Nigeria Admissions of malnourished children rise amid 4-year high in food insecurity due to conflict and climate

By: Our Reporter

Admissions of severely malnourished children in health facilities supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeast Nigeria have increased by 24% between the third quarters of 2023 and 2024.

This increase is part of a trend affecting the entire Lake Chad Basin region, where an estimated 6.1 million people will not have enough to eat in the coming months due in part to both conflict and climate, the highest figure in four years.
The rise in the number of people without enough food mirrors an increase in violence, which has severely impacted communities’ ability to grow crops and access markets. Violent incidents in the Lake Chad region in the first half of 2024 rose 58% compared with the same period in 2023.

Climate hazards are also preventing people from growing crops and accessing their farmland and markets, contributing to a food security crisis being felt across Lake Chad – in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. In northeast Nigeria, the start of the harvest season coincided this year with heavy floods that washed away seeds and all hope of harvest after an especially dry lean season.

“The consequences of spiraling violence and climate variability are devastating for families trying to feed themselves. We see the proof in the health facilities we support, where the rising number of children with severe acute malnutrition is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, they only represent a fraction of those in need across the region,” said Yann Bonzon, ICRC’s head of delegation in Nigeria.

In September, the ICRC expanded its efforts to curb malnutrition rates by supporting two additional health centers for malnourished children in Yobe and Adamawa states, northeast Nigeria. This will allow medical teams to provide a range of key services including consultations, nutritional screenings, and treatment for malnourished children with complications.

The ICRC, alongside with its partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, carries out activities assisting millions of people impacted by the combining effects of conflict and climate across the Lake Chad Basin. In northeast Nigeria in 2024, 187’000 people benefited from assistance in response to food shortages, delivered by the ICRC and the Nigeria Red Cross Society.

“We are increasing our humanitarian assistance, but we are afraid it is not going to be enough, because the needs are so much higher than the help we are able to provide,” said Alhaji Abubakar Kende, Secretary General of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The ICRC reminds all parties to armed conflicts that it is their responsibility under international humanitarian law (IHL), to ensure that people living in the territories under their control can meet their essential needs, including food, water, medical care, and access to farmland and markets. The ICRC engages all parties to armed conflicts on the respect for IHL, including in their conduct of hostilities. Indeed, IHL violations can negatively impact food security by disrupting access to fields and markets, restricting seasonal movement of livestock, and limiting access of humanitarian actors to communities in need.

Nigeria Admissions of malnourished children rise amid 4-year high in food insecurity due to conflict and climate

Zulum visits aviation minister as Maiduguri airport upgrades to international status

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured the minister of aviation and aerospace, Mr Festus Keyamo, of his administration’s support as the ministry announced a plan to upgrade the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, to international status.

Zulum gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

“As the chairman of northeast governor’s and this is our first International Airport, I want to assure of the political will needed to ensure the implementation of this laudable stride,” Zulum said.

The governor emphasised that Maiduguri being a gateway for most countries around Lake Chad and Central Africa, would stimulate economic development in the northeast region by upgrading the airport.

Speaking earlier, the aviation minister assured that Muhammadu Buhari Airport would take off as a full International Airport on January 1, 2025, noting that all the takeoff preparations have been concluded and that relevant government agencies have been notified of the development.

The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, stressing that of all the geopolitical zones, only the northeast has no full International airport in the country.

Zulum was accompanied on the visit by senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represent Borno South, North and Central, respectively.

Borno APC Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira and other senior government officials were also present on the visit.

Zulum visits aviation minister as Maiduguri airport upgrades to international status

NEDC to Introduce Electric Vehicles in Northeast States

By: Michael Mike

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to introduce e-mobility for commercial purposes in all six states of the Northeast region.

This is part of the initiatives of the Commission to reduce hardships on the people of the region which comprises Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Borno States caused by removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

The project, which has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, will commence soon after final deliberations with a Joint State Committee of the six states comprising the NEDC.

The e-mobility project, according to the NEDC Managing Director/CEO ,Alhaji Mohammed Alkali will provide tricycles, taxis, and buses for intra and inter-state services, reducing reliance on gas and petrol.

He revealed that the project will be implemented in phases, based on individual state needs, and will include training and maintenance schedules for staff, road unions, and beneficiaries, adding that the e-mobility vehicles will be provided on loan, with flexible terms and conditions determined by the Joint Committee.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Alkali solicited the support and cooperation from union leaders and members to ensure the project’s success.

He noted that the project is expected to influence rapid development in the region.

Meanwhile, the MD/CEO of the NEDC has directed the management of Al Ansar University to forward their demands to the commission for consideration.

The university has sought the support and assistance from the commission, which include educational facilities, mobility provision, solar energy systems, ICT facilities, and research funds.

The NEDC is in the habit of assisting and supporting many tertiary institutions in the region as part of its mandate to promote and develop the educational sector.

The NEDC also requested a proposal from Al Ansar FM 96.1 Radio Station for a retainership on some radio programmes, especially in local languages, to reach a wider audience.

NEDC to Introduce Electric Vehicles in Northeast States