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About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report

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About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report

By: Michael Mike

About 26.5 million Nigerians may grapple with high level of food insecurity in 2024, according to 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity.

This figure was released by the Government of Nigeria and its partners during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity.

Also, approximately 9 million children are at risk of suffering from acute malnutrition or wasting. Of these, an alarming 2.6 million children could face Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and require critical nutrition treatment.

The Cadre Harmonisé, an initiative focused on food and nutrition analysis, conducts studies biannually (in March and October) across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). With the Government’s leadership and the United Nations (UN) system’s support, the latest projection for 2024 indicates a sharp rise from the 18.6 million people currently vulnerable to food insecurity from October to December 2023.

According to the report, several factors are driving this trend, including ongoing conflicts, climate change impacts, escalating inflation, and rising costs of both food and essential non-food commodities (in part due to the devaluation of the naira and the discontinuation of the fuel subsidy), adding that persistent violence in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) hinders food availability and access, with additionally, armed banditry and kidnappings in northwest and north-central states, including Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue, and Niger, exacerbate the prevailing economic struggles.

According to a joint press statement on Friday by the World Food Programme, FAO, UNICEF, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, underscored the significance of the Cadre Harmonisé during a presentation in Abuja.

Represented by Mrs. Fausat Lawal, Director of Special Duties, Umekhihe highlighted that despite Government efforts, external challenges like the ongoing global economic effects of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupts food systems, persist.

Of the 18.6 million people who experience food insecurity today, 3.3 million live in the northeastern states of the BAY region. This number might rise to 26.5 million nationwide by the height of the 2024 lean season ( and to 4.4 million in the BAY states) if immediate action is not taken.

The FAO Representative ad interim in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, while calling on the Government to expand CH coverage to the remaining 10 states said, FAO would continue to support the Government and the people of Nigeria to overcome food insecurity and malnutrition.

He stated that: “In 2024, alongside our partners, FAO’s focus will be on agrifood systems transformation with deliberate attention on resilience-building, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and providing extension services.”

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that floods in October 2023 in Adamawa impacted around 8,500 households, leading to mass displacements, particularly among women, children, and the elderly. Such extreme weather patterns, linked to the El Niño phenomenon, are further undermining food security.

“Food insecurity and malnutrition are among the main drivers of humanitarian need in the BAY states,” said the head of OCHA in Nigeria, Mr. Trond Jensen.

“People have been forced to adopt negative coping mechanisms such as survival sex and child labour to stay alive. Over the past year, dozens of farmers have lost their lives, and others have been abducted or injured while eking out a living outside the security perimeters of Borno’s garrison towns due to limited farming lands and few or no livelihood options.”

UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, emphasized the urgent need for action. She said, “Every child deserves proper nutrition and a life free from hunger. It’s not merely a responsibility but a moral duty for governments and the global community to ensure these rights are upheld.”

Highlighting the long-standing issue, WFP’s Country Representative, David Stevenson,said: “The hunger crisis in Nigeria, fueled by the ongoing conflict in the northeast, needs urgent addressing. Restoring peace in the northeast is critical for us to build pathways to production and achieve the northeast’s potential as the food basket of the country”.

Trend analysis for the northeastern states indicates consistently high or rising food insecurity levels since 2018. Over 4 million people have needed urgent assistance annually since June 2020.

The United Nations urges the Nigerian Government, donors, and stakeholders to commit resources and implement measures to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster, emphasizing the need for immediate support across the nation.

The Cadre Harmonisé analysis covered 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the FCT. It represents a collaborative effort led by the Nigerian government, in association with regional technical agencies, UN bodies, and NGOs. The Cadre Harmonisé serves as a comprehensive tool to evaluate present and future food and nutrition scenarios.

About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report

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Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

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Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has conducted a free medical examinations as well as distributed free drugs to its staff in Gombe State Office, as part of its health advocacy to improve wellbeing of its employees and boost productivity.

As part of JEDC’s health initiative, a fitness walk was also organised on Saturday for all employees in Gombe State.

A fitness coach, Jauro Dauda, who led the walk urged officials of JED to prioritise regular exercise as part of efforts to maintain good health and boost productivity.

The exercise began at the company’s state headquarters, from where officials trekked to Pantami Stadium.

At the stadium, staff members participated in various physical exercises before returning to the office premises for medical examinations.

Speaking to participants, Dauda emphasised the need for a healthy lifestyle through eating nutritious foods and regular exercise.

“For you to function well, you need to keep your body fit. So I advise each and every one of you to create time at home. You can take your wife on a walk.

“The content of what we eat today can cause a lot of health issues like hypertension and diabetes. Knowing your health status is very important; knowing it is good to living long,” he said.

Also speaking, the Gombe State Operating Officer of JEDC, Rilwan Shehu, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and encouraged staff to sustain the culture of exercise beyond organised events.
“We are happy that we can exercise not only in the stadium; you can exercise at home,” Shehu said.

He added that the company operates an inclusive system that promotes unity among staff.

“We in JEDC operate an open-door policy; there is no junior or senior cadre. We do things together and we win together,” he said.

Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs

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Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

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Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

A senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ASC Akinyode Mustapha, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen following the interception of a vehicle loaded with cannabis in Imeko area of Ogun State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that a team of officers from the NCS Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, led by DSC Ogundana Oluwademi, had on Feb. 2, at about 11:40 p.m., intercepted a Sienna bus loaded with suspected cannabis at Oke-Agbede via Imeko.

The driver of the vehicle, however, escaped on foot.

“While the team was returning to Lagos with the seized exhibit vehicle, they came under gunfire by unknown assailants at the Immigration checkpoint, Idofa, Imeko,” the sources said.

The sources added that a bullet struck ASC Akinyode Mustapha, aged 50, during the attack.

He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Ilaro, where he was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.

Upon receipt of the report on Feb. 4 at about 3:30 p.m., security forces stormed the scene. No expended ammunition or cartridge was recovered at the location, and photographs of the scene were taken.

The team leader reportedly released the corpse to the deceased’s family for burial, while the seized exhibit vehicle had earlier been taken to the NCS base in Lagos.

The sources said preliminary investigation was ongoing to verify the claims and unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Further developments will be communicated, the command said.

Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun

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VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

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VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

***Assures all hands are on deck to restore peace, tranquility to Kaiama

***Says President Tinubu has directed NEMA to mobilise resources to support distressed communities

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that peace and tranquillity are restored in Nuku and Woro villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in the aftermath of Tuesday’s attacks on the communities by terrorists.

He assured the people of the communities that while the President had ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to Kaiama, all hands were already on deck to rid the affected communities and the entire state of insecurity.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the people of Kaiama Local Government and the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over the deadly terrorist attack that claimed several lives.

The Vice President disclosed that President Tinubu has instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise all resources, in partnership with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, to provide succour and support to the distress communities.

“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserates with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State, by extension, over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

“That tragic killings had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of the communities that were dedicated to building peaceful livelihood, while they practice their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam has instructed,” he said

VP Shettima extended what he described as the heartfelt condolences of President Tinubu and the Federal Government to the government and those who lost their loved ones in the gory attacks, noting that all hands were already on deck to restore peace in the community.

“Please, accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Kaiama and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquility is restored to those communities,” he assured.

The VP did not disclose the measures being taken to restore peace in the area, observing however that “security issues are sensitive issues and we do not have to divulge most of the actions that are being taken by our security establishment.

“But I’m here fundamentally to commiserates with the government and people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama, in particular, over the tragic loss of lives and to reassure the good people of the state of harmony. Our prayers are with you, our empathy is with you,” the Vice President added.

Earlier, Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, extended the condolences and sympathy of the North East Governors to the people and government of Kwara State over the tragedy.

He said, “As Muslims, we believe in destiny and it is our sincere hope that, by God’s grace, this act will not happen again. Our prayers are with you and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those that have lost their lives and grant them Aljannah firdaus,” Governor Zulum prayed.

Responding, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq, applauded the swift response of the Federal Government to the incident, saying “as confirmed by the Local Government Chairman, troops are already on ground and the Operation Savannah Shield is in motion.

“As you can see, we were welcomed at the airport by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Second Division of the Nigerian Army. A DIG is on ground. We truly appreciate the response of the Federal Government, and representatives of NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.”

The Governor called for continued prayers for better a situation and better security in Nigeria, just as he said, “One is short of words and what to say but we will continue to support our President, the Vice President and our leadership for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation.”

Also, the Chairman of Kaiama local government area, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the immediate deployment of a military battalion in the area, and thanked the Governor of Kwara state for his leadership.

On his part, the Emir of Kaiama, HRH Alhaji Mu’azu Shehu Omar, also applauded President Tinubu for the prompt action taken after the massacre that in Kaiama.

“We really appreciate the effort of President Tinubu. Since the incident happened on Tuesday, he has shown concerned toward us. The security personnel and other relevant agencies are adequately deployed to arrest the situation,” the traditional ruler said.

Other dignitaries present during the visit include the Director-General of NEMA), Zubaida Umar; Sen. Ali Mohammed Ndume; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Eng. Jennifer Adighije; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, and members of Kwara State House of Assembly, among others.

VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack

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