World
Ukraine war could increase shocks for developing countries, UN warns
Ukraine war could increase shocks for developing countries, UN warns
UN on Tuesday warned that the fallout from the war in Ukraine could dramatically worsen the economic outlook for developing countries already grappling with debt financing related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN, in a report published on Tuesday, stated that while rich nations were able to support their pandemic recovery with record sums borrowed at ultra-low interest rates, the poorest countries spent billions servicing debt, thus preventing them from investing in sustainable development.
COVID-19 pushed 77 million more people into extreme poverty in 2021 while many economies remained below pre-2019 levels, according to the” Financing for Sustainable Development Report: Bridging the Finance Divide.” report.
Furthermore, it is estimated that one in five developing countries will not see their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) return to 2019 levels by the end of 2023, even before absorbing the impacts of the Ukraine conflict, which is already affecting food, energy, and finance across the globe.
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The report was produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) together with more than 60 international agencies, including within the UN system, and international financial institutions.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described the findings as “alarming”, given that the world is at the halfway mark for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“There is no excuse for inaction at this defining moment of collective responsibility, to ensure hundreds of millions of people are lifted out of hunger and poverty.
“We must invest in access for decent and green jobs, social protection, healthcare and education leaving no one behind,” she said.
The report reveals that on average, the poorest developing countries pay around 14 per cent of revenue for interest on their debt, while the figure is 3.5 per cent for richer nations.
The pandemic forced governments to cut budgets for education, infrastructure and another capital spending.
Fallouts from the war in Ukraine – such as higher energy and commodity prices, as well as renewed supply chain disruptions – will only exacerbate these challenges and spark new ones.
The war is also likely to result in further increases in debt distress and increased hunger, further widening “pandemic recovery gaps” that existed before the conflict.
Liu Zhenmin, the DESA chief, pointed to a potential silver lining for the way forward.
“The developed world proved in the last two years that millions can be lifted out of poverty by the right kind of investment – in resilient and clean infrastructure, social protection or public services.
“The international community must build on that progress, and ensure developing countries can invest at similar levels while reducing inequality and securing a sustainable energy transition,” he said.
The past year was also marked by some advances in poverty reduction, social protection and investment in sustainable development, driven by actions in developed countries and some large developing nations, including some 17 trillion dollars in COVID-19 emergency spending.
Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) reached 161.2 billion dollars in 2020, the highest level ever.
However, 13 governments also cut this support to developing countries, and the record sum is still insufficient to meet the vast needs.
The UN fears that increased spending on refugees in Europe, another fallout of the war in Ukraine, could lead to cuts in aid to the world’s poorest countries.
To bridge the “great finance divide”, the report calls for countries to urgently address financing gaps and rising debt.
This can occur through several measures, such as speeding up debt relief and expanding eligibility to highly indebted middle-income countries.
“It would be a tragedy if donors increased their military expenditure at the expense of Official Development Assistance and climate action.
“It would be a tragedy if developing countries continue to default, at the expense of investments in social services and climate resilience,” Mohammed said.
Soldier arrested in Rivers over attempted rape, theft, and assault on police officer
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Rivers State have arrested a serving soldier over an alleged attempted rape, theft, and assault on a police officer in Kpor Division, under Zone 16, Yenagoa.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Cpl. Dinebari Legudu, who claimed we was attached Special Forces, in Maiduguri, was arrested on Wednesday following a complaint by a 17-year-old female, Peace Baridor, of Bera community.
According to the police, the teenage girl reported that the suspect, whom she recently befriended on Facebook, visited her residence around 3:30 p.m. on the same day and allegedly attempted to rape her. She managed to escape and locked the suspect inside the house.
“In her absence, the suspect ransacked the home and allegedly stole N150,000 belonging to the girl’s mother before breaking out and fleeing,” the statement said.
Upon receiving the report at about 6:05 p.m., officers from the Kpor Division, acting swiftly alongside the complainant, traced and apprehended the suspect. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that he is a serving soldier currently on pass from his unit in Maiduguri.
The police also reported that the suspect resisted arrest and assaulted one of the arresting officers during the operation.
He is currently in police custody and investigation is ongoing.
Authorities said due process would be followed and the military hierarchy has been notified for necessary administrative procedures.
Soldier arrested in Rivers over attempted rape, theft, and assault on police officer
UN System Meets to Coordinate Response to Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has convened a pivotal Field Dialogue in Abuja, bringing together UN agencies and national counterparts to chart a coordinated response to the growing threat of transnational organized crime (TOC) in Nigeria and the West African region.
The meeting was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Fall, and chaired by UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure.
Representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, UNDSS, IOM, UNFPA and NDLEA participated, underscoring the UN system and Nigeria’s commitment to collaborative action.
In his opening remarks, Mr Fall stated: “I stand before you as the Head of the UN family in Nigeria, underscoring our shared awareness that Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) poses a significant threat to the work of every UN agency. It undermines our collective efforts across various sectors and impedes our achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Stressing the importance of the gathering and why Nigeria must lead the fight against TOC, Country Representative of UNODC, Mr Cheikh Toure added: “TOC in Nigeria manifests in diverse and interconnected forms: drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, cybercrime, illicit financial flows and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, to name a few. These crimes are not isolated; they thrive in environments where corruption erodes governance and insecurity restricts access. For instance, banditry and terrorism in the Northwest and Northeast, coupled with kidnapping for ransom, create no-go zones that limit our programmatic reach.”
Also speaking, Director, Assets and Financial Investigation, NDLEA, Dr Ibrahim Abdul equally emphasized that: “Criminals have become technologically adept. Fora like this help us understand their tactics better and stay ahead of them.”
This Field Dialogue forms part of a global UN initiative launched by UNODC Headquarters following discussions in October 2024 within the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), the UN’s principal platform for system-wide policy coherence and coordination on TOC issues, particularly across the UN system. Recognizing TOC as a major threat to peace, security, and sustainable development, the UN is working to develop a unified conceptual framework and enhance inter-agency coordination.
Field Dialogues are being held in key regions – Southeast Asia, the Andes, and Nigeria – to identify gaps, leverage expertise, and develop integrated strategies. Insights from these dialogues will inform the upcoming HLCP meeting in New York later this year.
Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa, coupled with vulnerabilities to human trafficking, arms smuggling, illicit financial flows, and counterfeit medicines, places it at the center of this effort. During her recent visit, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reaffirmed Nigeria’s pivotal role in tackling transnational organized crime at both regional and global levels.
The Dialogue in Abuja marks a critical step in strengthening joint UN efforts to support Nigeria in addressing the complex challenges posed by organized crime.
UN System Meets to Coordinate Response to Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.
Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.
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