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Fresh fears of food crisis as floods sweep states, submerge farmlands
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Severe flooding across the states has continued to ravage farmland and submerge buildings with farmers saying the signs are ominous for food production.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed last week that the flooding has already claimed 185 lives and displaced 208,000 people in 28 states across the country.
About 107,000 hectares of farmland have been washed away, much of it in the north.
Hundreds of private and public buildings and infrastructure were submerged.
Reports from different parts of the country yesterday showed that floods resulting from persistent rainfall in Yobe,Niger,Zamfara,Gombe and Benue States,among others ,in the last few days have submerged more farmlands ,roads , and properties both private and public.
Taraba State, which is often flooded at this time of the year when Cameroun’s Lagdo Dam is opened to release its excess water,has put in place a flood control team across all its 168 wards.
The various state emergency management agencies and NEMA are also mobilising human and material resources to deal with the situation.
Most hit by the floods in Niger State are Mashegu and Magama local government areas where thousands of farmlands planted with rice, maize, yam, sorghum and millet have been devastated.
Farmers in the areas now lament that they have practically nothing to harvest later in the year.
Usman Danjuma, an Agricultural Economist in Minna, said the flooding could worsen the current cost of living as the prices of food might go up.
Farmers in Logo, Guma, Gwer-West,Agatu,Kwande, Makurdi ,Ado, Okpokwu, Otukpo,Buruku and Katsina Ala local government areas of Benue State have also suffered huge losses caused by the flooding.
The affected farms are located along the banks of the Benue River which usually overflows its banks at this time of the year.
The State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA) has embarked on an awareness campaign to educate farmers on the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of more rains this year.
Professor of Agronomy at J.S Tarka University, Makurdi, Daniel Agenda, called for the dredging of River Benue to enable it to absorb more flood water, saying this would go a long way in saving farms along the banks of the river from incessant flooding.
Over 3,000 displaced from Kaduna agrarian communities
Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Usman Hayatu-Mazadu, said in Kaduna that 3,633 people have been displaced by floods in five agrarian communities in Zango Kataf Local Government Area.
The North-West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA Imam Garki said the recent flooding in Fadan Tsoho, Zonzon, Zangon Kataf, Unguwan Wakili, and Zonkwa communities swept away farmlands and livestock.
An Agricultural Economist in the state , Mr Benjamin Kemje, asked government to assist farmers to recoup their losses, otherwise, they would increase food prices to make up for their losses.
Jigawa and Zamfara states have also been badly hit by the flooding.
Incidentally, many of the northern states are considered Nigeria’s food basket.
Last Friday’s rainfall in Zamfara seems to have only added to an already bad situation.
Like the earlier ones, the last rain left many parts of the state submerged and the residents helpless.
Many houses in Samaru area of Gusau and Gengerin Maigemu were taken over by flood.
Flood destroyed 1,650 houses in 2 towns in Yobe, says SEMA
Floods triggered by days of torrential rain, destroyed 1,650 houses in Jajere and Yunusari towns of Yobe,according to the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje.
Goje told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu that a total of 413 households in the areas were displaced by the latest flash flood.
Goje said that a final assessment on the destruction caused by yet another flood in Yusufari, Wagir, Mutai Chirokusko, Bade and Potiskum towns was ongoing.
“ SEMA is conducting daily review meetings to assess the situation, update stakeholders and come up with immediate response plan in line with vulnerabilities of affected locations and resources available on ground,” he said.
Flood destroys 2517 houses,1000 hectares of farmland in Gombe – SEMA
The flood was equally devastating in Gombe State where the SEMA said 2,517 houses and shops were either completely or partially destroyed in 33 communities.
The Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the agency, Mr Ibrahim Nalado, named the affected communities as Dukku, Funakaye and Billiri Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.
On the impact of flooding on farmlands, the deputy director said Hina community in Yamaltu/Deba LGA of the state was the worst-hit.
He said that no less than 1,000 hectares of rice, maize, sorghum and millet farmlands were submerged in water.
The deputy director stated that his team visited Hina community on Friday, Aug. 30, to assess the level of damage.
Nalado described the impact of the flooding as ‘huge and devastating’ in view of the vast area affected.
“Farmers were getting ready to harvest their crops.
“The farmers were so worried but because it was a natural phenomenon, they accepted it in good faith,” he said.
The deputy director stated that data on the number of farmers affected by the flood were being collated at Hina.
Nalado stated that his agency had assessed the level of damage, but were compiling the reports to forward to the state government and other relevant agencies.
He, however, said that the level of damage on farmlands at Hina, would take collective efforts of both the state and the Federal Government to address.
The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said that any belief by Nigerians that the outcome of the 2027 elections would be in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could lead to voter apathy.
Onaiyekan said this during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun, on Monday.
According to him, any perception that the ruling party is guaranteed victory would discourage voter participation and ultimately weaken the legitimacy of the government that emerges from the polls.
He noted that voter apathy in recent elections in the country reflected a growing distrust in the electoral system, a situation he said must be urgently addressed before the next general election.
Cardinal Onaiyekan said restoring public confidence in the electoral process was essential to improving governance, insisting that democracy can only thrive where elections are genuinely free, fair and credible.
The cleric maintained that Nigeria has yet to conduct a truly free and fair election, linking low voter turnout to widespread public disillusionment with the electoral process.
“I fear that it becomes very clear to Nigerians that no matter what happens, the APC will win, then most people won’t even bother to go to the election. And even if the government, the real power, wins, it will not bring a real victory, actually. And it is not going to be possible to deliver good government.”
A refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in many Nigerian homes. From preserving cooked meals to keeping fruits, vegetables and drinks fresh, it works around the clock. But with frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations and heavy daily use, many refrigerators in Nigeria wear out faster than expected.
In this article, five common mistakes that shorten the lifespan of your refrigerator are highlighted
Overloading the refrigerator
Packing your refrigerator with too much food may seem like a good way to maximise storage, but it can reduce airflow inside the appliance. Cold air needs space to circulate so that all compartments remain at the correct temperature. When the refrigerator is overloaded, the compressor has to work harder to keep everything cold. Over time, this extra workload can increase wear on the cooling system and reduce the appliance’s lifespan.
Ignoring the condenser coils
Many people never clean the condenser coils, yet they play an important role in keeping the refrigerator cool. Dust, pet hair and dirt can build up on the coils over time, making it harder for the appliance to release heat. When this happens, the compressor works longer and uses more electricity, increasing the risk of overheating.
It’s therefore recommended to clean the coils periodically, especially if the refrigerator is located in a dusty environment.
Placing the refrigerator too close to the wall
A refrigerator needs adequate ventilation to release heat generated during cooling. Placing it tightly against the wall or between cabinets can restrict airflow around the appliance.
Poor ventilation forces the compressor to work harder, increasing energy consumption and placing unnecessary strain on the motor.
Always leave enough space behind and on the sides of the refrigerator as recommended in the manufacturer’s manual.
Putting hot food directly inside
Many people place steaming pots of soup or rice straight into the refrigerator to cool them quickly.
However, hot food raises the internal temperature, forcing the refrigerator to work harder to restore the proper cooling level.
Allow cooked food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating it. However, food should not be left out for more than two hours, as this can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
Failing to protect it from power fluctuations
Power surges and sudden voltage drops are common in many parts of Nigeria. These fluctuations can damage the refrigerator’s compressor and other electrical components.
Using a quality voltage protector or voltage stabiliser can help protect the appliance from unstable electricity and extend its lifespan.
If there is a prolonged power outage, avoid repeatedly switching the refrigerator on and off as electricity is restored.
(TRIBUNE)
Imole Campaign Council, the campaign group for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election, on Monday, faulted the redeployment of police commissioner Ibrahim Gotan to the state amid widespread violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The council, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described Mr Gotan’s controversial reinstatement as very concerning, citing “gross harassment, abuse of human rights and arbitrary arrest and detention of Accord Party chieftains and members under his supervision”.
The council said Mr Gotan’s redeployment after he allegedly detained the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and others at his residence reflected intent to hound the Accord Party in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
“Suffice to say that the SSG was released immediately and the items taken from his house returned to him. This shows how politically consumed and unprofessional CP Gotan is to hound Accord Party chieftains to favour the All Progressives Congress in the August 15 governorship election,” it stated.
The council lamented that Mr Gotan was reinstated to oversee the forthcoming poll after CP Samuel Etaifo had been transferred to the state, alleging that the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, was pressured by the ruling APC.
Noting that security agencies must remain neutral and professional to achieve credibility and fairness in any election, the council said the IG “must not allow CP Gotan and his APC friends to plunge Nigeria’s democracy into the abyss through intimidation, arbitrary arrest, witch hunt and harassment of opponents.”
It urged Mr Disu to address the people of the state, adding that he must ensure the election is free, fair and credible.
“The IGP must address the people of Osun State and assure them of a violence-free poll on August 15, 2026. He must back his words with action and ensure the neutrality and impartiality of his men all through the election.
“The use of arrest and detention as tools of oppression of the opposition must end. Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. Democracy is about plurality of parties and not oppression and intimidation of opponents,” the council added.
The development came amid reports of violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Meanwhile, Mr Disu had assured residents of adequate security, saying the election would be one of the best in the country’s history.
2027: There Will Be Voter Apathy If… —Cardinal Onaiyekan
5 Common Mistakes That Shorten The Lifespan Of Your Refrigerator
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