The Mutawalle of Borno, Alhaji Kashim Imam, says he engages in feeding 10,000 victims of Maiduguri flood disaster daily based on the victims’ critical requirement for now.Imam in an interview while monitoring the feeding programme, said, he would sustain the feeding, which he scaled it up from 6,000 to 10,000 for the victims in camps to complement government’s efforts.

According to Imam, as the victims gradually move out of camps in few weeks, they will be supported with rice to start cooking for themselves as against the current practice of cooked food distribution. He commended his family members and volunteers for the daily cooking and distributing food to flood victims in various camps.“I want to particularly commend the military, who are not only actively engaged in search and rescue operations but also assist me in sharing the food to victims as well as ensuring orderliness and decorum during the exercise,” Imam said.The former Board Chairman of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), also lauded the concern and response from government, organisations, philanthropists, and all other individuals to the people of Borno over the sudden incident that took people unaware.“Nobody was prepared for this, people were caught unaware in the middle of the night.“Many escaped with the only clothes they were wearing, with some trapped for more than a week.“As the flood recedes, many cannot even go back to their homes because there’s no home to go back to,” Imam lamented.A cross section of the victims benefitting from Imam’s gesture, expressed gratitude for the support and urged other leaders and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the good gesture in complementing government efforts at all levels.“The most pressing issue now is saving lives and stabilising the survivors through feeding and shelter.“We want to sincerely thank the Mutawalle of Borno, other philanthropists and organisations doing similar exercise in various camps.“May God Almighty bless them and continue to touch their lives with joy and happiness as they touched our lives at this moment of need,” Habiba Idris, a displaced woman with two children prayed. (NAN)

President Bola Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly.The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will, in the election scheduled for Sept.

21. In a statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, the President said he believed in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders. “President Tinubu emphasises that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game.“He notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process, said the statement.The President commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which he said had focused on issues that mattered most to the people of Edo.He noted that the candidates pledged to improve livelihoods, promote economic growth and contribute to national development. He urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process, and encouraged them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities. “In addition, President Tinubu expresses unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials.“He urges them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process,” said the statement. (NAN)

From Attah Ede Makurdi

The controversy trailing the truck of palliatives seized by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia yesterday took another dimension as member House of Representative for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency; Terséer Ugbor has engaged a team of lawyers to challenge the action of Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Government in court.

The legal team is expected to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard the image of Ugbor in order to set the record straight in the court of law. Ugbor, who spoke with our correspondent through a WhatsApp chat, said he was suing the Alia for defamation of character even as he demanded N1bn as compensation.While attending the United Nations General Assembly in the USA, Ugbor learned that the governor had confiscated and handed over a truck load of relief materials to anti-graft agencies which he secured for his constituents from the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) for investigation by operatives of EFCC and ICPC.”While in the USA for the United Nations General Assembly at the invitation of the Presidency, I have learned that NEMA has approved additional palliatives for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in response to my requests for more assistance”.A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula says the “truck was caught offloading relief materials meant for IDPs of the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency at a private residence in Makurdi”.According to Tersoo Kula, “It was later discovered that the goods were released from a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse in Jos, and were supposed to be sponsored by the state government and lifted by the State Emergency Management Agency”.The statement quotes Governor Alia, who ordered the impounding of the truck at Government House as expressing dissatisfaction with the findings and directed anti-graft agencies to carry out further investigation, even as he called on relevant officials to ensure that the materials were distributed to the rightful recipients.However, in a swift reaction, Representative Terseer Ugbor disputes the accusations, claiming that the governor’s actions were unnecessary and politically motivated.”I have decided to defend my reputation and ensure that the palliatives get to those in need. Despite the challenges, I encourage my constituents to stay strong and peaceful.”In light of this development, I have instructed my legal team to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard my reputation and set the record straight in court.”My support for the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced individuals in Kwande is not a new endeavor, yet it has seemingly provoked the governor’s displeasure”.”My duty is to help secure benefits for my constituents. In other states my efforts would have been acknowledged with gratitude”The current climate crisis championed by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State is “unusual “. The claim that SEMA was not informed was premature because the seizure of the palliatives occurred upon their arrival in the state before any unloading, raising suspicions of political motives behind the ordeal.”Accusations that the palliatives were unloaded at a private residence are unfounded, as the truck was parked in front of a well-known warehouse in Makurdi, not in a clandestine location”, Ugbor explained.He urged the people of Kwande /Ushongo to remain resilient and peaceful during these difficult times, remembering the words of Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”