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Hungry People to Reach 49.5 million in Nigeria, Other West and Central African Countries in August 2024-WFP

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Hungry People to Reach 49.5 million in Nigeria, Other West and Central African Countries in August 2024-WFP

By: Michael Mike

Hungry people in West and Central Africa including Nigeria may reach a staggering 49.5 million people between June and August 2024, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has raised the alarm.

The WFP in a statement on Tuesday said: Despite considerable efforts by governments and partners, food insecurity continues to worsen in West and Central Africa with the number of hungry people set to reach a staggering 49.5 million people between June and August 2024 – a four percent increase compared to 2023, according to a regional food security analysis which was released same day.

The statement read that: “The trend is particularly worrying in coastal countries, where the number of women, men, and children facing acute hunger (IPC/CH phases 3 or higher) is expected to reach 6.2 million during the June-August 2024 hunger gap – a 16 percent increase on last year. The November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis projects cereal and tuber production throughout the region to be slightly above both last year’s levels and the 5-year average due to improved rains in 2023.”

According to the statement: Acute hunger in West and Central Africa is mainly driven by conflict – which has forcibly displaced millions of people from their homes and farms, the impact of the climate crisis, and high food and fuel prices. The prices of main foods remain well above the five-year average, particularly rice, corn, millet, sorghum, cassava and vegetable oil, despite seasonal declines in the prices of local commodities compared to last year.

The statement quoted WFP’s Acting Regional Director for Western Africa, Margot Vandervelden to have said:
“Acute hunger remains at record levels in the region, yet funding needed to respond is not keeping a pace; this is forcing WFP to scale back lifesaving assistance for those most affected in their hour of greatest need”, adding that: “Insufficient funding means the moderately hungry will be forced to skip meals and consume less nutritious food, putting them at risk of falling back into crisis or emergency phases, perpetuating the cycle of hunger and malnutrition. We need to break this circle by tackling the root causes of hunger and by building the resilience of families in West Africa.”

The statement added that the nutritional situation remains worrying, particularly in the Sahel, where emergency levels of child wasting were reached and surpassed in several countries this year, notably in parts of Mali, north-west Nigeria and Burkina Faso, it added that this was due to fragile food systems which do not deliver the specific nutritional needs of women and children; limited access to basic social services; and poor care and hygiene practices.

It noted that more than 2 out of 3 households in West and Central Africa cannot afford healthy diets. And 8 out of 10 children aged 6-23 months do not consume the minimum number of food groups they need for optimal growth and development. In the year up to the end of October 2023, 1.9 million children under five years were admitted for treatment of severe wasting across nine Sahel countries, representing a 20 percent increase as compared to the same period in 2022.

The UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Felicité Tchibindat said: “Children in West and Central Africa have a right to nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable diets,” “We invest to prevent child malnutrition happening in the first place, but we also need funding to keep supporting government services for the early detection, treatment, and care of malnourished children to help them survive, recover, and go on to live healthy and productive lives with dignity.”

The statement stated that the cost of a daily nutritious diet in central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) is 110 percent higher than the daily minimum wage in the region, and more and more households rely on local markets to provide their food, even in rural areas, according to the 2023 Food security and Nutrition report. For comparison, the cost of healthy diet in Africa is as high as in the USA, despite the latter GDP being more than 35 times that in the Africa region.

To address the spiralling food insecurity and malnutrition, FAO, UNICEF and WFP called on national government and financial partners to prioritize programmes that strengthen climate resilient food systems and livelihoods and invest in social protection systems, and improve natural resource management, including water, as an accelerator of resilience and development.

Participants in the Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis also recommended timely development and implementation of emergency programmes that address immediate food and nutritional needs of populations experiencing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity and malnutrition (IPC/CH phases 3 to 5). This will not only save lives, but also prevent the risk of malnutrition among children in areas most affected by insecurity and economic crises including in Burkina Faso, Chad, DRC, Mali, Nigeria and Niger.

“With the persistence of food and nutritional insecurity, we must act urgently to save millions of lives by advocating for the acceleration of resource mobilization to finance national response plans and facilitate access to areas facing insecurity or difficult to access, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria”, said FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Robert Guei.

The Cadre Harmonisé analysis also showed an estimated 94 million people in West and Central Africa under food security “Stress” (IPC/CH phase 2) between October and December 2023. Left without support, these communities are at risk of shifting to “crisis” and “emergency” (IPC/CH phases 3 and 4) levels of hunger tomorrow.

Hungry People to Reach 49.5 million in Nigeria, Other West and Central African Countries in August 2024-WFP

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NSCDC TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CYBER CRIME PROHIBITION, PREVENTION ACT 2015 IN INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS

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NSCDC TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CYBER CRIME PROHIBITION, PREVENTION ACT 2015 IN INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu has disclosed that henceforth, investigation and prosecution of offenders of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) would be carried out under relevant provisions, protection of CNII order, 2024.

Odumosu made the disclosure during a one day internal workshop to acquaint personnel of relevant department and units of the Command, such as ICT, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Intelligence and Investigation, Legal unit and personnel from the Area Commands and Divisions, with the provisions of the cybercrimes Acts and Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) order.

The workshop was convened in line with the directive of the Commandant General (CG), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni OFR, following the directive of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the application of the cyber crimes prohibition, prevention etc Act, 2015, in the prosecution of offences relating to Critical Information Infrastructure (CNII) as contained in the designation and protection of CNII order, 2024.

He said some individuals apprehended for vandalism or stealing CNII, like fiber optics cables, transmission towers, communication bases and switching stations with other ICT – related infrastructure are still being charged under conventional laws applicable to theft or malicious damage which has failed to address the National Security, Economic and Strategic implications of tampering with CNII.

The FCT Boss hinted that it was imperative to note that CNII comprises of Networks, systems, and facilities especially in telecommunications, finance, energy, transportation, and Defence whose disruption could compromise National Security, Economic and Public Safety.

The Commandant said CNII remains one of the core mandates of the Corps and all hands must be on deck to ensure that Critical National Assets and Infrastructure remains secured and capable of supporting the nation’s growth in this digital era.

“This gathering is not just a response to security threats but a proactive step towards fostering collaboration, innovation and strategic planning to safeguard our cultural heritage from vandalism”

“It must be clear that the Cybercrime law underscore the fact that attacks are no longer just physical – cutting cables, vandalizing installation but also digital or hybrid system interference, unauthorized access, data tampering”.

He urged all the participants to cascade the knowledge they have garnered to officers under them to ensure that vandalism is completely obliterated from the Capital Territory.

NSCDC TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CYBER CRIME PROHIBITION, PREVENTION ACT 2015 IN INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS

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NSCDC Arrests Kidnap Syndicate Along Zaria-Kano Highway

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NSCDC Arrests Kidnap Syndicate Along Zaria-Kano Highway

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a five-man syndicate who specializes in kidnapping, extortion, theft and criminal conspiracy and operate along Zaria-Kano road.

Briefing the journalists in Abuja, the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad Commandant; Apollo Dandaura narrated the encounter with the notorious gang nabbed for committing brigandage and forcefully attacked one Sani Ahmad driving along Zaria to Kano and was flagged down by the gang on the account that there was danger ahead.

He said the victim, Sani Ahmad was compelled to stop the vehicle unknown to him that he was already in the hands of kidnappers who subsequently extorted valuables from him.

Sani Ahmad from his statement hinted that he is a journalist and on the said day, he was travelling with his friend, Mallam Haruna, his wife and child but the unfortunate incident happened after he dropped his friend and family in Zaria and continued his journey to Kano.

He said: “After insisting that I stopped the Car, they invaded my vehicle and picked my travelling bag, took 2 IPhones 12 Pro max, Techno Camon 40 pro and compelled me to transfer ₦300,000 through my Opay Account to an Opay account 9026238691 with the name Abdullahii Lawan Garba which was provided by one Ibrahim Abubakar after firing a gun to threaten my life”

Dandaura said the names of the suspected kidnappers are: Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, Umar Fulani, Aliyu Mohammed, Murtala Salisu and Imrana Hassan all male and have volunteered statements admitting their individual involvement in the heinous crime committed.

He said the following were recovered as exhibits from the suspects: 6 mini Smart phones, 1 IPhone 12 Pro max, 1 Techno Camon 40 Pro similar to the ones stolen from the victim at gun point already sold to Imrana Hassan; First Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and Opay ATM cards, 1 Samsung Galaxy A15, 1 Infinix X6531B, 1 Itel keypad phone, Wrist Watches, Ear pods, Bangle, Rings and many other personal belongings.

He affirmed that thorough investigation is ongoing on the case and all suspects would appear before the Court of competent jurisdiction; he however warned travellers to be wary of late night movements noting that criminal minded persons are on rampage to extort innocent citizens most especially as the Yuletide season is very close.

NSCDC Arrests Kidnap Syndicate Along Zaria-Kano Highway

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Global Governance Initiative: China’s Bold Step Against Hegemony, Injustice

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Global Governance Initiative: China’s Bold Step Against Hegemony, Injustice

By: Dr. Bridget Chiedu Onochie

At a time when the world is grappling with complex challenges – social unrest, economic hegemony and unhealthy politics, a robust global governance system appears the only panacea. The prevailing unwholesome scenarios playing around the world not completely occasioned by natural tendencies but majorly orchestrated by leadership idiosyncrasies at the global level, no doubt, threatens human peace, and if left untamed, may further destabilize sequence of events by creating disharmony among peoples of the world.

By global governance, we refer to the systems, rules and standards that guide international relations and cooperation among countries, international organizations and other stakeholders in global development and peace. It envisages collaboration among nations towards addressing world’s challenges with international institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund formulating inclusive, equitable and people-oriented policies.

The primary goals of global governance, include promotion of peace and security in such a manner that conflicts are prevented; fostering economic development, protection of human rights by upholding dignity and well-being of people as well as decisively combating global natural challenges such as the climate change, pandemics and any other issue of urgent global interest.

Unfortunately, the inability of the international institutions to balance national interests with global needs, guarantee fair representation and participation, and effectively address complex global challenges through cooperation, diplomacy and other relevant tools, has witnessed escalation of natural occurrences and hostilities across the globe.

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping and his country therefore deserve commendation and accolade for amplifying the call for efficient and enduring global governance.

By proposing the GGI, Xi bold stepped forward to expose existing discrepancy in global governance, especially the forcelessness of the Global South in the essential mechanisms for global governance irrespective of their contributions to world’s economy and overall development.

The gap in international relations and its governance process have over the years, denied the essential contributions and cumulative insight of the majority of the world stakeholders.

The initiative, which was proposed by President Xi on September 1, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO Plus) meeting held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center, among other necessities, targets necessary reforms at the global institutions’ level.

That GGI was tied to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, having been established on October 24, 1945, speaks volume of Chinese attention to history and how its hands in shaping the future.

Unfortunately, 80 years down the lane, the global institutions entrusted with the responsibilities of safeguarding member countries, especially the less powerful nations from socio-economic hegemony, appeared overwhelmed while blatant disregard for territorial sovereignty permeates the world.
One of the greatest benefits of the proposed

GGI as canvassed by several well-meaning citizens of the world therefore is the expected drastic reforms of the institutions to enshrine inclusivity and mutual respect.

As aptly proposed by China, there should be a commitment to peaceful coexistence and strengthening of confidence in a manner that guarantees a win-win situation. Beyond the proposal, China has also volunteered to work with all countries to ensure that a more just and equitable global governance system is enshrined. This perhaps, may be one of the fastest lane to its long time clamour for a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Global Governance as an initiative stands on five solid pillars of sovereign equality, international rule of law, practical multilateralism, people-centered approach and taking real actions.

Through these pillars, China canvasses a global governance structure that promotes to sovereign equality by ensuring that all countries, irrespective of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants in decision-making, beneficiaries in global governance. It also seeks greater effort towards entrenching a democratic culture in international relations to the extent of amplifying the voice of developing countries by increasing their representations in international institutions.

The second pillar, which dwells on the need to abide by international rule of law, clearly defines the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and other universally recognized basic norms of international relations. It holds that international law and rules should be applied equally and uniformly without double standards or few countries imposed upon others.

The GGI expressed the need to uphold the vision of global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contributions for shared benefit, that which strengthens solidarity and coordination, opposed to unilateralism, and that, which firmly safeguards the status and authority of the U.N to enable it play the expected key role in global governance.

Another reason for seeking a reform of the global governance system is to make governance more people-oriented, the one that recognizes people of every nation as equal players and by so doing, gradually bridges the gulf between the Global North and the South.

There is also need to transcend rhetoric in addressing world challenges. The new GGI supports a systematic and holistic coordination of global actions and the ability to fully mobilize resources, struggle for more visible outcomes and enhance practical cooperation to prevent the governance system from disintegration.

Since no individual or country gives what it doesn’t have, it is not surprising therefore that the in past 24 years, the SCO has adhered faithfully to the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, thereby setting the pace for practical and exemplary global governance.

The fact that China’s regional affairs are inclusively discussed and provides platforms and mechanisms for actions built together and cooperation that benefits buttressed the possibility of a new global governance if players are determined and resolute.

The SCO has drawn inspiration from the lessons of the past and their contemporary implications. According to experts, foundation of the initiative was laid by issues emanating from rigorous interrogations of the prevailing existential reality and international conditions, a circumstance that promotes survival of the fittest and emphases for living before essence.

The GGI is therefore a clarion call for objective representation of every country, for collective consensus of the global family that defies factional coalitions and bloc loyalty, having been conspicuously made evident that no matter how powerful some countries may be, they may not possess adequate mechanism to deal with emerging challenges of international system exclusively.

As the wave of development blows across the globe, even the once relegated, developing, nations are experiencing subtle but accelerated progress in science and technology. That is the reality of the Global South, especially China, which has astronomically leapt into the mainstream of the contemporary global power.

Yet, the beauty of China’s development is the positive impacts that country has made on other continents and respective countries of the world, including Africa. By so doing, it has assumed, without self-gratification, international responsibilities as the emerging big brother of the Global South, not only with the deployment of its resources to translate visions to visible, actionable development but equally, building a reputation for seeking inclusive world that is peaceful, equitable and conducive for all.

Therefore, the five GIG concepts, which are already set in motion in China, should be considered imperative for the new global order. The fact that SCO has increasingly become a catalyst for the development and reform of the global governance system is something that should excite the world rather than build walls of sentiments.

President Xi in his powerful address reiterated that China was ready to work with all parties in order to uphold courageously, the great principle and the common good of the world, to promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, to resolutely safeguard the fruits of their victory in the War, to deliver more benefits to the entire humanity through the reform of the global governance system and to build of a community with a shared future for humanity.

For Nigerians across different sectors, a new Global Governance Initiative (CGI) is the long awaited game-changer. Although it is the fourth development idea proposed by China under the leadership of Xi, it is highly expected that other ideas will seamlessly fall in line if global governance is gotten right.

The Federal government of Nigeria has also described the initiative as a well thought out contribution towards strengthening the international system. As one of the Africa’s largest economies and an active participant in multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria sees GGI as a valuable platform for advancing shared priorities, including reform of the UN, inclusive governance in emerging domains and promotion of equitable development.

By this, it has joined the rest of the peace-loving countries of the world to reaffirm sustained commitment to a just, inclusive and effective international order, which reflects the aspirations of all peoples, and upholds the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect.

For China, the Global South appreciates your contributions and constant reminder in words and actions, that no nation should be left behind. The newly proposed GGI is just one of those valuable contributions.

Global Governance Initiative: China’s Bold Step Against Hegemony, Injustice

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