CAN President donates food to flood-hit Mokwa communities, says disaster calls for collective compassion.
Delegation urges proactive flood response, as Niger government confirms ₦1 billion support for victims.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu Allocates ₦2bn, Promises Swift Action for Mokwa Flood Victims
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has extended support to communities affected by the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, through the donation of essential food items.
Leading a delegation of Christian leaders, Okoh presented the relief materials which included bags of rice, beans, and maize to the Niger State Government during a visit on Wednesday. Represented by CAN Vice President, Rev. Stephen Panya, the items were handed over at the office of the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah, along with other officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, received the delegation and the relief items.
Archbishop Okoh, in his remarks delivered through Panya, expressed grief over the impact of the flood on the affected communities, lamenting the widespread destruction of homes and livelihoods.
“The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of our collective duty to support one another in times of distress,” he said.
He explained that the gesture was not just about delivering food but showing compassion and standing in solidarity with families who lost loved ones or have been displaced due to the flood.
“Our mission here is to convey heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State, particularly those in Mokwa. The devastation caused by this flood has left many families without shelter and basic necessities,” Okoh stated.
In response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mairo Man, revealed that the Niger State Government had already fulfilled its pledge of ₦1 billion toward disaster relief. She noted that this financial commitment enabled the closure of 90 percent of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state.
Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Rev. Panya urged the Federal Government and emergency response agencies to intensify monitoring of the River Niger and its tributaries, especially during the rainy season. He emphasized the need for a more proactive disaster management approach.
“We must strengthen our early warning systems and track the river’s behavior as the rainy season approaches. Communities along the riverbanks should receive timely alerts so that lives and properties can be protected ahead of possible flooding,” Panya said.
He further stressed that Nigeria’s emergency agencies must move beyond a reactive model and start preparing ahead for seasonal disasters, adding that such natural occurrences are now predictable and should be planned for annually.
