By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the tragic death of over 40 persons following a boat accident and floods in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.
The twin incidents, which occurred in Gummi Local Government Area of the state, claimed the lives of the victims, largely farmers who were en route to their farms over the weekend.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the people and government of Zamfara State, Special Adviser to the Nigerian leader on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Sunday,
He also assured the bereaved families of the Federal Government’s unwavering support.
“The loss of these hardworking farmers is not just a tragedy for Zamfara but for the entire nation. We share in the grief of their families and the wider community who are reeling from the shock of these disasters. The Federal Government stands with the people of Zamfara in this difficult time,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President also expressed concern about the increasing frequency of such incidents and promised to work towards a long-term solution.
He directed relevant emergency and disaster response agencies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the incidents in order to determine the underlying causes.
“I have instructed our emergency services to work closely with the Zamfara State Government to not only provide immediate relief but to also assess the root causes of these tragedies. We must ensure that such disasters are mitigated in the future, whether through better safety measures or infrastructural improvements,” Tinubu added.
The President also highlighted the importance of national solidarity during moments of grief.
“Now is the time for all Nigerians to come together to support Zamfara and help in the healing process. No one should be left to face such pain alone,” he said.
Tinubu assured all that the government would offer all necessary support to assist those affected by the boat accident and flooding while reiterating his commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness across the country.
Emergency response teams have been mobilised, and efforts are ongoing to provide aid and relief to the affected communities.
