27 October 2022

Since the beginning of the rainy season, which lasts from April to September in northern Nigeria and February/March to November/December in the south, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) predicted that flooding was imminent and that the volume of water across Nigeria would increase due to “excessive rainfalls and contributions from external flows.”

Nigeria sees flooding every year, often as a result of inadequate infrastructure and the non-implementation of environmental guidelines. This year, authorities have blamed the floods on water overflowing from local rivers, unusual rainfalls, and the release of excess water from external forces such as the Lagdo dam in neighbouring Cameroon.

“The scale of devastation of the present flood situation in the country can only be compared to the 2012 floods.

Apostle Felix Barisi Kpegasin, conducted a Divine Service at Omelema in Abua District of the South South working area on Sunday the 9th of October 2022, only to discover that one cannot go back to these areas again for Divine Service in the nearest future. Some communities were already displaced by this time in some of the Districts that they could not participate in the International thanksgiving Day.

The Districts of Ogbia, Abua, Engenni Ijaw, Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Erema were all affected by this ravaging flood that took on a turn it had never reached all these years.

Churches are completely submerged, brothers and sisters are sacked from their homes. They now live in canoes and in the internally displaced persons’ camp.

Earlier, some congregations were used as internal displaced persons but this did not last as these make shift camps were still sacked by the flood. Communities, highways, public building, schools, and farmland were not speared About 350 families of New faithful are displaced and more than 500 communities.

Among the lucky few whose villages were not completely submerged, many have remained in their homes. Still, their living conditions are miserable. Malaria, typhoid, and waterborne diseases are rampant.

We will always find solace in the word of God, we pray that our brethren will remember that, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Let’s support and pray for all.