World
Nigeria: UNICEF speaks on world breastfeeding week

Nigeria: UNICEF speaks on world breastfeeding week
UNICEF, a United Nations agency on Tuesday said that in Nigeria 1 in 8 children do not reach their 5th birthday and 3 in 10 children are stunted.
According to the agency optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child morbidities and mortality rates as well as stunting reduction.
“Optimal nutrition provided by breastfeeding along with nurturing, care, and stimulation strengthens a child’s brain development with positive impacts that endure over a lifetime,” UNICEF said.
UNICEF said that is why at the start of this year, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector united to launch the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action. The Year of Action is a historic opportunity to transform the way the world tackles the global commitment to eliminate child malnutrition. “Breastfeeding is central to realising this commitment,” UNICEF added.
“Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond offer a powerful line of defence against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting and obesity. Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses.
“While there has been progressing in breastfeeding rates in the last four decades – with a 50 percent increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding globally – the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the fragility of those gains.
“In many countries, the pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. Several countries have reported that producers of baby foods have compounded these risks by invoking unfounded fears that breastfeeding can transmit COVID-19 and marketing their products as a safer alternative to breastfeeding.” The Ian agency said
According to UNICEF, available statistics in Nigeria reveal that the average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is approximately 3 months and only 3 out of every 10 children under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed (29%).
“This is an improvement from 17% in 2013 to 29% in 2018 (NDHS,2013; 2018), however, this still falls significantly below the target of 50% set by the World Health Assembly to be achieved in 2025 and the SDG target for 2030. The percentage of children who were breastfed within 1 hour of birth (42%) remains less than 50%. Breastfeeding rates in Nigeria reduces with age, 83% of the children are breastfed up to one year while 28% are breastfeeding till 2years. Furthermore, the proportion of children who are not breastfeeding increases with age.” UNICEF observed.
The UN agency said this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility is a time to revisit the commitments made at the start of this year by prioritizing breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies.
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“This includes: Ensuring the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes – established to protect mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry – is fully implemented by governments, health workers and industry.n
“Ensuring health care workers have the resources and information they need to effectively support mothers to breastfeed, including through global efforts such as the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative and guidelines on breastfeeding counseling.
“Ensuring employers allow women the time and space they need to breastfeed; including paid parental leave with longer maternity leave; safe places for breastfeeding in the workplace; access to affordable and good-quality childcare; and universal child benefits and adequate wages.
“As we approach the UN Food System Summit in September and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in December, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector all have an opportunity to make smart investments and commitment to tackle the global malnutrition crisis- including protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding through stronger policies, program and action
“Now is not the time to lower our ambitions. Now is the time to aim high. We are committed to making the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action a success by ensuring that every child’s right to nutritious, safe and affordable food and adequate nutrition is realized from the beginning of life, starting with breastfeeding.” UNICEF said.
News
Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts
By: Zagazola Makama
Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted his counterparts from the three Sahel states in Moscow. The high-level meeting signals deepening cooperation in security, economic development, and diplomatic coordination, amid shifting global alliances and the growing influence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The discussions, held in a quadrilateral format for the first time, focused on enhancing military collaboration, investment opportunities, and regional security strategies. Lavrov welcomed the delegation, emphasizing Russia’s support for the sovereignty of the three nations as they seek to assert independence in their policymaking and security frameworks.
“We appreciate the determination of your countries to build a new regional security architecture based on your own strengths while remaining open to mutually beneficial cooperation,” Lavrov said. He commended the “dynamic integration” efforts within the AES and highlighted ongoing projects in trade, finance, infrastructure, and human resource development.
The visit comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and the Sahel states’ increasing shift away from Western partnerships. Following military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the three countries have strengthened ties with Russia, particularly in military cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. They have also distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), forming the AES as a regional bloc focused on collective security and economic cooperation.
Lavrov noted that Russia is ready to support the AES beyond bilateral engagements, stating that collaboration would extend to international platforms, including the Russia-Africa Forum. The next ministerial meeting of the forum is expected to take place in Africa later this year, ahead of the 2026 Russia-Africa Summit.
In his remarks, Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Russia, underscoring the importance of strategic alliances in addressing security and development challenges.
The meeting marks a new phase in Russia’s engagement with Africa, particularly in regions seeking alternative partnerships. As the global political landscape evolves, the AES-Russia partnership is expected to influence security dynamics and economic cooperation in the Sahel and beyond.
Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts
News
UN Climate Chief: Nigeria Needs Climate Action for Growth and Prosperity

UN Climate Chief: Nigeria Needs Climate Action for Growth and Prosperity
By: Michael Mike
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has declared that a strong new national climate plan would “supercharge the Nigerian economy”, building on the country’s climate leadership and economic progress.
The comments on Thursday capped up the four-day visit of the UN climate chief to Nigeria, during which he met with senior government officials, civil society, and business leaders to discuss how ambitious climate action can drive forward the country’s economic growth and living standards, protect the environment, and power innovation.
Speaking at a symposium convened by Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, Stiell said bold climate action is vital to avert the disastrous human and economic impacts of global heating, but also to seize vast human and economic benefits for Nigeria and its people.
He said: “A strong new national climate plan can be the gateway to a new Nigerian era of growth and prosperity, fueled by clean and affordable energy, available to all.
“Clean energy and sustainable agriculture will create jobs, attract foreign investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s global and regional competitiveness.
“With 90% of Nigerians employed in micro, small, and medium enterprises, the ripple effects of green growth will be felt in every local community and economy.”
Stiell while highlighting that US$2 trillion was invested in clean energy and infrastructure in 2024 alone, said: “It’s abundantly clear now that the countries who will seize the biggest benefits of the USD 2 trillion global boom in clean energy are those that invest in their people and their strengths.”
He emphasized that Nigeria has huge opportunities to benefit, through a national climate plan that promotes investment in clean energy, critical minerals, and domestic manufacturing.
Stiell added that: “Clean energy can power up your population – providing clean access for countless millions. Investing in green buildings, clean infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing can drive economic growth. Clean cooking can protect the health of families.”
He however said that more international finance must flow to Nigeria from public and private sources.
Stiell also highlighted Nigeria’s vast mangrove forests—the largest in Africa and the third largest globally—as a powerful natural defense against climate impacts. Acting as a carbon sink and a shield against coastal erosion, destructive storms, and rising seas, mangroves are vital for protecting both people and biodiversity. Expanding and restoring these ecosystems can strengthen community resilience and drive sustainable economic growth.
With climate change already costing Nigeria up to 5% of its GDP, he emphasized that investing in nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration is not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity that can pay for itself many times over.
He had on Wednesday in Abuja met with parliamentarians and senior government officials to discuss the opportunities Nigeria has as Africa’s largest economy and how a strong new climate plan will drive forward progress right across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while paying tribute to the important climate efforts of Nigeria and its people thus far, in the world’s existential climate fight.
He also met with civil society representatives focused on climate change, environment, women’s empowerment, and the role of young people, doing essential work on the ground to translate climate commitments into action.
Stiell reaffirmed UNFCCC’s support for Nigeria’s climate ambitions and called for sustained collaboration to turn policies into action.
He said: “There is much work ahead, to ensure the people of Nigeria share in the monumental benefits of bold climate action. That’s why it’s so essential that people across Nigerian society have a chance to contribute to new national climate plans – to implementing and benefiting from them. UN Climate Change will be working with all of you and all other nations – every step of the way.”
UN Climate Chief: Nigeria Needs Climate Action for Growth and Prosperity
World
400-Level FUDMA Student Killed After Civilian JTF Shooting in Katsina

400-Level FUDMA Student Killed After Civilian JTF Shooting in Katsina
By Zagazola Makama
A 400-level student of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) has been shot dead by a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, intelligence sources confirmed on Sunday.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred at about 11:06 a.m. on Feb. 23, when the victim, later identified as Saidu Abdulkadir, a 25-year-old student of the Department of Agricultural Extension, was riding on a commercial motorcycle to Kashe-Naira Quarters with the rider, Abubakar Yusuf, 40.
It was gathered that the duo was stopped by four CJTF personnel in a Hilux vehicle, but they allegedly failed to comply. One of the CJTF operatives, whose identity is yet to be determined, opened fire on them, inflicting bullet wounds on Abdulkadir’s thigh and hips and Yusuf’s thigh.
Both victims were rushed to General Hospital, Dutsin-Ma, and later referred to Orthopedic Hospital, Katsina, where Abdulkadir succumbed to his injuries at about 3:00 p.m.
The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation to arrest the CJTF officer responsible, while security measures have been reinforced in the area to prevent unrest.
400-Level FUDMA Student Killed After Civilian JTF Shooting in Katsina
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