On Sunday, 16th February 2025, a fire disaster struck Ifegunwa, Osun State, when a truck carrying timber caught fire. The flames quickly spread to nearby farmlands, destroying crops such as cocoa, plantain, and kolanut. The farming community suffered significant losses.
A post-disaster assessment was conducted on Monday, 24th February 2025, by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA SWZO), the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA), and representatives of the affected farmers.
The assessment team was warmly received by HRM Oba Adedire Adewole Solomon, the Onifegunwa of Ifegunwa Ile-Ife. He provided an overview of the disaster’s impact and stressed the urgent need for assistance to support the affected farmers.
NEMA’s Team Lead, Akande Olaniyi, expressed sympathy for the farmers and emphasized the importance of agricultural insurance for disaster preparedness. OSEMA’s Team Lead, Alhaja Abiola Isola, urged farmers to handle flammable materials with caution and remain vigilant to prevent future incidents.
The fire disaster has severely affected the farmers, jeopardizing their livelihoods and threatening food security in the community. Immediate support and long-term recovery strategies are essential to help the farmers rebuild and prevent future occurrences.
