Read the full text below:
‘Fellow citizens of Borno State,
“In the past few days, we have witnessed
devastating floods in a way that many of us have never experienced before.
Streets, homes, offices and businesses have been submerged, and unquantifiable
property have been lost. Countless lives have now been turned upside down. The
impact of this disaster has been profound, and is a stark reminder of the
vulnerabilities that we face in our environment.
“As your Governor, I want to express my deepest
empathy to everyone who has been affected in one way or another. I understand
the pain, loss, and uncertainty that many of us are going through. We stand
together in solidarity, and I assure you that your government is committed to
doing everything possible to aid those in need.
“The magnitude of the destruction from this devastating
flood cannot yet be quantified until the water has receded and on-the-spot
assessments have been conducted.
“We shall constitute a multi-stakeholder committee
to undertake a sector-by-sector assessment of the losses to guide the recovery
and rebuilding process.
“However, recovery from such a disaster cannot be
the government's responsibility alone. It requires the collective effort of all
stakeholders. Today, I am appealing to everyone – community leaders, business
owners, non-governmental organisations (national and international), and our
esteemed wealthy individuals, to come together in support of our brothers and
sisters who are suffering.
“Unity has always been our strength in Borno. In
times like this, we must harness that strength and show empathy and compassion
to each other.
“We are working closely with various federal
government agencies, civil society organisations, and the Nigerian military to
ensure that relief efforts are streamlined and effective. I invite and
encourage other stakeholders to collaborate with our agencies to identify the
best ways of providing assistance. Together, we can create a robust response
plan that would address not only immediate needs but also long-term recovery
and rebuilding efforts.
“Borno has always been known for its resilience and
we need to strongly rely on this to rebound from this disaster. Our recovery
process will require collective innovative thinking and commitment to rebuild
lost infrastructure, and homes. Government is open to constructive ideas from everyone
on how we can fortify our state against future disasters. We shall leverage on
this calamity as an opportunity to invest in sustainable practices and
infrastructure that can withstand the forces of nature.
“As we embark on this journey of recovery, I call
upon the media as a partner to help raise awareness about the ongoing needs of
our communities. Your role in disseminating information about how individuals
can help and where supports and interventions can be directed is invaluable.
“Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to
everyone who have stepped up to provide humanitarian support and assistance.
Particularly, federal government, the Nigerian military, under the leadership
of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai and all the UN agencies have
demonstrated tremendous support and commitment. Your humanitarian gesture is
invaluable and has not gone unnoticed.
“While we are working towards providing immediate
relief, let us work together to create a brighter future for the people of
Borno State.
“Thank you all.
“God bless Borno State and the Federal Republic of
Nigeria,” Zulum concluded.