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Food Security: 25,000 tons of Wheat for Northeast Arrive from Ukraine
Food Security: 25,000 tons of Wheat for Northeast Arrive from Ukraine
By: Michael Mike
A donation of 25,000 tons of wheat for emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria has arrived the country from Ukraine.
The tons of wheat were donated through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
This vital contribution – part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would come handing as prices of staple food in Nigeria have been rising in recent times pushing basic meals out of the reach of millions of vulnerable families across the country.
According to a statement by WFP, the shipment was made possible thanks to a collaborative effort from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who so urgently need it.
WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, David Stevenson said: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative,”
He added that: “This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase”.
The statement added that as part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation will be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men and children for a two-month period.
It decried that deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria have driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardizing agriculture and livelihoods production, adding that over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels hampering food access for vulnerable families who depend on harvest and markets for their supplies.
The statement said: “In Maiduguri, for example, the wholesale prices of red beans have increased by 210 percent compared to the same period last year (February 2023). Similarly, prices of maize and sorghum increased by 176 percent and 188 percent respectively.
The country is also grappling with its fourth consecutive year of chronic food insecurity with 26.5 million people across the country projected to face acute hunger during the 2024 lean season between June and August according to the November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis.
“WFP is committed to working with the government and partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and effective food systems taking advantage of its current footprint in the country. Through its “Out of Conflict into Solutions” food systems approach, WFP seeks to prioritize emergency food assistance to the most
vulnerable groups while simultaneously supporting self-reliance by rebuilding assets to improve long- term food security and resilience including adaptation to climate change, providing timely access to nutritious food, and promoting innovative financing to support WFP operations.
“In 2023, WFP invested US$ 200 million in agricultural economy through locally purchased food and cash transfers to crisis-affected families for food redemption in local markets.”
Stevenson said: “WFP has the tools and willingness to support the government in restoring and unlocking the agricultural potential of northeast Nigeria making it again the breadbasket of the country. But we cannot achieve this alone. Collective action is needed to bring peace and stability, ensure stable markets, encourage financial investments, and generate employment through enhanced collaboration with Nigerian private sector partners, suppliers, transporters, service providers, and retailers.”
He however said to ensure continued food and nutrition assistance to crisis-affected people in northeast and northwest Nigeria, WFP urgently requires US$154 million for the next six months (March-August 2024).
Food Security: 25,000 tons of Wheat for Northeast Arrive from Ukraine
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
By: Michael Mike
The rationale behind the pulling down of the historic Awolowo House, a multi-story building, in Ikeja, Lagos, that has been a symbol of innovation since 1978 has been explained.
The iconic building, which is managed by Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owned by the six South West states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, was demolished and is being rebuilt into a modern and magnificent technology haven called Awolowo Technology Mall.
The new Awolowo Technology Mall, is being developed to commemorate and immortalize legendary nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy of innovation, quest for knowledge, spirit of discovery, and excellence; qualities that the leading technology companies taking up spaces at the Awolowo Technology Mall are globally famous for.
The new Awolowo Technolgy Mall will more than double the previously available commercial space of Awolowo House from 4,800 sqm to over 9,000 sqm.
On the rationale for the demolition of the former edifice, the managing director of El-Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr Ben Gbade Ojo, whose company is in partnership with Wemabod to develop the Awolowo Technology Mall, told journalists in Abuja at the weekend, that “the Awolowo Technology Mall, now famously called A.T Mall, is a place where top-notch information technology companies will set up shops and offices to exhibit and market the latest information communication technologies and systems, a place where latest ICT products from global technology companies can be found in Nigeria. It is a place where leading ICT experts congregate and set up shops and offices, a place where ICT training is carried out by global ICT geniuses and where ICT puzzles find ready answers, and ICT problems find well-tailored solutions. You will likely find at the A.T Mall, any ICT product or electric product available in the world, and you may not need to travel outside Nigeria for the product. Whatever technology products or services you are in need of, come to A.T Mall, Ikeja, and you will get them”.
He noted that recently, a comprehensive report by data analytics firm, Statisense ranked Lagos as the world’s fastest-growing emerging technology ecosystem in 2025.
The report published on X placed Istanbul in second position, followed by Pune. Belo, Horizonte, Mumbai, Curitiba, Riyadh, Johannesburg, Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City completed the top ten.
Analysts say the ongoing development of the magnificent Awolowo Technology Mall, now sought after by world-class technology firms, will further solidify Lagos’ now globally acknowledged status as a leading technology hub in the world.
Statisense is a leading artificial intelligence data analytics company known for its annual ecosystem intelligence reports across emerging markets.
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Benue on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a 55-year-old farmer in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 3:44 p.m. by Mr. Zaki Pkan, a resident of Yelwata, who raised alarm after his brother, Mr. Ayua Fedelis Hemen, failed to return from his farm.
“Upon receiving the report, the coordinator of tactical teams in Yelwata mobilised operatives to the area.
“The body of the deceased was discovered in the farm with multiple machete cuts. It was photographed, evacuated and later handed over to the family,” he said.
The sources added that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the suspects behind the killing.
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Benue have destroyed five camps belonging to suspected armed herders during a clearance operation in the Sankera axis of Ukum Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which began at about 11 a.m., on Friday was carried out jointly by Ukum Divisional Police personnel, Operation Zenda, visiting units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), operatives of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Benue Civil Protection Guard.
“During the offensive, five bandits’ camps were destroyed following a fierce gun battle around Dyom and Asom Amadu in Ukum LGA.
“The armed bandits fled with bullet wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle with breech number 309416 and five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. These were recovered by our men.
“The clearance operation is still ongoing with efforts being intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The sources said the coordinated operation was part of measures to flush out criminal elements terrorising rural communities in the Sankera axis.
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
Historic Awolowo House Pulled Down for Space for Growth of ICT, Says Investor
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
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