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FEMA reviews preparedness of its divers, vanguards and rescue team ahead of heavy rainfall

Published

6 years ago

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Muhammad Musa Bello, FCT Minister

 

From Alhasan Abdullahi Abuja.

 

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has held its second review and preparedness meeting with Divers, Vanguards and Rescue team in Abuja recently to review their level of preparedness for flood disasters and other emergencies in the FCT.

 

Declaring the 2-day meeting open,  the Director, Alh. Abbas Idriss said FEMA will continue to strategize in its bid to prevent the reoccurrence of disasters of any kind in the FCT.

 

The FEMA Boss who was represented at the meeting by Mrs. Florence Wenegiemie, Deputy Director, Forecasting, Response, and mitigation (FRM) gave this assurance while tasking the Divers, Vanguards and Response team to be more proactive in this raining season. This follows NIMET’S 2020 prediction of torrential rainfall and floodings in parts of the country including the FCT which has already claimed many lives and properties including Giri and Gwagwalada in the FCT.

NIHSA warns on impending flood in some states

The FEMA boss said that the meeting was imperative at this time to alert the Volunteers on the dangers of the season and to sensitize them on prevention, response, and mitigation measures. He also advised them to be adequately prepared Ed and be charged them with the responsibility of sensitizing their people especially as we approach the peak of this rainy season. She also reminded them of the need to remind their people that COVID 19 is real and still with us, hence, the need to maintain personal hygiene and take voluntary responsibility of their lives by adhering to COVID 19 instructions.

 

He alerted them of a possible flash flood in their communities if necessary preventive measures are not put in place to avert it, she urged all hands to be on deck to avert any more loss of lives to flooding in the FCT.

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The Director-General commended them for promptly swinging into action whenever there is an emergency in their localities before the arrival of FEMA response team, he then charged them as FEMA trained ambassadors to take the alert message home using their village town criers, Youths, and women groups as means of communication, noting that in previous years, FEMA embarked on annual community-to-community flood sensitization campaign in different Area Councils.

He said FEMA is now challenged with COVID 19 protocols that don’t allow large gatherings, but that FEMA has embarked on a wide media sensitization in different indigenous languages in different media channels.

 

He appealed to residents most especially those in the rural areas to always adhere to Government instructions so as not to fall victims of disasters and also to desist from unwholesome activities that could lead to disasters in the FCT. He advised residents to stop dumping refuse in waterways, do not build along flood plains, do not farm around river banks, do not drive or walk on flooded water and those that have houses around the river banks should move to higher grounds” he said.

 

Also speaking at the event, Miss Zhazim Josephine from Kwali Area Council (one of the volunteers) said she was motivated to enroll as a community Vanguard because of her interest to save lives “if people don’t come out to help the society, lives, and properties will continue to be lost and you can’t predict who will be next victim, thus the need volunteer” she said.

 

On what to take away from the meeting, Mr. Fwankat Isa Linus, a diver from Bwari Area Council said; “I have been empowered with the knowledge of preventing and mitigating flood disaster in my locality. “From here, I will go back and sensitize my people and neighboring villages on the alert of flooding this rainy season and how to prevent it because FEMA cannot do it alone “. He said

 

Earlier in the meeting, Mrs. Wenegiemie appealed to them to always report any case of the dead body around the waterways, according to her, “if someone is drowning in the flooded water, the water carries the dead body through the water channels away from the point of drawing, so if you witness any such incident, please report to your village head and then the police will alert FEMA”. She emphasized that FEMA advocates prevention and mitigation rather than disaster management and that all the relevant authorities have commenced the distilling of waterways, clearing of water channels and expanding narrow drainages for the free flow of water.

 

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Abubarkar Ododa Assistant Director, Education and Outreach (FRM) appreciated the Divers, Vanguard and Response Team for responding to the call of giving back to the society, and advised them not to let their people down by always doing the needful to avert disaster in their localities. He urged residents to always call the 112 Emergency told free number for the prompt response, he stressed that residents have a vital role to role as an emergency is everyone’s business.

 

The Day 1 of the meeting had in attendance representatives from Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji, and Day2 featured representatives of Amac, Kuje, and Bwari, to allow for maintenance of social distancing and COVID 19 protocols.

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Tinubu’s Peace Move Takes Effect as Rivers Assembly Suspends Fubara’s Impeachment

Published

14 hours ago

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February 19, 2026

By

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Rivers State House of Assembly has halted its impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s latest intervention in the state’s protracted political crisis.

The Assembly made the decision during Thursday’s plenary, TVC News reported.

The lawmakers had on January 8 initiated impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, citing alleged gross misconduct . The notices of allegation were forwarded to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, with a request to constitute a seven-man investigative panel as required by Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution .

However, the process was halted after a Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area restrained the lawmakers and the Chief Judge from proceeding . Justice F. A. Fiberesima issued an interim injunction barring Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Clerk of the House, and 31 other defendants from taking further steps toward impeachment .

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The court specifically restrained the Chief Judge from receiving, forwarding, considering, or acting on any request or resolution aimed at constituting an investigative panel against Fubara and Odu . The matter was subsequently adjourned indefinitely after parties informed the court that appeals had been entered at the Court of Appeal .

Thursday’s decision by lawmakers to discontinue the impeachment process followed President Bola Tinubu’s fourth intervention in the oil-rich state’s political crisis .

Two weeks ago, Tinubu met with key political actors, including Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—at the Presidential Villa in Abuja . The closed-door meeting aimed to resolve the lingering power struggle that has polarised the state since Fubara’s assumption of office.

Following the meeting, Wike publicly acknowledged the President’s intervention and directed lawmakers to comply .

“I have told the assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate,” Wike said after inspecting projects in Abuja. “I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord” .

The latest intervention marks a significant de-escalation in the crisis, which stems from the political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, over control of the state’s political structure . Observers note that Thursday’s development suggests both parties may have reached a new understanding following the presidential mediation.

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CDS Oluyede Honored with National Award in Sierra Leone

Published

14 hours ago

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February 19, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has been decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel, one of Sierra Leone’s highest national honours. The award was conferred during a grand ceremony marking the 17th Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

In a statement released on [Date, if available], the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the honour recognises General Oluyede’s pivotal role in securing peace in Sierra Leone during his service with the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

The statement highlighted that the award serves as a profound appreciation not only for General Oluyede’s personal contributions but also for the sacrifices of all Nigerian officers and soldiers who fought to restore peace and stability to the nation during its civil war.

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General Oluyede’s connection to Sierra Leone dates back to the early 1990s. Between 1992 and 1994, he was deployed as a Platoon Commander, tasked with securing the residence of the then-Head of State. During this period, he was lauded for his exemplary leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to protecting the government in a time of intense turmoil.

Aside from Nigerian CDS, other distinguished personalities from Nigeria, Guinea, United Kingdom, United States and Kenya, among others, were equally awarded medals during the ceremony.

They included former Nigerian CDS, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande of Kenya (rtd), Lt. Gen. Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea, Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers of USA and
Brig. Gen. Edward Butler (rtd) of the UK.

The Armed Forces Day event also served as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of regional forces. Special recognition was reserved for the Nigerian Armed Forces, whose steadfast commitment under the ECOMOG banner was described as being at the forefront of regional peace enforcement.

The Nigerian contingent was particularly commended for its distinctive bravery, resilience, and dedication to the protection of civilians during Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, cementing the nation’s legacy as a cornerstone of peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

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Troops Kill Senior Boko Haram Commander, Arrest Drone Supplier in Zamfara Operation

Published

15 hours ago

on

February 19, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, operating in coordination with local vigilantes and hunters, have killed a senior Boko Haram commander during a mission in the Madagali axis of Zamfara State.

Security sources confirmed that the neutralised terrorist, identified as Abdullahi Mafa, was a former hybrid commander of the insurgent group. He was killed in a targeted operation on Thursday following a fierce encounter with security forces along the Visik River corridor.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the troops came into contact with suspected Boko Haram fighters while laying an ambush in the area, leading to a gun battle that resulted in Mafa’s death.

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In a separate but related operation within the same Madagali Local Government Area, troops also arrested a suspected logistics and drone supplier linked to the terrorists. The suspect, Dauda Usman Gubula, was apprehended during a raid at the Madagali Motor Park.

Makama, citing official sources, revealed that security operatives recovered several items from the suspect, including two aerial drones and 20 solar power banks believed to be destined for terrorist use. Gubula is currently in custody as investigations continue.

The military has maintained sustained offensive operations across the region as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Boko Haram cells and restore normalcy to affected communities.

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