THE WOES OF NOMADISM

             The act of travelling long distances with animal in search for grassland and water for livestock is a predominant occupation of Fulani’ in this part of the world as It is a generational means of livelihood as cash obtained from the sales of animal or animal product(s) are used for the purchase other items necessary for their living. Provision of meat, milk, wool and skin are some the economic benefits of Nomadism to households and the nation. This animal production system and others that deals with the way and manner in which animals are solely kept or in combination with pasture land and/or arable crops are faced with a lot of challenges. Diminishing grazing area, restricted movement enforced by development administrators, theft of animals from members of the same clans or other tribes, long daily treks between the kraal, the pasture and the watering points, as well as insufficient fodder reserves as result of an inadequate fodder distribution over the year are some of the widely registered problems of animal productions systems. Economic losses, traumatic experiences, conflicts and competitions are some of the reverberations that follow suite. The prevalence of harsh weather condition as an incursion of global change (climate change) is an aggravator of these woes. The Fulani cattle rarer, his house hold as well as his dependants can then be termed vulnerable in all respect. Their sensitivity to grass land losses, water stresses, as well as incessant wandering exposes them and account for their pathetic vulnerability.

Plate 1:  Musa with Adenle Ademola

CROG in a nostalgia picture with Musa, a 23 year old Fulani cattle rarer after an informal discussion, wandering with his father’s herd in Gidan Gkwano area of Bosso LGA Niger state. The discussions confirms the challenges faced by herdsmen as found in literatures and researches, Musa lamented and complained that these challenges are worsened during the dry times because as the first son of his sick father he has to walk very long distances into distant areas and possibly sleep in the wild for some nights before returning home. It is no doubt that these challenges are faced by numerous Fulani herdsmen that we come across each day. 

Plate 2: Musa with Akpeokhai Agatha

Nigeria must plans to examine the vulnerability of Fulani cattle rarer in their subsequent research work as National Vulnerability assessment will be incomplete without their consideration.

Plate 4: The wandering animals

Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG)…COMBINING PROFESSIONALISM WITH PASSION 

Akpeokhai Agatha and Adenle Ademola (CROG).

Fresh Water Security and Climate Change

Plate 1: Fresh water body responding to climate change (Source: Internet)

A water body is said to be a fresh water if it is not marine or sea. Lake, river, pond, stream, brook, creek are world’s known fresh water reservoirs which are inalienable from man’s existence. This epitomizes one of man’s prominent dependence on nature’s resources which is continuously unending. The freshness of fresh water bodies in the past was among the alluring reasons for human’s perpetual reliance on them. Many years before anthropogenic degradations and pollution of fresh water, fresh waters are nearly safe for many uses (domestic inter alia) but at present, hardly can one vouch for a pristine water pool. Physical, chemical and biological injuries are well known traumas of fresh waters. The quality and quantity of fresh waters are threatened by numerous anthropo-natural processes. We often decry animal poaching and cry out for forest conservation, security and sustainability. In the same vein, we must not de-emphasize that of fresh water not even in the face of enigmatic climate change which scientists have affirmed with a gold standard of 95% to be caused by human activities. Climate change is an affirmed stressor of fresh water, a plucky stressor that is well-conceived and acclaimed in lectures and researches.

Plate 2: The vulnerables (Source: Internet)

Logically, a stress on fresh water purports an attendant stress on its gutless dependant. In Africa alone, climate change have been premeditated to expose 75 million to 250 million more people to increased water stress by 2020 FAO,(2011). This projection is to crave the indulgence Africans and humanity on the need to salvage and secure fresh water from climate stress and to avoid humanitarian emergencies that are likely to emerge from water stress. It has also been estimated that the number of people that will be affected by climate-related humanitarian crisis will rise by 54% to 375 million by 2015 FAO, (2011).

Plate 3:  The vulnerables (Source: Internet)

 Humanitarian effects of climate change will leave no one out, the children and women are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the developing countries will have their tales while the developed countries have their take.  We must address the nexus between fresh water security, human prosperity and well-being in view of the changing climate. Water security for man’s existence will encompass access to sanitized clean water, as these are fundamental drivers for poverty reduction, food security, gender equality and environmental sustainability which the security of fresh water bodies promises in view of the millennium development goals.

95% CONFIDENCE LEVEL........................

              Science is the systematic body of knowledge that has helped man to unravel myths, shatter superstitions and demystify mysteries as well enigmatic concepts and situations. Science is more of a search light to man that enlightens man, guide his explanations and brings his decision to a logical conclusion. Without it man will be an ignoramus and will continually be subjected to the ideas of great men alone without verifications. Science is illuminating while scientists can be said to be illuminators. In diverse concerns of human endeavour you will find scientists with apt disciplinary methodologies and protocols to undertake and drive decisions into rational deductions. The debate on the enigmatic causes of climate change has been on, with the for and against proponents over whether climate change was anthropogenically induced or not. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1989 was grafted into the scene by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with three working groups which focused on the scientific assessment of climate change, environmental and socio-economic impacts and response strategies, prognosticating the wide range of challenges that humanity would face as it entered the new millennium. The IPCC’s scientific assessments have produced four long-winded reports with the four preceding accounts tinged with their levels of confidence as well as the unalloyed scepticisms and disbeliefs by deniers for reasons best known to them. Most recently, the fifth assessment report (AR5) was accounted with a confidence level of 95% that the causes of climate change are laconically anthropogenic. A reliability measure of 95% on any research is statistically and conventionally a gold standard on planet earth.

                 The first implication of this report is that researchers can now quote with a higher assertion and confidence the definitions attributing climate change to human activities, which corroborates the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), definition of climate change in its Article 1, defining climate change as: “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.”

                  Also, climate change deniers can now attune themselves with the argument and claims of IPCC that climate change is man induced, hence a need for deniers to decamp and boldly pitch their tents with their opponents as well as convince their allies to consolidate the fight against harsh climate crisis. 

       Furthermore, climate change mitigation efforts must be consolidated bearing in mind that the Scientific report AR5 has for the first time set an upper limit on CO₂ emissions, contending that humanity can combust only one-third of the 3 trillion tons of fossil fuels that still remain in the ground. Equally, the prophesy of IPCC on the trillionth ton of carbon that will be released around 2040 and beyond as well as what is in stock for the world in terms of destabilizing temperature increases exceeding 2⁰C, or 3.6⁰F must not be  treated with kids glove.

    Additionally, adaptation, the philosophy of living with climate changes, its attendant challenges and opportunities should be more concerted among developing countries with the assistance from the developed powers because Climate change will hit poor countries the hardest (UNDP), the vulnerable and the exposed. The sensitive must therefore be identified and shielded from the likely impacts of climate change, their adaptive capacities, coping strategies and indigenous responses must be strengthened.

   Finally, with the confidence level of anthropogenic climate change, the quest and the tenets of sustainable development must be upheld by all and integrated into the agenda of every nation and the programmes of every region.

              In conclusion, it now crystal clear and even more lucid that perturbations in climate is grossly anthropogenically driven as an evidence of unsustainable living, a reminder on the need for sustainable development which will bridge our past with our present and our future and also bridge our planet to our people and our prosperity. AR5 further supports the need for sustainable development. If this group (IPCC) comprising hundreds of scientists can give 95% confidence level that climate change is caused by man’s unsustainable living on the planet in the past, then no other group of scientists can give less.

THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BUSUGI

In view of the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon and its impacts varies among regions and areas as well as the need to incorporate local conditions and communities into climate change issues necessitated  a community based approach to climate change. It is in that light that a community based project was organized for the MRP (Master Research Programme) students of West African Science Service on Climate and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL). The project was set to familiarize the students with a local community in their environment and how the locals have been faring in their responses to climate change as well as the impact of climate change on rural economies. The community based project was set to bring the theoretical knowledge on climate change and it impact into real life situation. Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG) was involved in the project, with this report on the good people of Busugi.

One may wonder “what / where is BUSUGI”? Come with me…………

Welcome on board into the land of Busugi, a land where visitors are accepted wholeheartedly and treated as part of one big family, a warm wish of safety as you explore the exceedingly pleasing atmosphere of this community.

The name Busugi

The name Busugbin now Busugi as was told means Hyena Cave (Busu-Hyena) Gbin(cave). This name came to being because hyenas were the dominant wild animals at the current location of the community at that time. It was from Busugi that other surrounding communities and villages in the likes Beji developed.

Busugi is now a community located in Beji district Bosso local government area of Niger state. It lies approximately between latitude 09.6126⁰N-09.6195⁰N and longitude 06.2669⁰E-06.2800⁰E, the center of the village is at latitude 09.61121⁰N and longitude 006.26508⁰E and at an elevation of 257m.

Its origin

Busugi community did not just sit where it is today, it was said to have originated from two hunters (one from Kuta area and the other from Nupe area). They first settled there in the 17th century, and at the time they became aware of each other’s presence each conceived in secret to offer to the other a part of their next catch (which is usually the arm) according to the tradition of hunters.  Interestingly and unknown to each other they both set out the same day to offer the gifts and so the hunters met on the way, on meeting, one of them hid his meat and the other man gave his own portion of the meat and by tradition, the recipient became the leader.

Settlement type: Busugi community depicts a typical rural nucleated settlement with the houses built closely together round the centre of the village.

Administrative organization: The hunter that received the gift became the first leader of the community and from then the leadership position has been passed on from parents to offspring. Currently, leadership is distributed in a hierarchy as depicted by the organogram below.

Fig 1: Organogram of leadershipin Busugi

Language: Predominantly, Gbagi language is predominantly spoken by the community, although they also speak Nupe as a result of intermarriage between them and the Nupes and because Busugi community located between the Gwari and the Nupe Kingdoms served as a route and a rest place for the people from Bida and Lemu on their way to and from Minna thus bringing about an inter-mingling of language.

Ethnic composition: Busugi community is predominantly composed of the Gbagis and Nupes.

Distinct characteristics: The community is distinctively characterized for pottery and hunting.

Population: The village has a total population of about 5,000 though some have migrated to other areas in search of better job opportunities and are not currently in the village.

Religion: The community is composed of predominantly Muslims with the Christians among them mostly visitors.

Occupation and economic activities: The major occupation of the men are hunting, farming, herdsmen and trading while the women engaged in pottery, shea butter processing and trading. There is no market in Busugi village however the closest market is Beji market. Busugi and all the surrounding villages in the area have a central market at Beji along Zungeru- Minna road. At Beji market, all household goods in addition to food items are sold. However, the stalls are constructed with wood and in some cases; businesses are conducted in the open as well as under the trees.

Plate1 shows economic activities in Busugi (Source: Authors)

STATE OF SOCIAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES IN BUSUGI

Housing: The houses in the community are basically constructed locally, employing local technology and the use of local materials such as mud for the walls and thatch or zinc sheets for roofs, though a few houses are constructed with concrete and zinc roof sheets.

Plate 2: Typical houses in Busugi (Source: Authors)

Source of water: Busugi community is blessed with a few streams and wells that provide water for domestic use. Nevertheless, there is also a hand pump bole behind the village that provides portable water for community. The borehole also provides water in addition to a constructed pond during the dry season when streams and wells dry up.

Plate 3: Source of water supply for the village (Source: Authors)

Education: Alas, Busugi as a community has only a primary and an Islamic school, the closest secondary school to Busugi village is Beji secondary school located in the district of Beji.

Roads: The community connects to Zungeru –Minna main express road through an un-tarred road.

Health facilities: There is no health facilities in Busugi community rather the community is served by the local health office located at Beji district.

Transportation: The most common means of transportation in Busugi is by motorcycles, although few of their people own vehicles (Cars, Buses, Pick-ups and Lorries) which they use for different purposes and for conveying farm produce to various localities. Bicycles are also used by some villagers.

Electricity: Although Busugi community is located in the power state, the community is not connected to the national grid for electricity supply.

THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE OF BUSUGI

The friendliness of the people of Busugi was applaudable in every respect. Food, farm produce, live chicken and pottery works were some of the souvenirs given to the scholars that participated in the project.

The young men and women alongside the elders were welcoming, showing a high level of cordiality. The children never hesitated in their openness to the strangers as they willingly took pictures with the scholars and even craved to be carried by them.

 Plate 4: Picture with children and women in Busugi (Source: Authors)

Joyously, the young women entertained the scholars with the local songs and dances of their community. Sounds were produced from a locally improvised drum using a calabash submerged in a big bowl of water.

Jokingly, the male scholars were encouraged to ask for the hand of any of their young girls in marriage after proper consultation, this further shows the hospitality of the people. The community leader thanked the group for their visit and promised the unalloyed attention of the community in future researches. The scholars were highly elated for being involved in a community based research.

Plate 5: Hospitality at its climax in Busugi community

In conclusion, finding good people is like searching for a pin in hay’s sack, a search that is near futility but finding the good people of Busugi was a rewarding search. The people of Busugi are good in every regard, from the highest to the least person in the community, in their culture, civility as well as their hospitality, all these and more epitomizes their virtuousness.

Nevertheless, the people in their good state are faced with challenges on a daily basis as their basic livelihoods are threatened and their survival in the face global change (climate change) looks bleak. Researches and reports by West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate change and Adapted Landuse (WASCAL) FUT Minna and Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG) have been well documented that drying streams, ground aquifer dehydration, agricultural losses, loss of native breeds, pond shrinkages among others are the major recursive impacts of climate change on these people with sound recommendation proffered. 

The analogous question being asked in the quest for a rapid response to the ordeal of these people is how can we help the good people of Busigi? Which in addendum extents to when will this help come and who will help these people?

Akpeokhai Agatha and AdenleAdemola (CROG)

The Water that kills   ! !! !!!

The recent assertion by World Bank that “1 in 7 people lacks access to clean water” on its website (.http://www.worldbank.org/ida/theme-climate.html?cid=EXT_FBWB_D_EXT) drives home the fact that the quest to achieve a sustainable water utilization and availability is still a global challenge, a goal far from being reached. 

Plate 1: Water that kills (Source: World Bank)

A sustainable water utilization and availability in every respect will bridge the gap between the planet, the people, their prosperity and their well-being. Breathtakingly, from World Bank it was stated that “Even though two-thirds of the earth is covered with water, only one percent is drinkable” this reveals that globally, water is available but not potable. This also reinforces the challenges of water quality. The report further claimed that “Every day, more than one billion people struggle to find water—water that will likely make them sick”. This in addendum raised another eyebrow about the quality of water and its accessibility. Struggling to find water will entail the competitions for water especially in areas with water shortages or zones with multiple demands over same water source. It will also involve the stress of purifying dirty water as well as the burden of carrying or transporting water through long distances. These assertions are axiomatic to suffering in the mist of plenty.

Plate 2: the burden of transporting water (Source: Curt Carnemark/The World Bank)

Case study 

A decent case of people fulfilling these proclamations by World Bank are the good people of Busugi village in Niger state, Nigeria. They Labour to find water during the dry season when the only functioning borehole in the village would have dried up as a result of aquifer dehydration and stream drying. The streams become dried as a consequence of high evaporation rate during the dry season turning the stream routes to footpaths.

Fig 1: Streams around Busugi that dries up during dry season (Source: Authors via Map source for Nigeria).

The dryness of water bearing rocks and small streams were infrequent in times past but now they are recurrently hastened up by climate change, which makes the villagers revert to a locally constructed earthen pond that is also being threatened by climate change. The pond is located North-West of the village serving multiple purposes to the villagers and others that depend on it, such as the Fulani cattle herdsmen, hunters, potters and farmers. Competitions among users during the dry season usually result in conflicts and most observably the gross contamination of the dam by the users. Sadly, Women and children travel an average distant of 1.04km to fetch water from this pond for domestic use. 

Fig 2: Caption showing the location of earthen pond and the village (Source: Authors via Google Earth)

Fig 3: Caption showing the average distant travelled by women and children to collect water (Source: Authors via Google Earth).

The water from the earthen pond is a polite model of water that could cause various ailments, and perfect example of water that kills. 

 Plate 3: showing sample collected from earthen dam (Source: Authors).

How best can we help the good people of Busugi and many more people that depend on water that kills?.... Remember:

We are facing a global water crisis:* 18% of the world’s population lack access to safe drinking water, and 42% lack access to basic sanitation. More than 2.2 million people die each year from diseases associated with these conditions. As water scarcity grows, so will these numbers. By 2025, it is estimated that two thirds of the world’s population will live in areas facing moderate to severe water stress.
 http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/factsheet.html

Study was done on May 11, 2013 by Adenle Ademola and other WASCAL scholars under the aegis of West Africa Science Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (ZEF) Bonn Germany /(FUT, Minna).

Authors: Adenle Ademola and Akpeokhai Agatha (CROG).