The people of Kupa, a historically resilient community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, are grappling with the aftermath of yet another devastating flood disaster. Recently, our community has been severely ravaged by flooding, leading to significant losses of homes, farmlands, businesses, and essential infrastructure. Livelihoods have been swept away, and fears are now rising among residents who wonder how much more they can endure.
The flooding has not only crippled our local economy but also exposed the community to rising health and safety risks.
From Jamata to Budan, Kupa to Eggan, the impact is widespread and destructive. The prolonged rainfall and overflow of riverbanks have overwhelmed the natural and man-made water channels, causing untold hardship for our people. Critical access roads—particularly the long Jamata–Budan–Kupa–Eggan stretch—remain impassable, compounding the isolation of affected communities and hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Yet in the face of this adversity, our traditional leadership, under the firm and compassionate stewardship of His Royal Highness, the Maiyaki of Kupa, Pharm. Dauda Kabir Isah demonstrated outstanding courage and commitment.
We deeply appreciate the swift response of the Traditional Council in mobilising community members to save lives and offer immediate shelter to displaced residents.
We also extend heartfelt gratitude to key community stakeholders who rose to the challenge in these trying times. Dr. Adamu Galadima, the Galadiman Kupa, offered timely advice and suggested measures to curtail such a menace in his recent paper presentations, and called for government intervention and the prioritisation of ecological challenges in our area.
The Executive Council of the Kupa Development Association (KUDA), after conducting an extensive on-ground assessment, hereby calls on the Kogi State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Environment, and Ecological Fund Office, to treat the plight of Kupa and its neighbouring communities as a matter of national urgency.
Our demands are simple yet critical:
- Immediate assessment of the recent ravage in Abugi town and provide a sustainable solution to avert future occurrences.
- Strategic construction and rehabilitation of the Jamata–Budan–Kupa–Eggan road, not only to restore connectivity but to properly channel floodwaters and reduce future disasters.
- Implementation of long-term ecological solutions, including drainage infrastructure, flood barriers, and water retention systems.
- Establishment of a flood early warning system and community sensitisation programmes, to prepare residents for potential future incidents.
Let it be clearly stated that the flood is not just a natural disaster—it is a humanitarian emergency with far-reaching social and economic implications. The lives of farmers, traders, children, and the elderly hang in the balance. Entire generations risk losing the gains of decades due to preventable ecological mismanagement.
The Kupa people are strong and industrious, but we cannot bear this burden alone. We are therefore calling on well-meaning individuals, NGOs, donor agencies, and public-spirited organisations to partner with our community to rebuild, restore, and reengineer a safer environment for all.
In conclusion, while we commend the efforts of the government, our traditional rulers, local heroes, and stakeholders, we reiterate that the time to act is now. Delayed action only deepens the wounds of a people already reeling from loss. Kupa must not be forgotten. Let us come together—government, leaders, and citizens—to safeguard the future of our beloved Kupa and surrounding communities from further ecological catastrophe.
– Saidu Bn Malik
President, Kupa Development Association, KUDA
