By Yusuf A Yusuf
The Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture has sought the support of the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, l in strengthening grassroots awareness on rabies, flooding, cholera and other climate-related health hazards across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Salamatu Yahaya Nangere, who led the advocacy delegation on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Emir at his palace in Damaturu as part of the Ministry’s statewide campaign on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and community resilience.
She said the campaign was designed to ensure that communities were adequately informed and prepared for the anticipated impacts of the rainy season, including flooding and the outbreak of diseases that could be aggravated by poor environmental conditions.
According to her, beyond flooding and cholera, the campaign is also drawing attention to rabies and other preventable diseases, stressing the need for communities to adopt safe practices, maintain proper environmental sanitation and promptly seek medical attention whenever necessary.
Hajiya Nangere explained that traditional institutions remained critical to the success of the campaign because of their influence and proximity to the people, particularly in mobilising communities, promoting behavioural change and ensuring that early warning messages reached households at the grassroots.
Responding, the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi,commended Governor Mai Mala Buni, for his grassroots-oriented approach to public health, environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
The royal father described the advocacy campaign as timely, noting that traditional institutions have an important role to play in mobilising their subjects and reinforcing government messages on public health and environmental protection.
He pledged the support of the traditional institution towards sensitising communities on the prevention of rabies and other diseases, as well as encouraging residents to embrace environmental sanitation and other measures aimed at reducing the effects of climate-related hazards.
The advocacy team included experts from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health, Livestock Development, the Programme Manage Pilot Livestock Development Programme, the representative of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who provided technical guidance on climate change, flood preparedness, disease prevention, climate-smart agriculture and community-based measures for building resilience.
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