Blog

Flood
By Henry Oladele
Lagos, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Residents of Akowonjo in the Alimosho Local Government Area have lamented the poor drainage system and flooding in the area anytime it rains.
They called on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to save them from the consequences of the poor drainage system and flooding with the frequent rainfall in the state.
The residents spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos.
They lamented that the road was always flooded whenever it rained, thereby causing havoc which was worrisome to both residents and road users.
A resident who lives around Vulcanizer, Akowonjo area of Lagos, Mr Kikachukwu Chukwuji, said the area was always flooded whenever there was a heavy rainfall.
Chukwuji said that the flood always affected every resident in the area, adding that movement was difficult during the rainy period.
“From my street to the bus stop is always a problem, it gets more uncomfortable if it is during the working days.
“We have resorted to buying rain boots to ply the road anytime there is a heavy rainfall because the drainage in this part of the area was not well constructed.
“Most times, whenever there is a heavy rainfall, the flood also causes traffic and not only that, some cars also get faulty due to flooding.
“Especially if it is a Monday, fares also become more expensive than the usual because commercial buses always take advantage of the situation,” he said.
He called on the government to find a lasting solution to the menace as the community was tired of the situation.
Another resident of the area, Mr Abdulrasheed Dauda, told NAN that the government should act fact by addressing the flooding affecting the vicinity.
“We cannot just experience any form of rainfall without flooding taking all over the road.
“We also understand that the drainage is also filled with waste that people indiscriminately throw into it thereby causing serious blockage that does not allow water to pass through.
“This is where we need the government to wade in by a form of prosecution or enforcement on anyone seen throwing waste into the drainage system,” he said.
Another resident of Alhaji Idowu community in Akowonjo, Mr Ismail Muftau, attributed the flooding in the area to block drainage.
Muftau said the blockage affects the flow of water when rain falls, adding that efforts to address the situation had been futile.
“Plastics and some particles have blocked the water channels and affected residents and shop owners from entering their house and shops,” he said.
He called on the government to help them in ensuring the drainage is free from blockage.
Temitope Ajayi, who lives around the LASU-Isheri road, told NAN that during the rains, the situation is worsened as floods take over the community.
Ajayi said water from the drainage in this area can cause an outbreak of disease.
“We are at the mercy of mosquitoes. When they constructed this road, nothing like this happened, but look at our road now, everywhere is flooded.
“When it rains, we are in big trouble.
Due to the flooding problem, residents have difficulty accessing their houses and shops,” she said.
A resident, Ayodeji Atanda, who also resides around LASU-Isheri road, lamented in the way the area was always flooded whenever there was a rainfall.
He said that immediately after Odo Eran towards Alimosho General Hospital, a section of the road is always flooded whenever it rained.
“We call on the government to find a lasting solution to that area as that particular place has always been like that in a long time.
“It is always worrisome whenever rain falls, it affects everybody which is not also good for the health.
“The flood is mixed with all sort of things and anyone with a wound walking in it can get an inflection,” he said.
NAN reports that areas like Gowon Estate, Water Street in the Paco area, Ipaja and some other communities around Alimosho are not left out in the flood. (NAN)
HOB/JNC
========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Eid-el Kabir

By Muhammad Nasir

Sokoto, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has extended his felicitations to Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir.

In his Sallah message on Sunday, Abubakar urged Nigerians to commit more to farming as a means to alleviate societal economic hardship and address the high cost of living in the country.

“We are fully aware that the leaders in the country are doing their best to ease the hardship, but more needs to be done.

“Our people, particularly in the North, are in a very difficult situation. Therefore, leaders need to do more in tackling the current challenges,” he said.

The Sultan further urged farmers to make the most of the rainy season to ensure sufficient food production to meet societal demand.

“We should all go back to farming and produce food because doing so will ease our condition and boost the country’s economy,” he advised.

Abubakar also called on Muslims to continue praying for the leaders, emphasising that only prayers could support the desired needs of any society.

He appreciated the security agencies in the country for their sustained dedication to ensuring the safety of all citizens.

The Sultan applauded Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State for his commitment to supporting the less-privileged in the state and urged the people to continue living peacefully with one another.

He thanked the Muslim community for the continued dedication to propagating the true essence of Islam, and urged them to have full faith that the country’s challenges would soon be over.

He also prayed for the safe return of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, urging them to pray for Nigeria and its leaders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BMN/BRM

===============

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Stay away from Kogi or pay the price- Ododo warns criminals

Sallah
By Stephen Adeleye
Okene (Kogi), June 16, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has told criminal elements to stay away from the state warning that Kogi is not a fertile ground for criminality.
Ododo gave the warning while speaking to newsmen shortly after observing his Eid-el-Kabir prayer on Sunday at Okene Eid Praying ground.
The governor said the perpetrators behind the kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, came to test his administration’s capacity but faced the consequences.
“They came to test the waters, to find out what our reactions will be, and truly they faced the consequences of their actions.
“Kogi is not a fertile land for anybody to come and trade free in terms of crimes and criminality.
“They have come and they have seen the results; if they dire come in their numbers they will go back in their zeros.
“I can’t tell you what awaits them, but I hope they will never try it again,” Ododo said.
He said the government was able to rescue 29 out of the 31 kidnapped CUSTECH students, adding that unfortunately two were killed by the abductors.
Ododo prayed God to rest their souls and comfort their family members.
“Security is one of our top priorities and responsibilities in Kogi, that is why we are doing everything possible with the support of Mr President to make sure that every soul in this state is protected and secured”, he said.
He appreciated heads of all security agencies as well as the vigilantes and hunters for working in synergy to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.
On the prompt payment of workers salaries, Ododo said government was carrying out responsibilities to the citizens and not doing them a favour.
“We are doing what we are supposed to do as a government for the people of Kogi state, especially the civil servants
“When your people are happy they will be so excited to engage in their duties and do their job diligently thereby increasing productivity.
“So, it is part of our responsibilities.to take care of our people, and we are doing it with the help of God and with the support of Mr President,” he said.
Ododo commended President Tinubu for all his efforts in the nation and urged Nigerians to continue to support him by keying into all his programmes and policies.
“I urge the people of Kogi and the entire Nigerians to continue to pray for our leaders especially Mr President so that we can jointly pull ourselves out of this inherited economic crisis”, he said.
The governor admonished the people to use the Sallah celebration to remember the less privileged among them by extending their hands of kindness and support to them.
“It is period that encompasses sacrifice and submission to the will of God Almighty.
“I urge everyone of us to continue to be a good ambassador of our dear state and the country at large,” Ododo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ASA/TYC/KUA
============
Edited by Thompson Yamput/Uche Anunne