NIGERIA FLOODS, AN UPCOMING DISASTER

NIGERIA FLOODS, AN UPCOMING DISASTER - Ajos Ajongbolo

By Ajongbolo Ajos Oluwagbenga OmoKele

Whenever I hear of an upcoming or "up-and-coming" comedian, artiste, dancer etc, he or she comes with great prospects. He could sing till "mama calls". She could dance till she starts feeling pain and weakness on her "Achilles heels". He or she could create rib-cracking jokes that could make the "goat forget to eat the yam", thereby disobeying the GoatAndYam theory postulated by an erudite Zoologist. But the upcoming event is not for fun. It is not for paparrazzi. No cracking of jokes. Not even a single "scratching of the wheels by Dj Money". Infact, there will be no red-carpet!

In July 2015, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency(NIHSA) had warned Nigerians that 12 states might be affected by floods this year. The agency stressed we should be alert for massive flooding and work towards preventing it or worse still reducing the damaging effect. Niger, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers would be affected. Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi and Sokoto are not left out. Adamawa, Kogi and Benue complete the list. Surprisingly, the floods have started without "looking back".

Under 9months, 53 people have died and over a hundred thousand people displaced. Kaduna that was not even listed was badly hit and over 2000 houses last weekend were ravaged. Isn't this scary enough? That any state could be flooded anytime from now? That Akwa-Ibom people could wake up one morning floating on water? That Kano could end up consumed by flood soon? That Ondo could be "swallowed up" anytime from now?

This is a clarion call to all government arms, tiers and strata. NEMA must be up and doing. Their offices in all the 36 states must be functional. The various states' emergency management agencies must be efficient and effective. We , as "ordinary Nigerians", must desist from acts that could encourage more flooding. Stop dumping of refuse in gutters and culverts when it rains. Protect your lives, your properties and your environment.

I do NOT know why relevant authorities, especially the media, is not proactive about this impending doom. Educate Nigerians on the responsive measures to be taken in reducing the flood hazards and stop comparing Tinubu's "docking" to Saraki's. Let's do away with #sarakigate, #sarakiOntrial and #iStandwithAhmed for now and allow #saveNigeriafromFloods trend!

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