Whichever way one looks at the recent Maiduguri flood, it was a disaster of unimaginable proportions, the like of which has never been witnessed in any part of the country. And all manner of people, including rent seekers, have adduced what they believed would convince the rest of us on what has caused the Maiduguri flood. Many of the rent seekers did put pen to paper to impress the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima Mustafa, and the other big people from the town, with a view to currying favour from them.
By Abdu Labaran
I saw a video clip of the Vice President wading into what is supposed to be the flooded palace of the Shehu of Borno, with his security minders forming a ring around him as he walked. He was in a white-black-blue-red striped T-shirt, pulling up his black pants as if to prevent them from getting soaked.
I also saw another video clip where a young man was close to and watching the ‘furious’ movement of the water from the bust Alau Dam as it ferociously pours water into Maiduguri, sweeping away anything in its path as it makes its way into the town. The man was invoking Allah’s greatness, and praying for intervention from Him.
In yet another video clip, a man sat on a diving concrete wall, looking forlornly at a flooded house, with all his legs submerged in the water.
As I write this, the Governor of Borno State, Malam Babagana Umara Zulum said that the flood had affected about two million residents across many communities in the state.
The Nigerian Governor Forum (NGF) had paid a sympathy visit to the Borno state governor. The visit was led by the Chairman of the Forum and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accompanied by some governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
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My humble suggestion to the other 35 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is that each one of them should contribute at least One Billion Naira to Borno State government, as their assistance to its rehabilitation of the affected people. Those states that feel that they can contribute more than the suggested amount, may do so.
The committee was set up by the Federal government to assist the Borno state government and the private Foundation of the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, each donated one billion nairas to the government of Borno state.
Many conjectures were made as to the reason for the collapse of the dam, with some saying it was caused by human greed, while others claim it was the wrath of God to show His displeasure at past evil deeds that were committed in Maiduguri in His name.
The human greed angle was said to be predicated about 30 years ago by the late Alhaji (Senator) Yalwaji Sale, the Wamban Katagum, and owner of Mansa Construction Company. He was a civil engineer and contractor of repute, who was said to have been given the contract for the construction of the Alau Dam, with a prepared design for it.
But on noticing many faults in the design, he suggested their ratification. His suggestion was allegedly rejected by the awardees of the contract. It was claimed that he also rejected undertaking the contract, saying that if it was done according to the prepared design, the dam would not last more than 30 years, and that prediction has come to pass.
However, those who believe it was the direct wrath of God, argue that it was because Maiduguri town used to be the capital of doing ungodly deeds just to acquire material things or worldly elevations in government or private jobs.
The town Maiduguri used to be the destination of all who wanted to get something by hook or by crook, as the seeker would meet the ‘Islamic cleric’ who would undertake the job, no matter the items that would be required and involved.
Maiduguri was then, probably still, known as ‘GABAS’, or ‘EAST’, meaning the Mecca of those seeking Islamic knowledge. East in Nigeria is the direction that the Muslims face when they say their prayers, whether obligatory or voluntary. Maiduguri was then known as East for seeking Islamic knowledge or spiritual fulfilment. Many Islamic clerics or pretenders trooped to the city and made it home for one or both purposes.
Those engaged in the latter were patronised by politicians or people seeking worldly things, such as big money, big offices or big contracts. This category of so-called clerics was not squeamish about engaging in all manner of diabolical practices to achieve their desired results. These practices included but were not limited to, the burning of the Holy Quran or the needed part of it, the use of human blood or parts and other unspeakable atrocities.
It was allegedly forecasted that, one day the wrath of God would visit Maiduguri and or its people, for the practice of these evil acts on the soil of the city.
Whatever may be behind the Maiduguri flood disaster, it is not beyond God to contain it, if we are repentant of the evil things that were and still are being done to warrant His anger.
Labaran wrote from Katsina
