In this post, we digest some top stories that make up the front pages of major Nigerian newspapers on Tuesday, 17 September, 2024, and provide key advocacy asks.
Tinubu Reschedules US Trip to Visit Maiduguri, Pledges Help for Borno – ThisDayLive
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said he had to shelve his proposed visit to the United States, to identify with the people of Maiduguri and environs in Borno State over the recent flood disaster, which almost crashed commercial and social activities in the state.
We urge President Tinubu to, beyond announcing a relief fund, urgently set up a committee to investigate the allocation and utilisation of funds for the rehabilitation of Alau dam in Borno State to ensure accountability and prevent future flood disasters.
Despite N40bn ecological fund, flood ravages states – Daily Trust
Flooding has continued to ravage states despite the N39.62 billion ecological funds disbursed to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration from the Federation Account within the last one year, Daily Trust reports.
We reiterate our call to state governments to account for the utilisation of the allocated N40bn ecological fund which was meant to implement effective flood prevention and management strategies to safeguard communities and infrastructure.
Floods sacked 404 million from Nigerian schools, others – World Bank – Punch
No fewer than 404 million students globally have been affected by climate-related school closures between January 2022 and June 2024, according to a report by the World Bank.
We call on the state governments in flood affected states to take urgent action to strengthen climate resilience in Nigerian schools to prevent further disruption to education and safeguard the future of millions of students.
75 die in Kaduna accident, Zamfara boat mishap – Vanguard
Over 35 Muslims on their way to Samunaka in Kaduna State, to celebrate Maulud, died in a ghastly motor accident when the J5 bus conveying them had a head-on collision with an articulated vehicle near Samunaka, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
While we urge all road users to prioritise safety and adhere to traffic regulations on the highways, we also call on the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to step up their game in enforcing strict waterways laws to reduce incidents of boat mishaps.
Fake Maiduguri flood victims mar relief operations at IDP camps – The Guardian
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, yesterday, lamented the influx of unaffected persons into camps for the displaced, saying the situation was hampering relief operations.
We call on the Borno State Emergency Management Agency to intensify efforts to identify and remove fake flood victims from IDP camps to ensure relief operations reach those genuinely in need.
