…Over 22,000 Deaths Recorded In 7.8 Magnitude Tremor
…Worst To Hit Country In 20 Years
The federal government has commiserated with the government of Turkey over Monday’s Earthquake that spanned roughly 280 miles from Adana in the west and Diyarbakir in the east, and 180 miles from Malatya in the north to Hatay in the south.
The government through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, on Friday described the earthquake and its aftermath as devastating.
Umar Farouq who paid a condolence visit to the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, said that the Nigerian government “received with sadness the news of the devastating earthquake in your country.
“On behalf of the Federal government, we are here to commiserate with you in this trying time. It is a natural disaster and unforeseen. We pray that families of the victims affected by the earthquake and especially those of the dead will find strength to bear the loss. This is very sad and devastating.
“The President, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari sends his condolences and prayers at this time. Once again, accept our condolences as we pray for the peaceful repose of lives lost in the disaster.”
Responding, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, appreciated the federal government for their condolences and prayed for continued peaceful collaborations between the two countries.
The Permanent Secretary of the Fed Min of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo mni. NPOM, the Director Humanitarian Affairs, Ali Grema, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Ahmed Mustapha Habib and the Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs Group Captain Shehu Sadique were among those who accompanied the Minister on the condolence visit.
Turkish authorities say some 13.5 million people have been affected, with over 22,000 deaths recorded in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the worst to hit the country in more than 20 years.
