Senate Leader of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has collaborated with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to distribute relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of a recent rainstorm in Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State.
The assistance followed a destructive storm on February 11, 2026, which left hundreds of residents homeless after their houses were damaged across several communities. Beneficiaries were drawn from Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ado, Efon and Ijero local government areas.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, said the intervention was aimed at easing the hardship faced by affected families and providing immediate support during a difficult period. Represented by his Senior Legislative Assistant, Gbenga Banji, the senator conveyed his sympathy to the victims, noting that the food items and other materials would serve as temporary relief while efforts to rebuild their homes continue.
He explained that upon learning about the scale of the devastation, he promptly reached out to NEMA to secure emergency assistance for his constituents. According to him, disasters often leave victims traumatised, and timely intervention is necessary to cushion the impact and restore hope.
Bamidele also advised residents to adopt preventive measures such as proper maintenance of buildings, planting trees around homes, and ensuring adequate drainage systems to reduce the risk of damage from storms and flooding.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, described disasters as sudden events that require constant preparedness. She praised the senator for swiftly seeking support for his district, describing the move as a demonstration of responsible representation and compassion.
She urged beneficiaries to make good use of the materials provided while broader efforts continue to address the damage caused by the storm.
Traditional rulers in the district, including the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, also commended the initiative, stating that the gesture would help stabilise affected families and ease the trauma experienced across the communities.
