Food for All Africa partners, GFN, Harvard Law School on improving food donation policies - NaijaAgroNet

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The Food for All Africa has partnered the Global Foodbanking Network (GFN) and the Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy clinic (FLPC) to examine the state of food donation laws and policies in Ghana, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This examination, NaijaAgroNet gathered, was carried out through the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas.

Lagos households: Get waste bins or pay N50,000 fine by January 2023 - NaijaAgroNet

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The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would commence enforcement of the use of waste bins by households from January 2023, defaulters risk a fine or imprisonment, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, disclosed this Tuesday at the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)’s annual general meeting in Lagos.

Deadlist darrhoea: Nigeria to protect millions of children against deadliest form of diarrhoeal disease

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The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), WHO, UNICEF and other partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)  have introduced the rotavirus vaccine into the country’s routine immunisation programme.

Today’s launch is a critical first step in a push to reach children across the country with the rotavirus vaccine, which protects against rotavirus infections, the leading cause of severe diarrhoea in young children worldwide. Childhood diarrhoea is the third leading cause of childhood mortality in Nigeria, accounting for 15% of all deaths in children aged under five.

Makinde commissions first cassava-based sorbitol factory in Africa - NaijaAgroNet

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, commissioned the first Cassava-based Sorbitol Factory in Africa owned by Psaltery International Limited and located in Alayide Village, Ado-Awaye, Oyo State.

The governor declared that his government will continue to prioritise the safety and security of lives and properties, while providing enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

3rd BR: ActionAid commends AUC, demands all-inclusive process through legislature – NaijaAgroNet

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The ActionAid Nigeria has commended the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Commissions (REC) and member states on the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP’s) Third Biennial Review (BR), but demanded for an all-inclusive stakeholder process through legislative backings, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Making this call in Abuja during a day session on the National Parliamentary Briefing on 3rd BR report, Food & Agriculture Programme Coordinator, ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Azubike Nwokoye, noted that it has been observed that AUC strategy and procedure has not taken all stakeholders into account to ensure effective engagement and participation.

NITDA DG: FG to save N4.5bn on content management - NaijaAgroNet

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The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa has said the implementation of the service-wide Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution, organized by the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, will result in an annual saving of about N4.5 billion in Nigeria, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Inuwa, who was represented by the Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS) Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi disclosed this while presenting a paper at the one-day ECM Service-Wide Round Table Workshop on ECM implementation with the topic "The Modalities of Software Clearance on ECM Solution for MDAs" at the Rotunda Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Hichilema officiates launch of Zambia Water Investment - NaijaAgroNet

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The President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has officiated the launch of the Zambia Water Investment Programme and stressed that, “Social economic development cannot be achieved without attaining water security on the African Continent.”

The Government of Zambia in collaboration with the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa launched the Zambia Water Investment Programme on the margins of the of the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Lusaka, which was presided over by Mr Alex Simalabwi, Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership, Southern Africa.

Climate crisis fuels drought, severe hunger across Horn of Africa - NaijaAgroNet

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The climate crisis is fueling one of the worst droughts on record across the Horn of Africa, with up to 13 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia facing severe hunger, reports NaijaAgroNet.

According to ActionAid’s emergency teams, with millions of people still recovering from the devastating drought that hit the region in 2017, a large-scale response is urgently needed to avert a catastrophic food and malnutrition crisis.

Safe water: Lagos, USAID to improve access, supply - NaijaAgroNet

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To improve access to safe water, the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to have a holistic revitalization of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for the residents.

This was revealed during a working visit of USAID team led by Dr. Joechim Ezeji to LWC on the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH) at the LWC 45 million Gallons per Day (MGD) Iju Waterworks.

Center on Adaptation to help smallholder farmers enhance food security - NaijaAgroNet

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The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has said its providing technical advisory support to a new World Bank’s investment project in Ethiopia valued at $600 million to increase the resilience of food systems and preparedness for food insecurity, reports NaijaAgroNet.

As a result of climate change, smallholder farmers in Ethiopia are suffering from greater variability and extreme weather events, increased temperature and declining rainfall in a country where 85 percent of farmers are depended on rain-fed agriculture. Ethiopia is currently in the middle of one of the worst droughts for 50 years which follows 12 to 18 months of erratic and failed rains which have dried up many water sources. The war in Ukraine and subsequent rising wheat, fuel and fertilizer costs are also worsening the country’s food crisis.

GCA, AfDB join forces to scale up access to climate-smart technologies - NaijaAgroNet

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The Global Center for Adaptation (GCA) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have advanced plans to scale up access to climate-smart digital technologies in Africa, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Senior Director for Africa at GCA, Anthony Nyong informed that they are looking at scaling up access to climate-smart digital technologies by the year 2025.

Makinde inspects 6 PHCs, pledges to pay insurance fees for 1,500 enrollees

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The Oyo State Governor, ’Seyi Makinde, on Friday, commissioned the Renal Dialysis Unit, High Dependency Unit and the Diabetes Screening and Treatment Centre built inside the Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan.

The projects were built and equipped with the support from Global Fund, the Afolabi Family of Kaderu Compound, Ibadan and the Lions Clubs International, District 404 B1, Nigeria.

Behavioral Health: Tranquil & Quest brings facility to Lekki - NaijaAgroNet

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The Tranquil and Quest (TQ) Behavioral Health Limited, has brought state-of-the-art mental health facility to Lagos as the new office opens at Lekki, Igbo Efon of the state, reports NaijaAgroNet.

NaijaAgroNet was reliably informed that the facility, is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by some Nigerians in traveling abroad for medical exercise and treatment.

NSML signs construction supervision agreement with EA Temile for new LPG vessel - NaijaAgroNet

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NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) and EA Temile & Sons Development Company Limited on 25th May 2022 signed an agreement for supervision of the construction of a new-build 23,000 cubic metre LPG vessel at the Hyundai Mipo shipyard in South Korea.

NLNG delegates @2022 World Gas Congress - NaijaAgroNet

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A delegation of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) participated in the 2022 World Gas Congress in South Korea, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The delegation includes Abdulkadir Ahmed, MD NLNG Ship Management Ltd; Bala Wunti, GGM, NAPIMS; Philip Mshelbilia, MD/CEO, NLNG; Mele Kyari, GMD, NNPC; Adokiye Tombomieye, GED Upstream, NNPC; and Olalekan Ogunleye, Deputy MD, NLNG at the ongoing World Gas Congress in Daegu, South Korea.

Free delivery for Konga Food customers - NaijaAgroNet

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The management of Konga Food, the online food delivery arm of Nigeria’s composite e-commerce giant, has assured Nigerian food lovers of exciting times ahead, beginning with the offer of 14 days of free delivery to mark its formal entry into the market.

Konga Food is equally introducing the fastest delivery times in the online food delivery segment in Nigeria, in addition to a host of freebies and other incentives.

NLNG is most supportive taxpayer says FIRS - NaijaAgroNet

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The Nigeria LNG Limited has been recognised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as its most Supportive Tax Payer, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This recognition was conveyed via a Press Release issued by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, in which he commended the 20 top-performing taxpayers whose compliances to tax obligations helped the service surpass its N6 trillion tax collection target in 2021.

Russio-Ukraine war: IFAD launches response to protect world’s rural poor - NaijaAgroNet

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The United Nation (UN's) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a Crisis Response Initiative to ensure that small-scale farmers in high-risk countries can produce food over the next few months to feed their families and communities while reducing the threat to future harvests, reports NaijaAgroNet.

“The disruption to global markets is shaking food systems to the core,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD. “This is particularly alarming for countries already grappling with the impacts of climate change and COVID-19, where more people are likely to be pushed further into poverty and hunger. IFAD’s new initiative will help protect livelihoods and markets so that the most vulnerable people can continue to feed their families and communities, and thrive for a better future.”

Post-3rd Biennial Review: AAAN boss tasks Nigeria on infrastructure development - NaijaAgroNet

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The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Ms Ene Obi, has called for improved infrastructure investment to pave way for adequate and timely movement of agriculture produce nationwide, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Speaking at the National Dialogue & Dissemination on Nigeria’s Performance at the 3rd Biennial Review Exercise on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development (CAADP), on Wednesday at Hawthorn Suites, Abuja in her welcome address, Ene, said, improved investment on infrastructure has become imperative especially in the agriculture sector to reduce number of wastages and increase preservations.

No food security without healthy plants says FAO - ITREALMS

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As the world marks the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) for the first time, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called for more investment in innovation in a field crucial for boosting food security and transforming how our food is produced, delivered and consumed.

“On this very first International Day of Plant Health, we will reflect on plant health innovations for food security,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening remarks, adding that investments are needed in research, capacity development and outreach. “We need to continue raising the global profile of plant health to transform agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.”

IFAD-funded project to help preserve Amazonian forest - NaijaAgroNet

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The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the State of Maranhão signed a financing agreement today for the implementation of the Amazon Sustainable Management Project (PAGES). Implemented in Brazil’s state with the highest poverty and food insecurity rates, the project will address the entrenched environmental degradation of the Amazonian forest.

The total project cost is US$ 37 million, of which IFAD will contribute with a grant of US$ 17 million, provided by the Government of Germany through the Enhanced Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP+). The Government of Maranhão will contribute $ 16 million, and the beneficiaries will provide in-kind contributions of $ 4 million.

ActionAid to host national NSAs on dissemination strategies for 3rd CAADP BR report - NaijaAgroNet

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The ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with stakeholders is set to host the Non-State Actors (NSA) to a two-day review session on adequate dissemination of the third CAADP Biennial Review (BR), reports NaijaAgroNet.

Sources close to ActionAid office in Nigeria revealed the advanced plans to host a two-day national session for the dissemination workshop slated to hold between May 18 and 19 at Hawthorn Suites, Garki, Abuja.

Senegal frontlines global climate challenge - NaijaAgroNet

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Senegal is on the front lines of the global climate challenge and will play a critical role in leading Africa’s response, Patrick Verkooijen – CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation said in closing remarks in Dakar, after meeting President Macky Sall on Friday.

Cutting climate finance risks stoking even bigger conflicts down the line. World Bank data indicates that internal climate migration could reach up to 1 million people in Senegal by 2050.

AUDA-NEPA gets new CEO - NaijaAgroNet.

AU appoints Nardos Bekele Thomas, new CEO AUDA-NEP...: ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news! The African Union Heads of State and Government has appointed Ms Nardos Bekele-Thoma...

ITU set for 'digital technologies for older person...

 ITU set for 'digital technologies for older person...: ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news! The United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies...

University of Agric Awba-Ofemili: House of Reps hold public hearing - NaijaAgroNet

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The Federal House of Representatives on Monday, April 11, 2022, held a public hearing on the proposed bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Agriculture Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The bill is being sponsored by Hon. Sam Chinedu Onwuaso, NaijaAgroNet, took another progressive turn as the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions held a public hearing for the proposed bill in line with the processes of legislation.

Tough choices for drought-affected families - NaijaAgroNet

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On the outskirts of Beletweyne town in southern Somalia, Maryam Muse Duale breaks up small sticks in her hands, stoking a fire in the dirt to keep her young children warm at night. Maryam has made a flimsy shelter of sticks and cloth; it doesn’t keep the cold night air out. Her children sit on a mat, waiting for food from humanitarian agencies. When it comes, she shares among the children first. Parents eat whatever is left.

Like many other rural Somalis, Maryam is facing a new reality; it is a far cry from her life as an agro-pastoralist just a few months before. The drought in Somalia, which began in late 2020, has only been spreading and deepening.

Agrobiz sector to benefit from 9PSB digital services - NaijaAgroNet

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The 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB) has committed to growing Nigeria’s agriculture value chain by supporting the payment needs of farmers, through accessible, easy and inclusive payment solutions.

The Chief Executive Officer, 9PSB, Branka Mracajac gave the assurance while speaking at the Vanguard Economic Forum Series, held on Thursday March 17, 2022 at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Photospeak: Shell's Group VP joins replanting project @Ogoniland - NaijaAgroNet

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L-R: Shell’s VP Corporate for Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, Rob Sherwin; Chairman, Bodo Mediation Initiative project, Inemo Samiama; and the Project Technical Leader, Nicholas Story, as Sherwin joins in planting of mangroves as part of the cleanup and remediation of Bodo in Ogoniland… on Wednesday.

Digital revolution: UN report points main obstacles - NaijaAgroNet

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The United Nations (UN) has identified that the digital revolution currently underway in Sub-Saharan Africa offers enormous potential for economic growth and agricultural productivity.

Coastal countries benefit from fast internet, thanks to undersea cables, and 4G mobile networks are expanding rapidly across the continent. Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is referred to as the "Silicon Savannah" of Africa because of its buzzing digital economy.

Unprecedented acute hunger looms @Yemen - NaijaAgroNet

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Yemen’s already dire hunger crisis is teetering on the edge of outright catastrophe, with 17.4 million people now in need of food assistance and a growing portion of the population coping with emergency levels of hunger, UN agencies have warned.

The humanitarian situation in the country is poised to get even worse between June and December 2022, with the number of people who likely will be unable to meet their minimum food needs in Yemen possibly reaching a record 19 million people in that period, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF alerted, following today’s release of a new Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis on Yemen.

NLNG reconstructs, commissions historic Consulate on Bonny Island - NaijaAgroNet

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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has commissioned the Bonny Consulate Building, a 19th-century historic landmark in Bonny Kingdom that was reconstructed as part of plans to boost tourism in the kingdom, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The consulate building commissioned last weekend, was the seat of the British colonial administration in 1897, with a district commissioner and other administrative offices. In 2019, NLNG flagged off the construction of the building to restore the memory of the ancient monument.

General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh in a press statement available to 

NaijaAgroNet, informed that the building accommodates an FM radio station, office for the King of Bonny, a library, museum, café, cinema, conference hall, seminar/exhibition hall, souvenir shop, utilities, and visitors’ centre.

Malnutrition: Cognito powder gets SON's MANCAP - NaijaAgroNet

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The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has awarded the Mandatory Conformity Assessment (MANCAP) certification to the Cognito brand, reports ITREALMS.

Micronutrient Laboratories Limited formulates, designs and markets Cognito micronutrient powder for use in enriching and enhancing the nutritional value of food as a tool to fight diseases caused by micronutrient deficiencies, especially in children under five years.

AUDA-NEPAD commemorates 7th African Day of school feeding with implementation guidelines - NaijaAgroNet

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The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD has launched the Guidelines for Design and Implementation of Home-Grown School Feeding for the continent.

Home Grown School Feeding has been recognised by African leaders for its contribution to human resources and capital development in the continent and for having an important role in inclusive development, health, rural development, gender equality and inclusive education, particularly for the poor and socially marginalised communities.

MeCAM applauds FAO, WFP, Germany partnership on diet for school children - NaijaAgroNet

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… Partnership to boost school feed programme

The Media Centre Against Malnutrition (MeCAM) has commended the duo of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) for their joint efforts  to improve the diet of school-aged children, with the support from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

MeCAM's National Coordinator, Mr. Remmy Nweke gave this commendation at the weekend, saying it would greatly support development of nutrition standards for school meal programmes across the world and Nigeria particularly.

Photospeaks: Shell's Aiboni wins Women in Energy Award @Energy Summit

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AU to unveil 3rd CAADP Biennial Review Report in March – NaijaAgroNet

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A date has been proclaimed for the formal launch of the much awaited 3rd CAADP Biennial Review (BR) Report to be virtually held on 10th March 2022, at 15h00 East Africa Time (EAT), reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Biennial Review Report, NaijaAgroNet gathered, is a powerful instrument for advocacy at the continental, regional and national levels for triggering the necessary policy actions for agricultural transformation in Africa by 2025.

$130m required to battle drought-hit regions in Africa - NaijaAgroNet

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has revealed that $130 million is urgently needed to provide time-critical assistance to 1.5 million highly vulnerable people in communities within drought-hit regions of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, reports NaijaAgroNet.

FAO revealed this to NaijaAgroNet in its new Horn of Africa Drought Response Plan, saying this will support the production of up to 90 million litres of milk and up to 40 000 tonnes of staple food crops in the first part of 2022.

Germany lifts Horn of Africa with €20m to avert hunger - NaijaAgroNet

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) last weekend welcomed a €20 million contribution from Germany to save lives and livelihoods of the most severely drought-affected farmers and herders in the Horn of Africa. It is a vital contribution which comes at a critical time in the response to the drought emergency.

The funding, NaijaAgroNet gathered aims at supporting lives and livelihoods of most severely drought-affected farmers and herders.

Shell reiterates commitment to lower CO2 emissions in Nigeria - NaijaAgroNet

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Nigeria’s leading energy company, Shell, has reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to help the country meet its lower carbon emission target.

Mr. Osagie Okunbor, MD Shell

“Apart from this being the right thing to do, it is also good for our business in Nigeria,” Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mrs. Eloho Aiboni, said on Tuesday in Lagos at the opening session of the 2022 edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

FAO, WFP collabo on children’s right to food in schools - NaijaAgroNet

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a project to improve the diet of school-aged children, with support from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), reports NaijaAgroNet.

In many countries, NaijaAgroNet gathered that school meals represent a significant portion of children’s daily diets, and it is vital that these directly contribute to their nutrition needs.

Drought in Horn of Africa worries FAO, Germany - NaijaAgroNet

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today welcomed a €20 million contribution from Germany to save lives and livelihoods of the most severely drought-affected farmers and herders in the Horn of Africa. It is a vital contribution which comes at a critical time in the response to the drought emergency.

An extended, multi-season drought is driving acute food insecurity across the region, with 12 to 14 million people now on the brink of starvation as crops continue to wither and animals weaken.  The situation is further exacerbated by escalating resource-based conflicts as competition for water and pasturelands increases, the COVID-19 pandemic and lingering consequences of a large-scale locust invasion.

Tael: Being nutrition agent your community needs - ITREALMS

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Breaking stereotypes, Tael proudly stands as a male role model for nutrition in his community

On the outskirts of Mzuzu city in Malawi, in the small village of Chikoya, lives Tael Vumu. His day job is farming, but on the side, he’s a local food hero, tirelessly volunteering to improve his household’s nutrition and boost the health of his entire community.

Strengthening Competitiveness In Africa's agricultural value chain using smart technologies - ITREALMS

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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global value chains (GVCs) by interrupting transportation and logistics frameworks, supply and production mechanisms, and demand and consumption patterns. On the pandemic onset, movement and trade restrictions were imposed by most African countries to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agricultural extension and advisory services also confronted substantial disruptions due to limited movement.

Consequently, this created a food supply crisis that deterred and threatened Africa's socio-economic development and growth, as well as food security.

These disruptions also highlighted gaps and weaknesses in Africa's agricultural value chain.

Non-State actors to govt: See BR as unique opportunity – NaijaAgroNet

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Agriculture Non-State Actors (NSAs) have urged governments at all levels, especially in Nigeria to use the unique opportunity provided by the Biennial Review to take stock of progress on sectoral transformation, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Ms Constance Okeke of ActionAid International

NSAs who spoke at the weekend during the pre-BR3 launch in Abuja, through the International Project Manager, Public Finance for Agriculture (PFA), ActionAid International, Ms Constance Okeke, said that progress on agricultural transformation, includes through joint sector reviews, to shape the enabling environment through policy, partnerships, resourcing and other measures to accelerate progress towards the 2025 Malabo Declaration goals.

Pre-BR3 release: Nigeria needs massive investment in agriculture - NaijaAgroNet

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As the continent prepares to welcome the third biennial review (BR) report by the African heads of government, Nigeria has been urged to invest massively in agriculture, reports NaijaAgroNet

.

The Non-State Actors (NSA) who spoke at the just ended pre-3rd Biennial Review (BR) exercise on the implementation of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Abuja at the weekend hosted by a consortium led by Action Aid, enjoined Nigeria to leverage the fact that Mr President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, retired, has signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to boost her investment in agriculture.

Energy infrastructure: Accolades for Shell @NMDPRA - NaijaAgroNet

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Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) has received accolades from industry regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for deliberate and active investment in Nigeria’s critical gas infrastructure to supply gas for powering industries in key locations in the country.

L-R CEO,NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed; MD, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong; General Manager,
Shell Energy Nigeria, Mr. Markus Hector; and Corporate Relations Manager,
Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Tunde Olaleke, recently in Abuja.

The Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said Nigeria needs accelerated gas infrastructure to deepen domestic gas distribution across Nigeria.

Cassava Technologies names Durvasula, CEO of Data Centres - NaijaAgroNet

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The Cassava Technologies has named Tesh Durvasula as the new Chief Executive Officer of Africa Data Centres (ADC) effective 7 February 2022, reports NaijaAgroNet.

He will be responsible for driving growth, innovation and strategy of Cassava Technologies’ data centres to meet Africa’s accelerating demand for data and digital infrastructure.

National Assembly pledges support for NNPC frontier exploration - NaijaAgroNet

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The Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) for repositioning the Nigerian oil and gas industry into a competitive business environment. 

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, gave the commendation when he led members of the Committee on an oversight visit to the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on Tuesday. 

CS-SUNN supports 3 more states to domesticate NCFN - NaijaAgroNet

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The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has supported three states in the latest efforts to domesticate the National Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCFN) Terms of Reference for operationalization at the states, reports NaijaAgroNet.

These states, NaijaAgroNet gathered included Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger.

Right standards create right incentives says CDB boss, Mrema - NaijaAgroNet

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The Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, has asserted that right standards create the right incentives, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Elizabeth Mrema

Today, NaijaAgroNet reports that over 500 sustainability standards exist and are used for key global exports and imports. In addition to coffee and chocolate, these include tea, bananas, cocoa, palm oil, timber and cotton.

Experts: Voluntary sustainability standards to protect biodiversity - NaijaAgroNet

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Experts have declared that voluntary sustainability standards could play a bigger role in conserving the planet’s resources and strengthen the new post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

The Rainforest Alliance is a voluntary sustainability standard for agriculture 

and forestry products and tourism businesses. © K I Photography

The global community is failing to meet the scale of the biodiversity crisis that threatens to wipe out over 1 million animal and plant species, putting our economies, food security and health at risk.

NCC-CSIRT identifies two cyber vulnerabilities - ITREALMs

NCC-CSIRT identifies two cyber vulnerabilities - ITREALMs

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has independently identified two cyber vulnerabilities currently on the prowl, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as NCC advised Nigerian telecom consumers on the measures to be taken to get protected from these vulnerabilities.

Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde in a press statement available to ITREALMS, said the CSIRT, in its first-ever security advisories less than three months after its creation, has solely identified the two cyber-attacks targeting the consumers and proffer solutions that can help telecom consumers from falling victims to the two cyber vulnerabilities.

The first is described as Juice Jacking, which can gain access into consumers’ devices when charging mobile phones at public charging stations and it applies to all mobile phones. The other is a Facebook for Android Friend Acceptance Vulnerability, which targets only Android Operating System.

According to CSIRT security Advisory 0001 released on January 26, 2022, with Juice Jacking, attackers have found a new way to gain unauthorized entry into unsuspecting mobile phone users devices when they charge their mobile phones at public charging stations.

Many public spaces, restaurants, malls and even in the public trains do offer complementary services to their customers in a bid to enhance customer services, one of which is providing charging ports or sockets.  

However, an attacker can leverage this courtesy to load a payload in the charging station or on the cables they would leave plugged in at the stations.

Once unsuspecting persons plug their phones at the charging station or the cable left by the attacker, the payload is automatically downloaded on the victims’ phone. This payload then gives the attacker remote access to the mobile phone, allowing them to monitor data transmitted as text, or audio using the microphone. The attacker can even watch the victim in real time if the victims’ camera is not covered. The attacker is also given full access to the gallery and also to the phone's Global Positioning System (GPS) location.

When an attacker gains access to a user’s Mobile phone, he gets remote access to the User’s phone which leads to breach in Confidentiality, Violation of Data Integrity and bypass of Authentication Mechanisms. Symptoms of attack may include sudden spike in battery consumption, device operating slower than usual, apps taking a long time to load, and when they load they crash frequently and cause abnormal data usage.

The NCC-CSIRT, however, proffered solutions to this attack to include using ‘charging only USB cable’, to avoid Universal Serial Bus (USB) data connection; using one’s AC charging adaptor in public space; and not granting trust to portable devices prompt for USB data connection.

Other preventive measures against Juice Jacking include installing Antivirus and updating them to the latest definitions always; keeping mobile devices up to date with the latest patches; using one’s own power bank; keeping mobile phone off when charging in public places; as well as ensuring use of one’s own charger, if one must charge in public.

On the other hand, the NCC-CSIRT Advisory 0001 of January 27, 2022, warns that Facebook for Android is vulnerable to a permission issue which gives privilege to anyone with physical access to the android device to accept friend requests without unlocking the phone. The products affected include Versions 329.0.0.29.120 of Android OS.

With this, the attacker will be able to add the victim as a friend and collect personal information of the victim, such as Email, Date of Birth, Check-ins, Mobile phone number, Address, Pictures and other information that the victim may have shared, which would only be visible to his/her friends.

However, to be protected from the Facebook-associated vulnerability, NCC-CSIRT in the security advisory recommends to users to disable the feature from their device’s lock screen notification settings.

The NCC-CSIRT was inaugurated in October, 2021 to provide guidance and direction for the constituents in dealing with issues relating to the security of critical infrastructure in their possession, and periodically assess, review and collate the threat landscape, risks, and opportunities affecting the communications sector, in order to provide advice to relevant stakeholders in those regards.

As the telecoms-industry specific intervention, the objective of which aligns with the objective of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) document published by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NCC-CSIRT ensures continuous improvement of processes and communication frameworks to guarantee secure and collaborative exchange of timely information while responding to cyber threats within the sector.

In recent times, NCC-CSIRT has raised series of cyber-vulnerability awareness based on security advisories it receives from the Nigerian Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), which is the national body for the implementation of the NCPS objective. However, Juice Jacking and Facebook for Android Friend Acceptance Vulnerabilities are the two first-ever cyber vulnerabilities published by the NCC-CSIRT.