By Tedela.G. Michael and ‘Seyifunmi Adebote
Founded by settlers from the lse community, fading graveyards dated as far back as 1955 suggest that this community has long been habited before Nigeria’sindependence.
The original name Akode Odo translates to “the first to settle close tothe sea”.
For these first settlers, fishing and selling coconut products were themotivation as they provided them significant economic leverage.
With the Atlantic Ocean many kilometres away, this island became a home for many.
However, the sea that once provided sustenance is nowa source of fear. Locally known as Olokun, the god of the sea is now viewed as a destroyer.
“The sea has nomercy’ says a local elder. “It is swalkowing everything we love Year after year, the ocean moves closer eating up homes, lands, and even exhuming graves of lovedones.
With more than half of the community buried under the rising sea, there are still afew legacies and memorials left.
Like Oluweri, the village’s first well which was oncethe only source of fresh water but now gives salt water.
Other wells that aren’t bearing salt water have dried up.
Attempts to install a solar borehole once offeredhope- but soon broke down in months and it has since been three years withoutclean water.
“It’s been 14 years since we had any form of electricity in this community”, says locals.
Solar streetlights were once installed raising hopes of electrifying thecommunity but are now rusted, bent, and decaying.
Children under 14 have neverseen a working lightbulb, TV, or fan in this community. Those with mobile telephoneswalk long distances and pay N200 at a stall each time they need to charge their phones.
With no options to choose from, young men in the community still rely on fishing asa means of economic stability and to mo meet their family needs.
What used to be aprofitable profession is now a gamble – with the cost of fuel to power their boatsand the reluctance of the sea to yield fish.
“Na hope fisheman get, no be say he keep fish for inside water” says Kamarudin, a fisherman who has spent his life on the water.
“We spend all our money on fuel, butthe sea gives us nothing. We come back empty-handed sometimes”
It is a cycle of desperation and defeat. The fishermen invest their savings, their energy, and theirhopes into the sea, only to have it take more and give less.
They feel like they are fighting a losing battle, one that they can never win. While the rising sea level is a constant threat, the rainy season brings with it desperation for people in the Akodo-lse community.
As the rain descends, menyoung and old begin to dig temporal trenches 12 feet deep to keep their homes fromdrowning.
Though founded in 1953, the only primary school in the community is oftendeserted.
One might suggest that education might help the younger ones escape the fate of their parents, but without books, electricity, or a future to aspire towards children say they feel trapped and unable to picture the world outside their village.
“We don’t have a future here” says Bukola, a young woman from the village.
“There’s nothing left for us. The land is sinking, the sea is taking everything, and we are juststuck here, waiting for something to happen.
“Even the only central mosque, oncea spiritual refuge is no longer considered safe asit now lies too close to the encroaching sea.
“We can no longer pray at the mosque,”says Damilare, a community youth.
“The sea is too close. We fear for our lives.lye lya has seen it all. At 90, her house is gone, she now lives in a hut made of palmleaves.
“I have lost my home,” says lye lya, her voice with grief I never thought I would end my days like this, living in a hurt of palm leaves. But what can I do? The sea has taken everything.”
Her story is not just hers alone. It reflectsthe plight of every person in Akodo-lse, individuals who have lost everything and nowlive in the shadow of a world slipping away.
They want out. They need out. But no one listens. “We need to leave” says Adebayo,a father of three.
“If we stay here, we will drown. There’s no future here anymore. The sea is taking everything.
“The villagers of Akodo-lse are tired, tired of waiting, tired ofstruggling, and tired of hoping for a future that seems to slip further out of reachevery day.
The long-silenced voices of the Akodo environmental photographers thanks to Mayowa Adebote, one of Nigeria’s f are gradually being heard, whose recent project, The Current, shines a spotlight on the challenges faced bycoastal communities in Nigeria.
Held on 4th and 5th April, the event drew peoplefrom far and wide-artists, activists, journalists, policymakers, and curious locals-allconverging to witness the power of storytelling through images.
It offered a deeplyimmersive exploration of the environmental crises facing Africa’s largest coastal city.
Opposed to exhibiting his work in luxurious galleria, Mayowa held this solo exhibitionin the crumbling palace of the traditional ruler, bringing global attention to thiscommunity and sprinkling rays of hope.
For two unforgettable days, the serene yetstruggling coastal community of Akodo-ise came alive as it played host to The Current- a groundbreaking visual exhibition that immersed visitors in the climaterealities facing one of Lagos’ most vulnerable populations.
