🇳🇬 NGF Condoles Niger Flood Victims But Where Is the Urgent Action on Climate and Infrastructure?
As floodwaters swept through Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State, leaving at least 21 people dead and destroying property worth millions of naira, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) offered its condolences but critics are asking if sympathy is enough.
In a statement issued Friday, NGF chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, expressed shock at the scale of destruction caused by the disaster. “We sincerely commiserate with the affected families,” AbdulRazaq stated, while affirming the Forum’s solidarity with Governor Usman Bago and the people of Niger State.
But as Nigeria grapples with the increasing frequency of deadly floods, many are questioning whether leaders are doing enough beyond issuing statements.
The Human Toll
The Mokwa flood is just the latest in a string of disasters tied to worsening climate conditions. At least 21 lives were lost, and entire communities were displaced, adding to the deepening humanitarian crisis in flood-prone regions.
A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t the first flood tragedy nor is it likely to be the last. What’s missing, according to analysts and climate advocates, is proactive leadership: real investment in flood defenses, community education, resilient infrastructure, and enforcement of environmental regulations.
Words vs. Action
While Governor AbdulRazaq acknowledged the realities of climate change and praised Niger State’s emergency response, his comments stopped short of outlining any actionable or immediate plans from the NGF to prevent future disasters.
“We commit ourselves… to strengthen mitigative actions,” he said vaguely. But critics argue that such promises have become routine rhetoric after every disaster, with little to show in terms of policy reform or on-ground solutions.
The Bigger Picture
This flood is not just a natural disaster it’s a failure of governance, environmental planning, and infrastructure neglect. Nigeria remains ill-equipped to handle climate-related emergencies despite warnings from both local and international agencies.
Time for a Shift
It’s time for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to go beyond condolences and convene an emergency summit to design and implement coordinated flood response strategies across states especially those in high-risk zones like Niger, Kogi, and Benue.
The Bottom Line
As communities bury their dead and salvage what’s left of their homes, the call is clear: Nigeria doesn’t need more sympathy it needs leadership that anticipates disasters, not just reacts to them.
Reference
🇳🇬 NGF Condoles Niger Flood Victims But Where Is the Urgent Action on Climate and Infrastructure?