Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured victims of flooding and insecurity across Nigeria that the federal government will continue to provide support, with additional relief for severely affected states.
Speaking during an assessment visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Shettima emphasized that both federal and state governments, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are working tirelessly to aid displaced communities.
During his visit on Friday, the Vice President highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration is focused on effective governance and improving the welfare of Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations.
He stated, “We are here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to supporting the people of Niger State in addressing the food challenges caused by the floods and the insecurity that has plagued this part of the country.”
Shettima also recalled that the federal government had disbursed ₦3 billion to each state to help tackle the flooding crisis but reassured that this was only the beginning of a more comprehensive support strategy.
“This is just a tip of the iceberg for states like Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Jigawa,” he said, noting that future aid will be based on a detailed, scientific assessment of each state’s needs.
The Vice President emphasized the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing ongoing projects like the East-West Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road as examples of President Tinubu’s significant interventions.
“In the contemporary history of Nigeria, no President has intervened more decisively in the area of infrastructure than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.
Addressing the immediate concerns of the IDPs, Shettima affirmed that the federal government, in partnership with state governments and NEMA, is working on returning displaced individuals to their communities.
He assured, “We are here and will support our people. This is about governance and improving the living conditions of our people, not politics.”
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, expressed gratitude to the Vice President for visiting the IDPs and offering support.
Governor Bago highlighted that the Gwada camp is just one of 14 camps across the state, housing individuals displaced by flooding and insecurity.
The federal government’s delegation, led by VP Shettima, included several prominent figures such as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State), Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of State for Agriculture Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and Director General of NEMA Mrs Zubaida Umar, among others.
Local leaders such as the Emir of Minna, Dr Umaru Faruq Bahago, and members of the Niger State Executive Council also attended the event.
