The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lake Chad

  • Nigeria to host International Conference on Lake Chad

    Nigeria to host International Conference on Lake Chad

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the hosting by Nigeria of an international conference on Lake Chad.

    The conference, according to a statement issued by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, is to revitalize the basin’s ecosystem for sustainable livelihood, security and development.

    The statement said: “This is the first time an international conference on Lake Chad is being organized among the six-member countries of the region.

    “The three-day conference will consist of two days of technical sessions and one day high level meetings between February 26-28, 2018 and it will take place in Abuja.

    “The high level meeting is expected to have in attendance all of the Presidents and Heads of government of the member-states, namely Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Libya

    “The key partners coming together in hosting the conference are Nigeria, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and relevant donors including, prospectively, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank and the governments of Germany, China, Canada and the European Union (EU).”

    The main objective of the international conference, the statement said, is to create global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinkage of the Lake Chad, threat to livelihoods including insecurity with a view to developing a comprehensive program for action to save the lake from extinction.

     

     

  • UNICEF radio education helps 1.3m children displaced by Boko Haram

    UNICEF radio education helps 1.3m children displaced by Boko Haram

    UNICEF has initiated a radio education programme in the Lake Chad basin as part of efforts to support the 1.3 million children displaced by the activities of Boko Haram.

    Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa said: “This crisis has unique challenges, so we are developing unique solutions.

    “With many hundreds of schools still closed, and children exposed to numerous risks, we developed a radio education regional prototype that will keep children in a positive education routine.

    “This is the first step, and the Governments have pro-actively engaged to make this available for children in this crisis.”

    The 144 episodes of educational programming on literacy and numeracy, life-saving and other child protection messages will be broadcast in French and three local languages, namely: Kanuri, Fulfulde and Hausa.

    The radio education programmes offer an alternative platform for the 200,000 children in crisis affected areas who are unable to access schools in the Far North of Cameroon and in the Diffa region of Niger.

    Education has been at the centre of the conflict since it began in 2009,  UNICEF said adding Boko Haram has sought to ban education and has targeted teachers and schools in attacks.

    The EU-supported Education in Emergencies initiative has equipped UNICEF to enhance a protective environment for children in schools and communities affected by the crisis.

    This has included expanding education programs to areas where schools remain closed either because they have been destroyed or because of fear of further attacks, UNICEF noted.

    The UN agency added that the radio programmes have the potential to reach children in areas that remain inaccessible for humanitarian assistance and other out-of-school children.

    With support from the EU, UNICEF and the Governments of Cameroon and Niger have developed a radio education program for children impacted by the conflict, UNICEF said.

    “The broadcasts are supported by community outreach efforts to ensure adults allow children to listen to existing radios and facilitate guided listening. UNICEF and the Governments are engaging radio listening groups in communities to help children get the most out of the broadcasts.

    Yvan Hildebrand, Head, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) in Cameroon, said “radio education helps us reach the children who are out of school as a result of the conflict.

    “We’ve worked with UNICEF to develop a high quality interim solution that will help hundreds of thousands children engage in an educational routine.

    “We are very proud of the positive role the EU is playing in this crisis and I am sure that all Europeans can see the value of this investment in children”.

    Beyond radio programming, Education in Emergencies will reach 159,000 children with a range of support including child protection services and risk informed learning programmes adapted for the needs of children living in crisis affected areas in Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

    “This radio platform has potential for even larger numbers of out-of-school children in Niger, Cameroon and in the region.

    “Being on air with a program ‘validated’ by the Government is the first important step for the continuation of learning in emergencies and the protection of children who are not in school.

    “In the very near future, we hope that children who learn by radio will also receive a certification and pass the school year,” Poirier said.

    In spite of the achievements of this project, the needs of children in the Lake Chad basin remain dire while ongoing conflict and security concerns have hampered the humanitarian response.

    UNICEF has called for 38.5 million dollars to meet the education needs of children in the crisis and this appeal has received 19.6 million dollars, just 50 per cent of the amount required.

  • Nigeria showcases success on Polio, Universal Health Coverage

    The Federal Government has informed global leaders that the National Health Act would guarantee every Nigerian a right to a basic minimum package of health services.

    Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, said this in a statement issued by Mrs Boade Akinola, the Director, Media and Public Relations of the ministry, in Abuja.

    Adewole, who delivered an address at the 70th World Health Assembly in Geneva, also informed the world leaders of Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of the four cases of Polio in Nigeria.

    He said the four cases of Polio were recorded in areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency last year.

    “In curtailing the spread of Wild Polio Virus (WPV1) across our borders, there has been a robust international outbreak response and enhanced surveillance activities.

    “The surveillance activities include high level coordination with countries of the Lake Chad Region, implementation of high quality rounds and vaccination of high risk populations during in-between rounds activities,

    “and re-activation of routine immunisation services in newly liberated areas,” he said.

    The minister assured that the current momentum would be sustained for as long as it takes to be certified polio free and beyond.

    Adewole also highlighted Nigeria’s progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UCH), through the one Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) per ward programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    He said that the country had begun the operationalisation of the National Health Act which specifies that “all Nigerians shall be entitled to a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services”.

    The minister also discussed the country’s Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) efforts, Accelerated TB Case Finding and ongoing humanitarian response in the North East of Nigeria.

  • Wheat farmers harvest 9,000 tons in Gombe

    Wheat farmers harvest 9,000 tons in Gombe

    The Chairman, Wheat Farmers Association in Gombe State, Mr Batari Dauda, said 9,000 tons of wheat were harvested in 2016/2017 farming season in the state.

    Dauda, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday, said 1,200 registered farmers cultivated 2,000 hectares of land across the state.

    The chairman described the yield as fairly good, but added that the initial target was cultivate 10,000 hectares of land across the state.

    He said the cultivation was limited by lack of quality seeds and farming implements.

    “Most of the farmers said the seed they secured was plantable material, that is seed that was planted for over five years.

    “This results to deterioration in terms of quality because the yield will not be good.

    “Initially Lake Chad Research Institute brought us foundation seed, but the problem we have with them is that the seed is not sufficient, he said.

    Dauda said those that were able to plant the crop early realized three to four tons on each hectare while those that planted late, realized between one and two tons per hectare.

    “This is because the temperature has to be low before planting wheat.

    “It does not grow during the rainy season, it can only be planted between first and last week of November.

    “Therefore, a farmer must cultivate his land in October and wait for November to plant and harvest in March,” he explained.

    The chairman said farmers had no problem getting market for the produce because the association had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Millers Association.

    “They became our off takers; in fact what we are producing is not even enough for them.

    “Apart from them, there are local end users, those that want to turn wheat into bread and other things,” Dauda said.

  • Troops kill 13 Boko Haram members in Lake Chad

    Thirteen  terrorists of Boko Haram group were killed in Lake Chad by troops of 8 Task Force Division of the Nigerian Army at the weekend.

    According to a statement signed by Colonel Timothy Antigha, who is the deputy director, Public Relations of the 8 Task Force Division, the troops neutralised the 13 terrorists. A number of others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    The statement reads: “In the last 72 hours, gallant troops operating in Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma, Karami and Tumbuma Baba have neutralised 13 Boko Haram terrorists while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Similarly, troops recovered three AK 47 and one pump action rifle, assorted riffle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, tool box, deep freezer and a Toyota gun truck. In the same vain, troops destroyed two other Toyota Hilux vehicles, one Toyota truck, two Motorcycles and six bicycles.

    “In a related development, troops of 424 Battalion, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers. The suspects comprising six females and four males were arrested in Monguno and Nolwodo Malgori with assorted household items, food stuff and N63,060 cash.

    “The suspects are being profiled to determine the extent of their involvement in Boko Haram insurgency”.

  • Army move to secure nation’s borders

    Army move to secure nation’s borders

    The Nigerian Army, on Friday, inaugurated a Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Daura in Katsina State, as part of the measures to secure the nation’s borders with neighbouring countries.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who inaugurated the FOB, said the sighting of the facility in Daura followed the “Order of Battle” approved by the Army Council in 2016.

    “It is part of the re-organisation in the Nigerian Army. In 2016, the Army Council approved the new order of battle.

    “This is part of the order of battle of the Nigerian Army to have an FOB in this place – Daura.

    “So it is the overall review of the deployment and the strategic consideration of the Nigerian army and the military; in taking care of strategic locations by deploying such facility here,” Buratai.

    Asked if there was any threat at the Daura axis, the army chief said: “Well, that is the analysis”.

    “You know, this Boko Haram terrorist group has been moving all over the place, especially along the borders. So, it is part of the consideration, it is part of the threat analysis”.

    According to Buratai, there is the need to take care of the border areas right from the Lake Chad through Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, up to Sokoto.

    He said that the establishment of the FOB was part of the strategic consideration, based on threat analysis, adding that more of such facility would be set up in the North East.

     

  • FG plans conference on Lake Chad

    FG plans conference on Lake Chad

    The Federal Government has initiated a bilateral engagement for an international conference to discuss modalities to resuscitate the Lake Chad which is drying up.

    Water Resources Minister Suleiman Adamu  told  a  delegation of the  UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that visited in Abuja  that it was important to  draw international attention to the drying up of the lake in order to save 47 million people living around the lake.

    Adamu reiterated the need for the international consideration since 47 million people depend on it (lake) for farming, fishing, livestock production and water supply for drinking and sanitation.

    The planned conference, according to him, will look at ways to draw experts to proffer solutions on how to save the lake.

    He explained that the conference would look into the feasibility study of inter-basin transfer of water from Oubangui River in the Central African Republic.

    Adamu said that one of the conference’s major focus would be to emphasise on poverty alleviation of the population who depend on the resources from the Lake Chad Basin, following its reduction to about 468km due to the effects of climate change.

  • Nigeria plans conference on Lake Chad

    The Federal Government has initiated a bilateral engagement through an international conference to discuss modalities for resuscitation of the Lake Chad which is drying up.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, told a delegation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that visited in Abuja that it was important to draw international attention to the drying up of the lake in order to save 47 million people living around the lake.

    Adamu reiterated the need for the international consideration since 47 million people depend on it (lake) for farming, fishing, livestock production and water supply for drinking and sanitation.

    The planned conference, according to him, will look at ways to draw experts to proffer solutions on how to save the lake.

    He explained that the conference would look into the feasibility study of inter-basin transfer of water from Oubangui River in the Central African Republic.

    Adamu said one of the conference’s major focus would be to emphasise on poverty alleviation of the population who depend on the resources from the Lake Chad Basin, following its reduction to about 468 square kilometre due to effects of climate change.

    He said the federal government, in partnership with the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the POWERCHINA International Group Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to actualise the transfer of water from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad Basin.

  • Lake Chad famine: International donors pledge $672 million

    International donors yesterday pledged $672 million for the next three years to avert famine in the Lake Chad region.  The famine is caused by drought, chronic poverty and the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Norway and Germany alone are giving 373 million euros ($319m).

    Delegates from across the globe yesterday gathered in Oslo, Norway for an international donors’ conference to launch a fund for the project for which the United Nations (UN) says its needs $1.5billion in humanitarian aid this year.

    Norwegian Foreign Minister, Brende, announced that his country was giving 1.6 billion kroner ($192 million) over a three-year period.

    He spoke of  ”a serious humanitarian situation” in the region .

    “There is urgent need to stop the crisis unfolding in an area with 26 million people, “Brende said.

    His German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel said Bonn added 120 million euros ($127 million).

    “26 million people have been affected by Boko Haram and we must address the root causes,” Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said, speaking about the extremist group that remains a serious threat to regional stability.

    The UN said aid agencies must get food to close to 3 million people in the area to deal with the food crisis.

    The most urgent need is to reach 2.8 million people with rice or sorghum, or cash to buy supplies, by July, according to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP).

    About   10.7 million people – which translates to  2 out of 3 inhabitants – are said to require  humanitarian help such as food, water, education or protection, the U.N’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said while half a million children aged under five are suffering from acute malnutrition.

    The Boko Haram insurgency is preventing farmers from planting crops or accessing the lake to get water for  their animals.

    Fishermen  do not fare better as they are also  prevented from accessing the lake which is shared between Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.

    The insurgency has claimed close to 20, 000 lives and displaced  about  than 2 million from their homes over the last  seven years.

  • Nigeria, Chad seek $50m to recharge Lake Chad

    •Fed Govt signs AU convention on cross border 

    Nigeria and Republic of Chad have called on the African Union (AU) and international donors to assist in raising $50 billion for recharging of drying Lake Chad.

    Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said the two countries made the call at the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) at the ongoing 28th AU Summit.

    He said there was also an agreement by the two countries to have a formal international donor conference on recharging the lake, as well as having a direct engagement with possible sponsors.

    The minister explained that the APRM consisting 33 countries was a self-monitoring policy through peer review mechanism to ensure social, economic and political growth among member states.

    Onyeama said the peer review mechanism was a process where the member states submit themselves to review each other, where Nigeria had peer reviewed Republic of Chad.

    He said the two issues that came up on the Chad review were the impact of Boko Haram and shrinking of the Lake which affected about 30 million people around the lake basin.

    “We recognised the role that Chad has been playing in the framework of the International Joint Task Force and we pointed out the impact of the Boko Haram on the task force.

    “On the question of Chad, we pointed out that the Lake had shrunk to about 10 per cent and has had catastrophic effect on the people living in that area,” he said.

    Nigeria yesterday signed the African Union Convention on Cross Border Corporation as part of the side line events at the ongoing 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

    The Niamey Convention, which was adopted in 2014, is to promote Cross Border Corporation at local, sub-regional and regional levels with the aim of ensuring peaceful resolution of border disputes.