I live in a small but busy area in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. And like many places across Nigeria, the basic things that should make life a little easier are still missing. Clean water is hard to get. Waste is dumped anyhow. And the young people, oh well, they’re just trying to find their way with little to no direction. But one thing I’ve learned is that even the smallest ideas, if acted upon, can start something meaningful.
Let’s talk about water. The water situation here is nothing to smile about. Most people buy from private boreholes that are either expensive or unreliable. Once there's no light or their pump breaks down, that's the end. There’s a stream around but no one in their right mind should drink from it. Yet some still do because they have no other choice.
If I had the funds, I’d love to sink a borehole powered by solar energy for my neighborhood. But until then, I believe I can start with awareness. Just going around and talking to people about how they store their water, encouraging them to boil or purify what they drink. I could even print out a few fliers or speak in schools and churches. Sometimes people don’t know the link between typhoid or cholera and untreated water until someone explains it in a way they understand.
Now waste disposal is another problem. Near the market, there’s a dump site that has turned into a permanent landmark. You can’t miss it, especially when the sun is out. It stinks. When it rains, the entire area turns into something else. You’d wonder if we’re not allergic to clean surroundings.
I’ve been thinking what if we organize a simple monthly cleanup exercise? Nothing fancy. Just get a few willing hands from the street, pitch the idea to the market women and the youth, and see how we can pool resources. If everyone contributes even a small amount, we could hire a truck to evacuate the waste once a month. The point is to show people that it’s our environment and if we take care of it, we all benefit.
Another thing I wish I could work on is helping young people around here. Many teenagers finish school and just start roaming about. No plans. No dreams. No guidance. I really want to create a small mentorship program where we meet once a month. Invite someone who knows something about business, fashion, tech, or writing to come share with them. Nothing formal, just honest conversations. I want them to see that they are not stuck. That the world is bigger than this street and that they can build something for themselves.
I also dream of starting a reading club. Maybe twice a month. Just a space where young people can read stories, talk about life, books, goals and support each other. Sometimes all someone needs is a chance to be heard and a reminder that they matter.
There’s this spot at the entrance of our street. It used to be a gathering place for elders. There was a wooden bench under a mango tree where they’d sit in the evenings. The bench is broken now, weeds have taken over. But I still see the beauty in that space. I’d love to fix that bench, clear the bush, and maybe turn it into a mini relaxation corner. I even imagine hanging a simple community board there where people can paste announcements or motivational quotes. It might sound small, but little things like that bring people together.
The truth is, no one person can fix everything. But when we see a problem and say, “what can I do about this?” instead of just waiting or complaining, then things begin to shift. I strongly believe that real change starts from us, the people on the ground.
And one thing I’ve learned is that collaboration makes everything better. I don’t want to do anything alone. I want to involve others. I want to talk to my neighbors, get them on board, and make them feel part of the process. When people feel included, they take ownership, and that’s how you build something that lasts.
So yes, I may not be in government, I may not be rich, but I have ideas. I have passion. I have my voice. And that’s enough to begin with. If we all do just a little, imagine what our communities will look like in a few years.
Thank you Hive Naija for pushing us to think about our environment and how we can make a difference. Happy second anniversary to this amazing family. We’ve come far, and the journey ahead is still full of promise. Let’s keep building something meaningful, together.
Proudly Naija, always.