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Sudan: World Bank provides $100m in emergency support

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Sudan: World Bank provides $100m in emergency support

Sudan: World Bank provides $100m in emergency support

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan has received a 100 million dollars contribution from the World Bank to assist with critical emergency cash and food sustenance in Sudan.

In the first-ever direct contribution between the two UN agencies in the country, the Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project aims to provide cash transfers and food for more than two million people across the impoverished and crisis-wracked nation, including those internally displaced.

“WFP is extremely grateful to the World Bank for this generous contribution, at a crucial time in Sudan when more and more people do not know where their next meal will come from,” Eddie Rowe, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Sudan, said.

According to Rowe, the country’s economic and political crisis has grown more intense due to rising inflation, conflict and displacement.

“That’s been exacerbated by climate shocks – including droughts and floods, and a poor harvest – all of which has increased food insecurity throughout Sudan.’’

As hunger continues to rise at “an alarming rate,” one-third of the population is facing food insecurity, WFP official said.

By September, up to 18 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, could slip into hunger, according to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment released in June.

In Sudan, WFP is working to sustain people facing acute hunger while addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

The newly launched project will enable the UN food relief agency to save lives while laying the foundation for a more targeted social safety net system in Sudan by supporting the most vulnerable to withstand shocks and build more resilient livelihoods for the long term.

“This funding will help to mitigate a looming hunger crisis in Sudan and inform future social safety net systems for the country’s most vulnerable that not only saves but changes lives,” Rowe said.

The allocation has been provided by the World Bank-managed Sudan Transition and Recovery Support Trust Fund (STARS), supported by the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Italy, Finland, Spain, Ireland, and the World Bank-administered State and Peacebuilding Fund.

Yet, in spite of the substantial contribution, WFP still requires at least 266 million dollars more through the end of the year to reach over 10 million vulnerable people year.

Since the beginning of 2022, WFP has reached 4.8 million people across Sudan with life-saving food or cash and nutrition support, school meals, and livelihood opportunities.

Sudan: World Bank provides $100m in emergency support

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Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria

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Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi will arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday for an official visit.

According to a press statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the visiting Foreign Minister who is also a Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be received on arrival by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Ebienfa said: “During his visit, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi will meet with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja on Thursday 9th January 2025 for bilateral talks that will focus on strengthening relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

“The visiting foreign minister will also pay a courtesy call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to deliver a special message from the Chinese President at the Presidential Villa.”

Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria

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Three Nigerian Nationals in Saudi Arabia Detention for Alleged Drug Trafficking Released

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Three Nigerian Nationals in Saudi Arabia Detention for Alleged Drug Trafficking Released

By: Michael Mike

Three Nigerians arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on 5th March 2024 in Saudi Arabia has been released after spending 10 months in detention.

The trio are Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi and were at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking.

Announcing their release in a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on 5th March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has been released after spending 10 months in detention.

“The arrest of the three women was a result of the earlier arrest of two Nigerian nationals who were found in possession of 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grammes and 70 capsules of cocaine weighing 789.5 grammes, respectively. The women were detained by the Saudi authorities on suspicion of being accomplices and abating the trafficking of the banned substance found on the aforementioned arrested Nigerians.”

The spokesperson added that: “The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda.

“The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.”

Three Nigerian Nationals in Saudi Arabia Detention for Alleged Drug Trafficking Released

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UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

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UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international education in Nigeria by building strong partnerships with Nigerian universities.

This commitment was made at the Going Global Conference in Abuja themed, “Building sustainable and relevant tertiary education institutions and systems in Africa”.

The three-day conference, which is being hosted by the British Council, holds from the 26th to 28th of November 2024, and provides a platform for tertiary education senior leaders, policymakers and industry experts to debate the future of further and higher education.

The UK Government’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, in his opening remarks at the conference announced the commencement of three projects between UK and Nigeria universities.

He said: “I am pleased to confirm that starting in January 2025 three new projects with a focus on expanding partnerships between institutions in Nigeria and the UK will be supported through the British Council Transnational education (TNE) exploratory grants scheme.

“Such partnerships not only contribute to transforming local systems and strengthening institutional capabilities, but they also create pathways for cross-sector innovation, bringing academia and industry closer together.”

British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in his speech at the conference said: “With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, and projections that population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the continent needs to harness a demographic dividend. To do that, more and better-quality higher education is needed.

“Education partnerships in the continent need to evolve. And the focus must be on strengthening Africa’s domestic higher education systems.”

In attendance at the conference were the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, and other notable education stakeholders.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Following the conference, Sir Steve Smith will lead a delegation of 11 UK universities to engage with their Nigerian counterparts. This will include a visit to Lagos to explore opportunities for sustainable, mutually beneficial TNE partnerships.

UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

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