Connect with us

Education

Nigeria Ranked Among 38 Poverty Stricken Countries

Published

10 years ago

on

Nigeria is currently
ranked  38 among poverty stricken countries in the world, and 7th among the top nine West African Countries.
The revelation came to the fore recently during the 36th Inaugural lecture of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology by Professor Sunday Forth Giami.
In the lecture, titled “Food Security: The Challenge  of Feeding the Future,” Professor Giami stated that in both developed and developing countries, food insecurity is often linked to poverty.
Consequently, he continued, to understand  the magnitude of food insecurity in Nigeria, we must consider  the number of individuals below the poverty line.
Quoting data from the World Bank in 2014, the Professor of  Food Processing and Product Development  stated that 62% of Nigerians live  on less than 81.25 a day as at 2010.
The amount is the internationally recognised standard  for estimating poverty.
Professor Giami further stated  that another  82.2% of Nigerians live on less than two dollars a day.
“In fact, the poverty situation and the fear of possible food crisis in Nigeria has been given credence  by the current country’s poor ranking on the latest Global Hunger Index (GHI), which grouped the country as the  38th poverty -stricken  nation, with a high level of hunger threat with an index  of 14.7 compared with Ghana’s index of 7.5 and ranking 16″, he said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria also ranks 20th among  countries  with people with the highest undernourishment (3rd  in Africa),and 117th among countries with the  highest under fire  mortality rates (4th in Africa).
Explaining the importance of food security in every society, he noted that food security” is the basic  of human needs and is central to any discussion on energy security, civil society or  political security.
“Food features prominently in a raft of interrelated societal challenges associated with health, deprivation, novel technologies, national resource management, migration, and armed conflict.
“As a consequence, food (production, distribution, and processing) has rapidly become centre  stage in the world, and tomorrow’s issues are becoming todays,” he said.
He however, noted that the attainment of food security in Nigeria is feasible, given the abundant natural resources and diverse food crops  available in the country.
On way to ensure food security, according to the Professor, is to re-evaluate  a number of traditional food crops that are currently under utilized in Nigeria.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Education

Akwaibom WASCO students gets scholarship award for academic excellence

Published

3 weeks ago

on

December 22, 2025

By

In recognition for their academic excellence and innovation, three students of Western Annang Secondary Commercial School WASCO, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have been honoured with cash awards.
Faith Uwen Uko in SS 2, Goodluck Monday Otobong and God’swill Ndifreke Silas, both in SS3, were awarded scholarships and cash for distinguishing themselves in academics and traits such as curiosity, attention for details and other qualities notable of engineers.
The senior secondary school students were given the award by the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, NSChE, Akwa Ibom/Cross River states chapter, during their end of year dinner and award night held at Helemah Events Center, Uyo, with the theme “The roles of chemical engineers in fostering sustaining health sector.”
They were identified earlier in the year during the society’s visit to the school for career counselling and donation of science equipment, textbooks and stationeries to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, education.
The tokens of recognition and awards were presented to the students by the Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Rt.Hon. Edidiong Joseph Inyang, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, Prof Urua Antia, the representative of the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Jeremiah Anietie and the General Manager, Projects, Oilserv Ltd, Chief Augustine Ukpong.
The occasion featured a presentation on medical oxygen production, a dream project of the society aimed at making medical oxygen available at primary health care facilities through out Akwa Ibom state.
Also, a drama by the wives of chemical engineers helped to deepen understanding of the value of medical oxygen project. The NSChE chapter chairman, Mr Ikemesit Orok, led the dignitaries while Prof Esang Esitikot, moderated it.
Other high points of the award night was the award of scholarship to three outstanding chemical engineering students: Mfonido Ransome Bassey from the University of Uyo, Ifeoma Sandra from Akwa Ibom State University and Linus Owogeka Ogar from the University of Calabar.
Also, presentation of recognition awards to some distinguished personalities for their positive impacts on the engineering profession, commitment to corporate social responsibility and invests in human capacity development.
Continue Reading

Education

Community seeks government intervention over Herders Occupation Of School

Published

3 weeks ago

on

December 22, 2025

By

The people of Omerelu community in Ikwerre local government Area of Rivers state have called on the state government interventions over an alleged Herdsmen taken over the premises of community  Secondary School in the area.
This state of the secondary school have left the students of the community  displaced.
Speaking to journalists at Omerelu on the occupation of the school by the herdsmen , an opinion leader from the community , Mr Obinichi Amadi, briefed journalists shortly after the commissioning of the Egbeda–Omerelu Link Road by the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recently .
Amadi claimed that the problem has persisted for months, but was renewed by commissioning of the road  renewed which he said, called for urgent government attention.
According to him, the school which is strategically located along the newly inaugurated road has become unsafe as roaming cattle and herdsmen now occupy its classrooms, open fields, and access routes.
Reports have it that some students who attempted to access the premises in recent weeks confirmed that dilapidated buildings, broken desks, and the presence of herders have made learning impossible.
The Community leader further described the development as both an educational and security crisis.
“The takeover of the school by suspected herdsmen poses a direct threat to children and undermines the developmental prospects expected from the newly completed link road. We want Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to come to our aid”, he said.
He also pointed out that the school which was established to serve the Egbeda–Omerelu corridor, has suffered long-term infrastructural decay, creating the vacuum that allowed herdsmen to encroach on the premises.
He further explained that the community has repeatedly appealed for intervention and is now placing renewed hope in the Governor following the commissioning of the road.
 “The irony is stark: while the state government has enhanced access into Omerelu with a modern road, the only major secondary school along that axis is non-functional and overrun by intruders. The road should lead not just to mobility but to meaningful development,” he said.
Meanwhile, student representatives lamented the collapse of their learning environment, citing leaking roofs, collapsed walls, overgrown bushes, and the absence of security as reasons many parents have withdrawn their children for safety.
Parents  as it was learnt had warned against closing the school completely and added that it could force them to send their children to distant communities for education purposes.
As the newly commissioned road receives accolades, the people of Omerelu are issuing a clear and urgent call saying that the Government Secondary School, Omerelu must be rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to its students.
It was also gathered that the once-thriving citadel of learning has been in this deplorable state for nearly two decades.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Education

Rivers NYSC Cordinator task corps members on peace building 

Published

1 month ago

on

December 8, 2025

By

Corps Members have been urged to use the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians to promote peace in the state and country at large.
The Rivers State Coordinator  of NYSC Mr. Moses Oleghe gave the charge  during the inter-platoon cultural carnival competition for 2025 Batch C Corps Members deployed to the State orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam Tai held over the weekend.
Oleghe while addressing the Corps Members, further charged them to be a “source of light in their host communities,” noting that the “symbolic lighting of the cultural carnival torch means that every Corps Member must be the light that dispels darkness.”
He urged them to integrate and internalize the culture of the people of their area where they serve, strengthen cultural practices that promote human dignity, rights, and respect.”
The radiant and colorful event witnessed the regeneration and rebirth of various ethnic cultures by the Corps Members.
At the end of the competition, 4 platoon was adjudged the overall best, 9 platoon 2nd and 6 platoon 3rd.
Continue Reading

Trending