Floods in Nigeria have caused many families means to get their livelihood, or most cases destroyed daily means of people. This has been a knotty issue facing Nigeria government, to take steps to abate the damage caused by floods in many states in Nigeria. It is evident that any actions or steps which have been taken in the past is not yielding any gains as floods continue to remove food from people’s mouth in these areas. Artificial Intelligence can offer new directions and information on how to tackle floods conundrum in Nigeria, the ultra modern technology is taking a central stage to offer needed help in fight for climate change and providing ecological friendly atmosphere.
Alex Diaz, the head of Artificial Intelligence for Social Good on Google.org’s philanthropic team last five years ago carried out extensive research on how to understand global climate related problems and coming up with solutions to these problems. He has called for use of SKAI, it is AI tools used in detecting damaged caused by disaster. This model was built by Google Research in corroboration with World Food Programme and Flood Hub, having its presence in more than 80 countries. This is used to detect the likely areas that will he affected by flood, this will help in putting mechanisms in place to form resistance to the flood whether through cash, gifts and providing alternative shelter pending the seasonal floods.
Collection of data to this effect is usually done through socioeconomic algorithm to identify the most affected areas. While number of factors can pose threat to collection of data to determine swift action to flooding, factors like bureaucracy, lack of awareness, ill-played politics and lack of access to remote areas which can be caused by insecurity are potential setbacks. Google’s AI disaster detection remain the most effective data collection as opposed to manual collection of data. The detection model uses public available weather, Google satellite imagery, data from rivers and satellite imagery, and government information to train this model on the peculiarities of these areas.
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Climate change has become a growing concern and something that needs global attention and at the top priority of discussion to put an end to it. In 2022, natural disaster cost more than $360 billion worldwide. Non-profit program- GiveDirectly which has been going on in Kogi State, Nigeria, focusing on the most affected areas hit by floods. GiveDirectly has been working with local leaders to reach out to people affected by the floods across six different wards so far with 4,500 recipients in 52 communities in Kogi State are expected to be benefactors of paid cash. GiveDirectly pro-humanitarian manager, Federico Barreras has acknowledged the first time of using AI models to make forecast on floods and payments based on findings in Nigeria.
There have been another frustrating flood in Borno State. Individuals are racing ahead to help their respective communities without solely relying on governmental aids which always come in late. Former TETFUND chairman, Kashim Ibrahim Imam has organised a programme and host of other dignitaries after Maiduguri was hit with flood, providing 200,000 food packs to displaced persons, targeting estimated number of 10,000 individuals daily for three weeks. The aftermath of the flood is overwhelming, lives lost and homes destroyed. The issue of flooding will take priority in top nation’s priority as National Assembly returns from recess. Governor Alia of Benue State has hinted in anticipation the prospect of floods in his State.
Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved establishment of Disaster Relief Fund for parts of the country hit by flooding. In a meeting anchored by President Bola Tinubu, Wale Edun disclosed it to the public after the meeting, who is Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy. The fund will be distributed through portion of revenue accruing from Federation account. In this modern time and age, use of sophisticated technology to curb challenges facing humanity has received positive headway and countries are threading that part to see how they solve their own peculiar problems, Nigeria will not be left behind, as issue of floods come with devastating experience.
