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CHRAN Questions Akwa Ibom Government’s Flood Preparedness, Calls for Long-Term Control Measures
By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has expressed concern over the level of preparedness of relevant agencies of the Akwa Ibom State Government to tackle flooding across the state.
The organisation’s reaction followed the devastating flooding that affected Uyo and other parts of the state last week after heavy rainfall, with media reports indicating that two persons lost their lives in the state capital.
In a statement made available to journalists in Uyo on Monday, CHRAN State Director, Mr. Franklin Udo Using, questioned why relevant government agencies failed to take proactive measures despite early flood warnings issued by the Federal Government.
“While we recognise that heavy rainfall is a natural phenomenon, the magnitude of the destruction witnessed in Uyo and its environs raises serious concerns about the level of preparedness of relevant agencies of the Government of Akwa Ibom State and the effectiveness of existing flood prevention and management strategies,” the statement said.
The organisation recalled that the Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, had earlier predicted flooding in several states, including Akwa Ibom, to give state governments adequate time to implement preventive measures.
According to CHRAN, such measures should have included desilting drainage channels, clearing blocked waterways, strengthening emergency response mechanisms, identifying vulnerable communities and putting contingency plans in place before the rains intensified.
“Against this backdrop, CHRAN is constrained to ask: What proactive measures did the Government of Akwa Ibom State take to mitigate the impact of the predicted floods? Were the relevant ministries, departments and agencies adequately mobilised? Were drainage systems desilted in good time? Were flood-prone communities properly sensitised and protected? These are questions that deserve clear and transparent answers,” the organisation stated.
CHRAN also expressed disappointment that Governor Umo Eno had not personally visited affected communities or bereaved families as of the time the statement was issued.
“While government institutions have their respective responsibilities, moments of tragedy demand visible, compassionate executive leadership,” the statement said.
The organisation maintained that the physical presence of a governor at the scene of a disaster reassures victims that they have not been abandoned and demonstrates that the government genuinely shares in their pain.
It criticised the government’s response as being limited to a press statement issued after the flooding had caused widespread destruction.
“In a disaster of this magnitude, such a response was neither timely nor sufficient. Crisis communication is not merely about issuing a press release; it is about demonstrating empathy, inspiring public confidence, calming anxieties and assuring citizens that their government is fully engaged in addressing their plight,” it added.
The rights group lamented that recurring flooding in Uyo and its environs had become an annual tragedy, describing the continued loss of lives and property as unacceptable despite advances in weather forecasting.
It urged the state government to move beyond reactive interventions by providing immediate relief materials to victims, conducting a comprehensive assessment of the damage, evacuating persons still trapped in flooded areas, clearing blocked drainage systems and structures obstructing waterways, commissioning an independent technical assessment of Uyo’s drainage infrastructure and developing a long-term, climate-resilient flood management strategy.
CHRAN also appealed to Governor Umo Eno to personally visit affected communities and families, while calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (AKSEMA), the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies, faith-based institutions and well-meaning Nigerians to support relief efforts for affected residents.
The organisation expressed condolences to the families of those who reportedly lost their lives in the flooding and pledged to continue monitoring the government’s response.
“CHRAN will continue to monitor the government’s response to this disaster and engage constructively to ensure that the lessons from this unfortunate incident translate into meaningful reforms that will safeguard lives and property,” the statement added.
By Aga Samuel Imoter, Jalingo
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has urged Christian leaders to defend truth, speak to political authorities when necessary and promote peace and moral values amid the social, economic and security challenges facing the country. Kefas made the call on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, while addressing participants at the Ministers’ Conference organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State Chapter, in Jalingo.
The conference, themed “The Church and the State: Partners in God’s Plan in a Changing World,” brought together Christian ministers and leaders to discuss the role of the Church in nation-building, peacebuilding and good governance. The governor said government and the Church have distinct constitutional and spiritual responsibilities but could collaborate in areas that promote peace, development and social stability.
He urged Christian leaders to uphold truth, compassion, justice and moral discipline while advising political authorities without allowing partisan interests to compromise the Church’s independence. “The Church must not become an extension of any political party,” Kefas said, urging ministers to provide constructive guidance and resist divisions based on politics, ethnicity or personal interests.
Kefas also called on religious leaders to use their platforms to discourage corruption, drug abuse, violence, hatred and injustice, while encouraging young people to pursue legitimate opportunities. He assured residents that his administration would continue to promote fairness, justice and peaceful coexistence while protecting citizens’ rights and freedom of worship.
The governor also expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with religious institutions in education, peacebuilding, community development and efforts to address drug abuse. He appealed to citizens and religious leaders to embrace unity and forgiveness, saying the development of Taraba required collective responsibility.
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command will hold a three-day Police–Youth Engagement Programme from Thursday, August 20, to Saturday, August 22, 2026, as part of activities to mark International Youth Day and strengthen community efforts to prevent crime and promote peace.
The programme, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” will bring together police officers, youths, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the initiative was in line with a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to deepen engagement between the police and young people.
According to the Command, activities will include a Walkathon/Peace Walk aimed at promoting unity, healthy living and responsible citizenship. A medical outreach will also provide basic healthcare services and health awareness to young people and community members.
The programme will conclude with a lecture and interactive session addressing crime prevention, cultism, drug abuse, political and digital thuggery, responsible social media use, youth participation in community policing and emerging security challenges.
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, urged youths, community leaders and other stakeholders to participate actively in the programme. He called on participants to support efforts to promote peace, unity, responsible citizenship and a safer Kaduna State.
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has matriculated 900 postgraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ggenga Solomon Ibileye, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to expanding postgraduate opportunities and strengthening its research culture. Ibileye made the commitment during the postgraduate matriculation ceremony held at the university’s permanent site in Lokoja.
The Vice-Chancellor said research remained central to the value of postgraduate education and stressed the university’s commitment to maintaining and improving its academic standards.
He said postgraduate students would undergo prescribed coursework and examinations, while their projects, theses and dissertations would be subjected to originality and similarity checks. According to him, students would also be required to defend research proposals, participate in internal seminars and submit their work to external examiners.
“These processes ensure that the certificate eventually conferred by the university is worth the years a candidate will spend earning it,” he said. Ibileye said the university currently offers postgraduate programmes at the Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy levels, covering both professional and academic disciplines.
He commended the Provost of the postgraduate college, Prof. Matthew Ola-Rotimi Ajayi, for his leadership and expressed confidence that the institution’s academic standards would continue to improve. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the new students and welcomed them to the postgraduate scholarly community of the university.
Kefas Urges Church Leaders to Defend Truth and Promote Peace in Taraba
Kaduna Police to Hold Three-Day Youth Engagement Programme on Crime and Drug Abuse
FUL Matriculates 900 Postgraduate Students, Reaffirms Commitment to Research
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