TAMUKE Magadzine, an agro-climatologist in Botswana did an analysis that showed that conditions in Zimbabwe were already ripe for famine. The country recorded its lowest rainfall since early 1980s making harvest weak and shriveled. His report is significant among other reasons because an Israeli Scholar, Dr Joseph Sheevey made a related forecast in a lecture he delivered at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, many years ago.
THE scholar predicted that there would be a drought affecting a large part of Africa and that in the sub Saharan region, Nigeria would be the place to get water.
ACCORDING to the scholar, efforts must be in place to tackle the problem of an imminent water shortage as it would, among other things result in an influx of foreigners in search of water and pasture. The problem of herdsmen roaming about, destroying farms and plundering settlements would have to be appreciated within the context of an impending drought that would be the fate of a large portion of this continent.
IF a drought is yet to birth and the challenge is so widespread already, then a most concerted machinery should be put in place for the anticipated period of famine.
When local scientists forewarned of impending heavy rainfall with attendant floods, negligence on the part of officials at local, state and national levels resulted in great disasters in terms of deaths, washing away of roads, facilities and confidence. Hence it is frightening that some three years after the forecast of Dr. Sheevey there is no policy in place to suggest preparation for the days ahead.
Coronavirus pandemic has already introduced a complication to the likely drought. As a result of measures taken to contain the pandemic, the global economy has been seriously undermined while African and Nigerian economic sectors have been dealt a heavy blow. Agriculture faces a bleak future as activities on the farm have been seriously hampered.
COUPLED with the rampaging destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen, government must begin to realize that the impending danger ahead is of a great magnitude. It is no longer a secret that Lake Chad which is critical in the water basin is shrinking. That herdsmen go beyond wreaking havoc on farmlands but engage in heinous crimes including kidnapping, murder and rape of women and girls suggest that their attacks intend to promote some heinous objectives beyond occupational and economic interests.
WE of The Hope appreciate that HERDSMEN, no doubt contribute a reasonable quota to the welfare of the people in nutrition and employment opportunities but they seem not to realize that economic activities thrive better when the chain is properly maintained when parties involved respect the symbiosis of participants. Again it is instructive that other peoples have passed through the experience. Not the least, the United States of America in its experience with the Cow Boys. But with science and technology they have been able to overcome. It would therefore be leadership failure not to take advantage of modern developments to address the problems at hand, and the complications expected in the coming period of drought.
THE public and private sectors must now be motivated to invest in ranches. Whilst government should come up with a comprehensive workable policy, the private sector must be encouraged to commit reasonable resources to doing profitable business. Again, it is long overdue to show greater commitment to transportation, irrigation, mechanized farming, food processing and preservation to stem the impending famine.
IN the opinion of The Hope newspaper, the Federal Government must avail itself with measures adopted by the state of Israel to tackle challenges of water shortage. The various security agencies must gather intelligence about movement of nomads in the country, while the Economic Community of West Africa must pool resources including personnel to avert the predicted drought; to devise methods for efficient utilization of water resources and to curb nomads and invaders who unleash insecurity, and undermine safety of settlers across the nations. In the mean time, there must be more than lip service to treating scientific information.