Following severe flash floods that claimed at least 160 lives in Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has emphasized the importance of using official climate and flood forecasts to better prepare communities for extreme weather events.
He specifically urged local leaders and residents to pay close attention to the Seasonal Climate Prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Annual Flood Outlook provided by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
According to him, these tools offer valuable early warnings that can help reduce the impact of disasters like the recent flooding.
Senator Abdullahi made this appeal in the aftermath of one of the country’s most severe flood incidents in recent times.
He The disaster, triggered by heavy rains last Thursday, swept through homes, farms and infrastructure in Mokwa, displacing hundreds of people and leaving several others missing.
“It is crucial that communities use the information in these forecasts to take early action,” Abdullahi said during a live interview on TVC’s Breakfast programme on June 3.
He noted that annual rainfall patterns have been growing more unpredictable and that flooding, even in areas not typically prone to it, is becoming more common.
The Minister described the flooding in Mokwa as unprecedented.
“It is particularly disturbing because Mokwa is not known to lie in a floodplain, yet the damage was severe. This was a natural disaster on a scale never previously experienced in that area.”
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, working with the Niger State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has distributed emergency food supplies to affected households.
While appreciating these efforts, Abdullahi stressed that the country must not stop at emergency relief.
“The long-term solution must include infrastructure upgrades like desilting of waterways and investments in water-harvesting systems,” he said.
He pointed to recent gains in Jigawa State through the World Bank-supported ACReSAL Project, where restored water channels have opened up land for farming and fishing. He co-chairs the national steering committee for that project.
Abdullahi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt response to the tragedy.
He acknowledged the President’s directive to relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance and noted that this support has already started reaching those in need.
The Minister also highlighted the need for psychological support and livelihood recovery for victims. Many people have lost family members, homes and sources of income, and according to him, helping them rebuild will require a wide range of assistance.
He called on private individuals, companies and civil society groups to support ongoing recovery efforts.
