President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he cancelled his planned trip to America due to the recent flood disaster in Borno State.
“I was going directly to America, but I had to cut off the trip to be with you, if only for five minutes,” Tinubu said during a visit to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Garbai El-Kanemi.
The president, who was abroad on official business, changed his plans after receiving news of the devastating flood that affected over 23,000 households in Maiduguri.
According to the president, Vice President Kashim Shettima briefed him on the situation but he vowed to go ahead with the emotional visit to Borno State.
Tinubu assured the victims of the federal government’s support. He said, “I am just here to sympathize with you. I know your palace was overtaken by flood.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) attributed the disaster to the overflow of the Alau Dam, triggered by heavy rainfall.