Barrister Tumsa Ends Decades of Hardship with New Bridge for Yobe Community

By Ibrahim Shu'aibu, Damaturu 

Yobe State  Residents of Rugan Fulani, Dubai 1, and nearby communities in Potiskum Local Government Area are celebrating a significant development in their long-standing struggle against flooding, thanks to the generous intervention of Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah, a respected lawyer and diplomat.

Barrister Tumsah has taken the initiative to sponsor the construction of a vital pedestrian bridge connecting these flood-prone communities,which have faced severe accessibility challenges for years.

 The only access route has been in disrepair, especially during the rainy season, leading to tragic consequences including loss of life as residents attempted to navigate the hazardous conditions.

Mr. Hassan B. Joda, Chairman of the Construction Committee, shared the community's plight, stating, "This road has been in a deplorable state for years. It has caused damage to lives and property. During the rainy season, the road becomes nearly impassable. At such times, children are often unable to go to school, and even access to food becomes difficult."

"In a move driven by desperation, residents had begun taxing themselves for repairs through communal efforts. An impactful social media post highlighting their struggles captured Barrister Tumsah's attention, leading him to take on the responsibility for funding the project.

"We are grateful for his support,” Mr. Joda expressed. “Our hope is that the funds will be sufficient to complete the project, which is just getting underway."

The relief and gratitude felt among community members were palpable. "I am not just happy I am overwhelmed with joy. As you can see from the smiles around me, this issue has troubled our peace for a long time.

 Now, we are hopeful that our suffering is coming to an end,” Mr. Joda added.

Malam Usaini Garba Maiunguwa of Dubai I recounted the devastating impact of gully erosion caused by flooding, noting, "We faced serious problems that disconnected us from neighboring communities.We have lost children who attempted to cross the temporary bridge built by local efforts. A father lost three of his children while trying to traverse it."

He also highlighted the challenges faced by pregnant women and business owners, who often had to take a lengthy detour of 15 kilometers due to the treacherous conditions. "Now we feel overwhelming gratitude to Kashim Tumsah, a good citizen of our state who recognized our struggles and came to our aid. Before him, no one ever came to assist us,” Malam Usaini said.

Furthermore, Malama Adama Saleh, a respected elderly community member, emphasized the plight of women and children exacerbated by the lack of access, particularly lamenting the neglect often faced by rural areas after election seasons. "Now our prayers have been answered through Kashim Tumsah, who listened to our problems and responded with action. We wish him every success," she added.

The community is hopeful that Barrister Tumsah’s intervention will not only address the immediate needs but will also inspire other philanthropists and organizations to support ongoing efforts, ensuring that such critical infrastructure is prioritized before the onset of the rainy season.