Did you know that the Borno State Government has received trillions of nairas in donations in the aftermath of the devastating flood that ravaged its state capital, Maiduguri, arising from the overflow of water in the Alau Dam on September 9, 2024?

The recent flooding of Maiduguri in Borno State on September 9, 2024, is the most severe flooding since 1994. The flooding is reportedly due to the overflow of the Alau Dam, which has been filled to capacity for the past week. The incident affected up to 15% of Maiduguri and killed more than 80% of animals in the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo with residents in the state on high alert as rising waters have submerged numerous homes. The incident has led to the death of over 30 people, with at least 400,000 people displaced.

The Alau Dam, situated in the Alau community of Konduga local government area of Borno State in the Northeast region of Nigeria, was constructed in 1984, with construction lasting to 1986. It receives water from the Yedzram and Gombole rivers which meet at the Sambisa Forest and flow as the Ngadda River, one of the tributaries of the Lake Chad, into the dam. Alau Dam receives a wide variety of waste from agricultural lands. Its reservoir was also used for commercial fishing.

The Alau Dam provides water for irrigation and domestic use in Maiduguri and also helps to control flooding in the area. However, the dam has also been the cause of flooding in some cases. In 1992, the dam reached its maximum storage level and spilled over, causing flooding in Jere Bowl. In 1994, a flash flood from the Yedzeram River caused extensive flooding in Maiduguri. In 2012, torrential rainfall caused the Alau Dam to open its evacuation valve, releasing a massive amount of water that caused flooding in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

Since the September 9 disaster, several individuals and institutions, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria 4 Peace Project (N4PP) among others have called for financial intervention.

◼️ FG's N3BN
Following the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state and pledged the federal government’s continued support to the victims. On Wednesday, September 11, Governor Babagana Zulum confirmed receipt of a N3 billion flood intervention fund from the Federal Government, designated for addressing the devastation.

◼️ NEDC N3BN
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) donated N3 billion to the Borno State Government for distribution to small business owners in the affected state capital, Maiduguri. In addition, the commission released N50 million for the cleaning of the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, which was also overtaken by the flood. The donations were made on Tuesday, September 10, when the chairman of the board of NEDC, Maj Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd) led members and the management team to pay a sympathy visit to the Governor of the State over the flood incident.

◼️ ATIKU's N100M
Former Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar made a contribution of N100 million for the rebuilding of the flood-ravaged Borno State. He made the announcement via his official X (formerly Twitter) page on Sunday, September 15, where he shared a video of his visit to the Governor of the State. According to the former VP, the situation is a monumental disaster unprecedented in the state’s history.

◼️ SOUTHERN BORNO SENATORIAL DISTRICT's N200M
A high-powered delegation from the Southern Borno Senatorial District, led by Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, on Tuesday, September 17, presented a cheque of N200 million to support the state government’s relief efforts. The delegation to the Governor and the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanem, comprises Emirs, former Deputy Governors and stakeholders from nine local government areas of the State.

◼️ NDLEA's N120M
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd) facilitated the donation of N120 million worth of fertiliser to farmers in Borno State affected by the recent flood when he paid a condolence visit to the Governor, Prof. Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, His Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanem, regarding the recent flood disaster.

◼️ OBI OF LP's N50M
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, September 17, led the leadership of the Obidient Movement to condole with Governor Zulum and the people over the recent flood. Obi, who donated N50 million to the emergency relief fund, bemoaned the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the state, as disclosed by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar. The former Anambra State governor was accompanied by his running mate in the 2023 election, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed; the Chairman of the caretaker committee, Senator Nenadi Usman; the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko; and other party leaders.

◼️ DANGOTE's N2BN
The owner of Africa's biggest refinery and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Saturday, September 14, donated N2 billion to assist those affected by the devastating flood in Maiduguri. Dangote explained that while the Presidential Committee on Flood and Disaster, which he chairs,  committed N1 billion, the Dangote Foundation would donate an additional N1 billion.

◼️ ADAWAMA, KANO, GOMBE, BAUCHI, TARABA's N600M
The five states of Adawama, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba, have all contributed a total of N600 million to the relief efforts to salvage Maiduguri. A breakdown showed that Adamawa donated N50 million; Kano donated N100 million; Gombe donated N100 million; Bauchi donated N250 million, and Taraba donated N100 million, respectively.

◼️ DANTATA's N1.5BN
Elder stateman and business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, donated N1.5 billion to victims of the flood. Dantata made the donation when he led a delegation from Kano to Government House, Maiduguri, on Tuesday, September 17. He also prayed for the peace and harmony of the Borno State and Nigeria at large.

◼️ UNITED NATIONS' $6BN (N9.8TN)
The United Nations (UN) allocated $6 million to Borno State from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund. According to UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, more funding is on the way to bring the total contribution to more than $8 million. The National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre, Oluseyi Soremekun, announced the various interventions in a press statement on Sunday, September 15.

◼️ THINKLAB CHARITY FOUNDATION's N20M
The Thinklab Charity Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, donated N20 million to the Borno State Government to aid relief efforts for the flood disaster on Tuesday, September 17. In addition, the foundation has committed a N10 million research grant for long-term research into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and control measures to mitigate the effects of future disasters.

◼️ UAE RELIEF MATERIALS
No fewer than 50 tonnes of relief materials have been donated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to alleviate the suffering of flood victims in Borno State. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Sunday, September 15, during a meeting with Borno State Governor in Maiduguri, saying the donation was part of efforts to support those affected by the recent flooding.

◼️ OTHER DONORS 
Ex-presidential media aide to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Reno Omokri, contributed N500,000.

SOURCES: Leadership | Punch | Tribune | ThisDay | The Whistler

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