First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria

** Says project has made positive impact on women, disabled, marginalised communities

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and empowering the nation’s most vulnerable populations through the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme.

She affirmed that the programme, which officially began on March 8, 2024, will continue to deliver critical food assistance to women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities across the country.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President and Vice Chairman of RHI, Hajiya Nana Shettima, stated this at an RHI held on Friday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State, where she oversaw the handover of food supplies to Abia State’s RHI Coordinator, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the State Governor.

She said, “As I hand over these essential food commodities to Abia State and the RHI State Coordinator, I urge the beneficiaries to use these items for the well-being of their families. We at RHI are implementing several impactful interventions that are touching lives across the nation, and we are pleased that our efforts are yielding positive outcomes.”

Since its launch, the Food Outreach Scheme has reached eleven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Oyo.

The initiative is scheduled to reach Enugu and Kaduna next. Funded by The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor, the programme targets one state per month for food distribution.

The First Lady used the occasion to announce the rollout of several other new initiatives under RHI’s five core pillars—Social Investment, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Agriculture—for the year 2025.

“Under Social Investment, RHI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish ‘The Environment Club’ for senior secondary school students and ‘The Environment Society’ for students in tertiary institutions nationwide. These initiatives aim to promote environmental cleanliness and tree planting.

“Under Economic Empowerment, RHI plans to disburse grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000) each to 250 persons with disabilities in all 36 states and the FCT to support and recapitalise their small businesses.

“In the area of Education, the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme will distribute 10,000 packs of sanitary pads—enough to last a year—to young girls, particularly those in rural communities. This initiative aims to help girls stay in school throughout their menstrual cycle,” Senator Tinubu said.

According to the First Lady, the programmes are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to improve the lives of Nigerians across the country.

Senator Tinubu also commended the Wife of the Governor of Abia State for her outstanding efforts and support in ensuring the success of the RHI Food Outreach and other related programmes in the state.

Governor Alex Otti, speaking on behalf of the Abia State Government, declared his administration’s readiness to partner with organisations like RHI that aim to uplift the vulnerable. He applauded Senator Tinubu’s commitment and the tangible impacts of the RHI outreach.

Receiving the items, Mrs. Priscilla Otti highlighted the significant impact of the Food Outreach on families in the state. “This intervention has transformed many lives,” she stated, assuring the First Lady of continuous support and affirming that items would be distributed to individuals from diverse backgrounds to meet the programme’s objectives.
Also, Managing Director of ASR Africa and representative of BUA, Dr. Ubon Udoh, lauded the sustainable impact of RHI’s work and pledged continued support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.

First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria

ECOWAS Raises the Alarm of Worsening Climate-related Disruptions in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has raised the alarm that the West Africa sub region is at the risk of worsen climate-related disruptions.

Speaking at the ECOWAS Hydrology and Meteorology Directors’ Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs & Agriculture. Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse said according to the WMO’s 2024 State of the Climate in Africa report, West Africa experienced a 1.2°C temperature rise above pre- industrial levels, and 2024 was among the five hottest years on record for the Sahel. While some parts of the Gulf of Guinea saw above-average rainfall, the Sahel and northern regions experienced extended dry spells, disrupting planting cycles and water availability.

She added that: “Moreover, recent data from the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN) showed that between 2021 and 2024, the region experienced a 47% increase in flood-related incidents, affecting over 5 million people, with damages estimated at over $1.3 billion USD.

“A recent ECOWAS study handled by WASCAL found that climate-related disruptions reduced agricultural productivity in the region by up to 10% in 2024, contributing to food insecurity and inflationary pressures. This situation will be worst if nothing is done in terms of mitigation and global temperatures reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 as forecast.”

Toure-Litse, who was represented by ECOWAS Acting Director Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi noted that: “Our populations, particularly those who lives in rural areas need accurate and timely meteorological data and information to adapt,” insisting that: “The accessibility to data and information is a critical issue that was emphasize by African Ministers while they were adopting the African Meteorological Strategy.
Consequently, the importance of generation climate forecast information from Meteorological and hydrological Directorates and their transfer to relevant national development agencies and
dissemination towards rural and urban populations are critical.”

She added that: “This underscores the urgent need for enhanced hydrological and
meteorological capacity that are now refer to collectively as hydromet services. According to the World Bank, every dollar
invested in early warning systems can yield up to $9 in benefits, including avoided losses and enhanced productivity.

“Honourable Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen, Noting the importance of strengthening the hydrological and meteorological services, the ECOWAS Commission adopted an
Hydromet Initiative 2021. It provided an assessment of the capacities of meteorological and hydrological services at regional and national levels as well as an overview of priorities and investment needs. These needs were estimated at $324.5 million, including $290 million for Member States and $34.5 million to support regional institutions for the strengthening and
modernization of hydrometeorological services in West Africa.”

She disclosed that: “In order to mobilize necessary resources for the implementation of the said Initiative, the ECOWAS Commission has worked with the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat to develop a regional project concept note to
be submitted to the Green Climate Fund.

“The concept note will be
presented during this workshop to collect your views and comments
that will contribute to its improvement. Your attention and support are therefore needed in that regard in order to ensure that the
project fully responds to the regional and national hydromet services improvement needs.”

Honorable Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Over the next three days, I urge you to engage deeply, share
experiences and challenges, and most importantly, identify clear
actions that will contribute to improving hydromet services in our
region.

On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of
Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo while declaring the meeting open, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening NiMet’s operational capacity, expanding its reach, and promoting regional collaboration, emphazing that the need for accurate, timely, and actionable weather and climate information has never been more critical to saving lives, securing livelihoods, and driving sustainable development across the region.

He said: “The WMO State of the Climate Report for 2023 stated that on average, climate-related hazards cause African countries to lose 2%–5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually, with many diverting up to 9% of their budgets to respond to climate extremes. Specifically in West Africa, rainfall deficits in Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana led to localised shortfalls in agricultural production in 2023.

“This further highlights the enormity of the challenge facing the entire continent and the ECOWAS region in particular.
In the face of these realities, the work of our meteorological and hydrological services has become indispensable.

“This meeting couldn’t have come at a better time and provides the opportunity for us to assess the readiness of the region to meet its early warning target.

“Recall that at the launch of the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative, the United Nations had set an ambitious target of ensuring that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. How Ready is ECOWAS? This is one of the questions that we must answer at this meeting.

“This meeting reflects our shared commitment to regional cooperation as well as a clear indication of the growing recognition of the critical role that meteorological and hydrological services play in our pursuit of sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and mitigation among others,” he said.

The Director, WMO Office for Africa, Dr Agnes Kijazi in his Goodwill Message said during the past 75 years, the WMO community provided scientific evidence, information and services which have shaped decision making to safeguard and promote public well-being, and to make the world safer, more secure, and prosperous.

He said: “WMO acknowledges the challenges faced by Members in the ECOWAS region which are putting pressure on resources and increasing the complexity of competing needs and priorities. It is in this regard that WMO and partners initiated ongoing interventions such as the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS), and the Early Warnings for All initiative which provide support to some Members.

“I would like to let you know that WMO reaffirmed its commitment to work with all national meteorological and hydrological services to ensure a more climate resilient West Africa,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the Nigerian Meterorogical Agency, Nimet, Prof. Charles Anosikewho stressed the importance of leveraging technology for enhanced service, expressed
NiMet commitment to regional cooperation and advancing the cause of meteorology
resources in pursuit of a more resilient and climate-smart West Africa.

“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency remains committed to regional cooperation and advancing the course of meteorology and hydrology within ECOWAS. We are ready to share our experiences, expertise, and resources in pursuit of a more resilient and climate-smart West Africa” he said.

ECOWAS Raises the Alarm of Worsening Climate-related Disruptions in West Africa

Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day

… Approves 10 patrol vehicles, other logistics to military, volunteers

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, observed prayer and fasting day aimed at fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.

Arriving Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Council, before sunset on Sunday, Zulum spent the night coordinating support for security agencies and volunteer forces.

Kala-Balge is one of the communities in Borno State that has faced persistent security challenges from Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents that have disrupted daily life and threatened peace.

According to Zulum, the visit was part of his commitment to fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.

Zulum urged citizens to observe fasting and prayers today (Monday) in a statewide broadcast on Saturday, stating “In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity. This Monday, I am inviting you to join me in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to reign in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, and indeed the entire country.”

The Governor expressed appreciation to the people of Borno and those outside the state for heeding his call to observe fasting and prayers for the restoration of peace in Borno.

He said “let me express my appreciation to thousands of people in Borno that have observed today’s fasting and praying for peace to reign in our state. People from other states and even beyond Nigeria joined in seeking divine intervention for the security challenges we are facing. We thank everyone for the solidarity.”

… Approves 10 patrol vehicles, other logistics to military, volunteers

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved 10 patrol vehicles to support the military and youth volunteers in combating the criminal activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.

Zulum, who announced the approval on Monday while addressing both groups separately, noted that while the volunteers comprising CJTF, hunters and vigilantes would receive 6 Takoma/Toyota Hilux, an additional 4 gun-trucks would be donated to the military.

The Governor rounded up the visit in Kala-Balge by distributing food items to over 10,000 families, mostly women and their vulnerable family members.

Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day