Afeez Akinteye, President of the Senate and National Association of Nigerian Students, has expressed condolences to victims of the recent floods that swept through Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.
He also called for long-term solutions to the situation and urged the federal government to develop a comprehensive strategy to meet the displaced people’s immediate needs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Akinteye expressed the association’s profound sorrow to the students and staff of Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture in Maiduguri, who were also seriously affected by the flooding, which caused the displacement of many state citizens.
“The disruption of lives, the destruction of homes, and the forced displacement of thousands within the community are tragic and deeply unsettling, especially for students who are striving to achieve their academic goals,” he noted.
The statement described the incident as unfortunate because it disrupted not only the lives of residents but also the educational aspirations of many young people, explaining that education is a fundamental pillar of society and that any event that jeopardises students’ ability to learn and thrive must be addressed urgently and compassionately.
He stated that the association’s thoughts are with all those who have been displaced, and they extend their heartfelt condolences to the students and their families during this difficult period.
It urged the Federal Government to take urgent action through the National Emergency Management Agency to mobilise resources and deploy required support to the affected communities in Maiduguri, with special emphasis on the students of the Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture.