The rainy season has always been disastrous for Benue State, especially in the state capital, Makurdi. The Goddess of the sea visits Makurdi in her full glory almost every year wiping out lands and other properties of the Benue citizens. This perilous visit of hers is caused by a heavy downpour of rain, a poor drainage system, and the release of water from the Lagdo reservoir. 

The year 2012 was the last time such a hazardous flood happened in Makurdi. In that year, the Lagdo reservoir was opened during the rainy season (same as now). The current flood is caused by all the sources listed above. The heavy downpour of rain started on Sunday till date(Friday, 23 Sept 2022). It rained from the early hours of today till 9 am. It has been like that throughout this week in Makurdi.

Makurdi is situated close to the Benue River(the second largest River in Nigeria). A Lot of residents living close to the Benue River are affected by the massive flood. According to Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), about 200 houses/huts are buried in the water, and also over 110,000 Benue citizens are rendered homeless because of the flood.

Areas affected in Makurdi by the flood are Wadata market, Wurukum market, Judges Quarters, Kucha utebe area, Achusa, Benue Brewery, welfare quarters, Gyado villa, and many more places are affected. Agatu in Idoma land is also seriously affected too.

The Goddess of the sea visited exactly 10(ten) years after the 2012 incident and this has been so devastating, heartbreaking, and discomforting for the residents who are affected by the gloriously hazardous visit.

The Federal and state governments are working together to provide shelter, food, and clothings for the families in need at this time. Bless God my family and I are not affected by this flood. I pray the Government works endlessly by providing for its citizens at this point. it's so bad for such to be happening in such a hard time where there is no or little money in circulation.

Photo credit: Fanen Amenger.

Comrade Aker Agatha Soohemba, a final year Law student at Benue State University, the first female SU president (former president) of BSU, Makurdi, has dragged the president of Nigeria, Buhari, 36 governors, and top politicians to court over the nationwide ASUU strike that has lasted for 7 months.

Due to the mishandling of the situation by the Federal Government, both parties, the Federal Government and the Association of Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) have failed to reach a concrete agreement since the nationwide strike began 7 months ago.

According to Vanguard reports, Comrade Agatha's prayer in court was that the salaries and allowances of President Buhari, the 36 governors, and all political office holders in the country shouldn't be paid until a final solution is reached between FG and ASUU.

Comrade Aker Agatha Soo in her words said that she is doing this on behalf of all students of public institutions of higher education who have been affected by the strike.

Source: Vanguard News