A delegation from the House of Representatives, led by former House Leader, Rt. Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, on Tuesday, visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to commiserate with the Government and People of the North Eastern State following the devastating floods that affected several communities.
The delegation of lawmakers from the House, representing all six geopolitical zones, included former Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Rep. Victor Nwokolo, Rep. Fred Agbedi, Rep. Sada Soli, Rep. Ademorin Kuye, Rep. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Rep. Aminu Sani Jaji, Rep. Bashir Zubairu Usman, and Rep. Abdulkadir Rahis.
During the visit, the delegation announced a donation of ₦100 million on behalf of the House of Representatives to the Government of Borno State, and an additional ₦10 million to the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, to provide immediate relief to flood victims and assist in recovery efforts.
Speaking during the visit, Leader of the Delegation, Rt. Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, expressed the House’s deep sympathies, stating:
“We are here on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, and all members of the House to express our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Borno State. This donation of ₦110 million is a testament to our commitment to standing with Borno during this difficult time. We remain dedicated to supporting the state as it recovers from this disaster.”
Doguwa further highlighted the House’s united support, noting that the ₦110 million donation was a collective contribution from all Honourable members of the House, reflecting the national spread and bipartisan nature of the gesture.
“This contribution represents the shared empathy of Honourable members from across the country, and we stand together in solidarity with the people of Borno.”
He also emphasised the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring long-term solutions to flood disasters across the country, adding:
“We pledge the National Assembly’s readiness to liaise with the Federal Government to develop a legislative framework or any possible budgetary intervention to assist state governments in addressing the impacts of flood disasters in the country.”
Governor Babagana Zulum, while receiving the delegation, commended the House of Representatives for their swift response to the crisis, stating:
“On behalf of the people and Government of Borno State, I sincerely appreciate the Speaker, the House leadership, and all members for their quick and timely intervention. This prompt action will greatly assist in alleviating the suffering of our people and helping us manage the aftermath of this unfortunate disaster. The responsiveness of the House of Representatives in moments like this is truly reassuring.”
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno also thanked the House of Representatives for their support, noting that the ₦10 million donation would be used to assist the most vulnerable in his domain who were hardest hit by the floods.
The visit underscores the House of Representatives’ commitment to standing by Nigerians in times of need, working with state governments and traditional institutions to ensure that affected communities receive the necessary support to rebuild and recover.