The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UN

  • UN, Oyo unveil SDGs in Yoruba

    In continuation of its commitment to leaving no one behind in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations, in collaboration with Oyo State Government and the UN Association of Nigeria (UNAN), has unveiled the Yoruba Language translation of the 17 Goals and 169 Targets of the SDGs.

    The launch of the SDGs, Yoruba version, the first in the country, was held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, with fanfare and a rich display of Yoruba culture.

    UN Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos Director Mr Ronald Kayanja acknowledged the importance of Yoruba language. He said: “It is estimated that more than 40 million people speak the language in Nigeria. The Republic of Benin and Togo. It is the third most widely spoken indigenous language in Africa.”

    It is for this reason, according to him, that the launch of the Yoruba language SDGs and targets was of great importance.

    Kayanja urged the audience, numbering up to 1000 people, to use the occasion to start a mass mobilisation of people for achievement of the SDGs among Yoruba-speaking people. “Please read these goals and pass on the message to others. Let us commit to reach those who are farthest first and leave no one behind as we work towards achieving the SDGs targets,” he said.

    Launching the SDGs Yoruba language version, Oba Lekan Balogun expressed his delight about the translation of the 17 goals and 169 targets in the language of the people to enhance their understanding and participation. He urged the audience who were mainly grassroots people comprising of market women, artisans, youth organisations and civil servants, among others, to read and play the role expected of them as good citizens.

    In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Bamiji Ojo, commended the UN, Oyo State government and other partners for placing grassroots people at the centre of SDGs awareness and implementation.

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Hon Toye Arulogun, noted that the choice of Mapo Hall for the occasion was deliberate and strategic in view of its historic importance and the centrality of its location at the heart of the city and closeness to the grassroots to whom the SDGs Yoruba would be most beneficial. He reiterated the commitment of the Oyo State government to the achievement of the SDGs.

    The Chairman, Oyo State Implementation Committee of SDGs and Commissioner for Finance, Hon Abimbola Adekanbi, explained that SDGs is for everybody and that individuals have a role to play in its achievement.

    Other partners were Oodua Investment Company Limited, Dawn Commission and Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD) and the American Corner, Ibadan.

  • UN Security Council condemns Boko Haram attacks

    The United Nations Security Council said it remained concerned at the security and humanitarian situation caused by the Boko Haram terrorists and other armed groups in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.

    In a presidential statement, the 15-member body regretted that Central African countries were beset by ongoing terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate change, and asked the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to review the work of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and recommend areas for improvement.

    The statement read: “The Security Council strongly condemns all terrorist attacks carried out in the region, including those perpetrated by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh).

    “These attacks have caused large-scale and devastating losses, have had a devastating humanitarian impact including through the displacement of a large number of civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and represent a threat to the stability and peace of West and Central Africa.

    “The Council notes with particular concern the continuing use by Boko Haram of women and girls as suicide bombers, which has created an atmosphere of suspicion towards them and made them targets of harassment and stigmatisation in affected communities, and of arbitrary arrests by security forces.

    “The Council emphasises the need for affected States to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including by addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, in accordance with obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law.”

    The Council welcomed the support provided by UNOCA and the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) for the development of a joint regional strategy to address the root causes of the Lake Chad Basin crisis through regular contact with regional leaders.

    It encouraged partners to increase security assistance to Lake Chad Basin Commission countries, and humanitarian and development support across the region for those affected by Boko Haram activities.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari addresses UN General Assembly Sept. 25

    President Muhammadu Buhari will address the 73rd Session of the high-level General Debate of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

    Buhari would deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on the first day of the general debate of the General Assembly high-level events.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerian leader has been placed as the number 20 on the list of the speakers out of the 193 world leaders that would address the Assembly.

    NAN also reports that he would deliver the address to the Assembly during the afternoon session on the first day between 8.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. (between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m. Nigerian time).

    The President of Brazil would be the first world leader to present his address to the 73rd session followed by the U.S. President, Donald Trump, the traditional second speaker, being the host country.

    Recall that during the 2017 Session of the General Debate of the Assembly, Buhari was the eighth speaker out of the 193 world leaders who addressed the Assembly.

    His address made it one of any Nigerian leader’s earliest address at the annual general debate of the intergovernmental organisation.

    The 2018 General Assembly would be Buhari’s fourth outing at the annual general debate of the Assembly since becoming president in 2015.

    The Nigerian leader’s address during his first outing in 2015, in part, outlined his three cardinal agenda – security, economy and anti-corruption.

    His two subsequent addresses in his outings in 2016 and 2017 also highlighted some of his achievements so far in these areas.

    The 73rd session of the Assembly would open on Sept. 18, 2018, till Oct. 5, while the General Debate would commence on Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.

    The session would be presided over by Ms María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador.

    The theme of the general debate would be, “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies”.

    In accordance with rule 1 of the rules of procedure, the General Assembly shall meet every year in regular session commencing on the Tuesday of the third week in September, counting from the first week that contains at least one working day. (NAN)

  • 27m in modern-day slavery, says UN

    No fewer than 27 million people are in modern-day slavery, the United Nations (UN) has said.

    Speaking yesterday ahead of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Representative for Eastern Africa Amado Andres noted that about 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually.

    “About one million children are exploited by the commercial sex industry every year, 80 per cent of victims being women and girls while 70 percent of female victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation,” Andres said.

    He called on the international community to step up efforts to eradicate human trafficking that has worsened amid conflicts, poverty and break down of law and order in fragile states.

     

     

     

     

  • Nigeria needs 450,000 health workers annually, says UN

    •Fed Govt, experts brainstorm on Universal Health Coverage

    NIGERIA is in dire need of an estimated 450,000 health workers per year for the next 10 years to be able to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the United Nations (UN).

    Presently, the number of health workers produced in the country yearly is about 45,000.

    It was also gathered that Nigeria needs about 237,000 medical doctors, but presently has only 35,000 doctors. The country is also rated second in terms of inadequate number of nurses and midwives in Africa with only 152,000.

    Besides, about 65 per cent of Nigerians still lack proper access to healthcare services and 70 per cent of the rural populace has no access to healthcare services, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Consequently, to close the gap, the Federal Government introduced the policy of Task Shifting and Task Sharing (TSTS), which is aimed at moving task from highly specialised to less specialised health workers.

    The essence is to free more time for the highly skilled health workers to provide specialised critical services. When properly done, task shifting can make more efficient and effective use of human resources currently available by reallocating tasks among the front-line health care workers, it was learnt.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting between the Ministry of Health and Non-Governmental Organisations/Civil Society Organisations in the country, an expert, Dr. Emmanuel Abanida, who is the Senior Technical Adviser, the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC)-PAS, said the country cannot achieve UHC, if there are no health workers to do the job.

    Quoting the UN and WHO, Abanida said: “The UN have estimated that for Nigeria to be able to achieve UHC and SDGs, we need about 450,000 health workers per year for the next  10 years. And right now, we are only doing close to 45,000 per annum, which is very low.

    “It is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that 65 per cent of Nigerians lack proper access to healthcare services. Seventy per cent of the rural populace has no access at all to healthcare services in Nigeria.

    “With a population of over 170 million, Nigeria needs about 237,000 medical doctors but currently has only 35,000 doctors. As at 2017, Nigeria is second in terms of inadequate number of Nurses and Midwives in Africa with only 152,000 closely followed by Ethiopia.”

    He, therefore, said: “We are all aiming to achieve the sustainable development goals and universal health coverage but that cannot be possible if we do not have health workers to do the job.

    “Some of those that are available are under-utilised while some are over-utilised. Some people are doing work that can be done by people with lesser qualification or skills. So, the whole essence of TSTS is that what a particular health worker can do without causing harm that will relieve a higher lay of health workers to do some other duties, let him/her do it.”

    The meeting between the government and the NGO/CSO, Abanida said, was meant to brainstorm on the ongoing review of the TSTS, so as to ensure smooth implementation across the country.

    Also, Dr. Kayode Afolabi noted that the implementation of the TSTS policy was about 57 per cent across the country.

  • Herdsmen-farmers conflicts becoming more sophisticated, deadlier – UN envoy

    The Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria are becoming more sophisticated and deadlier.

    Chambas, who is Head, UN Office for West African and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in a report presented to the UN Security Council, said the violence was a major security threat in the region, warning that it risks changing into terrorist attacks.

    “Violence between farmers and herders is increasingly a major security threat in the region and risks morphing into the terrorist attacks that have defined the security landscape.

    “Farmer-herder conflicts are becoming more sophisticated and deadlier, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

    “During four days in June, new spates of attacks and retribution killings between herders and farmers in this region resulted in scores of deaths,’’ the UN envoy for said.

    In the Lake Chad Basin, Chambas said in spite of gains made by the Nigerian armed forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force, Boko Haram remained active.

    The UN envoy for West Africa and the Sahel said: “The trend of Boko Haram, using female suicide bombers continues, and reportedly almost one in five suicide bombers is a child.

    “The most recent attacks on a Nigerian military garrison in Yobe and the ambush of a military convoy in Borno are the latest manifestations of the threats still posed by Boko Haram.

    “There is a need for increased support to diplomatic, security and humanitarian responses to Boko Haram, in a holistic manner.

    “To this end, UNOWAS is providing technical support for a joint summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), on July 30, as called for by Security Council resolution 2349 (2017).

    He explained that the severe depletion of Lake Chad had led to environmental degradation, socio-economic marginalisation and insecurity for 45 million people.

    According to him, an estimated 2.3 million people remain displaced by the aggregate effects of insecurity and climate change.

    He appealed to Member States to support the humanitarian response to the Lake Chad crisis, which remains critically underfunded and revitalisation of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “Let me stress that any military response to security challenges in the region needs to be matched by the implementation of comprehensive strategies linking security and humanitarian interventions to development and human rights initiatives.

    “There is also need to increase our collective efforts to address the challenges facing the Sahel region with actions that combine politics, security and development,’’ Chambas stressed.

    He said the period under review saw an upsurge in popular discontent in the region manifested through often violent demonstrations calling for political and economic reforms.

    “The sometimes violent conduct of security forces, notably in dealing with popular demonstrations, has also fuelled political tensions.

    “Commitment by countries of the region and support from the international community will be key to ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of security sector institutions as part of broader security sector reform efforts.

    “Several countries continue to struggle with justice, national reconciliation and human rights challenges.

    “Among those is the concerning number of high-profile arrests, judicial prosecutions and convictions against political and civil society actors.

    “We must collectively continue to urge Member States to provide an enabling environment for the exercise of the freedoms of expression and assembly, which are critical in consolidating democracy and good governance,’’ the UN envoy said.

    He said UNOWAS would continue to closely monitor the situation with forthcoming elections in Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal.

    “In some countries of the region, including Nigeria, UNOWAS is working closely with ECOWAS and other partners to support the establishment of national peace architectures that can provide a systematic and inclusive approach to the prevention, management and resolution of conflict.’’ (NAN)

  • Northeast needs food intervention for 3m IDPs – UN

    The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) says an estimated three million displaced persons face critical food and nutrition insecurity in the northeast.

    OCHA, in its humanitarian situation report for the month of June, said no fewer than 1.7 million persons were displaced by the conflict in the region in the past nine years.

    According to the fact sheet, the number of people estimated to be facing critical food and nutrition insecurity is projected at three million, following recent assessments exercise in the area.

    It said that humanitarian actors and partners were carrying out a re-targeting exercise in Borno and Yobe to ensure that the most vulnerable people receive food assistance.

    OCHA also said: “Large-scale displacements continue to take place weekly; in the past seven months, since hostilities intensified in the northeast, more than 130,000 people have been displaced.

    “In May alone; 21, 207 people arrived in various locations. Bama, Ngala, Gwoza, Dikwa and Biu recorded the highest number of new arrivals.

    “These movements present major humanitarian challenges as resources are already overstretched in the locations where these civilians arrived.

    “Given that military operations have been announced to continue throughout the 2018 rainy season, displacement trend is likely to continue until end of August.’’

    To cope with the situation, the UN agency disclosed that it had adopted a contingency response plan for the expected high level displacement due to military operations.

    It explained that the plan aimed to provide life-saving assistance to about 115,000 IDPs, expected to move from hard-to-reach areas to key towns in Mobbar, Kukawa, Monguno, Ngala, Kala Balge, Dikwa, Bama, and Gwoza local government councils of Borno.

    “About 41.7million dollars is urgently needed to ensure sufficient preparedness and response activities to facilitate life-saving assistance for the new arrivals.

    “These include shelter and non-food items; health care, food, water and sanitation, protection and nutrition,” it said.

    The organisation revealed that it had initiated resource mobilisation efforts for the Rainy Season Contingency Plan, to support 463,000 vulnerable persons in extreme weather localities such as Bama, Damasak and Rann.

    OCHA noted that it had already commenced distribution of life-saving items including food, seeds, medicines, emergency shelter, non-food items and hygiene kits.

    The UN humanitarian body expressed satisfaction with effective response to control cholera outbreak in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, recorded between February and May.

    It lauded the timely response of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme and government to control the disease, adding that surveillance, monitoring and hygiene promotion activities were ongoing in the affected areas.

    The document further showed that the agency had set up five humanitarian hubs in Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Ngala and Dikwa while additional four others would be established in Banki, Damasak, Monguno and Rann liberated communities.

    OCHA explained that the hubs were designed with safe accommodation and internet connectivity, to enhance aid workers’ presence in the field and stimulate effective response.

    “Following an early recovery perspective, the maiden Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilisation, Peace Building and Sustainable Development was held in Maiduguri between May 7 and 8.

    “The aim was to promote continuous dialogue to strengthen coordination and collaboration on cross-border initiatives at the sub-national level around the Lake Chad Basin.

    “In preparation for the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview, data collection for a multi-sector needs assessment will be launched by mid-June in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, while data analysis is expected to start in July.’’

    The organisation noted, however, that despite the generosity of donors, humanitarian response in the northeast was hampered by lack of fund for the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

    “As at May 31, only 39.7 per cent of the $416.4 million total funds needed have been received, according to the funding levels reported on the Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

    “For the response to be sustainable and to avoid interruption in life-saving services, it is crucial that additional funding is urgently received across all sectors,’’ OCHA stated.

  • UN to reactivate Nigeria Peace Committee for 2019 polls

    The United Nations (UN) will reactivate the National Peace Committee, which played critical roles in ensuring a peaceful 2015 presidential election, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.

    In the ‘Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)’, presented to the UN Security Council.

    The National Peace Committee facilitated the signing of the Abuja Peace Accord on Jan. 14, 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Muhammadu Buhari and other presidential candidates.

    The committee comprised “respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders” who include former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Catholic Bishop Mathew Kukah and Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto.

    Guterres said his Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Chambas, continued to support efforts to sustain peace in the region by promoting and supporting inclusive national political dialogues, constitutional and democratic reforms and transparent, credible and peaceful election.

    The UN chief said: “Cognisant of the politically active environment ahead of the Nigerian polls in 2019, he conducted consultations with political and religious leaders in Abuja from 18 to 21 March.

    “National stakeholders concurred on the need for the full reactivation of the National Peace Committee of Nigeria, which had been instrumental in facilitating dialogue prior to the country’s elections in 2015.

    Through the Peace Accord, the candidates committed to “take proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before, during and after the elections”.

    They also expressed determination “to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria,… to place national interest above personal and partisan concern”.

    They reaffirmed their “commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria”.

    The UN chief noted the preparedness for the 2019 presidential election and other political developments in Nigeria.

    He said: “In Nigeria, political developments centred on preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections set to take place in February 2019.

    “On 9 April, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, declared his intention to run for a second term. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also announced his candidacy for the presidential election.

    “A demand made by the House of Representatives in April, following an increase in violence in the Middle Belt and the north of the country, to dismiss national service chiefs and security advisers, has not been carried out.

    “In addition, the decision of the National Assembly to summon Mr Buhari to provide a briefing on the increased insecurity in the country prompted a debate on whether the legislature had such power over the executive”.

    Guterres noted the “Not Too Young To Run” bill, which will reduce the age limits set for candidates for elected positions, and the adoption of the Electoral Act amendment, which will regulate the general elections.

    On security trends, Guterres said asymmetrical attacks were carried out by Boko Haram terrorists against security forces, local authorities and civilians in Nigeria and other West African state.

    The UN chief said extremist armed groups continued to harass civilians, carry out targeted abductions or killings, burn down schools and threaten teaching staff.

    “In Nigeria, multiple clashes between farmers and herders in the Middle Belt states, as well as in the southern states of Edo, Ebonyi and Kogi, resulted in numerous casualties, population displacement and destruction of property”.

    Guterres also noted the continued protests by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria over the detention of its leader, decreased violence in the Niger-Delta and Southeast regions, and militant groups’ threat to resume attacks.

  • World’s fish consumption unsustainable, UN warns

    A third of the world’s oceans are overfished and fish consumption is at an all-time high, raising fears over the sustainability of a key source of protein for millions around the world, the UN warned in a report on Monday.

    According to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, overfishing is particularly bad in parts of the developing world where many people already struggle to get enough nutritious food to eat.

    “There’s too much pressure on marine resources and we need significantly more commitments from governments to improve the state of their fisheries,” said Manuel Barange, director of the FAO fisheries and aquaculture department.

    “We predict that Africa might have to import fish in the future,” he told the Media , adding that shortages could lead to higher prices, disproportionately affecting the poor.

    Barange said Africa had great potential for aquaculture, but needed support in terms of finance, feed and supply of fish.

    Fish farming or aquaculture – the fastest growing agricultural sector for the past 40 years – has been largely responsible for making more fish available, said the report.

    As catches from the open sea continue to dwindle, more countries are turning to fish farms.

    In Algeria, the government is encouraging farmers in the Sahara desert to grow fish to increase their income and boost fish production.

    Critics say it can damage the environment and put disease and invasive species into the wild, but Barange said the solution was to have “proper regulation, legislation and monitoring and control”.

    Traditional fishing nations are also promoting the potential of fisheries to improve nutrition and end hunger.

    Globally, the percentage of stocks fished at unsustainable levels increased to 33.1 in 2015, from 31.4 in 2013 and 10 in 1974.

    Fish consumption reached an all-time high of 20.2 kg (44.5 lb) per person from 9 kg in 1961, said the report, and further rises are expected as health-conscious consumers turn to fish.

    Currently, 3.2 billion people rely on fish for almost 20 per cent of their animal protein intake.

    Shakuntala Thilsted, research programme leader at international nonprofit WorldFish, said reducing losses and waste would go a long way towards making fisheries sustainable, with an estimated 35 per cent of catches thrown away.

    “Fish heads, fish bones are (the) parts that are most nutritious.

    ”Why aren’t we using innovative solutions to turn this into nutritious, palatable food?” she said.

  • Commission develops new food labelling standards to protect consumers

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a UN International Food Standards-Setting Body, is set to release new guidelines on food labelling to provide simplified nutritional information to consumers to enable them make healthier food choices.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on its Twitter Handle @WHO said on Wednesday that developing this guidance was very important as it would stop increased incidence of obesity and some non-communicable diseases.

    WHO said that the commission has also revised the general standard for labelling of repackaged foods and improving date marking and storage instructions.

    It said that date marking whether indicating date of manufacture, packaging, best before, use by or expiration, should provide reliable information to consumers.

    WHO said that it should also ensure food safety and prevent food waste.

    It assured however that the commission was working to ensure that it avoided creating unnecessary obstacles to the food trade while developing and implementing the new standards.

    “The commission agreed to undertake new work to develop a guidance on providing simplified nutrition information to consumers to enable them identify healthier food choices while avoiding creating unnecessary obstacles to the food trade.

    “Food labelling bearing this information is an important tool to help stop the increased incidence of obesity and some chronic non-communicable diseases.

    Read Also: Improving export competitiveness key to economic success

    “These are part of the new International Food Safety Standards protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in trade,” it said.

    WHO said the commission has also set new limits for contamination of the naturally occurring contaminant found in chocolate to protect consumers against high exposure to cadmium.

    It said that cocoa beans used in the production of chocolate could take up high levels of cadmium from the soil and water, stating that this contaminant could remain in the human body for a long time.

    According to WHO, higher intake of cadmium is linked to kidney damage, while limiting cadmium levels in chocolate can ensure exposure to the contaminant is not too high.

    It said that to protect against high exposures of lead, the commission has also set new limits for contamination of heavy metal found in food as it was detrimental to human health.

    “To protect against high exposures of mercury, the commission has set new limits for methylmercury found in fish. Fish that live for a long time and are higher in the food chain have raised levels of methylmercury in their bodies.

    “Mercury can have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune system of humans and on lungs, kidney, skin and eyes.

    “To reduce exposure to methylmercury, the commission set limits for several fish species ranging from 1.2 to 1.7 mg per kilogram of fish.

    “This includes no more than 1.2 mg of methylmercury per kilogram of Tuna, 1.5mg per kilogram of Alfonsino, 1.7mg per kilogram of Marlin and 1mg per kilogram of Shark.”

    The commission is an intergovernmental body with over 180 members within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme established by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN.

    The commission was set up to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

    Its primary responsibility is also to promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

    The commission works to provide guidance on general labelling of foods and the health or nutritional claims producers make on labels.

    It ensures that consumers understand what they are buying and that it is what it says it is. 

    NAN