20th April, 2014
Residents of Maiduguri, Borno state capital, have witnessed their first rain in 2014, recording light showers lasting about 45 minutes.
The rain which started at about 3.30 p.m. ended at about 4.15 p.m. in most parts of the city.
Residents expressed delight at the rain. The residents said that the rain would help to reduce the high temperature that had prevailed for some time in the town.
Mallam Auwalu Farouq a resident noted that: “We are very happy with the early arrival of the rains this year. I believe it is a sign of good omen especially regarding the prevailing Boko Haram crisis facing us.”
“I think that the arrival of the rains will help reduce the heat that had prevailed in the town for some time now,” he added.
Another resident, Mallam Mala Asheikh, corroborated Farouq’s claim, saying that the temperature in the town had been on the increase for about one month now.
“Sleeping has been very difficult in the night due to the high temperature; most times we sleep outside due to the heat in the rooms.
“But with the coming of the rains, I believe that the temperature will reduce tremendously now,” he said.
He lamented that the Boko Haram crisis had made it impossible for farmers to cultivate crops in spite of the fertile land in the state.
“I own a large farm in Mafa Local Government Area where I used to cultivate crops like maize and beans.
“But with the crisis, I do not think it is possible to cultivate the land this year,” he added.