In the heart of Igalamela/Odolu Local Government, Kogi State, lies Ikelegu, a community once vibrant, but now besieged by two grave challenges—soil erosion and water scarcity. These issues, compounded by decades of governmental neglect, have left the people of Ikelegu trapped in an enduring struggle. Despite their tireless efforts to overcome these adversities, the community finds itself at a crossroads, with limited options and few allies. This is not merely an environmental crisis—it is a crisis of governance, a testament to the failure of promises that were meant to bring prosperity to every citizen.
Soil erosion has ravaged Ikelegu’s once fertile land. The sandy soils that sustained the livelihoods of farmers have been relentlessly washed away by torrents of rain. Despite the community’s attempts to counter this catastrophe by planting trees and constructing road barriers, the erosion continues to worsen, stripping away the soil’s fertility and rendering it useless. As the Igala proverb says, “The rain does not fall on one roof alone.” The hardship of Ikelegu is a collective hardship, a symbol of broader environmental and governance failures that ripple throughout rural Nigeria. According to Professor E.J. Osifo, a distinguished environmental scholar, “When the land is deprived of its natural resources, its people are left with no means to thrive.” The land’s degradation has led to dwindling crop yields, deepening poverty, and a loss of food security for a community already struggling to make ends meet.
Parallel to the environmental crisis is a severe water scarcity. Ikelegu, unlike many other communities, has no stream of its own. The people are forced to trek long distances, often before the sun rises, to Ayah, a neighbouring village, to fetch water from the Ayah River. The journey, sometimes undertaken as early as 4 a.m., is an arduous task for the women and children, who carry heavy containers of water across treacherous terrain. They are compelled to gather stagnant water whenever it rains, exposing them to the risk of waterborne diseases. The Late Rev. Father Fidelis Egbunu, a respected Igala cleric, poignantly remarked, “Water is life. Without it, the body withers, and society crumbles.” The people of Ikelegu know this truth all too well, as they struggle to access even the most basic human necessity.
As if this were not enough, the infrastructure of Ikelegu has fallen into disrepair. The once vital road that connected Ikelegu to Ayah, Iboch and Ajaka has been left to deteriorate, making transportation difficult and unsafe. Deep gutters line the stretch between Ibochi, Ikelegu and Ayah, transforming what was once a bustling trade route into an eyesore. This road, once the lifeline for traders bringing goods to the Ajaka market, now lies neglected, inaccessible, and dangerous. The Igala proverb, “The frog does not forget the stream,” reflects the people’s nostalgia for the road’s former state. Once a symbol of progress and connectivity, it has now become a symbol of governmental apathy. As Professor Idachaba, a leading academic in Igala studies, noted, “A community is judged by the roads it walks, for they determine its path to development.” Ikelegu’s path is now obstructed, both literally and figuratively, by the negligence of those in power.
Compounding these dire issues is the complete absence of a healthcare facility. In this age of advanced medical care and global health initiatives, Ikelegu is still without even the most basic healthcare services. The people of Ikelegu have been abandoned by a system that should have ensured their access to essential health services. In this regard, Professor O. A. Akinyemi, a prominent Nigerian health expert, stated, “Health is not a privilege; it is a right. When this right is denied, a society’s foundation begins to crumble.” Ikelegu’s people are forced to travel long distances to receive medical treatment, further compounding their suffering. It is an unacceptable state of affairs, one that leaves the community vulnerable to preventable diseases and unnecessary death.
The time for change is long overdue. The government must act now to address these pressing challenges with urgency and resolve. The failure to do so is not just a betrayal of Ikelegu’s citizens but a failure of governance that undermines the very fabric of democracy. The government must intervene in a way that transforms Ikelegu from a community on the brink of collapse to a thriving, self-sustaining hub of development. This intervention is not just a matter of fulfilling promises; it is a moral imperative.
The government must provide the necessary support to combat soil erosion. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as the reforestation of degraded land, should be implemented immediately. Ikelegu’s farmers, who once relied on fertile soil for their livelihood, are in desperate need of resources to halt the encroaching desertification. “No matter how much one hopes for rain, one must still plant seeds,” says an African proverb that encapsulates the essence of Ikelegu’s plight. The government must provide the seeds for the people of Ikelegu, offering them the means to restore their land and ensure food security for generations to come.
Furthermore, the government must provide Ikelegu with a reliable water source. The people cannot continue to rely on water fetched from distant streams or stagnant rainwater. Access to clean, potable water is a fundamental human right, and the government must ensure that Ikelegu’s citizens no longer have to endure the hardship of their current water crisis. As Professor L. O. Adeola, a distinguished Nigerian water expert, put it, “Water is not just a resource; it is the lifeblood of society.” Without it, Ikelegu’s future is in jeopardy.
Equally important is the urgent need for the repair and reconstruction of Ikelegu’s road network. The road linking Ikelegu to Ayah and Ajaka is not just a route for transportation; it is a gateway to opportunity. By restoring this road, the government will not only ease the suffering of the people but will also create new economic opportunities, stimulate trade, and foster connectivity within the region. “A road is not just a path; it is a bridge to the future,” says the Igala saying. Ikelegu’s future depends on its ability to access markets, healthcare, and education, and the government must prioritize infrastructure repair to ensure that the community can thrive.
Finally, the establishment of a primary healthcare facility in Ikelegu is an urgent necessity. The government must ensure that no Nigerian is denied access to healthcare because of their location. Every citizen, no matter where they reside, should be able to receive basic medical services. It is time for Ikelegu to receive the healthcare infrastructure it so desperately needs. As Professor Adebayo Adedeji, a renowned Nigerian economist, wisely stated, “The strength of a nation lies in the health of its people.” Without healthcare, Ikelegu’s people cannot prosper.
The government must act now. Ikelegu’s people cannot wait any longer for the promises that have been repeatedly broken. The time for action is now. Ikelegu’s survival depends on it, and the future of many other rural communities across Nigeria is at stake. The government must come to their aid, restore hope, and fulfill its obligations to the people. Ikelegu has waited long enough for the government to act. It is time to restore their dignity, ensure their survival, and give them a future worth living. The government has the resources, the means, and the moral duty to make Ikelegu’s struggle a thing of the past. Let us stand together in the fight for justice, fairness, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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