By Mathew Denis, Ahmed Ajikobi, Kayode Adeoti and Bolujoko Abiodun
Excessive heat has become a nagging pain for residents of Kwara State especially, Ilorin, the state capital in recent weeks.
Temperature in the state has been hovering above 35 degree Celsius mark and the weather has been quite hot and uncomfortable for the people of Kwara. In order to survive the scorching sun, residents of the state appeared to have devised various means.
Speaking with our reporter at the weekend, Abiodun Salami who resides at Offa Garage said, “I now sleep outside with my children, when it is around 1am and the weather is getting cold, I take my children inside the house.”
For Mojisola Ajibade, a resident of Pipeline area, Ilorin, she lamented that she has been living in total discomfort.
She said, “We are living in total discomfort and I now take my bath about five times daily, even at midnight. I can’t sleep outside like others because I’m afraid, but I open all the windows in the house including my children’s room, but at times the breeze itself does not blow.”
Faruk Maidama also of Offa Garage said the heat is unbearable.
According to him, anywhere you are, either in your room or outside there is heat. As you can see we are sitting here under a tree and even the air we inhale comes with heat, everything is just hot.
“I normally switch on my fan when there is power supply and when there is no electricity, I sit outside and use hand fan,” he lamented.
In his reaction, Adelodun Lukman of Emir’s road said, “I have a baby who will not sleep because of the heat. As parents we cannot leave the baby alone inside the room, so we must also bring the baby outside with us. The baby now has cold and cough and I don’t know what to do again.”
Also speaking with our reporter, Zainab Ahmed, a make-up artist said, I can’t sleep outside like my neighbours because of fear of being attacked by armed robbers. I always sleep naked and I open my windows for breeze to flow in.”
For Wahab Muhammed Jamiu, he said, “I expend N1,000 to buy fuel in order to power my generator set in the night till the following day because I can’t bear the heat.. I decided not to sleep in my compound because this is the time snakes always come out to stay in cool places and I can’t allow snake to bite me because of heat. I will rather spend money to power my generator than to gamble with my life.”
Also speaking, Abdulganiyu Alabi said he now sleeps without his clothes on in his room.. He however said the situation is even better in Kwara compared to states like Kebbi and Sokoto.
A resident of Airport area, Ilorin, Salihu Usman said, “Since the excessive heat started, I have been sleeping on the veranda outside my compound because even when there is electricity the fan blows hot.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Usman Kolo Rifun to know the plan put in place by the Kwara State Government to avoid casualty from the excessive heat in the state, proved abortive as his mobile phone was switched off.
Meanwhile, a medical personnel in Ilorin, the state capital, Seyi Adigun proffered strategies on how residents of Kwara can survive the situation.
Speaking with our reporter last night, Dr. Adigun stressed that the climate change across the world is responsible for the perpetual increase of the heat.
He said the change has come with lots of challenges on human population, organisms and other non living things including cars and gadgets.
Adigun added that as a result of the unbearable heat, people are now suffering from stroke, skin burn, general dehydration and many other health challenges.
He listed some of the strategies that could help Kwara residents to survive the excessive heat as;
- Avoid outdoor activities – According to him, people should try as much as possible to stay indoors to avoid unnecessary exposure to the extreme heat especially in the day time.
- Good ventilation plan – He cautioned building engineers against construction that doesn’t allow for inflow of air into the building. The medical practitioner said there should be enough windows to allow adequate air into the house.
- Adequate intake of water – According to him, during the hot period like this, we need lots of water. When the weather is normal, we take 3 litres daily but at this time, we need much more.
- Clothing – He urged residents of the state to put on clothes they are comfortable in ad those that will reduce the impact of the heat.
- Umbrella – The use of umbrella is also pertinent at this time, it is not designed to be used when it rains alone but to prevent heat when the weather is hot.
- Use air condition – The use of air condition at home, in the car and the offices is important for those who can afford it.
- Constant bathing – The young adults especially the toddlers should shower as many times as possible in order to avoid rashes and the likes.
