Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday pledged the Federal Government’s (FG) commitment to rebuilding Mokwa, a Niger State community recently devastated by severe flooding.
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu during a visit to the area, announced the immediate release of ₦2 billion and 20 truckloads of grains to provide relief for affected residents.
Shettima arrived in Mokwa at approximately 12:30pm, where he was received by Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, and members of the state executive council.
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Speaking to residents, Shettima described the disaster as a national sorrow, stating that what happened in Mokwa had touched every part of the country.
“Mokwa has always stood as a vital crossroads in Nigeria’s geography and commerce. It is an agricultural hub and a cultural stronghold that connects the North and South.
“This makes your pain a shared national burden. While this disaster is devastating, it will not define you. We will rebuild. We will restore the vibrancy for which Mokwa is known,” he said.
Shettima conveyed Tinubu’s condolences, assuring the people of immediate intervention and a long-term commitment to disaster prevention.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sends his heartfelt condolences and stands in solidarity with you during this trying time. He has directed immediate action to assess the damage and provide the necessary support to aid your recovery,” Shettima said.
He stressed the government’s resolve to address the ecological issues that contributed to the flooding and called for a united response to national emergencies.
“In times like these, we are reminded that a tragedy in one part of our nation is a sorrow shared by all. The preservation of life, whether threatened by natural calamities or human actions, is a responsibility we all share,” he added.
Shettima also called for a long-term commitment to environmental resilience and sustainable development, stating that the best way to honour the lives lost was to prevent similar tragedies in future.
Garba, representing Governor Umar Bago, expressed appreciation for the FG’s swift response, noting that officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were on the ground within 24 hours of the disaster.
“This visit by the Vice President is a reassurance of President Tinubu’s commitment to the well-being of our people,” Garba said.
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Gawu, said the Shettima’s visit uplifted the grieving community, while commending the timely interventions by NEMA.
Special Adviser to the Governor, Murtala Bagana, described the flood as a national tragedy and thanked the Shettima for physically identifying with the affected residents.
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The Etsu Nupe, Abubakar, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the prompt release of relief materials and praised Shettima for visiting in person to console the people.
The FG delegation also included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi—both indigenes of Niger State.
