Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has commended the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum on his swiftness and efficacy in handling the state’s recent food disaster.
He urged the governor to overcome the unfortunate event by showing his leadership and courageous qualities.
DAILY POST reported that not less than 414,000 people were displaced and another 30 killed, by the devastating flood in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital last week.
The flood followed the collapse of the Alau Dam, which overflowed its banks, thereby sending floodwaters from about 10 kilometres away into Maiduguri.
The former president, in a message of sympathy to the governor, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, on Wednesday, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the Government and the people of Borno State for the huge loss of lives and property caused by the recent flood disaster.
He noted 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, however, stressed that “it is usually amid disasters of this nature that the qualities of good leadership and courage become manifest. Permit me, therefore, to commend you and the Government of Borno State for the swiftness and efficacy with which you rose to the challenge, giving every possible support in your continued efforts to provide succour to those who have been dislocated.
“Once again, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the State Government and the families of the deceased. May Almighty Allah comfort and strengthen those they left behind,” the message stated.
Borno Flood: Manifest your leadership qualities – Obasanjo tasks Zulum