Former Presidential Aide Launches Massive Food Relief Effort For Flood-Ravaged Maiduguri

Maiduguri, Borno State – In the wake of devastating floods that have submerged much of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and its surrounding areas, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Alhaji Kashim Imam, has stepped forward with a major food relief initiative.

Imam, also a former Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees, described the situation as “unprecedented devastation,” with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 homes destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced.

The floods have also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, power lines, healthcare facilities, and schools, leaving approximately one million people without a livelihood.

“We are saddened by the sheer number of lives lost,” Imam stated during a press conference. “The carnage, the loss of lives, the loss of properties and unimaginable displacements are truly heartbreaking.”

He highlighted the urgent need for food assistance, saying, “I have seen people crying because they haven’t eaten in two days. This is an immediate concern for everyone.”

Imam, known for his philanthropic work, has relocated to Maiduguri to oversee the distribution of food packs to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

He announced the provision of 200,000 food packs, with an initial distribution of 6,000 per day, aiming to increase this to 10,000 packs daily.

“This is only the first step in our intervention,” Imam emphasised. “We have short, medium, and long-term plans to assist the flood victims.”

The devastating impact of the floods has left many residents distraught. Imam expressed his own grief, stating, “Almost every indigene of Borno is saddened by the devastation that has befallen my hometown, Maiduguri.”

He recounted the harrowing experience of many residents, caught unawares by the sudden floodwaters in the middle of the night. “Nobody saw this coming, nobody was prepared for this,” he said.

Fatima Imam, one of Imam’s daughters, detailed the family’s tireless efforts in providing cooked meals to the flood victims. “We try to feed as many people as possible every day,” she said, describing their daily routine of preparing large quantities of rice, stew, and beef.

Imam’s initiative provides a much-needed ray of hope for the flood-affected communities of Maiduguri. His commitment to long-term assistance promises rebuilding and resilience for the people of Borno State.