Fed govt to help Mokwa rebuild after devastating floods - Shettima
The federal government has pledged full support to help the people of Mokwa rebuild their lives and communities after floods ravaged the area, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the assurance on Wednesday during a visit to the flood-hit town in Niger State, where he announced immediate relief measures and long-term rebuilding efforts.
“We will rebuild. We will restore the vibrancy for which Mokwa is known. While this disaster is devastating, it will not define you”, the Vice President declared before a solemn gathering of local leaders and residents.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, who spoke on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the Federal Government has set aside N2 billion in relief funds and dispatched 20 trucks of grains to support the affected population.
The gesture is part of a broader commitment to ensure communities like Mokwa are not left to shoulder the burden of recovery alone.
Arriving at the flood-stricken town shortly after noon, Shettima was received by Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Yahaya Abubakar, and senior state officials.
Delivering President Tinubu’s message of condolence and solidarity, Senator Shettima said, “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.”
The Vice President emphasized that beyond emergency aid, the Federal Government is committed to a sustainable rebuilding plan that not only addresses the current devastation but also seeks to mitigate future disasters.
He noted that ecological and environmental challenges must be met with sustainable solutions, not reactive measures.
“The greatest honour we can give to those we have lost in this regrettable tragedy is our commitment to a future where such disasters are reduced through proactive measures and sustainable practices,” he said.
Mokwa, a critical transit and agricultural hub in central Nigeria, was described by the Vice President as a town of national significance, whose loss is felt far beyond Niger State.
“Mokwa has always stood as a vital crossroads in Nigeria’s geography and commerce. This makes your pain a shared national burden,” Shettima said, adding that the entire country mourns with the people of Mokwa and stands with them as they rebuild.
The visit was marked by emotional expressions of gratitude from community leaders and state officials.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, representing Governor Umar Bago, praised the rapid federal response led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“Within 24 hours, NEMA was on the ground to assess the damage and begin the process of intervention. We are grateful for the prompt action,” Garba said.
Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman Gawu, said the Vice President’s presence had renewed the morale of the people, offering both reassurance and hope.
“Your visit has strengthened us,” Gawu told Shettima.
Murtala Bagana, Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor, described the disaster as a “national tragedy,” noting that its scale and impact warranted the kind of urgent federal response that was now unfolding.
He also lauded President Tinubu’s leadership in mobilising aid without delay.
Traditional rulers were also on hand to welcome the Vice President, with the Etsu Nupe, HRH Yahaya Abubakar, expressing deep appreciation to the President and the federal delegation for standing by the people of Mokwa in their hour of need.
Also present were two cabinet members from Niger State: Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
In addition to direct financial aid and food support, Vice President Shettima called for a united national response to climate and ecological crises, stressing that the flood disaster underscored the urgency of environmental resilience across the country.
“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 said.
