By Pascal Ibe

Claim

An X user claimed the Nigerian government only donated RICE to the Maiduguri flood victims.

Verdict

This claim is FALSE.
Credible media organizations in Nigeria reported that the Nigerian government donated ₦3bn on September 11, 2024.

Full Text

The Maiduguri State flooding began in early September 2024 in Borno State, Nigeria, after the collapse of the Alau Dam on 10 September.

According to WikipediaOnline, the Maiduguri and Jere local government areas were particularly affected: according to the National Emergency Management Agency, over 70% of the residents in Maiduguri were displaced. At least 30 people died.

The United Nations refugee agency in Nigeria described it as the worst to hit the city in thirty years, affecting over one million people.

West Africa has experienced some of its worst flooding in decades. According to the United Nations, over 2.3 million people were affected in 2023, three times more than in 2022.

An X user, @OWallelle claimed that the federal government only donated RICE to the flood victims in Maiduguri.

In a post on X, @OWallelle wrote, “Donation and Humanitarian Aid To Maiduguri Flood Victims:

•UN – $6million
•UAE – 5 tone of foods
•Dangote – N1.5billion
•Dantata – N1.5billion
•Sen. Bala – N250million
•Atiku – N100million

•Federal Government – RICE

The post generated 244k views and more than 1.7k reposts.

Verification

When this Fact Checker typed a keyword , “FG donates… to Maiduguri flood victims “ into Google search, a report by Channel Television confirmed that the federal government donated over N3.bn to Maiduguri flood victims on September 11, 2024.

According to the report, while donating cash to displaced persons taking refuge in the Bakassi IDP camp along Biu, Damboa road in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum said food items and other basic necessities will be provided, while vendors have been contracted to feed the displaced persons in the camp.

Prof Zulum also confirmed receipt of a flood intervention fund of ₦3bn from the Federal Government which will be used in addressing the challenges of the flood.

See this similar story Here and Here.

Aside 20,000 bags of 50kg rice, Nigeria’s information ministry disclosed that 20,000 cartons of spaghetti, 10,000 jerry cans of vegetable oil were also donated to the flood victims.

Conclusion

The Nigerian government didn’t donate only RICE to Maiduguri flood victims.