Amidst the sprawling landscape of Surulere Local Government Area in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, lies the Iwofin community, a place grappling with a pervasive environmental challenge – Deforestation. The indiscriminate felling of trees has taken a toll on the once-verdant surroundings, leaving behind a trail of barren land and disrupted ecosystems. Saka Kamaldeen Oluyole, a resident of Iwofin, has witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of deforestation. Having once been involved in charcoal production in Oke Ogun, he understands the detrimental impact of uncontrolled tree cutting. “Burning charcoal is a significant contributor to deforestation,” Oluyole explains, his voice laced with concern. “The relentless clearing of trees for charcoal production has left vast swaths of land barren and lifeless.” In Oke Ogun, Oluyole recalls, a strict policy exists to protect fruit trees, safeguarding their existence amidst the pressures of deforestation. “Fruit trees, such as garden eggs and mangoes, are considered vital for both sustenance and the environment,” he notes. “Anyone found cutting these trees faces severe penalties, including banishment from the community.” However, in Iwofin, the situation is strikingly different. Tree cutting, including the felling of fruit trees, is rampant, driven by the demand for timber and the desire for economic gain. “Even at our local sawmill,” Oluyole laments, “trees are indiscriminately cut down for profit.” The community’s leaders, recognizing the urgency of the situation, have taken steps to address the deforestation crisis. They have engaged in discussions with residents, urging them to adopt sustainable practices and protect the remaining trees. “We appeal to our kings and chiefs to intervene and issue a directive prohibiting the cutting of fruit trees,” Oluyole explains. “Such a measure would significantly reduce deforestation in our community.” The Iwofin community stands at a crossroads, facing a critical choice between preserving its natural heritage and succumbing to the destructive forces of deforestation. A collective decision to embrace sustainable practices, coupled with strong leadership and community engagement, can steer Iwofin towards a greener future, where the balance between human needs and environmental protection is achieved.    

Kwa Agboughul is a community in rural Makurdi, Benue state, Nigeria,  that primarily thrives on agriculture and fishing. Rice, vegetables, and cassava are the main crops grown here, and the community’s abundance of vegetables attracts traders from Abuja and Jos. However, the community’s resilience is being tested by the increasing frequency and severity of floods. Moses Ahangbahan, a resident of the Kwa Agboughul community, recalls a time when the area was bustling with activity, with ships docking and farmers reaping bountiful harvests. But now, the floodwaters have taken over, displacing crops and disrupting livelihoods. “…Floods used to come every ten years but come every year now. We can’t get corn anymore, water has destroyed them. The original settlers of this place used to farm but no longer do as fishermen have taken over now due to the flood. When water dries up, they leave”. The flooding is caused by a combination of factors, including the construction of a fish farm, the shallow River Benue, and erratic rainfall patterns. The flooding not only destroys crops but also prevents fishermen from accessing their boats and nets. In his words, “When I was young, this situation was not persistent. Ships used to come here but they can’t anymore. We have railway tracks here and River Benue is no longer as deep as it used to be, it has become shallow and flood happens even from small drops of rain so causing it to spread everywhere. The flood should dry up by November 10th and 11th the rain should stop and we can then continue farming. We engage in dry season farming so we don’t lose our crops”. The community’s economic losses are substantial. Farmers can no longer rely on their crops for income, and fishermen are left idle for months at a time. This has led to hunger and poverty, forcing families to rely on loans and thrift to survive. The government has attempted to provide assistance, but the aid has been inadequate. In one instance, residents received a single carton of noodles to share among a family of ten. The Graduate Employability Skills (GES) Programme, initiated during the Buhari’s administration, was more helpful, as it provided farmers with farming implements at reduced costs. Ahangbahan believes that the government can enhance support for the community by improving access to climate information, enabling residents to make informed decisions about when and what to plant. With proper support, they can rebuild their livelihoods and continue to contribute to the region’s agricultural production.

In the heart of Badagry, a coastal town and Local Government Area in Lagos State lies a vibrant community; home to Cecilia Ajose, a woman of indomitable spirit and unwavering resilience. Cecilia, a skilled artisan, has spent her life weaving mats, a tradition passed down through generations in her family. In the past, Cecilia’s nimble hands could produce eight mats a week, a testament to her expertise and dedication. However, in recent years, the demand for her mats has dwindled, leaving Cecilia with a mere six mats to sell each week. Undeterred by this challenge, Cecilia has diversified her income by turning her hand to fish roasting. She joins the men of her community in their daily expeditions to the river, where they carefully select the freshest catch. Upon returning, Cecilia expertly cleans and seasons the fish, then skilfully roasts them over a fire fuelled by sticks purchased from local farmers. The fish roasting season, however, has its limitations. During the rainy season and when the fish are scarce, Cecilia’s income plummets. This is where her mat weaving skills come to the rescue, providing a steady source of income even during the lean times. Cecilia’s children, like many in the community, are passionate about learning trades. Some aspire to become nurses, carpenters, hairdressers, or bricklayers. While these skills are valuable, they require specialized training and formal education that can be difficult to access in their remote community. The power supply in her community is erratic, causing them to rely heavily on generators, which not only adds to the cost of living but also creates a constant hum that disrupts the community’s tranquillity and harms health. Despite these challenges, Cecilia and her fellow residents are proud of their community. There are hospitals, both government and private, to provide medical care, and banks to facilitate financial transactions. However, Cecilia believes that with the support of the government, her community could thrive even more. She dreams of a future where there are more job opportunities for both her children and the adults in her community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Along the banks of the capricious Mada River that snakes through the Unguwar Pah community in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, lies a tale of resilience and determination in the face of an unrelenting adversary – the river itself. Every year, community members, like Kona Joseph, witness their hopes and labor swept away by the floodwaters, leaving behind a trail of disappointment and despair. Kona Joseph, a seasoned farmer with a weathered face etched with the lines of countless challenges recounts the disheartening cycle that has become their reality. “We cannot cultivate this land again,” he laments, his voice tinged with resignation. “It is a waste of time.” The once fertile soil, once teeming with promise, now lies barren, a stark reminder of the flood’s destructive power. The crops that once flourished – groundnuts, maize, rice, cassava, beans, and even bananas – have succumbed to the river’s relentless wrath. The fickle nature of the weather further compounds the community’s woes. Erratic rainfall patterns, with sudden shifts from scorching heat to biting cold, have thrown their agricultural practices into disarray. The delicate balance between rain and dry spells, essential for a bountiful harvest, has been disrupted, leaving the farmers at the mercy of the elements. Despite the relentless challenges, Kona Joseph and her fellow farmers have continued to seek ways to adapt and find new methods of cultivation that can withstand the river’s capricious moods. They experiment with different crops, explore alternative irrigation techniques, and share their knowledge and experiences, determined to wrest a harvest from the unforgiving land. Kona Joseph’s plea for assistance echoes through the community, a call for support from those who have the means to help. He yearns for infrastructure that can tame the river’s fury, for irrigation systems that can provide a lifeline during the dry spells, and for knowledge and expertise that can guide them towards sustainable agricultural practices. This story is not unique to Unguwar Pah; it resonates with communities across the globe, facing similar struggles against the unpredictable forces of nature. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and of the need for collective action to address the challenges that transcend borders. The story of the Unguwar Pah community serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its devastating impact on vulnerable communities. Let us work together to build a world where communities can thrive, where farmers can cultivate their lands without fear of loss, and where the river’s power is harnessed for sustainable development, not destruction.

Jemima Ezekiel lives in Piwoyi community, a community on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria. She is a farmer, and her family’s livelihood depends on the land. But every year, Jemima’s farm is flooded. The river that runs through her community overflows its banks, and her crops are washed away. This year was the worst yet; the floods destroyed everything Jemima had planted. She lost her entire harvest and she does not know how she is going to feed her family. The residents and farmers of the Piwoyi community have been struggling to survive and do not know where to turn for help. The government has not provided any assistance to the farmers in Piwoyi. They have not come to assess the damage. Jemima wants the government to provide support to the farmers in Piwoyi; she wants them to help rebuild their farms and their lives. Her story is a reminder that the climate crisis is having a devastating impact on people around the world. It is also a reminder that we need to take urgent action to address climate change and protect the most vulnerable communities. We cannot afford to wait any longer; the future of our planet depends on it!!