Flood Crisis: TETFund pledges to intervene in Jigawa

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says it will assist the Jigawa State Government in tackling the flood menace ravaging its University of Science and Technology. The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sunday Echono, made the pledge when Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa visited him in Abuja. According to Echono, Jigawa is one of the major frontier states in terms of emerging technology. “In spite of the challenges, Jigawa is resilient in the area of innovation and technology and I think that was why the Federal Government established the Federal University of Technology in Babura in the state. “We want to assure you that we will continue to support your effort in the development of education in Babura and Jigawa State in general. “You had it rough after the flood that ravaged the institution, where some structures were affected. “Also, on the issue of security infrastructure, we will send a team to look at it and grant your request,” Echono said. Earlier, the governor said that his visit was to thank Echono for TETfund’s intervention in the terriary institutions in Jigawa state. He lauded the agency for all it was doing toward the development of education in the country. “Like Oliver Twist, we need more of your interventions in Jigawa state and we will continue to cooperate with TETFund,” Namadi said.

Disaster Management: NEMA, NAF strengthens partnership

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have pledged to strengthen partnerships for effective response to imminent flood and disaster management. The organisations made the pledge, when the Director-General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed and his management team, visited the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar in Abuja. Ahmed said that the decision was necessary in view of the flood forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and other forms of disaster that may likely affect some parts of the country. “With the increasing rate of occurrence and severity of disasters in Nigeria and across the world, it has become necessary for NEMA to strengthen its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force. “This will enable us to save lives during emergencies and promote disaster risk reduction in communities. “The unpredictable rainy season, which has started to wreak havoc in some states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory is a confirmation of NIMET flood prediction. “Therefore, the time has come when NEMA will require the support of the Nigerian Airforce, particularly in the areas of search and rescue, transportation of personnel, equipment and other life-saving relief items,” he said. Responding, Abubakar assured NEMA that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to provide the needed support when required, as part of its responsibilities. He said that the Nigerian Air Force, would avail its 22 Disaster Response Units, located in different parts of the country to support NEMA’s disaster management activities.