Search NaijaAgroNet

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

RBM unveils media fellowship, celebrates impactful 20 years - NaijaAgroNet

The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to End Malaria has unveiled media fellowship in commemoration of it's impactful 20th years since establishment, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Precisely, NaijaAgroNet gathered, that October 30 marks two decades of global action against malaria as the RBM Partnership to End Malaria as they celebrate 20th anniversary and launched new media fellowship to build on achievements which to date have contributed to saving more than 7 million lives and preventing over 1 billion malaria cases.

Originally established as Roll Back Malaria (RBM) in 1998 by the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank, today the RBM Partnership to End Malaria is the largest global platform for coordinated action against malaria. Through increased funding, distribution of millions of lifesaving interventions and by introducing innovative and improved tools, the Partnership has played a key role in global efforts that have reduced malaria deaths by over 60%, contributed to an 1,000% increase in malaria funding, and added an estimated US$2 trillion to the economies of malaria affected countries.

Looking towards future action, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria is now launching a first-ever media fellowship, open to journalists from the 11 countries in the world with the highest burden of malaria, according to the most recent World Malaria Report.

Successful candidates will meet with some of the world’s leading health and malaria experts to understand the key challenges and opportunities for ending malaria in their home countries. According to latest WHO data, 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and India represent over 70% of the world’s malaria cases. The RBM Partnership will provide support to the selected fellows with their projects and features relating to malaria for one year. Journalists will be encouraged to explore their own interests within the field, and to delve deeper into solutions that could be employed to meet their country’s challenges from the malaria burden. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2019.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Dr Kesete Admasu, said the global partnership over the past two decades has significantly reduced malaria deaths and cases, saving 7 million lives.

“This progress has allowed us to set our sights on ending this preventable disease for good. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we look toward what we can accomplish in the next 20 years, including inspiring new audiences about the historic opportunity to end malaria. This media fellowship will offer much-needed support to journalists in the highest burden countries who want to shine a light on the impact malaria has on their communities and the urgent need for citizens and country leaders to drive further progress against the disease, especially at a time when cases are on the rise,” he said.

NaijaAgroNet also gathered that events marking the 20th anniversary will also reflect the achievements of the past two decades and look ahead towards upcoming opportunities for malaria elimination.

The celebrations, he further said, will conclude an event in Maputo, Mozambique that coincides with the annual launch of the WHO World Malaria Report and a new High Burden to High Impact: Targeted Malaria Response, on 19th November.

“To highlight the key successes against the disease over the past two decades, the RBM Partnership have created a new video of these achievements, which is available here,” he said.

Nenye Dom/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Forum says ‘Leverage ICT to transform agriculture’ - NaijaAgroNet

Over 200 attendees at the 2018 Global Forum just concluded in Marrakesh, Morroco, have called for the leveraging of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a veritable tool for the transformation of agriculture, reports NaijaAgroNet. 

The Forum, NaijaAgroNet reports was supported by the European Union and organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), made this call in its outcome document.

The Forum also made a strong case for greater investment in innovation, stressing that digital technologies are transforming every sector of the global economy, including agriculture.
New technologies are improving agricultural productivity, lowering carbon emissions and making better use of the earth's natural resources. They are also making information more accessible to small-scale producers across the globe.

While the 
private sector is largely driving the development of such technologies, the public sector can help facilitate their adoption and keep an eye on technologies that have the power to bring positive outcomes, especially to small-scale farmers and small-to-medium enterprises. That means understanding the different technologies - and obstacles hindering their uptake, especially by small-scale producers - and identifying the necessary policies, regulations, incentive frameworks and capacity development.

Other discussions at the Forum focused on the private sector's views on investing in emerging markets and managing risks in value chain financing, and on the importance of making agrifood systems greener as well as more inclusive, especially for women and youth.   


Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Educating Nigerians on nutrition requires media stepping up - NaijaAgroNet


Educating Nigerians is one of the cardinal points for the media in the country, especially on nutrition-related issues, which requires media practitioners to step up their games, says the Communications Officer at the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mrs. Lilian Aja-mong, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Speaking at a 3-day media workshop on reporting nutrition which opened in Abuja, Monday, she noted the urgent need to step up media engagement in and around reporting nutrition and urged for redoubling of efforts.

She told participants at the workshop with the theme: Role in Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Allocation and Use of Health Nutrition Funds in Nigeria, it’s time to intensify efforts in educating Nigerians on the dangers of malnutrition in the country so that requisite actions can be taken for a better society, so as to limit the associated menace.

He commended participants and urged them to make good of the workshop by learning as much as possible to increase their passion on curtailing malnutrition in Nigeria using the power of the media, that is result driven, efficient, serviceable, effective and transparency.

Welcoming participants, CS-SUNN Project Manager, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, pointed out that part of the effort of the organization has been to train journalist on how to write a comprehensive report on malnutrition aimed at achieving the desired goals.

NaijaAgroNet also gathered that part of the objectives of the workshop is to build the capacity of media to write stories for transparency and accountability in allocation and use of health cum nutrition funds in focal states and country at large.

In addition, the work tends to engender passion and commitment to reporting health and nutrition issues through site visits for first-hand experience of challenges in the sector, as well as disseminate and ability to correctly and accurately interpret the 2014-2018 health and nutrition budget analysis for media audience, whereas increasing salience of nutrition and making it a front burner on agenda of government.

Nenye Dom/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Monday, October 29, 2018

Public funding can’t end poverty, hunger - NaijaAgroNet

Public funding alone has been identified as not being enough to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and development even as international financing institutions must collaborate more strategically to leverage private investments, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This was the seemingly consensus of over 200 investors, business leaders, representatives from multilateral development institutions, and policy-makers and government officials from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas in attendance at 2018 Global Forum.

NaijaAgroNet reports that the Forum supported by the European Union and organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), estimates that incremental resources of up to USD 265 billion a year are needed to end poverty and hunger by 2030. This is 0.3 per cent of the average projected world income for the period.

"With the 2030 deadline approaching fast, development and international financial institutions must work together with the private sector to find durable solutions to major development challenges such as poverty, climate change and migration. That means creating environments where innovation can flourish and where private investors have incentives to contribute to inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability," said EBRD's President Sir Suma Chakrabarti.

Food and agriculture systems face daunting challenges - from having to produce more with less to feed a growing planet, to shrinking the sector's carbon footprint, to creating decent employment opportunities, especially for youth in developing countries.

"FAO is custodian of 21 of the SDG's indicators, and can play a key role in helping the private sector to shape and monitor their contributions to these sustainability goals. We are also committed to promoting more enabling environments for private investment in sustainable agrifood systems, while also making sure those finances reach where they are needed most," FAO's Deputy Director-GeneralDaniel Gustafson said.

"One encouraging trend - already visible in the agriculture sector - is impact investing, in which private investors are investing in initiatives that generate profits as well as social and environmental impacts," Gustafson added.

According to a survey by the Global Impact Investment Network, the world's leading impact investors collectively manage over USD 228 billion in impact assets. That is more than the amount of public funding available in 2017 through official development assistance.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Doctors-on-Air medical mission lands in Bariga - NaijaAgroNet

The 2018 Doctors-On-Air Medical Mission programme landed in the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The programme which is organised by Synlab, formerly PathCare Laboratories, in partnership with Classic FM and over 20 other medical and non-medical care providers in Nigeria, came together for on Saturday, 13 October, offering residents free medical checks, tests, treated and where necessary, referred for further medical attention. 

Doctors on Air is a weekly health program focused on preventive healthcare, it airs every Wednesday at 8am on Classic FM and 8.40am on Naija FM. One of the important tenets of DOA is to encourage the populace to Know their Numbers, by having routine check ups to keep healthy. Whilst most people can go to SYNLAB to have these wellness checks qualitatively done, there are some people who cannot afford it. The Chief Host, Dr Pamela Ajayi, emphasised the importance of knowing your numbers through the weekly program by creating awareness around diseases, prevention and treatment. The annual Medical Mission is designed to make medical services accessible to communities who cannot ordinarily afford private healthcare services. 


The mission was set up initially to provide these services but has expanded to provide qualitative services offered by the specialist consultants who come on the program, for example the ophthalmologists provided free glasses and used latest technology for glaucoma checks, cardiologists used specialised equipment for the heart screening such as ECGs and echocardiogram, other screening done were breast, cervical and prostate cancer. Deworming for adults and children was done, along with special dental care and health talks on various topics. Doctors on Air is sponsored by SYNLAB.

It is estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians have benefited from the annual Doctors on Air Medical Mission over the past 7 years. Among the beneficiaries of the 2018 event were children, teenagers, adults and the elderly including Mama Misirat Bello and Mama Lambo Rafatu, both in their 80s. They were full of praise for the program which offered them high quality healthcare with referral for further care afterwards, all free of charge. Mrs. Abosede Amos whose son, Daniel Amos, was examined and treated for eye defects was one happy mother who commended and praised SYNLAB and its partners for the laudable program.

The Chairman of the Bariga Local Community Development Area (LCDA), Barr. Kolade Alabi, addressed members of the community at the venue encouraging them to make the most of the opportunity that the program presented. "We had promised that if elected, we would focus on programs that are mass inclined and help the individuals in the community live better lives”. 

Executive chairman of Bariga LCDA said that we have a saying in the LCDA that goes: 'my Bariga, my Pride'. But that saying is only meaningful when we are healthy. The administration is currently working on putting in place quality housing and infrastructure and quality healthcare and well-equipped primary healthcare centres. 

What SYNLAB is doing today is completely in line with our plans and we are looking forward to more collaborations like this, as people need good health for them to enjoy the infrastructure and economic growth being planned and executed by the government.

SYNLAB and the community of Bariga LCDA took turns to acknowledge and appreciate the support and contributions of the key sponsors of the 2018 Doctors-On-Air medical mission – Classic FM, Naija FM, Bridge Clinic, Leadway Assurance, Chike Okoli Foundation, The Eye Doctors Clinic, SKKY Dental Clinic, Paelon Memorial Hospital, Lakeshore Cancer Center, Optimal Cancer Center, Nigerian Association of Dermatologist, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State Blood Transfusion, Smile 360 Dental Services, Health Plus, Reals Pharmaceuticals, Dara Foundation, Renaissance Medical Center, Medplus Healthcare, Ultimate Eye Clinic, Metro Eyes Nigeria, Sight City, Men’s Clinic, Euracare Medical Center, Choice Dental Clinic, May and Baker, Mopheth Pharmaceuticals, Zolon Healthcare, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, JNC International, Maryland Rotary Club, Bariga LCDA, MTV Shuga in partnership with the Society for Family Health and Oceanic Health.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!


... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Agriculture alone can't revive Nigeria's economy, but innovation - NaijaAgroNet

President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, has said that mere agricultural revolution cannot revive Nigeria's economy, but innovation reports NaijaAgroNet.

He, therefore called for use of an economy build on innovative technologies which he said, will thrive much better than the old concept of mere agriculture, reports 

Contributing to the discussion at the 2018 WorldStage Economic Summit on the theme “New Sources of Economic Strength to Make the future Happen,” at the Event Centre of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Teniola maintained that the development of the economy through the old concept of agriculture will not take the country far.

As said by him, for a culture of technology as demonstrated in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, it has become obvious for the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the schools.

This, he stressed will aid Nigeria to compete favourably in any area, “it must be up to date in innovation and technology.”

Equally speaking at the event, Mr Soji Adeleye, Chief Executive of Alfe City Institution, underlined the absence of leadership in the country which had resulted to the lack of progress.

For meaningful progress to be achieved, he said the leadership has to be aware of their responsibility to the society, not to just occupy space.

In her contribution, Mrs Oluyinka Omojolaibi, Senior Research Economist, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) was also underlined the importance of government to formulate and implement policies that can move the economy forward.

She said government needed to do more in the area of the provision of infrastructure, machineries, cheap loans for the economy to be productive and competitive.

She said that would be crucial so that made in Nigeria products can be competitive in the local and international market.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Pix: ATCON president, Teniola

HLPE says one in three persons suffer micro-nutrient deficiencies - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:
Malnutrition has many forms - including micronutrient deficiencies - and affects one in three people today, a figure that may rise to one in two by 2030 if nothing is done, according to the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) at the 2018 Committee on World Food Security (CFS) session in Rome, reports NaijaAgroNet.

As said by them, evidence increasingly suggests that economic growth alone will not fix the problem - which impacts rich and poor countries and households alike - and that new policies are needed.

Increasing international concern led to FAO's hosting of a conference that led to the 2014 Rome Declaration on Nutrition and the UN decision to declare a Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025).

The CFS guidelines will seek to help governments "operationalize" the recommendations agreed at those fora.

They expressly aim to "address the key causes of vulnerability to all forms of malnutrition in different types of food systems in both rural and urban areas, with special attention to the poorest and most nutritionally vulnerable people.

While global in scope, they aim to offer actionable advice for all the world's food systems, which include traditional systems where processed foods are rare to advanced ones where they can crowd out healthier alternatives. They will address areas ranging from supply chains to consumer behavior, and recommend ways to boost nutrition literacy and implement effective food-packaging labels.





Isaac Oyimah/GEE




... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Reversing malnutrition rates: Stakeholders agree to draft voluntary guidelines - NaijaAgroNet

A multi-stakeholders concerned with reversing the growing trend of malnutrition under the aegis of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) wrapped up its 45th Session in Rome, with the task to formulate Voluntary Guidelines for Food Systems and Nutrition for approval in 2020, report NaijaAgroNet.

The guidelines are intended to be a reference document providing guidance to governments and other stakeholders on appropriate policies, investments and institutional arrangements needed to assure everyone has "available, affordable, acceptable and safe" diets in line with their beliefs and cultures.

CFS offers an inclusive platform that includes civil society and the private sector as well as governments an opportunity to voice views and develop policy recommendations and guidance on topics affecting food security and nutrition. Past outputs include landmark guidelines on land tenure and responsible investments in agriculture.

"Because of its inclusiveness, CFS is a powerful engine for combining political will and relevant knowledge towards zero hunger," said Mario Arvelo, CFS Chair and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations' Rome-based food and agriculture agencies. "Building on the success of this session, we are all expected to renew our commitment as the range of participants expands to all potential partners, because eradicating hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030 can only be possible if everyone is on board."

Nutrition is a growing concern as the number of obese people in the world is rapidly catching up with the number of hungry. There are 672 million obese and 821 million hungry or malnourished people in the world, according to FAO's latest SOFI assessment.

Earlier this week, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva urged CFS to "step up" with strong guidance, emphasizing that "overweight and obesity must be a subject of public policies, not a private issue."

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Nutrition for girls: Save the Children, IFAD join forces on integrating multi-sectoral measures

Estimated 129 million children with have stunted growth due to malnutrition, mostly born of young mothers by the year 2030, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Participants at the International Conference on "Leaving no one behind - making the case for adolescent girls," organized by IFAD, Save the Children, with support of the Canadian Government in Rome noted that this would  save adolescent girls from malnutrition and prevent early deaths.

For them, the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition is as a result of various factors, which must be addressed in an integrated manner: poverty, socio-cultural norms, low education levels, lack of safe drinking water, limited access to health systems, access to resources, all of which are necessary to make young girls economically independent and aware, thereby protecting them from early marriages.

Every year in the world, about 12 million girls get married prematurely and 16 million adolescents become mothers. While girls play an essential role in the economic and human development of their families and communities, they are strongly threatened by varying experiences of exclusion and discrimination, such as early marriages and/or early pregnancies, violence, all kind of abuses, and poor access to essential services.

"Adolescent girls, especially if they are undernourished, are more likely to die in childbirth or to give life to children with nutritional deficits, who are more vulnerable and exposed to premature death," emphasizes Daniela Fatarella, Deputy CEO of Save the Children Italy, the international organization that since 1919 fights to save the lives of children and guarantee them a future. "To stop the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition  it is important to invest in young girls, improve their nutritional health and above all, empower them, providing them with  necessary life-skills to strengthen them, improve their self-esteem and ability to emancipate themselves, both socially and economically. Ensuring appropriate nutrition for adolescent girls," adds Fatarella,"requires integrated and multi-sectoral approaches. Unfortunately, there are few good practices documented and so we ask for greater commitment from the international community and governments in prioritizing adolescent girls' focused initiatives."

Supporting young girls is therefore fundamental to positively influence the nutrition of future generations, reducing stunting by 40% by 2025 and eliminating all forms of malnutrition by 2030, as foreseen by Goal 2 of the Agenda 2030.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Monday, October 22, 2018

Samsung partners BAN to enhance e-Waste tracking - NaijaAgroNet

Samsung Electronics has partnered Basel Action Network (BAN) to enhance electronic waste (eWaste) tracking across the globe, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Since 2008, NaijaAgroNet gathered that Samsung has been a strong supporter of recycling by providing convenient and responsible takeback options for consumer electronics globally.

Also in a new initiative Samsung said its partnering Basel Action Network (BAN), by adopting BAN’s EarthEye service, which is a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based tracking system for electronic waste.

The Samsung’s Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs, Mr Mark Newton affirmed this development to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement.

“We are adopting BAN’s EarthEye service – a global GPS based tracking system for electronic waste,” he declared, stressing that Samsung not only aims to be a leader in product innovation but also in using innovative technologies to keep our supply and disposition chains accountable,” he said.

In addition, he said that for this reason, “Samsung will add EarthEye as part of our arsenal to maintain the most rigorous due diligence and standards for responsible recycling.”

NaijaAgroNet further reports, that Samsung promotes the responsible and convenient recycling of e-waste and supports requirements that would ban the export of unprocessed e-waste to developing countries, consistent with the e-Stewards Certification Standard and Samsung policy.

“Products and parts that cannot be refurbished are processed into raw material commodities, in such a way that material can be used again for production of a variety of new products,” he said.

This, Executive Director at BAN, Mr. Jim Puckett said they were excited with this latest development.

“We are very excited to share this link,” he said.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

9mobile partners Ignitia for farmers sake - NaijaAgroNet

Telecommunications company, 9mobile, in partnership with weather forecasting portal, Ignitia, have launched a weather forecast service, tagged Iska, to enable farmers predict weather accurately before and during the planting season, reports NaijaAgroNet.

With Iska Weather Service, NaijaAgroNet gathered that farmers in Nigeria could now predict the weather with over 80% forecast accuracy, thereby empowering them to prepare against adverse weather conditions that can impact negatively on their crops.

Also, event planners, traders, and other people whose means of livelihood or activities can be adversely impacted by poor weather, can also benefit from Iska Weather Service in planning their events or activities so they can operate optimally, unhindered by weather conditions.

Speaking about this newest innovative service, Head Digital Media, 9mobile, Bolanle Afuye, said Iska Weather Service will provide 9mobile consumers with localised weather forecasts via SMS and USSD, with 84% forecast accuracy.


She equally said the service offers subscribers access to Ignitia’s daily 2-day weather forecast service on rainfall risk, timing and intensity, along with the monthly and seasonal outlooks once per month.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

New African Union-FAO framework to create jobs, reduce manual labor - NaijaAgroNet

The newly launched African Union-Food and Agriculture Organisation framework document is aimed at increasing agricultural efficiency and reducing drudgery by helping countries in Africa to develop strategies for sustainable farm mechanization, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization: A Framework for Africa (SAMA) launched on October 5, NaijaAgroNet reports is the result of discussions with policy makers from AU member states, the AU Commission, FAO and key partners. It offers a detailed look at the history of machinery in Africa, and points the way towards addressing challenges and creating new opportunities to assure the successful adoption of mechanization.
"Doubling agricultural productivity and eliminating hunger and malnutrition in Africa by 2025 will be no more than a mirage unless mechanization is accorded utmost importance," AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Josefa Sacko, said at the launch of the framework at FAO.
Remarkably more than three-fourths of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa prepare their lands using only hand tools, a practice that entails poor productivity, repels youth and is incompatible with the continent's Zero Hunger goal.
"Farmers in Africa should be able to use modern agricultural technology, both digital and mechanical, to boost the agricultural sector in a sustainable way," said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo.
The new framework identifies 10 priorities for AU member states to include in their national plans, ranging from the need for a stable supply of machine spare parts and innovative financing mechanisms, and the importance of regional collaborations that allow for cross-border hiring services.

Nenye Dom/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Monday, October 15, 2018

2018 State of Food, Agriculture report for launch - NaijaAgroNet

As part of the World Food Week starting today, Monday, 15 October, the report on State of Food and Agriculture is set for launch, reports NaijaAgroNet.

A series of events, NaijaAgroNet gathered, have been lined up including World Food Day on 16 October to explore the actions needed to put achieving Zero Hunger back on track.  

NaijaAgroNet recalled that World Food Day is marked each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of FAO in 1945.

A package of multimedia feature stories depicting real people’s actions towards Zero Hunger is available for media use, including accompanying photos and video, and a brochure about the day is available.

The launch of the State of Food and Agriculture report 2018, slated for Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO.

This year’s edition explores how migration is linked to food security, agriculture and rural development. 

The report will be presented at a press conference with FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and Assistant Director-General for Economic and Social Development Kostas Stamoulis.  

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Nigeria: UN welcomes release of 833 children - NaijaAgroNet

The UNICEF has welcomed the release of 833 children from the ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, as part of its commitment to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This is the first formal release of children from the CJTF since September 2017 when the group signed an action plan committing to put measures in place to end and prevent child recruitment following a listing in the annexes of the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report for Children and Armed Conflict for the recruitment and use of children.

“The release of these children from CJTF shows commitment to implement the provisions of the Action Plan and to uphold international humanitarian law, human rights laws as well as other regional and national legislations, protecting children’s rights,” said Pernille Ironside, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria and the Co-chair of United Nations Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting on grave child rights violations (CTFMR).

“This is a significant milestone in ending the recruitment and use of children, but many more children remain in the ranks of other armed groups in either combat or support roles. We call on all parties to stop recruiting children and let children be children.”

Since the Action Plan was signed, members of the CTFMR initiated a joint field verification exercise to ascertain the presence and association of children within the command structures and ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force. As of today, a total of 1,469 children (1,175 boys and 294 girls), associated with the Civilian Joint Task Force have been identified within the city of Maiduguri.

UNICEF continues to work closely with state authorities to support the implementation of reintegration programmes for the children released today as well as others affected by the ongoing conflict.

Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children released from armed groups, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, and offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, and opportunities to improve livelihoods.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Climate Impacts: Lagos becoming devastating @1.5 degrees says expert - NaijaAgroNet

The Pan Africa Director of Oxfam International, Mr. Apollos Nwafor, has warned that at 1.5 degrees of warming, climate impacts in West Africa, for instance, would be devastating, as Lagos in Nigeria could become a newly heat stressed city like Delhi in India, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Reacting to the recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which detailed progress and pathways to global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Oxfam International boss said that natural disasters such as droughts and floods have been thwarting development in the African continent.
He highlighted fluctuations in agricultural production due to climate variations along with inefficient agricultural systems have caused food insecurity, one of the most obvious indicators of poverty. 
“The 2016 El Niño phenomenon, which was super charged by the effects of climate change, crippled rain-fed agricultural production and left over 40 million people foods insecure in Africa. Without urgent action to reduce global emissions, the occurrence of climate shocks and stresses in the Africa region are expected to get much worse,” he said.
For him, why African government should get real worried includes that on 5 July this year, Africa registered its hottest reliable record temperature in Ouargla, northern Algeria, of 51.3C (124.3F).
Pointing out that there is mounting evidence that higher temperatures linked to climate change have worsened drought and humanitarian disaster in East Africa, including last year’s drought which left over 13 million people dangerously hungry.
Also, he said that even at 1.5 degrees of warming, climate impacts in West Africa, for instance, would be devastating, just as wheat yields could fall by up to 25 percent and at 1.5 degrees Lagos in Nigeria could become a newly heat stressed city like Delhi in India.
In sub-Saharan Africa, he said, 1.5 degrees warming by the 2030s could lead to about 40 percent of present maize cropping areas being no longer suitable for current cultivars, and significant negative impacts on sorghum suitability are projected. Under warming of less than 2 degrees by the 2050s, total crop production could be reduced by 10 percent.
Further, he said that at 2 degrees of warming heat extremes never experienced before could affect 15 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s land area in the hot season, causing deaths and threatening farmers’ ability to grow crops.
“If global temperature rises by more than 2 degrees by the end of the century, by 2050 this could see daytime temperatures in North Africa (and the Middle East) rise to 46 degrees on the hottest days, which can be deadly,” he warned.

Chuks Egbune/ED, Ops

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Monday, October 8, 2018

Climate change: Oxfam says planet on fire, urges African governments on swift action - NaijaAgroNet

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released a report detailing progress and pathways to liming global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, with Oxfam International lamenting that the rising temperatures on the continent will push millions into poverty and hunger, unless governments take swift action, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Responding to the report, Mr. Apollos Nwafor, Pan Africa Director of Oxfam International said the climate change has set the planet on fire, as millions are already feeling the impacts, and the IPCC just showed that things can get much worse.

"Settling for 2 degrees would be a death sentence for people in many parts of Africa. The faster governments embrace the renewable energy revolution and move to protect communities at risk, the more lives and livelihoods that will be spared.

“A hotter Africa is a hungrier Africa. Today at only 1.1 degrees of warming globally, crops and livestock across the region are being hit and hunger is rising, with poor small scale women farmers, living in rural areas suffering the most. It only gets worse from here.

“To do nothing more and simply follow the commitments made in the Paris Agreement condemns the world to 3 degrees of warming. The damage to our planet and humanity would be exponentially worse and irreparable.

“None of this is inevitable. What gives us hope is that some of the poorest and lowest emitting countries are now leading the climate fight. We've moved from an era of 'you first' to 'follow me' - it's time for the rich world to do just that.

“Oxfam calls for increased, responsible and accountable climate finance from rich countries that supports small scale farmers, especially women to realize their right to food security and climate justice.

“While time is short, there is still a chance of keeping to 1.5 degrees of warming. We must reject any false solution like Large Scale Land Based Investments that means kicking small scale farmers off their land to make way for carbon farming and focus instead on stopping our use of fossil fuels, starting with an end to building new coal power stations worldwide,” he said.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Grange School Lagos salutes Nigeria on Independence Day - NaijaAgroNet

Saluting the nation and its freedom fighters on the last school day before its 58th Independence Day, the management, staff and students of Grange School Lagos have marked the occasion with a host of activities highlighting the cultural diversity of our great country, Nigeria, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The event, NaijaAgroNet gathered, witnessed the participation of students from various classes supporting and representing the uniqueness of each Nigerian culture by dressing up in traditional attires of the different states in Nigeria.

The school’s National Day activities served as a tribute to Nigeria, her history, culture and heroes, while the traditional fashion parade was specifically aimed at highlighting the nation’s unity in diversity.

“The aim of today’s national day activities is to celebrate the uniqueness and richness of Nigeria’s history and culture. Students and teachers of the school joined forces to identify prominent icons of Nigeria’s history and cultural tapestry. The entire school was involved in its making to instil patriotic fervour among the staff and students,” said Mr Guy Cassarchis, Headmaster, Grange School Lagos.

He encouraged everyone further saying “as we gather to celebrate this great day in Lagos, it is imperative that all citizens of Nigeria reflect on the nature of commitment that each and every individual can offer in transforming the Motherland”.

October 1st will always be a memorable day for our country and its people. It is an important day of festive and historic remembrance where we celebrate culture and the pride of our great nation. The significance of October 1st is also a strong reminder of one of the strong values of Grange School for the past 60 years, which is the importance of educating young children to be great leaders who will learn about Nigeria’s difference cultures and the importance of uniting our nation despite our rich diversity.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

African institute graduates 3rd cohort on water, energy - NaijaAgroNet

The Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences including Climate Change (PAUWES) celebrated the third graduating class of both the engineering and policy tracks of our Masters programmes in Water and Energy, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The graduating class made up of 79 students from across the African continent, received their diplomas during a ceremony at the University of Tlemcen. The graduating students and their guests were addressed by official representatives and dignitaries from the Algerian government from across Africa and Europe, including Her Excellency Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, the African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST), Mr. Ali Benyaiche, the Governor of the Wilaya of Tlemcen, and Her Excellency Ulrike Knotz, the German Ambassador to Algeria.

This year’s graduating students are about to constitute the next generation of engineers and policymakers committed to addressing the issues critical to Africa’s sustainable development. PAUWES graduates have not only successfully completed their coursework requirements, they have conducted practice-oriented research for their master theses that address the water, energy, and climate change challenges facing Africa and elsewhere. 


Additionally, they completed international internships in the private and public sectors at renowned research institutions across Africa and beyond, gaining a transcontinental perspective of those same challenges. 

During the graduation ceremony, H.E. Prof. Sarah ANYANG AGBOR said: “I would like to congratulate you on your efforts and for upholding the core values of our continent. I wish you the best in your future endeavours. As a mother, let me advise you to always remember that in real life, every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. So always strive to graduate in every decision or activity you make. I am proud of you, we are proud of You, Africa is proud of You!”.

The graduating cohort represents and fulfils one of the key objectives of the Pan African University (PAU) and PAUWES—which is to foster an African learning environment of the most qualified and motivated scholars while revitalising and nurturing the quality of African higher education. The Class of 2018 has students from twenty African Union member states with all regions of the African continent represented. This diverse cohort of students have had the opportunity to study, being taught by and international faculty coming from four continents. Supported by the University of Tlemcen and the key thematic partner Germany, Prof. Abdellatif Zerga, Director of PAUWES, is confident: “The students of the Class of 2018 are well positioned to become change makers in public administration, policy-making, research, technology, private enterprise, and civil society.”

The PAUWES 2018 Class Booklet showcases this year’s graduates, and PAUWES is pleased to invite future employers to meet them.

PAUWES has also just welcomed the incoming class (students from 29 countries across Africa) and is proud to announce that thanks to a number of specific measures, gender parity could be reached, which is a huge achievement within our latest cohort.

Isaac OyimahGEE


ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology