The federal ministry of environment has alerted the public to expected flooding across eleven states between July 16 and 20.

Usman Bokani, who serves as the director of the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the ministry, issued the warning on Wednesday.

As detailed in the alert, the areas likely to be affected include Adamawa (Mubi); Akwa Ibom (Edor, Upenekang, Oron, Eket); Borno (Ngala, Maiduguri); and Bauchi (Azare, Bauchi, Itas, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki, Jama’a, Kari, Misau).

The list also includes Cross River (Calabar, Akpap); Jigawa (Miga, Gwaram, Diginsa, Ringim, Dutse); Katsina (Daura); Kano (Kunchi, Kano, Gezawa, Wudil, Bebeji, Sumaila, Tudun Wada); Plateau (Jos, Bukuru, Mangu); Yobe (Jakusko, Machina, Dapchi); and Zamfara (Bungudu, Gusau).

Bokani encouraged state governments and all relevant bodies to implement preventive steps to minimize the impact of the anticipated floods on both lives and property.

Earlier, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had identified 30 states along with the federal capital territory (FCT) as areas with high flood risk in 2025.

According to the agency, 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs fall within the states categorized as moderate flood risk.

In 2024, flooding resulted in 321 deaths, affected more than 1.37 million individuals, and displaced over 740,000 people across Nigeria.

Buhari’s son became emotional as he expressed gratitude to Tinubu for honouring his father with a dignified state funeral.

Yusuf, the son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, conveyed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the honour given to his late father.

He made the statement during an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday in Buhari’s honour.

Yusuf, who was present at the special session alongside his siblings, extended his thanks to President Tinubu and his administration for their support to his father and family.

He also acknowledged the National Assembly, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, other governors, and Nigerians for their solidarity with the grieving family.

Yusuf said, “It has shown that he (Buhari) was regarded far more than a politician, but regarded as a friend and a father. To all members of the Federal Executive Council, for the care and befitting burial accorded to our late father, we appreciate you all.

I also wish to thank the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all the distinguished and honorable members of the National Assembly for honoring the memory of our late father during the state burial in Daura.

Your visits, calls, and prayers symbolise a great honour to the memory of our late father, and we’re sincerely grateful for all the support and solidarity extended to the family. May Allah continue to bless us all.”

Fighting back tears, Yusuf added, “Thank you, daddy. Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy. May Allah continue to bless, provide, and protect you throughout your tenure.”

Buhari passed away on Sunday at a medical facility in London.

His remains were received by Tinubu and interred in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu paid his final respects to former President Muhammadu Buhari at the burial in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Buhari served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023.

He was also the country’s military head of state between 1983 and 1985.

He died at the age of 82.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is likely to step in to resolve a long-standing legal dispute involving a multi-billion naira, unfinished four-star airport hotel and International Conference Centre, returning it to Bi-Courtney Aviation Service Limited, the operators of Murtala Muhammed Terminal Two, after nearly two decades in contention.

A private meeting took place last Thursday between the minister, key Bi-Courtney executives, and the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, at FAAN’s headquarters in Lagos.

Sources familiar with the meeting said the discussions focused on putting an end to the drawn-out conflict that has left the hotel and conference centre locked up.

The dispute began in 2005, when Bi-Courtney started building the hotel and conference facility on land provided by FAAN. The project later came to a halt due to disagreements over the terms of the concession.

In 2013, FAAN reportedly revoked the lease agreements given to Bi-Courtney, citing contract breaches and the firm’s failure to complete the developments within the agreed timeline.

Bi-Courtney responded by obtaining a court injunction stopping FAAN from reclaiming the sites, arguing that the delay was caused by FAAN’s lack of cooperation and support.

The company had previously expressed readiness to complete the hotel project, stating that FAAN’s conduct hindered progress.

Bi-Courtney reportedly stated, We are ready to finish the two projects, but we are completely scared of FAAN because of its antecedents. For example, we spent $2m to buy tiles and another $1.2m to airlift them for the projects, only for FAAN to frustrate us. What is more painful is that an international company that we signed agreements with on the two projects pulled out of Nigeria because of the harsh business environment.

Multiple insiders suggested the minister appeared inclined to authorize a restart of the hotel and conference centre developments. From what I gathered from the meeting, the Federal Government may allow the project to resume.

Efforts to reach the minister for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not reply to messages sent to his phone. Likewise, phone calls and texts to the spokespersons of FAAN and Bi-Courtney, Obiageli Orah and Yinka Olawuyi, respectively, went unanswered.

Aviation analyst John Ojukutu reacted positively to the move, advocating for more comprehensive concessioning in the sector. Government should have no business in the business of aviation. Anyways, if they give him back his property, I will congratulate him, and whenever they release it to him, he should then start counting his 35 years, he said.

The minister’s potential involvement could bring closure to the 19-year impasse and enable work on the hotel and conference centre to resume.