The National Assembly donated a sum of N174 million to assist the victims of the recent flooding in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
The Senate contributed N74 million, while the House of Representatives offered N100 million to support those affected by the disaster.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, led a Senate delegation to Maiduguri and announced that each of the 108 senators contributed N500,000, amounting to N54 million in total. In addition, Jibrin personally donated N10 million, while the Northern Senators’ Forum added another N10 million, bringing the Senate’s total contribution to N74 million.
Upon arrival in Maiduguri, Jibrin was welcomed by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the Government House, where they discussed the ongoing relief efforts for the flood victims.
He stated: “Whatever touches Borno has touched the entire country. This is why I’m here with some of my colleagues, even though the President of the Senate was here yesterday (Monday) representing the Senate as a whole.”
“When the President of the Senate came, he did not disclose what we intended to donate. The situation of the victims profoundly touches us. After our meeting yesterday, we agreed to donate the sum of N54 million.”
“Each senator is donating N500,000, totaling N54 million. Personally, I am donating N10 million. I pray that this flood will not occur again in Borno State and the entire country.”
The Senate delegation also visited Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, who represented Borno Central in the eighth Senate, to offer condolences following the passing of his mother last week.
Senators present included: Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum; Adetokunbo Abiru, Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum; Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara Central); Onawo Ogoshi (Nasarawa South); and Sadiq Umar (Kwara North). Other senators included Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West), Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang (Plateau North), Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North), and Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central).
However, the House of Representatives delegation, led by the Chairman of the Northern Regional Caucus, Alhassan Doguwa, also visited Maiduguri.
Doguwa announced the House’s intervention on behalf of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. He extolled President Bola Tinubu for his prompt response to the plight of the state’s people.
“We also pledge the National Assembly’s readiness to liaise with the Federal Government to create a legislative framework or budgetary intervention to help state governments address the impacts of flood disasters in the country,” Doguwa said.
