As the rainy season returns this year, the threat of flooding is once again disrupting lives across the country. In Zuba, a community within the Federal Capital Territory, the memories of last year’s devastation are still vivid.
The 2022 floods in Zuba were particularly catastrophic, leaving a profound and lasting impact on families, especially on children. Torrential rains transformed the streets into dangerous rivers, sweeping away homes, possessions, and the sense of security that many children once took for granted. The community is still grappling with the memories of those harrowing days, as the fear of history repeating itself haunts them with each downpour.
One of the hardest-hit areas during the floods was the residential quarters near the Gwagwalada River, where families were forced to evacuate as floodwaters surged into their homes. Among the victims was nine-year-old Musa, who lost his home, school supplies, and books. His mother recounted the terrifying experience of that night, describing the fear and chaos as they scrambled to escape the rising waters.
Musa’s Mother said that her son hasn’t been to school since the flood.
“He used to go to school every day, but now, with everything destroyed by the flood, he hasn’t been able to attend classes. We don’t even know if the school will reopen soon, because the building is yet to be reconstructed and i don’t have money to change his school, as you can see we are farmers managing to survive the economy,” she narrated.
Education in Zuba became another casualty of the flooding. Many schools were forced to shut down, with classrooms either severely damaged or repurposed as emergency shelters. For children like Musa, this disruption meant not only a loss of learning but also the loss of a routine and a safe space, which are crucial for stability in such chaotic times.
The 2022 floods also had an emotional toll on the community’s youth. Radio Nigeria spoke with several teenagers who experienced the devastation firsthand. Their stories highlight the deep and lasting impact of the floods.
Seventeen-year-old Deborah Olumba recalled how two houses near hers were swept away by the floodwaters, leaving many children without the basic supplies needed for school.
Picking up the pieces
Deborah Olumba “Most children couldn’t go to school because their bags, shoes, books, and uniforms were washed away. Even my elder sister lost all her clothes to the flood. For weeks, we couldn’t go to school because we had to spend time cleaning and washing. I felt really bad and destabilized then.”
For 16-year-old Olaniyi Shakirat, the floods brought back painful memories of losing a friend to similar flooding five years ago. Determined to make a difference, she joined TeensConnectAfrica, a climate change advocacy organization, to educate her community about the dangers of improper waste disposal and the risks of building in flood-prone areas.
Olaniyi Shakirat “After the rains, I and other children in our community engage in environmental clean-up, picking waste off the streets, gutters, and drainage channels, to ensure refuse does not block water channels, which could lead to flooding.”
According to Mallam Barau Jibril, the downpour over the weekend which lasted for many hours, beginning by 3 am on Saturday and subsiding around 11 am, pulled down houses, submerged some, destroyed other properties as well as displaced people.
The stories of Musa, Deborah, and Olaniyi are a stark reminder of how vulnerable children are to the devastating effects of flooding. As the rainy season continues, the need for better infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and community education has never been more urgent.
Effects
The health impacts have been equally severe. The floods contaminated water sources, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, which disproportionately affected children. Local clinics have been overwhelmed by the number of sick children, with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation exacerbating the situation.
At Kaura Community, near Giri Junction, few kilometres away from Gwagwalada, the devastation by the flood was equally massive. According to the residents, portions of the Zuba-Gwagwalada expressway around the area was submerged. Road dividers were seen washed away, while electricity poles and buildings were destroyed.
A community leader, Bako Nagzhaga, said the flood killed five persons in the area. His position was confirmed by the Deputy Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FCT Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme.
Children and flood preparedness
Despite efforts from local authorities and humanitarian organizations to provide aid, the scale of the disaster has far outstripped the resources available. Relief efforts have struggled to meet the basic needs of displaced families, with many children facing ongoing threats to their well-being.
However, research has shown that children can play a major role not only in response and recovery work but in awareness creation and flood preparedness. Recognising children’s perspectives and capacities is a vital part of the process of building community resilience.
This was why some NGOs have taken awareness to these communities as part of the child centered advocacy on climate change resilience.
Community Youths Lead Clean-Up against flooding
One of such NGO is TeensConnectAfrica, which has been actively engaging children in tree planting activities in Zuba, a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative is supported by Save the Children’s Generation Hope campaign, a child-led community advocacy programme focused on addressing climate change.
Speaking on efforts so far to mitigate climate challenges in the area, the founder of TeensConnectAfrica, Ms. Macanne Obize, said they had to gather some teenagers resident in Zuba, to enlighten them about the dangers of environmental pollution and the importance of maintaining a clean environment, shortly after a major flood that claimed lives and properties in the area in 2022.
Ms Obize said, “We noticed how the community is always dirty. After the flood, some of us collected clothes and essentials to support those who lost their possessions. This led us to start a project called ‘Keep Zuba Clean’ to drive meaningful change in our community.”
The “Keep Zuba Clean” initiative involves educating residents about the importance of maintaining a clean environment. The teenagers have actively participated in outreach efforts, informing their neighbors that “this is our community, and no one else will keep it clean for us—we need to take responsibility ourselves.” To support this, they distributed disposable waste bins to help manage refuse more effectively.
Zuba District Head decried flood impact
Musa Umar, representing Husseini Salihu Umar, the District Head of Ikwa Community in Zuba, praised the initiative, recognizing its potential to improve local cleanliness. He highlighted the pressing issues the community faces: “Our streets are filled with dirt, we have no proper roads, and our only source of water is a borehole, which has suffered from septic tank leaks. The water is not clean, and we are concerned about the risk of cholera.”
Umar called for government intervention, emphasizing the need for waste disposal solutions to address these challenges: “We need waste disposal cans to properly manage refuse, prevent mosquito breeding sites, and reduce the risk of cholera and other infectious diseases.”
The efforts by Zuba, youths and the support of local leadership underscore the community’s commitment to overcoming the aftermath of the floods and improving overall public health and sanitation.
Flood resistance
Following the experiences of the victims, it becomes imperative to invest in Flood-Resistant Infrastructure: Develop and upgrade drainage systems, build flood barriers, and implement floodplain zoning regulations to prevent future flooding and mitigate its impact.
Enhance Child Protection and Education; Repair and fortify schools damaged by flooding and provide temporary learning spaces if necessary. Support and encourage local initiatives focused on flood prevention, clean-up, and maintenance of public spaces. Engage community members, particularly youth, in these efforts to promote local ownership and resilience.
Promote Collaboration with NGOs: Partner with non-governmental organizations and international agencies to leverage expertise and resources in flood management and child welfare.
Advocate for Policy Reforms that prioritize flood risk management, environmental protection, and child welfare at the local and national levels.
By adopting these recommendations, communities can better manage flood risks, support affected families, and ensure that children’s well-being and education are protected and prioritized.
Writing by Julian Osamoto; editing by Annabel Nwachukwu (FRCN)
