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‘Ecological Fund Is Not Pocket Money for States’ — Ex-NEMA DG Iyamu Questions ₦83.2bn Anticipatory Action Spending

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Retired Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu, a former Acting Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has questioned the management of Nigeria’s Ecological Fund and the use of funds allocated for anticipatory action as the country continues to grapple with flooding and other ecological challenges.

Iyamu made the remarks during an interview on Arise News while discussing flooding, disaster preparedness, climate change and Nigeria’s response to environmental emergencies.

He called for a reset of the purpose and management of the Ecological Fund, arguing that the fund should be specifically deployed to address ecological problems rather than treated as part of the regular financial allocation to states.

SEE ALSO: ₦2.13bn Ecological Fund: Anambra Govt Releases Fresh Details on Peter Obi’s Claim

“We have to reset what the Ecological Fund is meant for. As enshrined in the Constitution, Section 20 of the Nigerian Constitution states clearly what the ecology looks like. It is not pocket money for states,” Iyamu said.

He also questioned the use of funds allocated for anticipatory action, asking, “You have 83.2 billion, what are you using it for? Nigerians Do Not Deserve This’

The former NEMA chief said Nigeria should have taken preventive measures before flooding reached the scale currently being witnessed.

“This is not what Nigerian citizens deserve. There was time to have prepared for all this,” he said.

According to Iyamu, countries facing flood threats deploy barriers and other preventive measures before water reaches a critical level.

“That’s why I told you the Anticipatory Action Taskforce. You have 83.2 billion, what are you using it for?” he added.

Responding question whether corruption, inefficiency or a lack of concern by state governments and emergency agencies was responsible for the situation, Iyamu said transparency and accountability must be established alongside any bureaucratic structure created to manage disaster funds.

“If you are creating a space, a space of bureaucracy, you must first of all create transparency, then create accountability,” he said.

He questioned how funds allocated to an Anticipatory Action Taskforce would be monitored, as well as how the Ecological Fund would be tracked.

Iyamu said there was a tendency for sub-national governments to regard funds received as part of their normal state allocation instead of treating them separately for ecological interventions.

“If you give the money, the sub-nationals believe that, okay, this money is part of the state allocation, and they don’t separate it. Meanwhile, the downpour is getting more,” he said.

Iyamu Raises Alarm Over Abuja Flooding
Speaking specifically about Abuja, Iyamu said the destruction caused by flooding had reached a point he described as irreversible.

“Take the case of Abuja here, you saw what is happening. The Abuja case is irreversible, there’s nothing you are going to do about it again,” he said.

When asked to clarify his statement, he explained that Abuja was designed as a purpose-built city and argued that changes to its original drainage infrastructure had contributed to flooding.

According to Iyamu, Kenzo Tange, whom he identified as one of the designers of Abuja, had envisaged a city that would not experience flooding because of its drainage and relief-line design.

He said the relief lines were originally about 100 metres wide but had been reduced in some areas to about 20 metres or even 10 metres.
“How are you not going to have flooding?What Are We Doing?’ Iyamu Questions Nigeria’s Climate Response

Iyamu also discussed the international Loss and Damage Fund, saying the global approach to climate-related disasters had moved beyond simply providing humanitarian relief.

“Before, if you have flooding, they come and give you humanitarian blankets and all these things. They now say no, Loss and Damage Fund,” he said.

He said countries had fought for the establishment of the fund and claimed that 199 countries had filed to receive money from it.

He cited Nepal as an example, saying the country had filed to receive $20 million from the fund.

“What are we doing?” Iyamu asked.

The former NEMA official also criticised what he described as dependence on monthly allocations from the national revenue pool.

“Because this monthly share of national cake has made everybody very lazy,” he said.

Iyamu’s comments come amid continued concerns over flooding, disaster preparedness, drainage infrastructure and the management of funds intended to address ecological and climate-related challenges across Nigeria.

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Dangote Preaches Ambition, Africa First to Nigerian Creatives

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President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners to think beyond conventional limits, build globally competitive enterprises and create enduring legacies, declaring that Africa must take responsibility for its own economic transformation rather than depend on foreign investors for prosperity.

Dangote gave the charge while hosting leading figures from Nigeria’s creative industry at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he also disclosed that the Group was considering raising its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target in response to its expanding industrial investments and growth ambitions. The delegation, comprising Nollywood stars, content creators, comedians and other entertainment and lifestyle personalities, toured the industrial complex before engaging Dangote in a conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, ambition, and legacy.

Addressing the creatives, Dangote urged Nigerians to match their creativity and entrepreneurial drive with discipline, perseverance and the courage to pursue ambitious projects, stressing that lasting success should be measured not merely by personal wealth but by the businesses built, opportunities created and contributions made to society.

“It is not just about money; it is about legacy. We have often been taken for granted, and in many ways, we have contributed to that by waiting for foreigners to come and make our continent prosperous. That will never happen. We must take responsibility for building Africa’s prosperity ourselves,” he declared.

READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially

Speaking on the Group’s long-term ambitions, Dangote revealed that its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target was being reconsidered, with a more ambitious target expected to be unveiled in January.

“We realised that our Vision 2030 target was too modest. We are working towards unveiling a new vision in January, with a revised target that reflects our ambition to achieve far more than US$100 billion,” he said.

He explained that the Group’s continued industrial expansion was driven by a determination to build enduring institutions, strengthen Africa’s productive capacity and demonstrate that the continent could develop enterprises capable of competing globally. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s economic transformation, Dangote said nations could overcome difficult beginnings through deliberate investment, enterprise and a commitment to developing their own capabilities. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to reject limiting assumptions about what could be achieved, noting that transformative accomplishments often required the courage to pursue ideas others considered impossible.

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the development of the refinery, Dangote identified perseverance, disciplined execution and sound judgement as essential ingredients of business success. He cautioned, however, that ambition must be tempered by the ability to recognise when an investment was no longer commercially viable.

“Before embarking on any venture, you must carefully consider all the issues involved. We have made mistakes too, and I share these experiences so others can learn from them,” he said. “One important lesson is never to keep putting good money into a bad investment. Some situations are simply too difficult to turn around, no matter how much you invest.”

Turning to the creative industry, Dangote commended Nigerian entertainers for building a formidable international presence despite operating in a challenging business environment and receiving limited government support. He described Nollywood’s growing global influence as evidence of Nigeria’s creative potential, urging practitioners to build on their achievements through stronger business structures, innovation and collaboration. According to him, the industry’s next phase of growth should go beyond international recognition to building sustainable enterprises, creating employment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), who moderated the interactive session, praised Dangote’s accomplishments, describing his industrial investments as an enduring contribution to Nigeria’s development.

“Your legacy has already been built, and its continuation is assured. You deserve all the praise and recognition you have received for what you have accomplished,” RMD said.

Nollywood actor Abdullateef Adedimeji described the visit as an inspiration, saying the scale of the refinery had challenged him to raise his ambitions and pursue greater accomplishments in the creative industry.

“Coming here today is a source of motivation for us. As someone in the film industry, this experience inspires me to push beyond my limits, broaden my imagination and strive for greater achievements, including making a more meaningful impact in my community,” he said.

Adedimeji also called for greater collaboration among Nollywood practitioners, drawing lessons from the coordination and partnerships underpinning Dangote’s industrial operations.

“That is what we need in Nollywood. The more we collaborate, the stronger and more successful we become,” he said.

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Protest Against Oil Company’s Vessel in Rivers Takes 10 Lives

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No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.

A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.

Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.

READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially

He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.

The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.

The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.

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FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.

The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.

According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.

SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States

Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.

FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.

The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.

He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.

 

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