Lagos is in Nigeria and for us living here, our experiences of natural disasters are not on the same level as what people in USA or Japan would experience. Thus, although we do not experience earthquakes or volcanic eruptions that attract the attention of the entire world, our country suffers its own problems that affect its citizens and also in some instances, make people flee their homes. Before I move on to the one natural disaster I know for sure we do experience in some states in my country, I would like to point out that the major disaster we experience is economic disaster due to bad governance, and yes, this has sent many citizens to seek refuge in more developed countries, hoping for a greener pasture, away from the harsh economic situation of this country.

Moving on, I think one of the worst and most frequent natural disasters we happen to experience in this part of the world is flooding. It is a serious cause of concern that the government even has to warn us on how to stay safe and also set guidelines on how we can reduce its effect every year in the rainy season, which is from April to October. In Lagos, where I reside specifically, the population, compounded with the high rainfall rate, poor drainage systems, and our position in the coastal area makes us more prone. You will think this affects only the poor, but no, it is a general problem, and even those who live in the high-brow area of the state are more prone to flooding disasters as they are on the island, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

I recall an extreme flood around the year 2012 affecting 35 out of the 36 states in Nigeria. I remember the heavy rain and how returning home from church was difficult as the route home was flooded, it was so serious that more than two million people had to flee their homes. People lost their homes, and farms which served as their source of livelihood were washed away by the floods. The destruction was severe as it affected major economic regions and sadly, some lives were lost due to the flood.

Another massive flood also happened around the end of the year 2021 and the beginning of the new year and as usual rivers flooded their banks, dams burst and released large volumes of water, and millions were, this time, affected in states like Bayelsa, Anambra states and Kogi, according to the news then, but thankfully, my residence wasn't seriously affected, but we saw the horrific state people were left in during and after the floor, imagine someone's fully furnished sitting room, filled with water to the middle of the building, some were trapped on the roofs of their houses, waiting for help, while some others moved from place to place in canoes on what used to be streets.
These floods don't just destroy properties, they disrupt our lives in profound ways as schools were forced to close and businesses were also ruined, there has also been a rise in the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera due to this very same reason. The reason why there is always a rise in anxiety during the rainy season especially for those living in flood prone areas.

While floods are caused due to natural causes, I think we also take a part of the blame, as some of us tend to dispose waste into the gutter, thereby blocking the drainage system and not allowing the free flow of water so when it rains there is an overflow of water that has no channel than to flood our homes and properties. Notwithstanding, I feel if the government and the citizens work in hands by playing their part in curbing flood, by building more drainage system and the citizens not clogging them with waste/dirt, hopefully we would have a flood free nation.

Nigeria as a Host to Refugees

Within our own boarder, many have been displaced due to natural disasters, conversely, Nigeria has also taken its part in accommodating those refugees from other neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon, etc although, the existence of these refugees poses a threat and at the same time creates an opportunity. For instance in the northern part some join forces to become terrorist terrorizing that part of the country, On the one hand some have adapted and even blend in as Nigerians, learning to speak our local dialect and also growing a business of thereby, adding positive value to the country.

I have also had the opportunity to meet some of the Cameroonian refugees that are in Lagos now. Both sad and uplifting are the lives of the refugees and their attempts to survive and have a future in a strange country. Surprisingly, there is a lot of compassion and even friendly reception in many Nigerians since they have experienced civil war and refugees’ issues in the past.

Many of these problems are masked by what has been termed as climate change. The intensification of floods and frequent disasters.However, Nigerians are known not to give up easily, this is true because during floods people bond together in order to get through the situation, natural disasters and forced migration in Nigeria is an example of how human beings’ lives are changing as a result of environmental shifts and conflicts. Hopefully, we look forward to a day when not many people would be displaced due to calamity or enmity of neighbors.

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All images used are mine.

Thank you for reading.❤❤