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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.
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) is a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan human rights and development league.