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Friday, July 7, 2017

UNICEF says lack of fund threatens education in conflict, disaster zones

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm that lack of sufficient fund is threatening education for millions of children caught up in conflicts or disasters, reports NaijaAgroNet.

UNICEF raised this flag ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that out of the $932 million needed this year for education programmes in emergency countries, UNICEF has so far received recorded voluntary contributions of less than $115 million.

Muzoon Almellehan, UNICEF’s latest and youngest Goodwill Ambassador, said in Hamburg, Germany.

“The funds are necessary to give 9.2 million children affected by humanitarian crises access to formal and non-formal basic education,” Almellehan said.

Pointing out that without education, children grow up without the knowledge and skills they need to contribute to the peace and the development of their countries and economies, aggravating an already desperate situation for millions of children,” said Muzoon Almellehan, UNICEF’s latest – and youngest – Goodwill Ambassador, speaking from Hamburg, Germany, where she is representing UNICEF at the G20 Summit. “For the millions of children growing up in war zones, the threats are even more daunting: Not going to school leaves children vulnerable to early marriage, child labour and recruitment by armed forces.”  

Funding gaps for UNICEF education programmes in some of the world’s hot spots vary from 36 per cent in Iraq, to 64 per cent in Syria, 74 per cent in Yemen and 78 per cent in the Central African Republic.

Pursuing educational opportunities has been cited as one of the push factors leading families and children to flee their homes, often at great risk to their lives. A survey of refugee and migrant children in Italy revealed that 38 per cent of them headed to Europe to gain access to learning opportunities. A similar survey in Greece showed that one in three parents or caretakers said that seeking education for their children was the main reason they left their countries for Europe.

For children who have experienced the trauma of war and displacement, education can be life-saving.

When I fled Syria in 2013, I was terrified I would never be able to return to school. But when I arrived in Jordan and realized there was a school in the camp, I was relieved and hopeful,” said Muzoon. “School gives children like me a lifeline and the chance of a peaceful and positive future.”

As an education activist and Syrian refugee, Muzoon joins forces with UNICEF to speak out on behalf of the millions of children who have been uprooted by conflict and are missing out on school.

“I urge world leaders to invest in the futures of children living in emergencies -- and by doing so invest in the future of our world,” Muzoon said.


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PEI exChange debuts for online matching platform

A United Kingdom-based international non-governmental organization (NGO) and charity entity, Planet Earth Institute (PEI) , has advanced plans to unveil its ​PEI exchange during the forthcoming ​#ScienceAfrica UnConference later this month, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The PEI exChange, NaijaAgroNet gathered is the first online matching platform for all individuals working and interested in Africa.

PEI Chairman and Trustee, Hon Lord Paul Boateng, said the unveiling has been slated for 20th July​, 2017 and noted that PEI exChange is a new website that aims at connecting all people working in and passionate about Africa.

“Based on user-identified criteria, including countries and regions of focus, industries, skills and experience, the PEI exChange provides personalised matches to help users make their ‘Big Ideas for Africa’ happen. These could include charitable projects, a new technology, a business plan, an academic collaboration or more,” he said.

Users, he said, will be matched with like-minded people who have the skills, expertise, and experience to support their projects on and for the continent.

“Once connected, the PEI exChange real-time chat function facilitates collaboration, allowing users to share contacts and expertise, build networks, and create interest-focused groups.

The PEI exChange also features a ‘Big Ideas Map’, which displays projects, initiatives, businesses, and collaborations happening in and for Africa. Users can post their own projects, follow and support others, and stay up-to-date with challenges and opportunities on the ground.


The PEI exChange will be unveiled during the PEI’s fifth #ScienceAfrica UnConference, which is hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Boateng. Held under the banner of ‘Big Ideas For Africa: Celebrating the Continent’s Science and Technology Pioneers’, the UnConference aims to recognise the individuals and groups creating scientific and technological innovations that not only benefit  the continent, but also the world. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including business, academia, policy and civil society. The UnConference will also be live streamed and people are encouraged to use the #BigIdeasforAfrica hashtag on Twitter to engage in discussion about science, technology and innovation in Africa.

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Thursday, July 6, 2017

UN chief calls for stronger AU-UN partnership

The Deputy Secretary-General at the United Nations (UN), Mrs Amina Mohammed has called for strengthening the relationship between the African Union (AU) and UN, to strengthen the promised development for Africa’s youth, reports NaijaAgroNet.

In her address at African Union Summit, Ms. Mohammed said that the AU’s thematic focus this year on youth is a “powerful reminder” of the core principle at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the AU’s strategic framework known as Agenda 2063 and other global agreements, namely, creating a better world for the next generation.

“For the 226 million young people aged 15 to 24 living in Africa today, these agendas address challenges and opportunities that are integral to their futures,” she said.

“Today you are here taking decisions that will ensure that Africa benefits from the full potential of all its people, including young women and men,” she added, in a nod to this year’s theme of Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth.

“Investing in our youth today reaps the dividend of a peaceful and prosperous Africa tomorrow.”
Addressing leaders from across the continent who have gathered at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ms. Mohammed called for “building new bridges between us, and fortifying the ones that already exist” to deliver on the promises of the development agenda for Africa and its people.

In April, the UN-AU annual conference in New York resulted in a joint framework for enhanced partnership on peace and security. The two organizations are now preparing a joint framework on sustainable development, focusing on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and of Agenda 2063, according to Ms. Mohammed.

She also noted that the UN will be collaborating with the AU on a new UN-European Union initiative to be launched at the UN General Assembly this September to end gender-based violence around the world.

The deputy UN chief also highlighted some of the other areas where the UN and the AU are working more closely, including on efforts to enhance the UN’s partnership with Africa’s regional economic communities in areas of peacekeeping, elections and democratic transitions.

Secretary-General António Guterres recently reiterated the need for “predictable, reliable and sustainable” financing for AU peace operations, and is said to be working on a set of concrete proposals for the UN Security Council.

“Our efforts should continue to be based on urgency, flexibility and innovation to improve complementarity, cost-effectiveness and impact,” Mohammed said.

She also echoed Mr. Guterres’ call at the G7 summit in Italy, where he urged world leaders to invest in young people, with stronger investment in technology, relevant education and capacity-building in Africa.

“The challenge of strengthening Africa’s human capital, starting with its young people, has galvanized commitments to promote their rights and invest in quality and relevant education at all levels, health, science and technology and innovation,” said Ms. Mohammed.


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Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Nutrition: SBN Nigeria overtakes Zambia in growth

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network Nigeria has overtaken its Zambia counterpart in growth, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The manager, SUN Business Network, Mr. Jonathan Tench, revealed this to NaijaAgroNet at a one-day SUN Business Network convening in Lagos, Tuesday.

According to him, SBN Nigeria at the last count, has 53 members on the network, therefore leading in Africa.

This was the position occupied by Zambia in Africa until Tuesday on membership of Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network.

He also told NaijaAgroNet that the London-based SUN has over 250 companies in Africa that have signed up on its members.

“Nigeria is coming highest in Africa beating Zambia to it, membership of SUN,” he said.

Also speaking, the Team Coordinator for SUN Nigeria, Uduak Igbeka urged Nigerian actors in the nutrition subsector, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to embrace SUN and make their impacts known as far as scaling up nutrition is concerned.

She noted that in less than a year of establishing SBN in Nigeria, it has garnered 53 members on the network.

The event saw two sessions, namely the “Access to Finance for Business in Nutrition” and “Supporting Partnership Sector to Contribute to Nutrition in Nigeria” with professor of Food Science and Technology at Bells University of Technology, Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela.


Other dignitaries that graced the event included the Director, Programmes at Civil Society, Scale Up Nutrition Nigeria (CS-SUNN) Mrs Beatrice Eluaka, Regional Director, Ashoka, Josephine Nzerem, Director, Dangote Foundation, Dr. Francis Aminu, Senior Programme Advisor, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Victor Adjero, Dr. Ndidi Nwuneli of Sahel Capital & Partners among others.

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15 choice wines, spirits for grab @Yudala nationwi...

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Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Queen Elizabeth honours Amoo-Addo on innovative foodbank project

Founder of West Africa’s first food recovery bank, Chef Elijah Amoo Addo, has been honoured with the prestigious Queens Young Leaders Award by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace, England, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Expressing appreciation after receiving the award to the Royal Commonwealth society, Queens Jubilee Trust, University of Cambridge and Comic relief for recognizing Food for All Africa Programme’s effort in creating efficiency and sustainable means of nutrition for vulnerable communities across Ghana and the continent, Amoo Addo, reiterated his organization’s effort in the drafting and passage of the National Food Donor’s Encouragement Bill in Ghana which will institutionalize food donations in order to support vulnerable in society.

Chef Addo went on to commend and dedicate the award to individuals and organizations  such as  Kwatsons West Africa Ltd, MaxMart Family Shopping centre, Food and Beverage Association,Belaqua,Blowgroup,Finatrade,Sucatrade and Meriems kitchen for their continuous support towards  Food for All.

NaijaAgroNet recalls that the Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.

Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. With this support, Award winners will be expected to continue and develop the amazing work they are already doing in their communities.

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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Abuja hosts fifth policy dialogue on SDGs

The fifth High Level Policy Dialogue on development planning begins in Abuja tomorrow with the theme ‘Mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals into National Development Plans’ reports NaijaAgroNet.

This three-day meeting, NaijaAgroNet reports, follows the endorsement of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development by African countries who are trying to domesticate the process, thus offering them an opportunity to align national visions and development strategies to the global SDGs.

The dialogue, NaijaAgroNet gathered gives participants an opportunity to discuss key issues for Africa’s transformation, sustainable development priorities and aspirations, in the light of the continent’s commitments to the SDGs as they continue to mainstream and domesticate the SDGs into national planning processes.

Top Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Nigerian government officials and other guests would be in attendance.

The High Level Policy Dialogue, NaijaAgroNet reports commences Wednesday, June 28, 2017 and would last till Friday, June 30, this year.


NaijaAgroNet further reports that Africa’s top policymakers will attend the meeting being hosted by ECA and the Nigerian Government. 

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Friday, June 23, 2017

Extreme drought hits Sri Lanka

Extreme drought has reported hit Sri Lanka following heavy rainfalls with large swaths of cropping areas, threatening the food security of some 900,000 people, NaijaAgroNet reports.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), while confirming this to NaijaAgroNet, saying that the joint Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission, showed that drought conditions in 2016 and early 2017 led to widespread crop failures, in particular for rice paddy - the country's staple food.

This NaijaAgroNet reported has resulted in a Total paddy production in 2017 worth forecast at 2.7 million tonnes, almost 40 per cent less than the last year's output and 35 percent lower than the average of the previous five years.

Other crops, including various pulses, chillies and onion, which rely mainly on rainwater, were also heavily damaged by the dry weather.

The situation was exacerbated by subsequent heavy rainfalls in May. Floods and landslides in the south-western parts of the country caused deaths, large population displacements and damage to infrastructure. The rains did not ease the water supply constraints in the drought-impacted north-central and eastern parts of the country.

Now, nearly 225,000 households (or about 900,000 people) face food insecurity. The most vulnerable groups are struggling to earn an income after losing their own crops and have fewer employment opportunities. In ten districts, a previous joint assessment showed that about one third of the drought-affected population had its regular income reduced by more than half, compared to the income generated from the 2015-2016 Maha season.

The situation may further deteriorate if the next cropping season fails. Due to a critical shortage of seeds and a lack of water for irrigation, the second 2017 paddy harvest - known as Yala, due to be harvested in August and September - is forecast at 1.2 million tonnes, 24 percent below last year's level.


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Thursday, June 22, 2017

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Monday, June 19, 2017

Kabarak partners General Electric on healthcare, provide 500-beds

Nairobi-based Kabarak University Teaching Research and Referral Mission Hospital is partnering with General Electric (GE) Healthcare to develop a 500-bed, state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary tertiary hospital to be located in Kabarak, Nakuru County, reports NaijaAgroNet.

GE Healthcare, NaijaAgroNet gathered would be the technology provider for the proposed Kabarak University Teaching Research & Referral Mission Hospital.

In addition, the project scope will comprise of a 250 bed Kabarak University Hospital Nairobi and modernization of 23 mission of hospitals under Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK).
The $450-Million medical campus, NaijaAgroNet reports is expected to commence operations in 2020.
NaijaAgroNet gathered that Kabarak University Teaching Research and Referral Mission Hospital’s mission is to build an economically sustainable, center of excellence hospital that will deliver internationally accredited standards of care and is set to become a catalyst for strengthening healthcare services in Kenya, as well as furthering advanced research in the region.

Using the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification programme, NaijaAgroNet reports that Kabarak University will design, build, maintain, operate an environmentally sustainable, cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings, while proclaiming its motto: We Treat with God’s love.

The project which will be set on 100 hectares of land will also develop medical tourism to Kenya leveraging the specialized treatment the hospital will offer.


GEHealthcare will assist the university with infrastructure development, technology transfer, education and capacity building to support a better health system and patient outcomes. The project will be financed by US based Private Equity Sygec international among other stakeholders.

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