Shekinat Abubakar
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State has urged residents to adopt precautionary measures against the intense heat being experienced across the state and other parts of the Southwest, warning that prolonged exposure to high temperatures could pose serious health risks.
The state director of the agency, Oluwakemi Akomolede, in a statement signed the agency’s Head of the Media and Communication Department, Ronke Afebioye-Samo, expressed concern over the effects of the prevailing heat conditions, which she attributed to the global El Niño climatic phenomenon.
Akomolede said the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of above-normal temperatures, with some states, including Ekiti, reportedly recording temperatures between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius.
She noted that the extreme heat could cause considerable discomfort, increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and threaten food security, particularly if the conditions persisted and affected agricultural activities and livelihoods.
Explaining the phenomenon, the NOA director said El Niño occurs when surface waters in the Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, disrupting global weather patterns and contributing to prolonged heat, drought and irregular rainfall in different parts of the world.
According to her, the situation requires heightened public awareness and collective action to protect residents, particularly vulnerable groups who are more susceptible to the effects of excessive heat.
She identified children, elderly people, pregnant women, farmers, market women and artisans as among those at greater risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses because of their age, health conditions or prolonged exposure to the sun while carrying out their daily activities.
To minimise the risks, Akomolede advised residents to drink sufficient clean water throughout the day, recommending three to four litres daily, while cautioning against excessive alcohol consumption.
She also urged residents to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, particularly between noon and 4 p.m., when temperatures could be particularly uncomfortable, and encouraged the use of umbrellas, face caps and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing to reduce heat exposure.
The NOA director further advised households to keep their surroundings well-ventilated and as cool as possible, stressing the importance of maintaining proper food hygiene to prevent contamination and possible disease outbreaks under high-temperature conditions.
She called on parents, caregivers and family members to pay special attention to children and elderly people, ensuring they remain adequately hydrated and are not unnecessarily exposed to excessive heat.
Akomolede also warned against indiscriminate bush burning, noting that dry and hot conditions could increase the risk of fire outbreaks, with potentially devastating consequences for lives, property and the environment.
