From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has distributed relief materials and cash worth N48 million to 98 victims of windstorm and flood disasters in Ndieze Inyimagu and Amegu in Abakaliki Local Government Area.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs Ann Aligwe, flagged off the exercise in Abakaliki where each of the beneficiaries received N500,000 cash and two bags of rice.
Aligwe said the gesture underscored the governor’s Peoples Charter of Needs commitment to the welfare of all residents.
“Many thought it was a political promise, but today you have seen that His Excellency is a talk-and-do governor. These funds and food items are meant to cushion your losses and we expect you to use them wisely,” she stated.
The commissioner recalled that after the disaster, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, conducted impact assessments and assured victims of prompt intervention.
Aligwe also led a minute’s silence in honour of Mrs Theresa Nwaji, who died in the Ndeze Inyimagu windstorm and eight others recently killed by flooding in Afikpo.
She urged residents in disaster-prone areas, particularly riverbanks and lowlands, to relocate in line with early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Henry Nworie reaffirmed government’s readiness to respond swiftly to emergencies.
Meanwhile, the town union president of Amegu Ndunkwegu village, Mr Felix Nworogbo appealed for more long-term measures to rebuild their livelihoods and that of their families.
Zulum Appoints Musa Executive Chairman Of Borno Hajj Commission
From HASSAN JIRGI Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has approved the appointment of Professor Yakubu Musa as the new Executive Chairman of of the state Hajj Commission.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the governor, Dauda Iliya, Professor Musa will take over from Alhaji Mohammed Mainok.
A distinguished scholar and administrator, Musa served as the Director of the International Institute for Qur’anic Sciences at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano.
A professor of Arabic Studies, he had also served as member of Borno State Arabic and Sangaya Education Board.
Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to the outgoing executive chairman for his dedicated service to the state and directed him to report to the Office of the Head of Service as permanent secretary.
Musa’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly.
