By Suleiman Yakubu

Over 208,000 people across 28 of Nigeria's 36 states have been displaced by floods this year, according to Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC). Speaking at a press briefing on the 2024 flood situation at the commission's headquarters in Minna, Yelwa revealed that approximately 200 lives have been lost, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Yelwa attributed the widespread devastation to poor infrastructure, failure to adhere to environmental guidelines, and ineffective dam management. He noted that torrential rainfall has exacerbated the situation, particularly in N-HYPPADEC member states, which are heavily involved in electricity generation.
The managing director highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of floods, which have caused significant disruptions to lives, property, and economic activities. He emphasized the need for urgent attention from relevant stakeholders, warning that the situation could worsen in the coming days.
Preliminary reports from N-HYPPADEC offices indicate that 634 communities in Benue State have been affected, with nearly 30,000 farmlands washed away. In Kebbi State, 6,959 households and 10,000 farmlands have been impacted, with one life lost. Similar situations have been reported in Gombe, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Kaduna states, posing a serious threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's food security and wealth creation agenda.
In Niger State, seven lives were lost in incidents in Magama and Mashegu local government areas along the Mokwa-New Bussa federal highway. Three major bridges, including the Wukari bridge in Taraba State and the Manyara Bridge at Sabon-Pegi Kwatachi on the New Bussa Federal Highway, have been affected. Numerous other critical infrastructures, such as culverts, flood drains, schools, and health centers, have also been damaged.
Yelwa outlined the commission's efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding, including the execution of critical flood and erosion control projects. Additionally, about 500 flood victim resettlement housing schemes are under construction in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Kebbi states. The commission has also engaged the media to sensitize riverine communities on flood dangers and safety measures.

By Suleiman Yakubu

In a bid to foster environmental awareness and preservation among young children, the Regional Centre for Expertise (RCE) Minna recently concluded its third cohort of the Green Fingers Programme (GFP).
The GFP is designed to educate children aged 4–10 about the causes and consequences of environmental degradation due to human activities and how they can contribute to mitigating these effects.
At the closing ceremony of the 2024 edition, Dr. Francis Gana, the Chairman of the occasion and a former Rector of Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, emphasised the importance of the program. He highlighted that the children were trained in tree planting and encouraged to establish their own gardens as a means of combating climate change.
Dr. Gana urged parents to support their children in applying the knowledge they gained, thereby contributing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Green Economy vision of the current administration.
Hon. Maurice Bello Magaji, the state commissioner for land and survey and special guest at the event, noted the critical state of the environment due to poor management. He praised the initiative for educating children on environmental appreciation, which he believes is a step towards a brighter future with better environmental practices. He stressed that addressing climate change requires collective effort.
Dr. Abdul Hussaini, the Coordinator of RCE Minna, shared that since its recognition in 2011, RCE Minna has collaborated with various NGOs to promote sustainability. He explained that the main objective of the GFP is to raise awareness about environmental sustainability through tree planting and to instill a culture of environmental responsibility in children. The program also aims to support the Africa 2063 Agenda by introducing its basic aspirations to the children, who are expected to be key players by 2063.
Miss Martha Ogar, the chief tutor of the GFP, expressed her passion for teaching children and instilling in them the best environmental practices.
The 2024 GFP, an environmental summer school for children, was organised in loving memory of Arch. Hassana Gambo, the visionary behind the program, who passed away in March this year. The event featured presentations of quotes by the late Arch. Hassana Gambo, tree planting by the children, and visits to the Aisha Lemu Conservatory and Children's Park at the Three Arms Zone area.