific service deficiencies affecting subscribers.

According to him, the compensation specifically covers service failures recorded between November 2025 and January 2026 across multiple network providers.

“Eligible subscribers will receive airtime credits with notifications explaining the cause and value of the compensation,” he said.

He added that notifications would improve transparency and help users understand why compensation was applied to their accounts.

Maida noted the commission has significantly strengthened its monitoring systems to capture real-time, location-specific service performance data.

“These systems ensure enforcement reflects actual user experience rather than generalised industry averages,” he said, highlighting improved regulatory precision.

He added that operators are required to implement the compensation directly, while the NCC provides oversight to ensure compliance.

“Independent checks will confirm that affected subscribers are properly credited,” he said, noting sanctions for non-compliance may follow.

Maida said the initiative formed part of broader reforms aimed at improving accountability and service standards within the telecommunications sector.

“Operators failing to meet obligations will face stricter enforcement measures,” he warned, signalling tougher regulatory action ahead.

He stressed that improving service quality required both sustained infrastructure investment and stronger operational discipline by network providers.

“Service providers must maintain performance standards consistently across all regions, including underserved and rural areas,” he said.

Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability and long-term sector growth.

 “Operators must take responsibility for the quality of experience delivered to subscribers,” he said, urging greater corporate accountability.

He added that the commission remained committed to ensuring Nigerians received value for money spent on telecom services nationwide.

“Persistent poor service quality is no longer acceptable under current regulatory direction,” he said, emphasising zero tolerance for continued lapses.

The Presidency on Wednesday said former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, resigned from office and was not removed.

It also clarified that former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, similarly tendered his resignation.

This was contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the Presidency, Edun cited health reasons in his resignation letter to President Bola Tinubu.

Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the administration.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected,” his letter read in part.

The Presidency said Edun paid a valedictory visit to Tinubu on Tuesday before the announcement of his exit from the cabinet.

It said he held an hour-long meeting with the president and later departed to focus on private business interests.

Dangiwa also thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their service and contributions to the administration’s reform agenda.

He wished them success in their future endeavours.

The President also urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms.

Oyedele is expected to advance fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline and innovation.

Tinubu will also forward the ministerial nomination of Muttaqha Darma to the Senate for confirmation as Housing Minister.

Edun previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.