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Widespread Famine Looms In Nigeria, Others -UN …EU Boosts UN COVID-19 Response In Nigeria With €1.2m …As NBS Confirms Inflation Rise To 12.26% In March

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Nigeria, many African countries and others around the world are at risk of widespread famines “of biblical proportions” if Coronavirus continues to bite, the United Nations (UN) has alerted.
The novel Coronavirus has claimed more than 175,000 lives and affected 2.5million people worldwide.
The Head of the World Food Programme (WFP, David Beasley, who raised the alarm, yesterday, also called for an urgent action.
The number suffering from hunger could almost double from 135million to more than 250million.
WFP added that the 10 nations are currently affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change.
The Global Report on Food Crises listed them as Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.
Beasely told the UN Security Council, during a video conference, the world has to “act wisely and act fast.
“We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months. The truth is we do not have time on our side.
“I do believe that with our expertise and our partnerships, we can bring together the teams and the programmes necessary to make certain the Covid-19 pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe.”
In a statement, WFP Senior Economist, Arif Husain, said the economic impact of the pandemic was potentially catastrophic for millions “who are already hanging by a thread. It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage.
“Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs. It only takes one more shock – like Covid-19 – to push them over the edge. We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations, yesterday, announced that it received €1.2million from the European Union for the provision of lifesaving preparedness and response activities for Covid-19 in Nigeria.
The Communications Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
The UN said the support was due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria, along with concerns around the need to drastically scale-up public health preparedness and response.
It also said that the humanitarian funding received would further the UN’s Covid-19 response in Nigeria.
This, it said, would be by engaging with communities on how to best protect themselves from the virus and providing essential health supplies where they were needed most.
It said, “With these critical funds from the EU, the UN as a whole in Nigeria is in a better position to do the important work of engaging with communities on how they can prevent the spread of this virus.
“It will also complement the government’s efforts to ensure that healthcare workers can continue the critical work they are already doing to test and treat cases in the country,” it quoted the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, as saying.
“Where we have funded close to €271.5million (N116billion) in emergency food aid, shelter, access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation, and basic primary healthcare since 2014,” it also quoted the Head of the EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office in Nigeria, Thomas Conan, as stating.
It said that with EU funding, UNICEF would be contributing to the efforts underway in the country to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate its effects.
It added that it would help with the emergency response to identified cases, as well as prevention and preparedness measures for possible future outbreaks in crowded cities and camps for internally displaced people in Nigeria’s north-east region.
It said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and global health leaders around the world, are advising that physical distancing, washing of hands on a regular basis and staying at home will help significantly to halt the progress of the virus.
Similarly, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased by 12.26 per cent year-on-year in March.
The NBS made this known in its latest report on inflation released, yesterday.
It explained that the report showed that inflation in March was 0.06 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in February, which was 12.20 per cent.
The bureau said the lock down in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states and various major disruptions in normal economic activities in several states started in April and wouldn’t have had any impact because this report focused on March.
It stated that the increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.
The NBS added that on a month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 0.84 per cent in March and this was 0.05 per cent higher than the rate recorded in February, which was 0.79 per cent.
“The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the 12 months period, ending in March over the average CPI for the previous 12 months period was 11.62 per cent showing 0.08 per cent point from 11.54 per cent recorded in February.
“The urban inflation rate increased by 12.93 per cent year on year in March as against 12.85 per cent recorded in February while the rural inflation rate increased by 11.64 per cent in March from 11.61 per cent in February.

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Rivers Open To Blue Economy Investment -Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the State stands as the best investment destination for good economic achievement.
Fubara stated this while providing investment details to industrialists during the 3rd Nigeria-Indonesia Forum in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He said that, as the oil and gas hub of Nigeria, Rivers State stands as the best investment destination for good economic achievement.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, enumerated the vast opportunities Rivers State holds to potential investors in the marine and blue economy, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, health, transportation, amongst other sectors.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria-Indonesia Commercial Association and the Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) for its continuous support to keep Rivers State at the peak for investors.
“Your decision to convoke this business forum is indeed apt. It will provide a robust platform for discussions in the areas of health, education, trade, investment, energy, environment…Vast opportunities exist in agriculture and agro-based industries, marine resources and blue economy, hospitality and tourism, transport, petroleum and other natural resources such as clay, raffia palm and textile with promising labour”, he emphasized.
He urged participants to use the forum to build partnerships for mutual economic benefits for both Rivers State and Indonesia.
“I am optimistic that this Forum will explore the investment opportunities in the State as well as harness them for our mutual benefits. I assure you that doing business in the State is strengthened by the enabling environment provided by the State Government to potential investors.
“I encourage you all to engage actively in discussions, share your insights, and learn from one another and create new collaborations and explore the investment opportunities in the State. Your ideas would no doubt spark the next big innovation or partnership that will drive meaningful change in our economy,” he stressed.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Ussra Hendru Harahap, gave insight into the Nigeria-Indonesia dynamic similarities and that Rivers State is host to Indonesia’s biggest investment in Nigeria.
He further indicated that Indonesia and Nigeria can mutually benefit from the diverse use of palm fruit and other businesses as he urged participants to explore new grounds for business development and expansion for both Indonesia and Rivers State.
The President of the Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Sir Mike Elechi, said the aim of the business forum is to provide more business opportunities to the people of Rivers State in view of attracting more business opportunities that will expand and promote commercial activities and investments in the State.

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Tinubu, Buhari Mourn Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Iwuanyanwu

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President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt commiserations to the family of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away, yesterday.
Chief Iwuanyanwu was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. He was an accomplished businessman and notable politician.
President Tinubu condoled with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.
The President in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, affirmed that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort to his family.
Meanwhile, former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has expressed rude shock over the demise of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The former Chairman, South East Governors Forum described Iwuanyanwu’s death as “ a big disaster and colossal loss to the Igbo nation”.
He said Chief Iwuanyanwu sacrificed so much in the advancement of Igbo cause but regretted that he exited at a time his fatherly counsels were most needed.
Senator Orji who said Iwuanyanwu was a personal friend, said he was highly devastated by the news of the departure of the late Igbo leader.
The former Senator representing Abia Central, a statement by his former Chief Liaison Officer , Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, said the death of Iwuanyanwu, had added to the pain of the loss of some other Igbo leaders who excited in the recent times.
He said that Iwuanyanwu would always be remembered for his patriotism, sacrificial leadership and passion for the Igbo cause.
Senator Orji condoled with the family of the late Ohanaeze helmsman while praying God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal repose in heaven.
Iwuanyanwu’s death was announced by his son Jide Iwuanyanwu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, yesterday.
According to the son, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announced the demise of our Patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged aged 82.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu, before his death, was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, lady Princess Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren including Dr Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Managing Director Champion Newspapers.
“Details of the burial will be announced later by the family after due consultation.”

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Nigeria Capable Of Providing Good Healthcare System -German Consul-General

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The German Consul- General, Weert Börner, has said that Nigeria was capable of providing a good healthcare system, rather than encouraging promotion of medical tourism.
Börner said this during the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) yesterday, in Lagos while highlighting Germany’s role in enhancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.
He listed some of his country’s areas of support to include Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
According to him, there are discussions on how the COVID-19 pandemic still influences the SDG achievement and the challenge to overcome the gap and its impacts.
“I can assure you that Germany was very impressed how Nigeria handled the pandemic, especially Lagos State, with Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi.
“We have been increasing our support to modernise Nigeria’s health sector.
“I can assure you the German government is not a government promoting medical tourism to Europe. We think that’s not a solution.
“The solution is to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“And there is no tourism needed in the future to get good treatment because we think that Nigeria is capable to have its own good health care system,” he said.
To support the health sector, Börner said that the German government has been training medical personnel, offering scholarships to medical students and has active presence of German companies in Nigeria’s health sector.
The envoy also said that Germany offers annual scholarships for both master degrees and PhD students globally through the German Academic Exchange Service, (DAAD).
“And in 2023, for the first time ever, among sub-Saharan African nations, Nigeria ranked number one.
“The number of Nigerian scholarship receivers went up within 13 years from just 200 to 1,600. So that’s a big success for your country, but I think also for the world,” he said.
Börner emphasised that vocational training was a traditional strength of the German system, noting that it was cooperating with the government and the private sector, citing training for solar energy engineers in Nigeria.
The consul-general stressed the need for best practices and strengthened cooperation to actualise SDGs in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
The Africa Social Impact Summit is a multi-sectoral platform dedicated to accelerating action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and across Africa.
The Summit organised by Sterling One Foundation, United Nations and the Lagos State Government has the theme: “Reimagining Progress: A New Blueprint for Sustainable Growth in Africa.”

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