Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sent a message of sympathy to the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, over the recent flood disaster which wreaked havoc and displaced over a million people in the state.
The flooding resulted from the collapse of the Alau Dam on September 10.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, over 70% of the residents in Maiduguri were displaced, while at least 30 people died.
Obasanjo in a letter addressed to Zulum, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the government and the people of Borno State for the loss of lives and property caused by the recent flood disaster.
The former President, in the letter made available to newsmen on Wednesday by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, described the flooding as one of the most devastating incidents in recent times.
He saluted Zulum’s “swiftness and efficacy” in rising to the challenge.
“It is usually in the midst of disasters of this nature that the qualities of good leadership and courage become manifest,” Obasanjo submitted.
He pointed out that “Although seasonal flooding is not uncommon in many parts of Nigeria, all available accounts indicate that what Borno State has just suffered was one of the most devastating incidents in recent times.
“This is evidenced by the magnitude of the loss of human lives, harvested food-crops, farmlands, livestock, buildings and personal effects involved.”
Obasanjo, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the state government and the families of the deceased, prayed Almighty Allah to comfort and strengthen those they left behind.
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