Mr Hammed Aboderin, Assistant Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has called for a proactive approach to disaster management by leveraging Nigeria’s large student population for community service.Aboderin made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting on 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Abuja on Thursday.

Report says that the event was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for stakeholders towards ensuring constant sensitisation to avoid the reoccurrence of flooding in Nigeria. Aboderin emphasised NSCDC’s commitment to prevention rather than reaction, highlighting the agency’s strong partnership with NEMA.He proposed integrating community development, particularly environmental sanitation into academic certification for tertiary students.With over five million students in Nigeria’s higher institutions, he suggested that dedicating just one hour per semester to cleaning drainage systems could amount to nearly 10 million hours of community service every three months.According to him, such efforts will significantly reduce flooding and related disasters.He also recommended incentives similar to programmes in countries like the Philippines, where individuals receive rice in exchange for collecting plastic waste, to encourage participation.Aboderin advocated for practical disaster management training, starting from a young age, and advised that community service become a standard part of academic and youth organisation activities.He said that the initiative would foster disaster resilience and also turn Nigeria’s population into an asset for national development and environmental protection.Mr. Oyegade Adeleke, Deputy General Manager, Climate Services, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet), commended the timeliness and effectiveness of early warning systems for disaster management.Adeleke said that Nimet had provided a comprehensive seasonal forecast as early as January and February, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders were covered.He said that disaster managers, particularly those at NEMA should not rely solely on the annual forecasts released at the beginning of the year.“It is not enough to listen to the forecast in January or February alone.“NEMA must follow us for the January forecast, for the February forecast, for the March forecast, and so on,” he said.According to Adeleke, forecasts are updated regularly, sometimes even every two weeks, and these updates provide more accurate and actionable information as the season progresses.“If we have not prepared enough in January, February, or March, there is always another cycle coming, and new forecasts for April, May and beyond,” he said.He urged all disaster management agencies to engage continuously with Nimet’s monthly and bi-weekly forecasts to ensure timely and effective preparedness.He reinforced the agency’s commitment to keeping the nation informed and prepared.The Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, NEMA, Mr. Onimode Abdullahi, emphasised the importance of collective action in tackling the growing threat of floods and related hazards across Nigeria.“Our engagements today have been enlightening, and we have collectively identified key areas of focus to enhance Nigeria’s flood preparedness and response capabilities,“Among the critical strategies discussed were, improving the accuracy and timely dissemination of flood warnings to at-risk communities, and supporting grassroots initiatives aimed at reducing flood risks and promoting national resilience.“We also discussed fostering stronger partnerships among government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to ensure a coordinated and effective response during flood disasters,” he said.The Director urged all stakeholders to carry the momentum forward, stressing the need for inclusive, sustainable, and community-focused efforts.“Let us leave this meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to building a more resilient Nigeria.“Together, we can make a difference and save lives, livelihoods, and communities from the devastating effects of flood disasters,” he said.Participants were reminded to remain dedicated to implementing the recommendations and strategies developed, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind.(NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Zamfara State has urged the party’s National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, to reject any attempt by Governor Dauda Lawal to defect to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group, operating under the banner of Zamfara APC Supporters (ZAS), issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, accusing Governor Lawal of seeking political refuge in the APC to evade corruption investigations.

Comrade Muttaka Ibrahim Ruwan Bore, who chairs the group, said the governor’s alleged plan is driven by fear of prosecution over reported links to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and ex-Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

He described the move as an attempt to secure a “soft landing” by aligning with the ruling party in order to shield himself from ongoing investigations.

“Dauda always boasts that the people voted for him. We are saying he should remain in the Peoples Democratic Party and test his popularity to see if he can secure even 20 percent of the votes.

“We are not asking him to join us, but it would be better for him to test his popularity come 2027.”

“Governor Dauda wants to reap where he did not sow,” Bore said. “We, the APC members in Zamfara, are satisfied with our current leaders and do not welcome an additional burden.”

The group listed notable party stalwarts in the state—including former governors Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mamuda Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari, and Bello Matawalle—as respected leaders who have maintained the party’s grassroots strength.

Bore further claimed that Dauda’s alleged defection bid was a calculated strategy to gain political cover if he loses his re-election bid in 2027.

He insisted that the governor is trying to use the APC as a shield against possible criminal charges linked to financial misconduct, stressing that “the party does not support corruption.”

“Our party is corruption-intolerant,” he said. “We cannot accept anyone with baggage from past misdeeds.”

Governor Dauda, a former banker, has faced criticism since taking office in 2023 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with opponents pointing to his alleged ties to controversial figures as a source of concern.

The APC, which lost the governorship in the last general election, has remained a dominant political force in Zamfara, largely due to the continued influence of its former governors.

As political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, defections are expected to shape the race.

However, the ZAS group warned APC members to remain vigilant and guard the party against being used as a “haven for those seeking to escape justice.”

“We will continue our advocacy and ensure that our party remains a home of integrity,” Bore said .

The Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, has expressed deep concern over the recent mass arrest and arraignment of some youths under the guise of the fight against cultism in Edo.The association’s worry is contained in a statement jointly issued on Thursday in Benin by the branch Vice Chairman, Ekama Itohan, who also doubles as the Chairman of the committee, and the Secretary of the committee, Mr Emmanuel Okorie.

While commending efforts to tackle the menace, the committee emphasised that such efforts must be grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights, and due process. According to the committee, many individuals were being brought to court without thorough investigation or credible evidence linking them to the alleged offences.The committee noted that “the approach undermines the integrity of the judicial system and violates the fundamental rights of the accused”.It further underscored the importance of adhering to the rule of law, stating that law enforcement agencies must conduct thorough investigations before bringing charges against individuals.It added that the courts should dispense justice based on credible evidence, and not perpetuate human rights violations and abuses.“The NBA urges the relevant authorities to ensure that all actions taken in the fight against cultism strictly adhere to the law.“It also called on the courts to demand proof of evidence before remanding suspects, in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State 2018.“We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that our efforts to combat cultism do not infringe on the rights of innocent individuals.“Human life and dignity matter, and we must not compromise on the values of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights,” the committee added. (NAN)