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

NaijaAgroNet:

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

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Samsung partners BAN to enhance e-Waste tracking - NaijaAgroNet

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.

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9mobile partners Ignitia for farmers sake - NaijaAgroNet

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.

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

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.

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2018 State of Food, Agriculture report for launch - NaijaAgroNet

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.  

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Nigeria: UN welcomes release of 833 children - NaijaAgroNet

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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Grange School Lagos salutes Nigeria on Independence Day - NaijaAgroNet

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.

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

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

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