The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a fervent appeal to the Federal Government to provide immediate and substantial financial and material assistance to Kebbi State, which has been ravaged by severe flooding. The disaster, triggered by weeks of torrential rainfall and controlled water releases from dams on the River Goronyo and River Niger, began escalating in July 2025. Reports of submerged homes and farmlands emerged in early July, prompting evacuations, emergency preparedness measures, and ongoing warnings throughout August. The scale of the destruction is immense, displacing residents, claiming lives, and decimating agricultural lands, a critical blow to Kebbi’s status as a major food-producing region in Nigeria. The NLC, deeply concerned about the far-reaching consequences of this disaster, has expressed its solidarity with the state and its people, emphasizing the national implications of the widespread agricultural losses.
The NLC, in a letter addressed to Governor Nasir Idris and signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, conveyed its profound sorrow over the devastation. The letter highlighted the multifaceted impact of the flooding, extending beyond the immediate loss of life and property to encompass the destruction of livelihoods and the disruption of the state’s economic vitality. The obliteration of farmlands, the bedrock of Kebbi’s agricultural economy, poses a significant threat to national food security, given the state’s crucial role as a major food supplier. The NLC underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the destruction of Kebbi’s agricultural output transcends a local misfortune and constitutes a national concern with potential repercussions for food availability and prices across the country.
The NLC commended Governor Idris for his prompt response to the crisis, particularly the establishment of a high-powered committee tasked with assessing the damage, compiling verifiable evidence, and formulating recovery strategies. The committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Works, signifies the state government’s proactive approach to addressing the immediate needs of the affected population and laying the groundwork for long-term rehabilitation and mitigation efforts. The NLC praised the Governor’s leadership in the face of this immense challenge, describing his actions as strategically focused on both restoration and future prevention. The union encouraged the Governor to remain steadfast in his commitment to recovery, acknowledging the herculean nature of the task but emphasizing its achievability with resilience and collective effort.
While applauding the state government’s initiatives, the NLC stressed the urgent need for federal intervention, highlighting the national economic implications of the damage to critical infrastructure. The destruction of roads, bridges, and public facilities not only impedes local recovery efforts but also disrupts inter-state commerce and the overall national economy. The NLC called for substantial federal support in the repair and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, the provision of relief materials and palliative measures to affected communities, and the strengthening of Kebbi State’s strategies for mitigating future flood events, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee. The union emphasized the importance of shared responsibility and collective action in overcoming this national challenge.
The NLC expressed its solidarity with the working people and citizens of Kebbi State, emphasizing the power of unity and collective action in overcoming adversity. The union drew parallels between the principles of trade unionism, which thrives on unity and collective bargaining, and the nation’s ability to weather crises like floods when all levels of government and the people work together in a spirit of shared responsibility. This collaborative approach, the NLC argued, is essential for effective disaster response and long-term resilience building. The union reaffirmed its confidence in Governor Idris’s commitment to workers’ welfare and lauded his administration’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the flooding on the most vulnerable segments of the population.
The NLC views the tragedy not just as a devastating setback but also as an opportunity for growth and transformation. The union believes that such crises can serve as catalysts for building stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. The devastation, while undeniably tragic, presents a chance to reassess existing infrastructure, strengthen disaster preparedness measures, and implement sustainable development practices. The NLC expressed its confidence that under Governor Idris’s leadership, Kebbi State will emerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever before, transforming tragedy into an opportunity for positive change and long-term development. The union’s message emphasized the importance of learning from this experience to better prepare for future challenges and build a more secure future for the people of Kebbi State.
