Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of communities in Anambra currently battling the effects of floods in 5 local government areas.
The affected local governments are Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Anambra East, and Anambra West and Awka North local governments areas of the state with the first four severely hit.
In an emotion-laden address, Mr. Ozigbo sympathized with the communities and regretted that the floods have become an annual event.
The respected business leader reiterated his call for the government of the day to do more to forestall similar tragedies and fashion sustainable means to make flood-prone areas safer via proper town planning and housing arrangements.
On October 3, 2020, Ozigbo had announced a donation of N1 million to the victims of the flood through his charitable endeavour, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation.
“I have been in touch with the people affected by the floods. The need is enormous,” Ozigbo, who is also the immediate past President and Group CEO, said.
“Women and children are most affected. It can only be imagined, the trauma and the grief of losing everything to the floods and being rendered homeless.
“At a time like this, it is pertinent for us to rally support for our people who are facing these terrible conditions.
“Nothing is too small. Let us join hands and alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters.
“Ndi Anambra are one. When one of us is hurting, all of us are hurting,” he declared.
According to eyewitness reports in Ogbaru, all 16 communities that make up the local government are flooded. The communities are Ogwuikpele, Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor, Atani, Amiyi, Mputu, Ochuche Umuodu, Obeagwe, Odekpe, Umuzu, Ogbakuba, Ogwu-Aniocha, Ohita, Okpoko, Umunankwo, and Ossomala.
The situation report by our correspondent presents a similar scenerio in Anambra West where all 10 communities in the local government are currently flooded, the communities are Inoma, Nzam, Owelle, Ukwalla, Umueze-Anam, Ezi-Anam, Ifite-Anam, Olumbanasa, Oroma-Etiti, and Umuenwelum-Anam
In Anambra East, 5 out of the 11 communities are affected by the flood. The communities are Enugwu-Otu, Igbariam, Ezi-Aguluotu, Aguleri, and Mkpunando.
In Ayemelum, the level of flood in the communities depends on its closeness to the river. Umuelum is the most affected community in this local government. Other communities where houses are flooded include Ifite-Ogwari, Igba-Akwu, Umueje, and Omor. In other communities like Anaku, Omasi and Umumbo, only farmlands are affected.
According to an official at the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, who spoke to our reporter, over 20,000 people have been displaced while about 7,000 are currently in relief camps in the southeastern state.
