A viral video has drawn nationwide attention after showing residents of Gashua, Yobe State, bravely crossing a river using calabash gourds as makeshift floats. The short clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @AsakyGRN, captured villagers carefully balancing themselves on the gourds while paddling across the river—a scene that has sparked both admiration and concern.
Many Nigerians online praised the villagers’ creativity and resilience, hailing it as a testament to human ingenuity in the face of hardship. “This is the definition of resourcefulness. Gashua people never fail to impress,” one user commented. However, others expressed dismay, lamenting the lack of basic infrastructure that forces citizens to take such life-threatening risks. “It’s heartbreaking that people have to risk their lives just to cross a river. Government should please act fast!” another user wrote.
Since surfacing online, the video has gone viral, prompting discussions on rural neglect, infrastructure gaps, and community survival tactics. Many have called on the Yobe State government and federal authorities to provide safer means of transportation for the people of Gashua, especially during flood-prone seasons.
While some celebrate the villagers’ bravery, others argue that no one should have to rely on improvised rafts just to access basic needs like markets, schools, or healthcare. This incident underscores the daily struggles of remote communities in Nigeria and their remarkable ability to adapt despite limited government support.
The viral moment has become more than just a clip—it’s a reminder of the urgent need to bridge Nigeria’s rural development gap.
