Social Factors of Derived Savanna in Northern Edo State, Nigeria
K. O. Omokhafe *
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 1049, Benin City, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Climate change has affected the erstwhile northern fringes of the Rain Forest in Nigeria leading to change of the Rain Forest to derived savanna. Edo North is one of such areas referred to as derived savanna in Nigeria. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the change in the environment on the social life of the people of Edo North. The objective was the evaluation of the changes in six social factors of derived savanna zone of Edo North in comparison with the more environment-stable Edo Central and South. Secondary data obtained from EDSG [1] were collated and analyzed by percentage incidence. There was evidence of avoidance of skilled personnel such as medical doctors and teachers in Edo North compared to Edo Central and South. Enrollment in primary one class recorded increase of about 5% in Edo North, but about 19% in Edo South. These are indices of adverse social factors of Edo North. Sustainable climate smart agriculture is hereby recommended in Edo North to arrest further degradation of the ecosystem, restore the forest vegetation and empower the natives economically.
Keywords: Climate, social factors, derived savanna, Edo North