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Nigeria: Spike in food prices sees an increased level of malnutrition in the conflict-affected northeast
Nigeria: Spike in food prices sees an increased level of malnutrition in the conflict-affected northeast
By: Our Reporter
The acute food insecurity and malnutrition situation in Nigeria is deteriorating as the economic crisis continues to deprive millions of people affected by the protracted conflict in the northeast of accessing food.
Consecutive shocks to the economy, including a 300 percent increase in fuel prices due to the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the Nigerian Naira by more than 75%, have caused sudden and sustained spikes in the cost of transportation, staple food prices, agricultural production, and basic services, while the inflation rate reached an 18-year high of 26.72% percent in September.
“Before now, a bag of maize sold for N40,000, but now it sells for N70,000. We were selling one measure between N400 and N500, but now it sells between N1,000 and N1,200,” says Abubakar Isa, a trader in Gwoza town, Borno State. “This is due to the high cost of fuel, and if we complain to the drivers, they say prices of fuel as well as motor spare parts are now high.”
With the lifting of fuel subsidies, the average cost of food items in Borno State increased by 36% and transportation fares by 78%. As a result, thousands of families, especially the internally displaced, can no longer afford to buy the same quality and quantity of food as before, contributing to a poor diet and insufficient nutritious food intake. Income levels and labor opportunities have either reduced or remained the same in Borno State since the fuel subsidy removal.
Over a decade of conflict in the northeast continues to disrupt livelihood and market activities, as well as driving new displacement and preventing access to food production, health services, water, and sanitation facilities. 2.2 million people continue to be displaced across the northeast, while 4.3 million are still in need of food assistance. As of August 2023, 1.53 million children under 5 were acutely malnourished [1] in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
As the economic crisis rages, more families are coping through erosion of their livelihoods (such as the sale of productive assets) and the adoption of crisis strategies (mainly a high reliance on aid). Furthermore, families are increasingly experiencing a vicious debt cycle. They are taking on higher debt levels every month and maxing out their credit levels to cover basic needs. With such levels of negative coping strategies, many families are precariously exposed, and any sudden shocks at unprecedented levels would further worsen food insecurity and lead to acute malnutrition at extreme levels.
“We were eating 2-3 times daily, but now we have difficulties having breakfast. Not to talk of water for drinking” says Abubakar, “Our children have been sent back from school because we could not pay for their books.”
In addition, smallholding farmers struggled with higher costs of seed, fertilizer, and other farm inputs. As a coping strategy, some farmers reduced the amount of land they cultivated during the growing season.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been recording a steady increase in the number of admissions of children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in its supported health facilities in the northeast. Between 2020 and 2023, the number of new admissions more than doubled. This annual trend, correlated with the increase in the prevalence of malnutrition, food insecurity, and the number of cases of childhood illnesses, could indicate a gradual deterioration in the nutritional situation in the areas of intervention in these health structures, despite the efforts made to improve access to integrated care. From January to September 2023, more than 6,000 severely malnourished under-5 children and over 10,000 malnourished pregnant and lactating women have received nutrition treatment at ICRC-supported health facilities in the northeast.
“Day to day, the rate of malnutrition is increasing as people no longer have access to diversified and nutritious food,” says Ghulam Muhaiuddin Sayad, Deputy Coordinator of the ICRC`s economic security program in Nigeria. “Many people, especially children, are experiencing malnutrition-related illnesses.”
According to the Integrated Food Security Classification in August 2023, acute malnutrition is particularly prevalent among people newly arriving from inaccessible areas in the northeast, with overall global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates of 19.3 percent. The high levels of acute malnutrition indicate an extremely stressed population in relation to food insecurity, poor water and sanitation access, and poor health conditions, which have led to a high disease burden.
The ICRC, along with its partner, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has been supporting the most vulnerable, particularly in the northeast, with cash to purchase food or to commence small-scale businesses. This year, more than 13,187 families benefited from the ICRC`s cash assistance until September 2023. In addition, 41,000 farming families received staple and cash crop seeds to improve food production during the rainy season, while 57,000 people, including pregnant and lactating women and children under five, received food rations and supplementary feeding to prevent malnutrition. Another sustainable support was provided to 300 farmers in Plateau State through the donation of 138 pumps to improve irrigation during the dry season.
Nigeria: Spike in food prices sees an increased level of malnutrition in the conflict-affected northeast
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has described the programme’s scholarship scheme as a major vehicle towards ensuring a better future for the Niger Delta.
He spoke at the opening ceremony for the fifth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the Office in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army War College, Abuja, on Thursday.
Otuaro, who declared the workshop open, said that the decision for the massive deployment of scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria is informed by the need to utilise formal education to build a sure future for the communities in the region.
According to him, his leadership’s focus on education is aimed at investing in the youths as a deliberate effort to equip them to be drivers of the planned prosperity, peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta in the years ahead.
He said, “We have seriously focused on education, and the scholarship programme is a proper vehicle for a better tomorrow for our region. So far, between 2024 and 2025, we have deployed over 9000 scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria; in-country deployment alone this year is 4500.
“These are deliberate efforts we are taking to prepare our region for tomorrow. We need to prepare the next generation for the challenges of peace, socio-economic growth, development, and security.
“If we don’t equip our youths today with education, tomorrow would not be assured. It is time to prepare for the rainy day, that is why we are deliberately investing in the education of our young ones.
“I believe that the scholarship beneficiaries will appreciate this opportunity that we are giving to them. For nearly two years, we have tried as much as possible to impact nearly all communities through the scholarship programme.”
Otuaro explained that the capacity-building workshop was organised to consolidate the PAP’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He told the participants that they have a great role to play in the task of deepening the peacebuilding process because they are stakeholders and leaders in their own right.
The PAP helmsman said the time had come for stakeholders to unite strongly and come together to resolve issues in the region without the involvement of outsiders.
He urged the participants to be role models for stability and peace ambassadors of President Tinubu in the Niger Delta.
He also stressed that peacebuilding should be their watchword going forward.
Otuaro expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his steadfast support for the PAP, saying that the president is pleased with the existing peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
He applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his encouragement and strategic supervision of the PAP.
He further extended gratitude the management of the Nigerian Army War College, resource persons, and the leadership and membership of the AANDEC for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peacebuilding process in the region.
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition during a patrol operation in Bani area of the state.
Sources said the arrest was made at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday following intelligence-led patrol by local vigilantes.
According to sources, the Vigilante Commander in Bani, Taiye Abubakar, and his team were on patrol within the Bani axis when they sighted two men riding on a Bajaj motorcycle.
The suspects were identified as Gero Mahamadu of Komi Marshallashi via Bani and Lawale Falike of Sambo Ginda via Jebba.
The sources stated that while efforts were made to stop them, Lawale Falike initially fled the scene, but Gero Mahamadu was arrested. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
The sources added that during interrogation, Gero Mahamadu confessed that the ammunition was supplied by one Alhaji Shahu Fire and one Ismail Mashamari, both of Sambo Ginda via Jebba, and was to be delivered to one Manu of Ilesha Baruba for a planned kidnapping operation.
Subsequently, Lawale Falike and Alhaji Shahu Fire were arrested, while the suspects reportedly made useful confessional statements.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects, including Manu and Ismail Mashamari, and to recover any additional arms or ammunition connected to the planned crime.
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, has died while in service at the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday during a management meeting at the Commissioner of Police’s office in Abakaliki.
According to the sources, ACP Popoola, who was the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), suddenly developed breathing difficulty and began gasping for breath during the meeting.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre at the Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, where he was promptly attended to by the command’s medical personnel.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the officer was confirmed dead by medical doctors.
The sources said preliminary medical findings indicated that the death was due to cardiac arrest, secondary to hypertensive heart disease.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1) mortuary in Abakaliki.
The police described the late ACP Popoola as a dedicated officer who served the Force with commitment and professionalism.
May his soul rest in peace
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
Sterling Strengthens Media Capacity on Sustainability Reporting
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
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