CS-SUNN boss tasks media to step-up nutrition reportage - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The Executive Secretary of the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka, has tasked media especially in Lagos to step-up nutrition reportage, NaijaAgroNet reports.

In her address at the launch of Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition System (PINNS) which includes research findings, progress and call to action, CS-SUNN boss, urged the media to step up reportage of nutrition issues to inform and spur policy makers and concerned stakeholders, to take the right steps that will curb malnutrition in Nigeria, participation in Lagos State.

She also said, this media engagement on PINNS issues focuses on research findings, progress and call to action, is aimed at informing Lagos media, generally, about PINNS project, issues and prayers.

In addition, she said, the essence of this engagement is to establish media role or responsibilities for increased visibility of PINNS cum nutrition issues in Lagos State.

“To secure buy-in of media for smooth implementation of PINNS in Lagos; Increase salience of PINNS and nutrition issues among media in Lagos State,” she said.

CS-SUNN, she assured would continue to equip members of the press with useful and relevant information that would help and enable them step up thorough and factual reportage of Nutrition.

“We look forward to a most successful engagement with members of the press,” she said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference goes to Singapore - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The fourth edition of the International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC) will take place in Singapore, on 31 October - 1 November 2018, as a co-located event with the Asia Clean Energy Summit, during Singapore International Energy Week, reports NaijaAgroNet. IOREC, organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency, is the global platform for sharing experience and best practices on design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, innovative business models and technology applications for stand-alone and mini-grid systems. IOREC 2018 will present a key opportunity to discuss the measures necessary to accelerate off-grid systems deployment, and highlight their role in meeting several Sustainable Development Goals. In parallel with the Conference, the Alliance for Rural Electrification will organise the Exhibition offering private sector companies the opportunity to present their products and projects, while showcasing the technologies and expertise at the forefront of off-grid renewables. Admin/GEE

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Food prices post sharp decline in July - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

Global agricultural food commodity prices fell sharply in July, as all the major traded items posted notable declines, led by dairy and sugar, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 168.8 points, 3.7 percent below their June level, the biggest monthly drop since late last year. The index had been steadily rising in 2018 until June.

The FAO Food Price Index is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of commodities.

The FAO Dairy Price Index led the slide, declining 6.6 percent, with butter and cheese quotations dropping faster than those for whole and skim milk powders.

The FAO Sugar Price Index fell 6 percent to a nearly three-year low, largely driven by improved production prospects in India and Thailand, both important sugar-producing countries. Expectations of lower output in Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter, limited the fall in international sugar prices.

The FAO Cereal Price Index declined 3.6 percent from June and is now below its year-ago level. Export quotations for wheat, maize and rice all declined, although wheat and maize values edged higher towards the end of July.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index was 2.9 percent lower, its sixth consecutive monthly decline, and is now at its lowest level since January 2016. Part of the July slide was driven by spill-over weakness from the soybean market, which is affected by the trade dispute between China and the United States of America. Rapeseed oil values trended upwards, however, buoyed by improved demand from biodiesel producers and negative crop prospects in the European Union.

The FAO Meat Price Index declined 1.9 percent from its June value, which was revised up in the wake of higher beef export prices from Brazil due to a truck drivers' strike.

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IFAD supports G20 initiatives to promote nutritious foods - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The Group of Twenty (G20) Ministers of Agriculture Meeting was recently supported by the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to increase the sustainable production of nutritious foods, reports NaijaAgroNet.

President, IFAD, Gilbert F. Houngbo, said that sustainably feeding a growing population will take collective action and IFAD stands ready to partner with the G20 to achieve this.

Also, Houngbo said “With small family farms supplying up to 80 per cent of the food produced in developing countries, it has never been more critical to invest in these farmers, providing the tools for them to better manage their land and ensure the health and productivity of their soil in the face of a changing climate.”

While the main theme of the meeting is sustainable soil management, the group will also discuss a proposal by Argentina to boost rural youth employment through access to technology and engagement with the private sector through global events.

A study by IFAD and the World Bank for the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting last year describes how, with youth abandoning rural areas because of lack of decent employment opportunities, the future of agriculture is at stake.

"At IFAD we believe young people today – the largest population the world as ever seen – are central to our work in transforming rural communities and eradicating poverty and hunger,” said Houngbo. “If we are to foster a generation of ‘agripreneurs’ we must answer their call for better access to the resources they need to grow our rural areas into vibrant places that can feed generations to come.”

Since he took office last year, IFAD has prioritized youth-centric development across all of its programmes and projects to provide training and support to create rural employment and enterprise options that are appropriate for young people, in both the farm and the non-farm sector.

Another important focus of the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting is the G20's contribution to reduce the estimated one third of all food that is lost or wasted.

"Food loss and waste constitute is a luxury humanity cannot afford. I salute the G20's efforts to tackle this problem," Houngbo said. "IFAD supports small-scale farmers to improve their ability to process and store their crops thereby minimizing food loss. IFAD stands ready to offer its expertise to help mitigate this phenomenon.”

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Nutrition: CS-SUNN worried over waste rate in Lagos, calls for more actions - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has expressed worry over the rate of malnutrition waste in Lagos State, just as the group called for more actions, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Speaking through its Executive Secretary, Mrs Beatrice Eluaka, Wednesday in Lagos during the unveiling of Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition System (PINNS) which includes research findings, progress and call to action, CS-SUNN expressed concern over the malnutrition waste rate of Lagos, which means affected children may die.

Moderate malnutrition (MM) according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined as a weight-for-age between -3 and -2 z-scores below the median of the WHO child growth standards. This can be due to a low weight-for-height (wasting) or a low height-for-age (stunting) or to a combination of both.

As said by Mrs. Eluaka, the 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for Lagos had put the stunting rate at 11.4 per cent, waiting rate also at 11.4 per cent and underweight at 14.5 per cent.

She revealed that the 2014 National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHS) had put Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) rate in Nigeria at 25 per cent.

Also, she said, the 2017 MICS putted stunting rate at 43.6 per cent as against 32.9 per cent in 2015, wasting in 2017 at 10.8 per cent as against 7.2 per cent in 2015 and Underweight at 31.5 per cent in 2017 as against 19.4 per cent in 2015.

So, the rising trend calls for concern unless we take deliberate steps to checkmate the cause, such as EBF.

CS-SUNN, she said, equally commended Lagos State for leading on six months maternity leave for mothers and urged other states to take a queue from the centre of excellence.

“Despite these negative indices, we however must not fail to commend the Lagos State government for extending maternity leave for female civil servants to 6 months and introducing a 10-day paternity leave for fathers,” she noted.

Eluka pointed out that EBF ensures optimal physical growth and brain development of children, engenders them to thrive well and live up to their full potentials at adulthood.

“It also prevents malnutrition” the Executive Secretary said and called for more action to improve EBF.

“We are therefore calling on other state governments in Nigeria to emulate the Lagos State Government as this will contribute to encouraging the practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding especially among working mothers thereby boosting Nigeria’s EBF rate and contributing to a reduction in malnutrition in the country,” she said.

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AfDB, FAO sign deal to end hunger, malnutrition - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Food and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO) have signed deal aimed at catalysing agriculture sector investments in Africa to end hunger and malnutrition and increase prosperity throughout the continent, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The agreement, NaijaAgroNet gathered comprised that AfDB and FAO are committed to raise up to $100 million over five years, to support joint partnership activities.

The new alliance precisely seeks to enhance the quality and impact of investment in food security, nutrition, social protection, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva signed the agreement, which builds on a longstanding collaboration between their organizations, at the UN agency's Rome headquarters.

"FAO and the AfDB are deepening and broadening our partnership to assist African countries achieve the sustainable development goals. Leveraging investments in agriculture, including from the private sector, is key to lift millions of people from hunger and poverty in Africa and to ensure that enough food is produced and that enough rural jobs are created for the continent's growing population," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina said: "The signing of this supplementary agreement is a milestone moment in the relationship between the African Development Bank and FAO. It signals our joint commitment to accelerate the delivery of high quality programs and increased investment for public-private-partnerships in Africa's agriculture sector. This will help us achieve the vision of making agriculture a business, as enshrined in the Bank's Feed Africa strategy."

The Bank's Feed Africa strategy, launched in 2015, targets to invest $24 billion into African agriculture over a ten-year period. The aim is that of improving agricultural policies, markets, infrastructure and institutions to ensure that agricultural value chains are well developed and that improved technologies are made available to reach several millions farmers.

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Companies deliberately procuring renewable electricity - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

Since the mid-2000s, companies have begun to deliberately power their operations with renewable based electricity, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Increasingly, NaijaAgroNet gathered that companies in different industries and sectors are committing to ambitious renewable energy targets.

The latest edition of IRENA Quarterly, a publication of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which is an intergovernmental organisation supporting countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future.

Globally, NaijaAgroNet also gathered that in 2017, companies sourced approximately 465 terrawatt-hours (TWh) of renewables.

Production for self-consumption accounted for most of this (165 TWh), followed by unbundled energy attribute certificates (130 TWh), corporate power purchase agreements, or PPAs (114 TWh), and finally “green procurement” by utilities (34 TWh).

The trend is widespread and dynamic. By volume, renewable electricity was mostly consumed in heavy industries like mining, pulp and paper, chemicals and other materials production (over 160 TWh). This mainly happens through companies generating their own hydropower, but increasingly also through “self-generated” wind and solar power.

Yet the highest shares of renewable electricity consumption are found in the financial (24%) and information technology (12 per cent) sectors. Companies like Bank of America, Google, IKEA, Intel and Microsoft are among the major consumers and self-generators of renewable electricity outside the materials sector.

Companies in at least 75 countries are known to have procured renewable electricity as a deliberate choice. While North America and Europe account for most of those companies, the practice is spreading to other regions.

India and South Africa are among the top ten markets actively sourcing renewable electricity. Other developing markets, like China, Mexico and Ghana, are also experiencing significant growth in active corporate sourcing.

Most governments have not yet considered the potential of corporate sourcing in their energy strategies. Yet they recognise renewables as a way to attract new investment, meet energy needs, achieve compliance with national and international climate targets, and boost job creation.

Out of 2 410 companies analysed by IRENA, over half source renewable electricity, although only 17% indicated having a target in place. More than 200 companies source over half of their energy demand through renewables.

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170 drivers benefit from Shell Nigeria Gas Medicare - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

No fewer than 170 public transport drivers benefited from general medical consultation and screening services organised by Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) as part of the activities marking the 20th anniversary of the gas distribution company, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The one-day programme held recently in Ota, headquarters of Ado Odo/Ota Local Government area of Ogun State, saw the drivers screened for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar, cholesterol, malaria parasite, and HIV. There were also eye checks, prescription lenses, dental care, pharmaceutical services and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.

Speaking at the opening session, the Managing Director of SNG, Ed Ubong, represented by the company’s Operations Manager, Niyi Salami,described  the health programme as part of the many community-focused initiatives of Shell Companies in Nigeria to support efforts by government at all levels to make life better for the people.

“The health and safety of the people are critical and we see our company as continuing to play a role in supporting the efforts of government to take promotive, preventive and curative healthcare to the people where they work and where they live,” Ubong said. “By ensuring quality state of health of public transport drivers including their sight, safety standard on our roads will be enhanced and this will help to reduce health-associated carnages on our roads.”

The programme was held in collaboration with Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government; Ogun State Ministry of Health; and the state’s Primary Health Care Board (PHCB).

The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, commended SNG for the health programme among its many other supports to the host community in Ogun State. He also praised another Shell company, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, for its robust medical outreach programme in Ogijo, also in Ogun State.

Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, who led the medical team advised the drivers not to ignore early signs of health challenge which he said could help in prompt and effective management of hidden medical conditions by medical officers.

In attendance at the programme were the representatives from the state’s Primary Health Care Board, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government and Community Development Associations.

Admin/GEE

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Pix: L – R: Operations Manager, Shell Nigeria Gas, Niyi Salami; Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; and Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola, during the Community Care Programme at Ansar-Ud-Deen Practicing School, Ota, Ogun State recently.

Nigeria accedes to Int'l Cocoa deal - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

The Federal Government (FG) has finally assented to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, following the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) reports NaijaAgroNet.

President Muhammadu Buhari, NaijaAgroNet reported on Monday, at the State House, Abuja, signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, on behalf of the Federal Government.

Confirming this, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity), Mr. Garba Shehu on Monday said that following the execution of the instrument of accession, Nigeria undertakes “faithfully to abide by all the stipulations therein contained” in the Agreement.

Among other benefits, he said, the agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between exporting and importing member countries; improve their cocoa economies through active and better focused project development and strategies for capacity-building.

NaijaAgroNet recollects that the 2010 Agreement is also expected to build on the successes of the 2001 Agreement by “implementing measures leading to an increase in the income of cocoa farmers and by supporting cocoa producers in improving the functioning of their cocoa economies.”

For Shehu, it will also “deliver cocoa of better quality, take effective account of food-safety issues and help establish social, economic and environmental sustainability, so that farmers are rewarded for producing cocoa that meets ethical and environmental considerations.”

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Boko Haram: UNICEF applauds release of 24 children from administrative custody - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

UNICEF has welcomed the release of 24 children aged 12 to 17 from Nigerian Army administrative custody after they were cleared of suspected ties with armed groups, especially the Boko Haram, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This brings the number of children released this year to 207.

“For these children, the long journey towards reuniting with their families, reintegrating with their communities and fulfilling their dreams starts today. We must support these children to fulfil their hopes and aspirations,” said UNICEF Nigeria acting Representative Pernille Ironside.

“UNICEF will continue to work with military and the authorities to support the reintegration of all children released, until there are no more children in administrative custody.”

As part of these efforts, UNICEF works with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and partners to provide the children with medical attention and psychosocial support, before the process begins of reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them into society.

Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children previously associated with non-state actors in north-east Nigeria, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, and offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

However, the resources available to support children affected by the conflict in north-east Nigeria are limited, with just under half of the required resources available,limiting UNICEF’s ability to deliver an integrated package of protection, WASH, nutrition and health services for the survival and development of vulnerable children in conflict affected areas.

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