ThinkGreen

 Article by  Peace Ogunjemilua, f irst published at Rethinking the Future (RTF)  © 2026 Aerial view (oshinowostudio.com) Background For many people in Ngarannam, the memory of home lived only in stories. The village, located in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, West Africa, was once a peaceful rural settlement. Families cultivated, children grew up knowing all the paths and courtyards, and different ethnicities lived side by side. The Kanuri, Fulani, Shuwa and Gamargu communities shared markets, social life and daily routines that developed over generations. Then, in 2015, the Boko Haram (ISWAP) guerrilla war and insurgency, which was at its peak, reached the village. Violence swept through the community and left most of it destroyed. Homes were burned, livelihoods collapsed, and the social structures that held the settlement together were destroyed almost overnight. Like many communities across Borno State, the residents of Ngarannam fled...

 As a child growing up in a sunny home, I often found myself escaping the relentless heat indoors. The walls seemed to trap sunlight, making the rooms stuffy at midday. But behind our house, my father's banana plantation offered a little sanctuary. Under the broad, arching leaves, the air felt cooler and softer, almost magically. I would lie there for hours, watching the sunlight filter through the layers of green, wondering why I felt so comfortable under the canopy while the rest of the house seemed to bake in the sun. This simple childhood experience planted a seed of curiosity that has stayed with me. Over time, I began to study how plants, especially banana trees, naturally manage sunlight and heat. The wide leaves and layered structure act as a natural shading system, redirecting harsh rays and allowing soft light to pass through. This idea of ​​learning from nature, known as biomimicry, sparked my interest in sustainable design and nature-based solutions. Today, this curiosi...