As an institution of governance, the parliament is the soul of democratic societies. The parliament typifies the presence of the people in the running of governmental activity. It monitors the actions of public officials towards ensuring adherence to initiatives and measures that advance the people's well-being. Relations between parliamentarians and citizens are, thus, critical on two fronts. Parliament – citizen relations are important in ensuring that elected parliamentarians are responsive to the desires of their constituents; and enable the people to hold their elected representatives accountable. In bridging communication gaps between the people and lawmakers, the Internet, social media and mobile phones, as digital technologies, have prospects in enabling the desired level of citizen engagement critical to democratic practice. This chapter explores, in comparative terms, the use of digital technologies by the national parliaments in Africa's two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa. It examines the extent to which digital technologies are used in facilitating parliament – citizen relations in the two countries and how this connects with citizens' demands of accountability on national parliaments, and links between elected representatives and their constituents. The paper draws on data obtained through measurement of the online resources, especially websites and social media pages, of the parliaments. The chapter contributes to frameworks on how digital technologies can enhance parliament – citizen relations and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa.

Climate change has affected both the natural and human systems, of which the women in the rural areas and their livelihood practices are the mostly affected. This study was conducted in some selected rural communities of Osun state in Southwest, Nigeria among women involved in different livelihood practices to find out issues about climate change impacts on the rural women such as: Are the rural women aware of climate change and its impacts? How prepared are they for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies? Are there any socio-cultural barriers to combating climate change? The study therefore focused attention on their beliefs, attitude and perception about climate change. It also discussed the barriers their beliefs and attitude posed to the establishment and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies in the rural areas. Focus Group Discussions, in-depth interview and questionnaire were employed to capture awareness, actual beliefs and attitude, the effect of such attitude and beliefs on adopting mitigation and adaptation strategies. Data collected were analysed using Atlas.ti and SPSS. Most of the women in the rural areas are aware of the impacts of climate change in their environment, especially, on their livelihoods. However, the awareness level has not impacted on them positively to adopt any mitigation and adaptation strategies. This is due to their belief system that climate change is not a consequence of anthropogenic activities. Recommendations were made as to how these problems could be solved for the women in the rural areas to embrace mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Agriculture is one of the sectors mostly affected by climate change. Nigerian farmers have been losing their harvests to the impacts of climate change leading to lower crop production and poorer livelihoods. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an adaptation strategy that helps rural farmers to be resilient to and cope with the effects of climate change. It can be improved through the use of space technology by empowering key actors, providing them with reliable weather forecasts at the right time.This paper presents an assessment of already adopted space applications in Nigerian agricultural sector; the distribution of mobile phones to rural farmers by government for easy access to CSA information from extension workers. It is also a policy research on other unpractised space applications, especially the conversion of geo-data to relevant information on climate and hazards that can help local farmers, nourishing them with timely agricultural advice which enables them to have higher crop yields and a more efficient use of seeds, water and fertilizers. The farmers will also receive early warnings for drought, flooding and/or diseases on their mobile phones, thus maximizing its use. The results of this paper will be useful for crop production agencies and NGOs in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Agriculture is one of the sectors mostly affected by climate change. Nigerian farmers have been losing their harvests to the impacts of climate change leading to lower crop production and poorer livelihoods. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an adaptation strategy that helps rural farmers to be resilient to and cope with the effects of climate change. It can be improved through the use of space technology by empowering key actors, providing them with reliable weather forecasts at the right time.This paper presents an assessment of already adopted space applications in Nigerian agricultural sector; the distribution of mobile phones to rural farmers by government for easy access to CSA information from extension workers. It is also a policy research on other unpractised space applications, especially the conversion of geo-data to relevant information on climate and hazards that can help local farmers, nourishing them with timely agricultural advice which enables them to have higher crop yields and a more efficient use of seeds, water and fertilizers. The farmers will also receive early warnings for drought, flooding and/or diseases on their mobile phones, thus maximizing its use. The results of this paper will be useful for crop production agencies and NGOs in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques are increasingly being used in agricultural management to more efficiently support emergency agro-climatic information needed in this century. Although several studies have been carried out on application of GIS and remote sensing for agricultural and rural development in other parts of the world, little research has been done in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of developing geospatial data infrastructure to enhance agricultural practices especially agricultural risk management in this age of climate change. This chapter therefore examines technological aspects of geographic information sharing as a useful platform for sharing information among agricultural agencies in Nigeria and to formulate relevant prescriptions for the future. The study shows how an integrated GIS modeling system can allow agricultural producer as well as policy makers to know the impact of variation in climate from one place/region to another for better management, productivity, and profitability. The study also develops agricultural GDI prototype for agricultural emergency management. This chapter concludes by suggesting that developing country (i.e. African countries) should embark on agricultural policy reform to enhance investment in ICT infrastructure in agricultural production.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques are increasingly being used
in agricultural management to more efficiently support emergency agro-climatic information needed in
this century. Although several studies have been carried out on application of GIS and remote sensing
for agricultural and rural development in other parts of the world, little research has been done in subSaharan Africa in terms of developing geospatial data infrastructure to enhance agricultural practices
especially agricultural risk management in this age of climate change. This chapter therefore examines
technological aspects of geographic information sharing as a useful platform for sharing information
among agricultural agencies in Nigeria and to formulate relevant prescriptions for the future. The study
shows how an integrated GIS modeling system can allow agricultural producer as well as policy makers to know the impact of variation in climate from one place/region to another for better management,
productivity, and profitability. The study also develops agricultural GDI prototype for agricultural
emergency management. This chapter concludes by suggesting that developing country (i.e. African
countries) should embark on agricultural policy reform to enhance investment in ICT infrastructure in
agricultural production.

The African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology agreed that drought is one of the major environmental problems thatis afflicting the African continent, with its consequent negative impacts on the socioeconomic development of the affected
areas. It is within this context that this study assessed the spatio-temporal variation of drought severity in the Sudano-Sahelian
region (SSR) of Nigeria, which is highly vulnerable to drought. The study analysed spatio-temporal variation of drought severity
in the region between 1961 and 2006 using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
It was established that most of the extreme droughts of the highest magnitude were recorded around the 1970s and 1990s and
that there were indications that this would continue in the future. Results also identified sub-regions characterized by a
different level of drought risks in the region. The study concluded by making appropriate policy recommendations for effective
water management for the region.
KeywordsSudano-Sahelian region-Drought severity-Nigeria-Water-Policies-SPI-PCA