By Abdulkareem Haruna


YOLA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged a substantial donation of ₦500 million  to aid victims of a devastating flood in Adamawa State, where the disaster has claimed 29 lives and displaced an estimated 180,000 households.

The announcement came as a national show of solidarity, with the First Lady’s office describing the tragedy as a loss shared by the entire nation.

The flood, which ravaged communities including Sabon Pegi, Shagari Phase 2, and Lakare, also destroyed countless livelihoods, leaving a trail of destruction in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.

Representing the First Lady, Mrs. Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, traveled to Yola, the state capital, to extend condolences to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and the people of Adamawa.


“I pray that Almighty God comforts the bereaved families, heals the injured, and strengthens all those affected. May God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed,” Senator Tinubu said in a statement delivered by Mrs. Shettima.

The donation, approved by the Governing Council of the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is intended to assist in the rebuilding and recovery of the affected communities. In addition to the monetary aid, the RHI also provided 100 bales of Ankara fabrics to be distributed to flood victims.

The intervention is part of a broader, multi-pronged effort by the RHI to address both immediate relief and long-term economic recovery. The organization’s Women Economic Empowerment Programme, a joint venture with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is set to disburse ₦50,000 grants to 50,000 women entrepreneurs in Adamawa and across Nigeria’s 36 states. The initiative aims to recapitalize small businesses and provide a much-needed boost to women-led enterprises struggling in the wake of the disaster.



Governor Fintiri, represented by Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, expressed deep gratitude for the First Lady’s support, calling it a “generousassistance”  that provides a renewed sense of hope. Professor Farauta highlighted the Adamawa State government’s own swift response to the crisis and stated that the RHI’s donation would “fast-track” the healing process for the devastated communities.

The RHI also delivered a consignment of food items under its Social Investment Scheme, which is designed to address the immediate nutritional needs of the most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. The initiative’s partnership with industrialist groups like the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was also highlighted. Dr. Ubon Udoh of ASR Africa stated that the organization shares the RHI’s commitment to supporting the less privileged, which forms the basis of their collaboration.

The visit and donation underscore a coordinated federal response to the disaster, signaling a commitment from the highest levels of government to provide not only immediate aid but also a path to long-term recovery for the people of Adamawa. The ongoing flood crisis has once again brought to the forefront the challenges of climate-related disasters in Nigeria, and the RHI’s multifaceted approach suggests a new emphasis on resilience and economic empowerment as key components of disaster relief efforts.