First Lady donates N1bn, food, clothing to victims of Mokwa

From John Adams Minna

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion and other relief materials to victims of Mokwa flood, fuel tanker explosion, banditry and boat mishaps in Niger State.

She made the donations in Minna yesterday when she paid a condolence and sympathy visit to the government and people of the state over the various disasters that had befallen the state in recent time.

Niger State has, in the last one year, been hit with one form of disaster or the other, ranging from fuel tanker explosion to boat mishaps, banditry and most recently, the devastating Mokwa flood disaster which claimed over 200 lives. The relief materials donated by the first lady during the visit included 2000 bags of 50kg rice, clothes and shoes. Making the donations at the Government House in Minna, Mrs. Tinubu emphasised that the funds should be directed towards housing support and essential supplies to help the displaced families get back to their feet, earn great living and have a better life, which according to her, is in line with the objectives of the renewed hope initiative.

“These are really challenging times but we pray that Almighty God comfort the bereaved families, heal the injured and strengthen all those affected.

“As a mother, I shared your pain and grief over those irreplaceable losses and devastation. I believe that we all can collectively help these victims in their various communities, may God comfort you and grant eternal rest to the departed,” she added.

Mrs. Tinubu also commended the President for his swift approval and release of funds and food items to assist in the recovery effort, as well as reconstruction of houses destroyed by the flood in Mokwa.

She equally applauded the state governor, Muhammad Umaru Bago for raising up to the occasion and donating funds and grains to support families that were displaced.

Also speaking, the governor said there was no better time to visit the state by the first lady than now, stressing that Niger is the only riverine state in Northern Nigeria, and had tributes of water that were housing four hydro dams and two water falls, hence the frequent incidences of flood and boat mishaps.

He explained that the state, in recent times, had experienced incidences of floods, boat mishaps, fire disasters from fuel tankers explosion, banditry and insurgency, and therefore, appreciated the first lady for her kind gesture to all the victims of the disasters

“The Renewed Hope Initiative has touched many lives across the country, so the love you have shown demonstrates the kind leadership we have as a country.

“We want to thank you for providing this kind of leadership, I want to encourage you to lead us into the right path.

“I wish to announce to you all that we have received N1 billion into the Niger State emergency account, courtesy of the Renewed Hope Initiative of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, 2,000 bags of 50kg rice, 16,000 wrappers for women that are in this situation and over 100 shoes,” Bago said.