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FSSD: FG, UN Synergise To Tackle Hunger, Malnutrition
The Federal Government and the United Nations (UN), yesterday, disclosed collaboration to tackle hunger and malnutrition affecting Nigerians with Food Systems Summit Dialogue (FSSD), in September, 2021.
This was made known via webinar for journalists on Nigeria National Food Systems Dialogue (FSSD), and the dialogue will hold in the six geopolitical zones of the country as part of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), and there will be series of dialogues across the country to chart pathways towards ensuring resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Nigeria by 2030.
The UN priorities will support evidence-based guidance on healthy and sustainable food and diets to transform food systems; implementation and enforcement of policies and create healthy food environments for children; healthy and safe environments; large scale food fortification; Improvements to the food supply and food environments.
According to the UN Secretary-General in his latest Policy Brief on Food Security, there is more than enough food in the world to feed the world’s population of 7.8 billion people.
But, today, more than 820 million people are hungry, the food systems are failing, and the Covid-19 pandemic is making things worse.
It is increasingly clear that we must act now to address the impending global food emergency and avoid the worst impacts of the pandemic.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and Country Representative, United Nations Secretary-General, Edward Kallon, said, “Sustainable food systems do not have to just end hunger, we need to put in place system that ensures we produce enough food for the coming generation without compromising the ability of future generations to have access to adequate food and proper nutrition.
“As the population continues to grow and the many players in the food industry, there is greater need for all of us to understand and really assure the availability of quality food and in the quantity that will cater for people in all sustainable way.
“It is in the light of this UN and Government of Nigeria is bringing together key players in science, policy, business, health care and academic, including women, organizations, farming organizations, youth organizations, consumer groups, food processing, environmental activists, and most importantly the media.
“In fact, the media our dialogue will be likened to what we call the linking mobile on what they are doing, and if we leave here we want to go far in this particular race. Nigeria is blest with a vibrant press and media eco-system and definitely as professionals who constitute one of the world’s best.
“I urge our media partners to get into the fore of the UN Food System Summit and to support our efforts by encouraging debates and discussions among the population, issues of the sustainable food system for the country.
“As you all know every individual has a role to play in our efforts towards sustainable food system. We are all stakeholders when it comes to food because of one simple reason; we are all at least Nigerians.”
However, he said that Covid-19 has brought to the fore the connection between food, health, and quality of lives, and also how many food systems have failed, especially where inequality blossoms.
“The pandemic has powered global and unprecedented appetite for change that brought the challenge to transformed food systems to be more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. We must come together to do that better.
“Once again I commend the government of Nigeria to drive this process, and I also appreciate all of you in the media for being part of the Food System Summit preparation and you will remain part of this process until September 2021 when the summit will hold. Some of us have strong faith in Nigeria and we just believe that Nigeria at the right moment can feed Africa at large”, he added.
However, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Azeez Muyiwa, disclosed that, “The Federal Government is currently working very hard to reduce post-harvest losses most especially in the area of perishable crops. For example, tomato, pepper, we are working with research institutes to develop very good varieties on some of these highly perishable food crops.
“Secondly, we are working with the farmers on appropriate packaging materials that would not bleach, most especially tomato, and because to make it well.
“Thirdly, we already have a very big programme with African Development Bank, which will bring in the producers, processors, and marketers at the same place, we are calling it Special Agro-Processing Zone, and is going to be one of the biggest programmes of the Federal Government.
“Currently, we are at the verge of getting to the preparatory stage of the programme, and we are working with multi-national investors in such a way that Special Agro-Processing Zone, we are going to have the producers, aggregators, processors, and marketers at the same place in such a way that the producers will not want to travel a long distance before getting to the processors and the SAPZs dedicated infrastructure in such a way that there will be roads, light, and others.
“We are also working with the farmers to develop adaptive storage equipment by this we are fabricating storage equipment for the small-scale farmers.”
Muyiwa also made it known that the Federal Government is currently facilitating the “establishment of 10 large scale rice mills as part of the effort of the Federal Government to ensure it affects sufficient rice production.
“And with these SAPZs, Federal Government is working hard to reduce post-harvest losses, therefore, increase the quantum of food in the food system.”
Meanwhile, the Country Director, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Fred Kafeero, acknowledged and said, “This calls for action in the entire food system to re-evaluate our current food system to find out what is working and lessons we can learn from there but more importantly to make recommendations to improve the way the food system functions.”
Kafeero also expressed optimism and said, “For Nigeria, we believe this dialogue will take actions to achieve a sustainable food system for the country.”
Explaining the essence and target of the dialogue, National Convener, National Food Dialogue and Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Olusola Idowu, while declaring the event open said the dialogue will focus the UN five actions, namely, safe and nutritious food for all; the key to the sustainable pattern; food nature positive production; advanced equitable livelihood; build resilience to vulnerability structure and stress.
Idowu said, “This includes essential dialogue aimed at identifying food system challenges from multiple perspectives; exploratory dialogue planned to hold in six geopolitical zones and it is to harness promising approaches from diverse stakeholders that contribute to the food system in Nigeria.
“Food system touches every aspect of human existence in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. The management of food system, especially affects the health of the people as well as the health of the environment, economy, and culture.
“The food systems based by locations and so sustainable pathway must be rooted in national and local realities. To ensure an all-inclusive and participatory dialogue the Nigerian Food System Dialogue is planned to be organised at three levels in advance of the summit billed to take place in September 2021.”
Other stakeholders at the interaction include, Country Representatives of UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, IFAD, and WFP who also spoke on five Action Tracks ahead of the September 2021 National Food Systems Dialogue.
City Crime
Ministry Raises Concern Over Rising Teenage Pregnancies, Begins Adolescent Sensitisation Campaign
The Department of Public Health in the Rivers State Ministry of Health has raised concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies in society as it intensifies efforts to educate adolescents across the state.
Programme Manager for Adolescent Health and Development in the department, Mrs. Tammy Briggs, expressed the concern during a sensitisation programme held at Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Briggs explained that the campaign was designed to educate adolescents on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and other health-related issues affecting young people.
According to her, teenage pregnancy is currently on the rise, making it necessary for the ministry to step up awareness programmes among students.
“This is something that is on the rise for now. We have observed that there are many cases of teenage pregnancies, so we are here to sensitise them on ways to prevent it entirely,” she said.
She disclosed that the sensitisation campaign is being carried out in selected schools across four local government areas of the state, namely Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government Area.
Briggs noted that the programme focuses on several key issues affecting adolescents, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, emotional health and proper nutrition.
She added that the outreach programme also featured tuberculosis screening for students as well as the distribution of sanitary pads and mathematical sets to support their health and academic development.
The programme manager commended the management of Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme for their cooperation and support in hosting the sensitisation exercise. She also advised the students to avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Nwadike Chinonso urged the students to make informed decisions about their lives and remain focused on their education.
He cautioned them against engaging in early sexual activities, stressing that abstinence remains one of the most effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Some of the students who participated in the programme expressed appreciation to the team for the awareness campaign and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to make responsible life choices.
Disturbing allegations of extortion, intimidation and the smuggling of prohibited items have unsettled the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Delta State, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the national authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service amid fears of potential security breaches within the facility.
The development was disclosed by a senior officer at the Delta State custodial facility, who expressed concern over what was described as entrenched irregularities capable of undermining discipline and operational standards at the centre.
According to the source, detailed findings compiled between December 2025 and January 2026 highlighted patterns of misconduct and warned of possible security consequences should the allegations remain unchecked.
At the centre of the claims is a powerful corrections official serving as Officer in Charge of the Kwale facility, accused of presiding over persistent financial extortion, high-handedness and the victimisation of inmates under his supervision.
The document further indicated that the alleged practices may have originated during the tenure of a former General Provost, reportedly with the collaboration of another senior custodial official within the system.
Intelligence details suggested that inmates were allegedly compelled to contribute funds for projects and items considered outside the statutory framework of inmate welfare, raising questions about compliance with established correctional guidelines.
Among the financial demands reportedly imposed were ¦ 300,000 for the repair of a Hilux vehicle, ¦ 600,000 for the purchase of a freezer and ¦ 750,000 for a generator allegedly designated for the Officer in Charge’s residence.
The report also alleged that inmates were required to make payments before being conveyed to court, while Awaiting Trial Persons in Cells One to Nine were directed to raise ¦ 30,000 per cell, with Convict Cells One to Three, including a designated VIP cell, similarly mandated to pay ¦ 30,000 monthly.
Observers noted that if substantiated, such practices would amount to grave breaches of professional ethics and custodial administration standards, eroding principles of fairness, transparency and inmate welfare within correctional institutions.
Beyond the financial allegations, the intelligence brief raised concerns over the purported possession of unauthorised communication devices, alleging that a serving General Provost had two Android phones while another influential inmate was also reportedly found with a mobile device.
The document further alleged that prohibited items, including alcoholic beverages, Indian hemp and other hard substances, may have been smuggled into the custodial yard under the guise of routine supervision duties, with security sources warning that the cumulative effect of extortion, intimidation and contraband trafficking has heightened tension within the facility.
In view of the gravity of the allegations, they called for an immediate and discreet investigation by the minister of Interior for immediate action to safe the life of inmates.
The administrative review of implicated officers, even as officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service had yet to issue an official statement, with stakeholders insisting that a transparent probe and decisive action are essential to restoring confidence and safeguarding institutional integrity at the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the government’s alleged failure to withdraw “unlawful mass phone-tapping rules” known as the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019.
LICR 2019 is a regulation that authorises telecom licensees to install technology for security agencies to monitor communications, including voice, data, text, email, and browsing, for national security and to combat crime.
SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, yesterday, said the suit followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the phone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was intercepted.
El-Rufai reportedly claimed, “The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me.”
In the suit numbered ECW/CCJ/APP/11/26, filed last Friday at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is seeking “a declaration that the failure of the government to withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations is unlawful and a violation of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The organisation is also asking the court to declare that the government’s failure to withdraw the regulations “constitutes an official endorsement of unlawful mass phone-tapping rules, as the Regulations are patently unlawful, and violate the rule of law, democratic principles, and the right to privacy.”
It is further seeking “an order directing and compelling the Nigerian government to immediately withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations, and to commence a legislative process to ensure that any interception regulations are in conformity with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, Valentina Adegoke and Maryam Mumuni, argued that “the Regulations establish a sweeping mass phone-tapping regime that violates Nigerians’ constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights, including to privacy and freedom of expression.”
“Where powers affecting fundamental human rights are exercised in secrecy and concentrated in political authorities without independent supervision, the risks of arbitrariness are substantial.
“Surveillance measures that lack strict necessity, proportionality and independent judicial oversight can easily be weaponised against political opponents, journalists, civil society actors and election observers,” it added.
SERAP also warned that the regulations raise concerns as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, noting that broad interception powers could be abused during politically sensitive periods.
“In an electoral climate, even the perception that private communications are being monitored can chill political organising, investigative reporting and voter mobilisation.
“Free and fair elections depend on confidential communications, protected journalistic sources and open democratic debate. Any misuse of intercepted data for intimidation, political advantage or disinformation would fundamentally undermine Nigerians’ right to political participation and electoral integrity.
“As 2027 approaches, interception powers must be narrowly defined, subject to prior independent judicial authorisation and backed by effective remedies. Without robust safeguards, these Regulations risk threatening privacy rights, freedom of expression and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process,” the suit stated.
SERAP maintained that any restriction on the right to privacy must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, arguing that the regulations fail to meet these requirements.
SERAP also cited the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as stating that mass surveillance programmes based on indiscriminate and blanket collection of personal data are arbitrary and cannot satisfy the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
The group said the Nigerian government has a duty to adopt clear laws, safeguards, independent oversight mechanisms and accessible remedies to prevent abuse by state agencies and private actors, including telecommunications providers and technology companies.
According to SERAP, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019 while exercising its powers under Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The organisation argued that Regulation 4 grants broad discretionary interception powers to the National Security Adviser and the State Security Services, with little clarity on the scope or limits of such authority.
SERAP also pointed to inconsistencies within the regulations, noting that while Regulation 4 and Regulation 12 restrict interception powers to the NSA and SSS, Regulation 23 expands the category of authorised agencies to include bodies such as the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and any other agency the commission may designate.
The organisation said this ambiguity undermines legal certainty and creates the risk of arbitrary application and abuse.
It also criticised provisions allowing interception without a warrant in certain circumstances, arguing that such powers are overly broad and susceptible to misuse.
SERAP further expressed concern that the regulations do not require authorities to notify individuals who have been subjected to surveillance, which it said weakens the ability of citizens to challenge unlawful monitoring.
The organisation warned that requirements compelling telecommunications licensees to install interception equipment and disclose encryption keys could undermine cybersecurity and discourage privacy-enhancing technologies.
SERAP acknowledged the government’s responsibility to address national security and organised crime but argued that such measures must remain within constitutional and international human rights limits.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.