THE UNDER-ADDRESSED CHALLENGE OF OPEN DEFECATION AND POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

 At the very surface you`d think every educated Nigerian, individuals and institutions alike, are concerned about this ongoing decay that might soon become a full blown health and environmental crisis but you`d be shocked that you are wrong. At best what many just do is lip service and they just play to the gallery.

Open defecation and poor waste management remain some of the most visible indicators of institutional failure and collective indifference in Nigeria. Despite numerous campaigns, millions of Nigerians still lack access to basic sanitation facilities, what we have instead is smelly unhygenic dumpsites, clogged drainage systems and continous indiscriminate waste disposal. The consequences are far-reaching, ranging from the spread of preventable diseases to environmental degradation and the erosion of human dignity.

The problem is not the absence of knowledge or resources alone but the absence of accountability and prioritization on the part of both citizens and governments. Governments often treat sanitation as a secondary concern, allocating minimal budgets and implementing short-lived interventions that rarely survive political transitions.A clear example can be seen during Fashola’s administration in Lagos, when the state experienced its longest period of sustained cleanliness. At the time, indiscriminate waste disposal was criminalized and rigorously enforced through active monitoring and compliance measures.Institutions that ought to lead by example often fail to maintain even their own premises, thereby reinforcing a culture in which neglect becomes normal. Even measures as basic and commonsensical as placing waste bins at strategic points within public facilities are frequently absent, underscoring the depth of this systemic indifference. Even at the individual level, many citizens acknowledge the problem in theory yet continue practices that worsen it in reality. This contradiction is evident in the widespread habit of throwing litter from moving vehicles and dumping refuse in unauthorized locations.

Addressing this challenge requires more than awareness campaigns and government talking points. It demands deliberate investment in infrastructure, enforcement of environmental regulations and a shift in public attitude that recognizes sanitation as a shared responsibility rather than a government burden alone. Education must translate into action and concern must move beyond words to measurable outcomes.

Until Nigeria treats open defecation and waste mismanagement with the urgency they truly deserve the country will keep facing health risks and environmental damage that could easily be avoided. Real progress will not be seen in some fine policy documents or public announcements but in cleaner streets, working sanitation systems and a shared commitment by the government and the people to protect human dignity and public health.

Flooding in Nigeria: A National Crisis That Demands Urgent Action

From time immemorial, flooding has always been a major problem across Nigeria, with devastating effects on lives, properties, farmlands, and infrastructure. From Lagos to Lokoja, and Bayelsa to Benue, the story is the same; homes submerged, roads washed away, and thousands displaced. The yearly floods gets more terrible with the passing of time, affecting millions of people and causing billions in damages. Sadly, not much has been done and it has become an annual inevitable ritual. 

One of the major causes of flooding in Nigeria is poor drainage and waste management. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, many drainages are blocked with plastic waste, sand, and refuse. Even during light rain, streets become flooded. People build on waterways and floodplains without proper planning, and the government sometimes turns a blind eye until disaster strikes. Lagos state government, for example, has done notable works in demolishing illegal buildings on the waterways.

Another cause is the release of water from dams like the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The release of water from this dam leads to massive flooding across states in the North and Middle Belt, some states down south also get little of the hit has most water bodies overflow during this period. The fact that Nigeria’s buffer dam (Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State) has not been completed over 40 years worsens the situation.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Flooding in Nigeria?

1. Proper Waste Disposal and Drainage Maintenance
   Nigerians need to stop dumping refuse in gutters and drainages. Governments at all levels should invest in regular cleaning of drainages, especially before the rainy season. In Lagos, the state government has started aggressive desilting projects, but more needs to be done and sustained. There should be a public schedule for drainage maintenance in every local government area.

2. Enforce Town Planning Laws
   Building on natural waterways should be strictly prohibited. The FCT Administration and Lagos state government have regularly removed structures blocking the waterways in their territories. This bold move that should be replicated nationwide regardless of who the defaulter is. Proper urban planning is key to flood control.

3. Complete the Dasin Hausa Dam
   If Nigeria completes this dam in Adamawa, it will help absorb excess water released from the Lagdo Dam. This single project will reduce flooding in several states downstream. The Federal Government should make this a priority. Besides it really embarrassing to abandon such critical infrastructure for over 40 years with the coming and going of different governments. 

4. Early Warning Systems and Emergency Response
   Agencies like NEMA and NiMet should continue to issue timely weather predictions and flood alerts. But beyond issuing warnings, there must be community-level sensitization and readiness to act. This cannot be overemphasized the emergency response needs to be worked on in order to minimize loss of lives and properties. 

5. Tree Planting and Reforestation
   In some of the states up North where erosion and surface runoff worsen flooding, planting trees and protecting watersheds can help reduce the speed and volume of floodwater. Communities and schools should be encouraged to plant trees.

6. Construct More Drainage Channels and Embankments
   In flood-prone areas , more embankments, levees, and canals should be constructed to redirect and manage water flow. Local and state governments should include such infrastructure in their yearly budgets.

Flooding in Nigeria is no longer just a rainy season issue; it is now a national annual ritual. But with a good sense of personal responsibility, community action, and government commitment, we can reduce the damage and save lives. As it`s commonly said, "those who fail to plan plan to fail." Let’s plan well, act early, protect our land and save more lives. 

IDO Initiative Celebrates World Environment Day 2024

The beauty of our planet is defined by the vast and diverse ecosystems, natural wonders, and other varieties of elements. World Environment Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to preserve and protect the Earth for the future. The theme for the WED 2024 is "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience".

The carefully chosen theme brings to light not only a major problem that is faced in the environment but also the solution to the problem. Land is the foundation of life on this planet, no activity can be carried with total isolation of land. The land is home to various species (including humans) and it supports biodiversity and provides food and water. However, good and productive land is under threat. Desert is encroaching at an alarming rate and with it comes drought, turning good fertile lands into barren wastelands and threatening the lives of many. 

Land Restoration is the revival and rehabilitation of degraded lands to fertile and productive use. Land Restoration is important to mitigate the effects of climate change and to revive the ecosystem thereby increasing biodiversity. 

Desertification is the process in which fertile land becomes arid due to human activities or other natural phenomenon. Desertification leads to the loss of productive lands.

Drought Resilience is the ability to prepare and respond to prolonged dry periods. Droughts affect food security and availability of water which results in starvation, hunger, and all manners of suffering. 

How to Support the Goal:

1. Promote afforestation and reforestation. 
2. Support sustainable land management practices that can protect the soil.
3. Raise awareness about land restoration and the consequences of desertification.

Everyone has a role to play in the preservation and the protection of the environment. The Earth can be healed and restored. We can pass a healthy and vibrant Earth to future generations. 

Happy World Environment Day!!!

GENDER EQUALITY CONTINUES TO GAIN POPULARITY IN WEST AFRICA

GENDER EQUALITY CONTINUES TO GAIN POPULARITY IN WEST AFRICA

 We are at a point where most people agree that gender equality is critical to the social and economic development in West Africa, thanks to the vigorous determination of many Non Governmental Organizations, the willingness of the various governments, the supports from the international bodies and the various corporate and individual supports in the grassroots. Even though the progress is not the same across the region, it at least signifies that women`s right is acknowledged and the role they play in social and economic development is also acknowledged.

Several countries in West Africa have made significant progress in putting laws and policies that promotes gender equality in place. In Nigeria for example, the National Gender Policy’s aim is to eliminate gender discrimination and promote women’s right in all sectors. Ghana also introduced the affirmative action bill which mandates a minimum of 40% representation in public office. The bill has been drafted but still awaiting passage into law. Senegal has also been proactive in the gender equality realisation with its parity law which requires equal representation for both men and women in all elected positions. These legislative measures gives solid foundation  to the gender equality cause and equally critical in the advancement of the cause.

Another vital component of gender equality is education and economic empowerment. In countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia, significant efforts have been made towards the enrolment and retention of the girl child in schools. Programs such as Girls Education Challenge (GEC) and Girls Access to Education (GATE) are very instrumental in creating better opportunities to education for marginalised girls, thereby enhancing their opportunities for social and economic participation. 

Economic empowerment also has good traction across the region. Several women empowerment initiatives are doing well in providing women with entrepreneurship skills and financial resources. These initiatives help women to achieve financial independence and contribute to the countries economy at large.

The implementation of comprehensive health program focused on women across the region shows the improvement and dedication to the well being of women. For example Organisations like United Nation Fund for Population Activities supports reproductive health program for women and this has led to better health outcomes for women.

All of these is not to say there are not still challenges regarding gender equality in the region. Cultural and societal norm still hinders the full realization of the gender equality as gender based violent, early child marriages, unequal representation is still prevalent in many places. 

However, it is important to continue to address these challenges through consistent effort by the different communities and stakeholders in the region. While significant progress has been made, continuous efforts are necessary to completely overcome the issue of gender equality. With these continuous efforts, West Africa will definitely have a more inclusive and equitable society.

TACKLING OPEN DEFECATION IN AFRICA

TACKLING OPEN DEFECATION IN AFRICA

Open defecation still remains a prevalent issue in a good number of Sub-Saharan Countries. Studies show that Nigeria, Ethopia and Niger have the highest numbers of people still engaging in the act of OD. OD is an indication of the state of poverty of a nation as the poorest communities tend to engage more in this act. 

The majority of the people engaging in OD are people in rural communities and some of the factors that influencing this are lack of sanitation facilities, socio-economic factors, social norms, remoteness and many more. From a layman`s perspective this makes a bit of sense and it`s understandable for rural areas. What`s a bit shocking is that in some cases you still find a lot OD issues in Urban areas almost as much as might find in rural areas in most of the Nations with the higher number of OD cases. 

It`s the alarming rate of OD in some of these urban areas that surprises me the most. Does this necessitate new policies in urban areas? It`s most likely not a case of lack of facilities but likely a case of demography and behavioral pattern. 

Why Should Open Defecation be Completely Eradicated?

1.   Environmental Degradation: Open defecation leads to the contamination of air, water and soil. It compromises the quality of our natural environment. Polluted water becomes breeding grounds for various pathogens which can lead to public health crises.
   
   
2. Public Health Hazard: This practice is a major contributor to the spread of various infectious diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. Most of these diseases have greater effects on children and the vulnerable population which might lead to higher mortality rates.
   
   
3. Reduced Quality of Life: The presence of human waste in public spaces diminishes the quality of life of people in the environment. It as harmful as it is aesthetically unpleasant. 

How can Open Defecation be Completely Eradicated?

1. Infrastructural Development: Sufficient public toilets should be constructed and kept clean with adequate provision for maintenance.
   
   
2.  Public Awareness Campaign: Launching educative initiatives to raise awareness about the health risk associated with open defecation and importance of sanitation.
   
   
3. Regulatory Measures: Implementing and enforcing regulations that prohibits OD with adequate penalty for non compliance.
   
   
4. Public Signage for Violation and Fines: Knowing the community we live in, people respond better knowing there will be consequences for their actions. Erecting signage that states the consequences of violation.
   
   
5.  Community Involvement: Engaging the community in planning and implementing sanitation projects to give a sense of responsibility. Also Involving the community in enforcement of sanitation.
   
   Tackling open defecation will not only ensure public health protection and environmental sustainability but will all lead to an increase in quality of life of people.