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Act for Humanity: The Urgent Call of World Humanitarian Day 2024

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Act for Humanity: The Urgent Call of World Humanitarian Day 2024

By: Mohamed Malick Fall

Every year, World Humanitarian Day (WHD) serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of humanitarian efforts globally. This year, the theme #ActForHumanity emphasizes the collective responsibility we all share in protecting civilians and the humanitarian workers who serve them in conflicts and other crises.

As we observe this day on 19 August, it is crucial to reflect on the profound implications of ongoing conflicts, the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), and the dire need for global leaders to take decisive action and say enough is enough.

Conflicts around the world, from Gaza to Sudan, continue to wreak havoc on civilians. Climate change is also increasing humanitarian needs.

In north-east Nigeria, the prolonged conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions, disrupting livelihoods and compounding already alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.

In 2024 alone, 8.1 million people need humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states in north-east Nigeria. This includes 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 4.1 million people in host communities. Humanitarian partners together with the Government of Nigeria aim to reach 4.4 million of these people with lifesaving food, water, shelter and other emergency assistance.

In Borno State, Anna Monday, a mother of four, endures the harsh realities of displacement. Forced from her home, she now lives in a temporary learning centre at the reception centre in Pulka, a place designed for short-term accommodation but now a long-term refuge for many. Up to 30 women sleep in the shelter while the men sleep outside, highlighting the lack of adequate shelter.

Amina Buba, a mother of four, was displaced from her village in Adamawa State due to violent attacks by insurgent groups. Her home was burnt, forcing her family to flee with only the clothes on their backs. In the IDP camp, Amina struggles to find enough food and clean water for her children.

Fatima Mohammadu, a young girl from Yobe State, was separated from her family during a raid on her village. She was found by humanitarian workers and brought to an IDP camp. The trauma of separation and the loss of her loved ones have left deep emotional scars. In the camp, she faces challenges such as lack of access to education and inadequate nutrition.

Women, men, boys and girls across Nigeria are also affected due to crises linked to intercommunal violence, the climate crisis or general hardships. Women and children, often suffer the worst effects enduring widespread violations of their rights, including sexual violence.

A combination of insecurity, limited access to affected people, and inadequate funding and resources are complicating the delivery of essential services, leaving millions of people in humanitarian need.

In north-east Nigeria, attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers have become disturbingly common blatantly violating international humanitarian law.

On 29 June, for instance, numerous civilians died, and dozens were injured in multiple suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno. A month later, many families lost their loved ones in yet another suicide attack in Konduga, also in Borno. These incidents underscore the persistent threat to civilian lives in conflict, and highlight the urgent need for enhanced protection measures, including stricter adherence to international norms and the need for greater accountability for violations.

Every day, humanitarian workers, from Government, non-governmental organizations, the United Nations (UN), civil society, Nigerian and international staff go out of their way to save lives and to bring people back to their feet. Host communities accommodate people who are internally displaced despite not having much to share because of their humanity.

World Humanitarian Day is more relevant than ever. The world has never seen greater humanitarian need. The number of people who are suffering because of conflict and other humanitarian crises is staggering. There has never been a more urgent need to protect civilians, and to recognize the critical role of humanitarian workers.

Global leaders and parties to conflict have a pivotal role to play in resolving conflicts and protecting humanitarian workers. They must not only condemn violations of international humanitarian law, but also take concrete steps to hold those responsible for violations accountable.

Thanks to funding from donors, humanitarians are reaching millions of people each year with lifesaving assistance. But they need robust support to continue their vital work in support of Government efforts. This includes financial resources, humanitarian access, and political goodwill.

Today, only a quarter of the resources needed to address urgent humanitarian needs globally and in north-east Nigeria has been forthcoming. Without these resources we will be unable to support Anna, Amina, and Fatima to survive and rebuild their lives.

Beyond humanitarian interventions, development-related activities are key as humanitarian needs also stem from a lack of basic services, a lack of livelihoods, and poor access to employment for young people.
The theme #ActForHumanity is not just a slogan; it is a call to action. It implores each one of us to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, to speak out against injustices, and to work towards a world where humanitarian principles are respected, and lives are protected.

On this World Humanitarian Day, let us all pledge to act for humanity, for today and for the future.

I trust that you will stand with me in solidarity with people affected by conflict and disaster and the brave men and women who come to their aid. They should not be the target of violence but must be protected at all cost.

Mohamed Malick Fall is the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria.

Act for Humanity: The Urgent Call of World Humanitarian Day 2024

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Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

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Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has described the first indigenous Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, owned by Nigerian oil magnet, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi, as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement.

Governor Zulum stated this on Saturday, at the sail away ceremony of the EMEM Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Vessel (FPSO), held at the Drydocks World facility in Dubai, which marked the completion of the vessel, and is now set to depart for Nigeria.

“The sail away of the EMEM FPSO is more than an engineering feat,” the Governor stated. “It is a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and a reflection of what homegrown enterprise can achieve when guided by vision, discipline, and excellence.”

He began his remarks by thanking the Government and People of Dubai for their hospitality, noting that hosting the milestone in the UAE “underscores the strength of our mutual commitment to innovation, trade, and sustainable development.”

The EMEM FPSO, a $315 million facility with a storage capacity of one million barrels and a production capability of up to 30,000 barrels per day, is the first FPSO to be fully financed by an indigenous Nigerian company, Oriental Energy Resources Limited.

The Governor specifically commended Dr. Muhammadu Indimi and the Oriental Energy Resources team for this “bold accomplishment.”

“This achievement does not only contribute to national output,” he said, “it reinforces our collective belief that Nigeria’s private sector has the capacity to drive growth, create jobs, and compete globally.”

Upon its deployment to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 15, the FPSO is expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production and enhance national revenue, aligning with the economic diversification goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Governor Zulum concluded that the project’s success reflects the “resilience, innovation, and self-reliance” that define ongoing efforts to rebuild Borno State.

“It inspires confidence that, with determination and partnership, Nigeria’s best days lie ahead,” he said.

He wished the EMEM FPSO a safe voyage and productive operations, calling it a “symbol of Nigeria’s strength, ingenuity, and promise.”

The event was attended by the Governor of Adamawa, Hon. Ahmadu Umoru Fintiri and his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Umo Eno; elder statesman Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON); Chairman (CEO) Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and representative of the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away

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VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

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VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

  • As Nigeria reaffirms resolve to champion climate change solutions in Africa

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30).

This is just as Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

The Conference convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners, was held from November 6 to 7 in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

During the international engagement, Vice President Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30, where he delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”

VP Shettima also represented President Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled, “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP 30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.

Delivering the statement titled, “The Rational Soul of Nature,” he called on global partners “to recognise the economic value of nature and to channel significant finance towards protecting and restoring it through predictable, equitable, and accessible funding mechanisms.”

The Nigerian Vice President also took part in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participated in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature, as well as an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.

On the sidelines, Senator Shettima also held bilateral meetings focused on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, gave a recap of the Vice President’s participation in COP 30 held Belem, Brazil.

She said Nigeria will use its influence to mobilize finance for the country, as well as advocate the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.

“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that big brother.

“So, we must galvanize all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.

The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

“The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables – we will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.

On the passion of the Nigerian government for seeking solutions to climate change matters, El-Rufai said, “Nature and climate are the very home that makes our economy thrive and also gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.

“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is important to ensuring sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything. So, this why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.

“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation. The government will continue to prioritize climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” the Special Adviser added.

Noting that many countries are yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), El-Rufai urged them to emulate Nigeria, just as she praised Nigeria for taking the lead.

“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet but Nigeria has. China and EU just submitted; so, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.

“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders seat and operationalize NDCs and make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.

VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements

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Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

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Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

By: Zagazola Makama

Hundreds of members of the The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Kano on Saturday staged a protest against a viral statement attributed to United States President Donald Trump, suggesting the possibility of a military strike on Nigeria.

The protest, which took place in several parts of the Kano metropolis, saw large crowds chanting anti-US slogans while carrying placards expressing displeasure with the alleged remarks.

Zagazola Makama report that mobilisation for the protest was largely coordinated through Hausa-language social media platforms, where posts claimed that the United States was planning to “attack Nigeria.”

Video footage circulating online showed youths marching, calling for global condemnation of Trump’s alleged comments, and urging Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty.

The members said they viewed the comments as provocative and capable of inciting tension.

“The statement is unacceptable. No foreign nation should threaten Nigeria. This protest is to show that we will not allow external aggression,” a protester said.

The narratives circulating online suggest a growing trend of anti-US sentiment in parts of northern Nigeria, fuelled by misinformation, distrust of Western involvement, and emotional messaging tied to religion and national identity.

They expressed concern that such rhetoric, if unchecked, could escalate and be exploited by extremist groups or political actors.

Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria

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