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  • Malnutrition cases surge 100% in N/East, children are dying  – MSF warns

    Malnutrition cases surge 100% in N.East, children are dying  – MSF warns

    Malnutrition
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has warned of devastating surge in severe malnutrition cases among children in northern Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement by Abdulkareem Yakubu, MSF’s Field Communication Officer in Dutse on Wednesday.

    Yakubu quoted Dr Simba Tirima, MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, as saying
    “in recent weeks, MSF’s inpatient facilities in northern Nigeria recorded an extraordinary increase in admission of severely malnourished children with life-threatening complications, exceeding last year’s figures by over 100 per cent in some locations.”

    He explained that for the MSF teams, this is an alarming indication of a premature peak of the lean season and the increase in acute malnutrition that accompanies it, typically anticipated in July.

    “We are resorting to treating patients on mattresses on the floor because our facilities are full. Children are dying.

    “I immediate action is not taken, more lives hang in the balance. Everyone needs to step in to save lives and allow the children of northern Nigeria to grow free from malnutrition and its disastrous long-term, if not fatal, consequences,” Tirima said.

    The MSF said humanitarian assistance must be urgently scaled up.

    Tirima called upon the Nigerian authorities, international organisations and donors to take immediate action to diagnose and treat malnourished children to prevent associated complications and deaths, but also to engage in sustained, long-term initiatives to mitigate the underlying causes of this urgent problem.

    “We’ve been warning about the worsening malnutrition crisis for the last two years. 2022 and 2023 were already critical, but an even grimmer picture is unfolding in 2024. We can’t keep repeating these catastrophic scenarios year after year.

    “What will it take to make everyone take notice and act?,” Tirima said.

    According to him, in April 2024, MSF’s medical team in Maiduguri, Borno, admitted 1,250 severely malnourished children with complications to the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre, doubling the figure for April 2023.

    “Forced to urgently scale up capacity, by the end of May, the centre accommodated 350 patients, far surpassing the 200 beds initially designated for the peak malnutrition season in July and August.

    “Also in the northeast, the MSF-operated facility in Bauchi state’s Kafin Madaki hospital recorded a significant 188 per cent increase in admissions of severely malnourished children during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

    “In the northwestern part of the region, in Zamfara, the inpatient centres in Shinkafi and Zurmi have received up to 30 per cent more monthly admissions in April compared to March.

    “Talata Mafara’s facility saw about 20 per cent increase in the same period. Similarly, MSF inpatient facilities in major cities like Kano and Sokoto are also reporting alarming surges, by 75 and 100 per cent respectively.

    “The therapeutic feeding centre in Kebbi state also documented a rise of more than 20 per cent in inpatient admissions from March to April,” he decried.

    According to him, inspite of the alarming situation, the overall humanitarian response remains inadequate, adding that other non-profit organisations active in the north are also overwhelmed.

    He recalled that the United Nations and Nigerian authorities issued an urgent appeal in May for 306.4 million dollars to address the pressing nutritional needs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

    Yet this, he said, will be insufficient, ignoring as it does other parts of northern Nigeria where needs also outweigh the current capacity of the organisations to respond sufficiently.

    He added that the catastrophic nutritional situation seen in recent years in the region calls for a bigger response.

    According to the MSF, persistently excluded from the formal humanitarian response, reductions in the already limited funding available for the northwest have also dangerously affected the provision of crucial therapeutic and supplementary food.

    He added that the supplies were completely unavailable in Zamfara for the first four months of this year and are now only available in lower quantities.

    This reduction has meant that it is only possible to provide treatment for more severe malnutrition cases,ncompromising an effective response that also addresses malnutrition earlier in its progression and avoids exposing children to a higher risk of mortality.

    “We are alarmed by the reduction in aid at these critical times. Reducing nutritional support to only severely malnourished children is akin to waiting for a child to become gravely ill before providing care.

    ”We urge donors and authorities to increase support urgently for both curative and preventive approaches, ensuring that all malnourished children receive the care they desperately need,” Tirima was quoted as saying. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

     

  • NATO chief criticises China for boycotting Ukraine peace summit

    NATO chief criticises China for boycotting Ukraine peace summit
    China
    Brussels, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has criticised China for boycotting the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland from June 15 to June 16.
    Stoltenberg said it was regrettable that China had decided not to participate, local media reports.
    Switzerland has invited around 160 countries to the event to discuss possible ways to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.
    China announced a week ago that it would not participate.
    Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing stated that there is a significant disparity between the conference’s design and China’s expectations, as well as the general expectations of the international community.
    Stoltenberg said China’s cancellation was not surprising.
    He explained that not only did China fail to condemn the invasion, but President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed an agreement just before it, promising each other an unlimited partnership.
    Stoltenberg said that since the invasion, China has been selling advanced technology, microelectronics, and other equipment to bolster the Russian war economy, enabling Russia to continue the war against Ukraine.
    Switzerland has confirmed that more than 80 countries will participate in the peace conference.
    Russia, which invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, has not received an invitation. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/SH
    ========
    Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

  • Jimi Agbaje’s 1st son, Olubunmi, to be buried Friday in Canada

    Mr John Olubunmi Agbaje,  the late first son of  one of Nigeria’s top politicians, Mr Jimi Agbaje (NAN)

    Burial

    By Chioma Ugboma

    Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Mr Olubunmi Agbaje,  the first son of Nigeria’s top politician, Mr Jimi Agbaje, will be  buried on Friday in Canada.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olubunmi died on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Canada.

    Olubunmi, first son of  senior Agbaje, a former governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State  and Chieftain of Afenifere Renewal Group, was 41 years old.

    Jimi Agbaje, disclosed part of the burial arrangements to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday via telephone.

    According to him, the family will also hold a special memorial service for the late son in Lagos on a later date, after the burial in Canada.

     

    L: Mr Jimi Agbaje, one of Nigeria’s top politicians, and his late first son, Mr Olubunmi Agbaje

     

    Agbaje, who said he had few words to say on the demise of his son, said the family, in faith, has handed the monumental loss over to God.

    “His mother and I, indeed the entire extended family, cannot describe our pains. The shock is still there but in all, we give in to the will of God.

    “We cannot question God and we know HE alone will help us to heal with time.”

    Olubunmi, fondly known as“Funtime” reportedly died of cardiac arrest.

    John Olubunmi Agbaje attended elementary school at Corona School Ikoyi and high school at Atlantic Hall, Lagos.

    He proceeded to  Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire, England for his A levels, and  initially started university at  the University of Plymouth.

    He later  transferred to and completed his undergraduate studies at University of West of England (Bristol) with post graduate studies at The University of Birmingham.

    He was a marketing manager with multiple consumer packaged goods companies in Nigeria and Canada before his death.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

    CHOM/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

     

     

  • Milk Day: FG says high numbers of undernourished children worrisome

     

    Children
    By Doris Esa
    Abuja, June 5, 2024  (NAN) The Federal Government says no fewer than 25 million children in Nigeria are
    undernourished and stunted, with Nigeria ranking number one in Africa and second globally, in terms of malnutrition prevalence.
    Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who  quoted the figures from UNICEF, said this at the inauguration of the National Dairy Policy in Abuja on Tuesday.
    Shettima, who was represented by Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement).
    According to him, the dairy policy is aimed at transforming the dairy and livestock sectors to achieve food and nutritional security.
    He said that the dairy industry in Nigeria had a critical role in tackling this issue of undernourishment among children.
    “According to UNICEF, about 25 million children in Nigeria are undernourished and stunted, making our country rank number one in Africa and second globally, in terms of malnutrition prevalence.
    “The dairy industry in Nigeria plays a critical role in addressing this issue, providing essential nutrients like vitamins; protein; magnesium; and calcium necessary for proper growth and development from infancy to adulthood.
    “The demand for animal-source foods in Nigeria is driven by three major factors – population size, income per capita, and urbanisation.
    “As our population grows, so the demand for livestock products.
    “However, despite this growing demand, our dairy sector faces significant hurdles; including low productivity; inadequate infrastructure; and limited access to markets,” Shettima said.
    He said that these challenges highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to transform the dairy industry.
    The vice-president said that the potential in Nigeria’s dairy sector was reflected in significant investments from both local and international firms.
    He said that companies including FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Danone’s Fan Milk had launched extensive backward integration projects, with the aim of boosting local milk production and fostering a strong market for dairy products, among others.
    Shettima said that President Bola Tinubu would continue to support such laudable efforts by sustaining an enabling environment for the sustainable inflow of much needed capital and technology transfer.
    “We need not to rest on our oars, greater investment in the sector and better regulatory frameworks are essential to support growth,” he said.
    In a remark, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, said that the dairy policy would increase food and nutritional security.
    Abdullahi assured that the Federal Government would support the milk collection centres, as well as encourage the cooperative business in the country.
    He said that globally, cooperatives played a critical role in the dairy sector.
    “We need massive investment, there is need to bring industry players together for growth and productivity,” Abdullahi said.
    Earlier, in a presentation, Mrs Winnie Lai- Solarin, Director, Animal husbandry Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said that the Nigeria dairy sector in the 2000’s experienced significant development.
    Lai-Solarin said this was aimed at enhancing local production, improving supply chains and reducing dependency on imported dairy products. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ORD/VIV
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    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Vivian Ihechu

  • Clean energy: 3 Nigerian coys receive $17m support from UK 

    Clean energy: 3 Nigerian coys receive $17m support from UK

    Support

    By Ismail Abdulaziz

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Three Nigerian companies have received 17 million dollars in UK investment to strengthen the clean energy sector.

    A statement by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer/Communications Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, indicated that the support was given to the companies under the UK-funded Manufacturing Africa Programme.

    She said that the companies in the programme’s portfolio are Arnergy, Koolboks, and BURN Manufacturing.

    She added that the fund would boost Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to renewable energy solutions.

    “These investments will provide energy for more Nigerians, reduce carbon emissions, lead to the creation of 1,100 jobs, and support thousands of livelihoods.

    “The three companies are sustainability trailblazers,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BURN Manufacturing is at the forefront of clean cook-stove innovation.

    It secured 12 million dollars in carbon investment from Key Carbon Ltd.

    Their new local assembly facility in Dawakin Kudu, Kano state will boost distribution efforts of electric cook stoves and biomass stoves across East and Central Africa.

    Arnergy is a leading renewable energy company in Nigeria that specialises in designing and manufacturing technology-enabled solar micro-grid and rooftop solutions.

    With a recent 3 million dollars bridge-financing from a Shell-backed impact investment company, the company has already raised 7.5 million dollars in their Series B fundraising.

    Koolboks is revolutionising access to refrigeration services, particularly for underserved communities and women entrepreneurs through its solar-powered cooling systems.

    Their pay-as-you-go technology and accessible business model have attracted a 1.5 million Euro subsidy from Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA), for launch and expansion in Uganda.

    At the ceremony, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, stated that the UK government supports Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    Baxter said the fund would enhance Nigeria’s commitments toward boosting private-sector-led economic growth.

    “We’re funding the Manufacturing Africa programme to provide free advisory services to companies raising finance to expand their capabilities and create new jobs in Nigeria.

    “It’s great to see these companies realise their goals with UK support,” Baxter said.

    Lolade Alonge, Business Communications Manager at Koolboks said: “Manufacturing Africa’s financial advisory support when raising our ‘Series A’ came in very handy and has helped us secure funds that will assist with our expansion plans.”

    He said Manufacturing Africa has supported 31 Nigerian companies in boosting investment in many sectors including agro-processing, industrial parks, pharmaceuticals, vehicle manufacturing, e-mobility, and renewable energy.

    The programme has also helped to attract 85 million dollars into Nigeria’s manufacturing sector since 2020. (NAN)

    IS/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • ANRiN project revives 30,000 malnourished children in Kaduna – Coordinator

    Malnutrition

    By Sani Idris

    Zaria, (Kaduna State), June 5, 2024(NAN) The Coordinator of Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project (ANRiN) in Kaduna, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, said it has revived about 30,000 malnourished children in the state through myriad of  interventions.

    Muhammad-Idris, who said this at a one-day stakeholders’ debriefing workshop on Tuesday in Zaria, Kaduna, stated that they have assisted the state in the management of the children who were acutely malnourished.

    She equally said that the ANRiN project was largely a preventive intervention against the onset of malnutrition.

    According to her, the project has in the past three years reached out to over four million beneficiaries comprising children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and adolescent girls.

    As the ANRiN project in Kaduna ends by the end of the year, Muhammad-Idris hoped that all the good work, learning model, key successes and approaches that were used in delivering the project would be sustained and the expected practices sustained across the state.

    She also hoped that the knowledge, awareness created and the information that were provided would be put to proper use.

    Muahmmad-Idris said, ”We believe a lot of efforts and investments have been made.

    ”In doing that, we expect the institutions whose capacities have  been built and personnel who were trained, especially community service providers and health workers delivering the services to continue even after exit of the project.

    “We expect to see better food choices and maternal infant and young-child nutrition practices being upheld in homes and also families and individual imbibing better health seeking behavior in terms of nutrition and other health services

    “We expect to see improvement in the health services being provided at the facility level.

    ”This is why we partnered with the State Primary Health Care Board so as to strengthen our family health care facilities to deliver the services.”

    The coordinator stressed that everyone, including families, communities, and any stakeholder that has benefited from the project has a role to play in sustaining the efforts made by the ANRiN project.

    She. therefore, said it was expected of every stakeholder especially those at the community levels to play their respective roles.

    Muhammad-Idris pointed out that faith-based leaders have been supportive in using the Scriptures in passing information on how families should maintain healthy and nutritious lifestyles.

    She added that they were poised in seeing that Kaduna state has no single case of any malnourished child or mother.

    “It is doable, and this we aspire to see. At the end, we want to do away with chronic malnutrition which is exemplified by stunting and micro nutrients deficiencies,”she said.

    Also speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the event, the Commissioner for the State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), Mukthar Ahmed, restated its commitment to continue to coordinate all the nutrition stakeholders and MDAs.

    Ahmed, represented by Hajiya Aisha Muhammad, the Director, Development Aid Coordination, said the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), which is domiciled at the PBC, cannot afford to neglect the invaluable contributions made by ANRiN project in the state.

    He thanked them for their support, while pledging to sustain their legacies for the betterment of nutrition indices in the state.

    Earlier, Hajiya Hauwa Usman, the Nutrition Specialist for ANRiN project in Kaduna, said the workshop was aimed at presenting the progress they have made so far in its implementation.

    She equally said it was to critically discuss sustainability plans as the ANRiN project comes to end in the state by end of the year.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders at the workshop included Society for Family Health, the State Primary Health Care Board, National Orientation Agency and Nutrition Desk Officers from various MDAs.

    Others were: Kaduna Agriculture Development Agency, Kaduna Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) and the Ministry of Local Governments, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    SA/BRM
    ============

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Cleric to pilgrims : Steer clear of acts capable of nullifying Hajj

  • Fire guts Enugu timber market

     

    Fire

    By Maureen Atuonwu

    Enugu, June 5, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than five shops were on Tuesday gutted by fire at the timber market in Kenyatta Street, Uwani, Enugu, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A NAN correspondent who was at the scene of the incident, reports that prompt response by the state Fire Service quenched the fire from spreading to other parts of the plywood market.

    A firefighter, who preferred anonymity, said the service received a distress call around 9.45 pm that the market was on fire and it immediately swung into action and quenched the fire before it spread to other parts of the market.

    “As you can see, only about five shops were affected by the fire in this big market. I cannot say much on this incident as I am not the Chief Fire Officer,” the fireman said.

    Meanwhile, an eyewitness who identified himself as Joe, told NAN that he noticed the fire immediately after the suspension of the nationwide industrial strike by the labour unions in the country.

    According to him, some neighbours in the area rushed to the market and within a few minutes, the fire service arrived and quenched the fire.

    ”I thank God and the fire service for the quick response, otherwise, it would have been disastrous,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNA/BRM

    ================

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

     

     

  • Police confirm 3 fatalities in Rivers tanker explosion  

  • No plans to revoke licences of more banks – CBN

    No plan to revoke more bank licences – CBN

     

    CBN Governor,  Yemi Cardoso

     

    Bank

    By Kadiri Abdulrahman

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has no plan to revoke the licences of more Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

    The Acting Director, Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Sidi-Ali’s statement was a response to allegations in some quarters of plans to revoke the licences of Unity, Keystone and Polaris banks, following the withdrawal of the operating licence of Heritage Bank on Monday.

    “The attention of the CBN has been drawn to some information
    circulating in the public domain, suggesting that the CBN is set to revoke the licenses of three additional banks following its regulatory action against Heritage Bank Plc on Monday.

    “The CBN unequivocally states that these allegations are false and intended to trigger panic in the financial system.

    “The Nigerian financial system remains safe, sound, and resilient.

    “Our banks have begun submitting implementation plans for the Banking Sector Recapitalisation Programme in compliance with the Circular reviewing the minimum capital requirements for
    Commercial, Merchant, and Non-Interest Banks (CMNIBs),” she said.

    She said that the plans were currently being reviewed by the apex bank.

    According to her, in addition to enhancing buffers to withstand economic shocks, this proactive measure by the CBN to require CMNIBs to recapitalize, will result in increased capital for Nigeria’s bank.

    She said that it would enable them to provide much-needed credit to critical sectors of the economy.

    “This will increase the financial system’s contribution to the growth and development of a one trillion dollars Nigerian economy.

    “The CBN will like to reassure all stakeholders of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the financial system’s stability.

    “Our financial system remains on a solid footing, and the CBN
    will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain its safety and soundness,” the director said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CBN had, on Monday, announced revocation of the licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect.

    It said that the action was in accordance with the apex bank’s mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and in exercise of its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA).

    It said that the board and nanagement of the bank had not been able to improve the bank’s financial performance, a situation which constituted a threat to financial stability.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    KAE/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
    ======