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Folarin Kehinde

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Again, another former BBNaija housemate, Emmanuel Umoh Involved in auto crash

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Barely a week after Former Bbnaija housemate Rico Swavey died in a ghastly motor accident, another ex-bbnaija housemate, Emmanuel Umoh, was on Monday involved in another ghastly auto crash.

Emmanuel confirmed the incident in a post on his Instagram page.

Sharing photos of the damaged car, the Akwa Ibom State-born thanked God for sparing his life.

He revealed that the near-death experience rendered him emotional as he could not control his tears and appreciation for God.

He wrote, ”Thank God for life. Been a while I cried.

”I think life got me hardened.”

The incident is coming a week after his colleague, Rico Swavey died after sustaining injuries from an auto crash at Lekki Lagos State.

Rico will be laid to rest on October 20 in Lagos State.

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Hand Washing Can Prevent Over 500,000 Deaths – Expert

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

As Nigeria joins the world to celebrate the 2022 Global Hand Washing Day, an Independent Sanitation and Hygiene Systems Expert, Kitch Bawa stated the Hand Washing is capable of preventing about 500,000 deaths caused by infectious diseases in Africa.

Bawa disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja noted that hand washing is not just mere hygiene practice but is an investment capable of saving lives.

According to Bawa, there is need to intensify the demand and uptake of the Africa Sanitation Policy Guideline (ASPG) not only for sanitation but also for hygiene to improve hand washing behavior and Menstrual Hygiene and to complement the access to sanitation and improve.

He explained that monitoring of hand washing on the continent must be deepened by ensuring that national efforts are intensified to ensure data access and integrity.

“This will support and improve regional and global monitoring efforts to improve evidence-based policy making”.

Bawa advised that Africa must reduce dependence on aid for improving hand hygiene whilst governments must endeavor to fund hygiene as a critical life-saving action as any of such initiative and leadership is known to attract massive support from non-state actors.

Meanwhile, Bawa noted that climate change is drastically affecting water supply and as such, assess to potable water supply is a pre-requisite for good hand hygiene in which the continent must be intentional about climate-resilient WASH.

“Smart subsidies for hand washing goods targeting people living below the poverty line in fragile, conflict and disaster-prone areas will reduce deaths and cushion the impacts of deepening poverty on many”.

He assured that if implemented alongside other market creating efforts, has the capacity of improving not only direct health benefits but also direct economic returns.

Continuing, Bawa stated that the African Development can work with the AU to establish a fund in this regard either through its Africa Water Facility or through some other approach.

“The African Union can still do more to improve hand hygiene Africa. Improving the synergy between the African Union commission for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment; and the African Union Center for Disease Control (CDC) will give added impetus for the high-level leadership needed to mobilize massive efforts across the continent towards improving policy and governance of hygiene”.

He noted that the theme of this year’s hand washing day is, “Unite for Safety: Clean Your Hands” is a call on all the people of the world to join hands to wash hands for our safety.

Kitch Bawa, Columnist & Independent Sanitation and Hygiene Systems Expert

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COP27: Nigeria Targets Funding Mechanism to Mitigate Climate Change Impact

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi has said that the country will focus on sustainable funding mechanism that will drive nature based solution to mitigate the impact of climate change at the coming Conference of Parties (COP) 27, in Egypt.

Abdullahi while speaking in Abuja at a press briefing on Nigeria’s preparations for the forthcoming 27th Conference of Parties, COP 27 held stated that the funding mechanism will focus on solution such as land restoration, reforestation,
combating desertification, climate smart-agricultural practices as
well as adaptation strategies.

According to Abdullahi, Nigeria will also seek collaboration and support on sustainable waste management, renewable and clean energy provision, and finance
for loss and damage.

“Nigeria will push for developed countries to fulfil financial pledges to
aid in tackling the climate crisis”.

Abdullahi explained that the expected outcomes of Nigeria’s participation will include increased partnership building that help Nigeria achieve its emission
reduction targets, address adaptation and mitigation, establish sustainable financing for climate actions, resilience building, poverty eradication, Energy Transition and sustainable development.

He added that Nigeria, will not take a position of ‘know it all’ but will align with the West Africa region’s identification of the thematic issues faced by the
continent and the group’s interim position on each which includes doubling adaptation finance by 2025; clarification on the support arrangements to address loss and damage; closing the climate financing gap; scaling up Africa’s mitigation ambition and implementation; strengthening the linkage between technology and
financial mechanisms; the global stocktake on progress on the Paris
Agreement; transparency; gender and climate change; agriculture;
Article 6 and carbon pricing and Africa’s unique needs and particular circumstance.

Abdullahi alluded is no doubt that Nigeria’s participation at COP 27 in Egypt will
demonstrate the country’s continued commitment to addressing the
challenges of climate change at both national and sub-national
level, will align with rest of Africa on agenda items which will support
partnerships building that will help Nigeria achieve its emission
reduction targets including solidifying frameworks (as earlier alluded
to) for establishing carbon markets, address adaptation and
mitigation, establish sustainable financing for climate actions,resilience building, poverty eradication and sustainable development.

Abdullahi who launched the Nigeria’s COP27 logo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the logo is a reflection of Nigeria identity with ideals of COP 27 on what the Country want to achieve as a nation on the issues of Climate Change.

He said that every participant at the COP 27 must bear the National Logo.

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Nnamdi Kanu Discharged, Not Acquitted – FG

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

THE Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami has said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu was only discharged but not acquitted by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

According to report, a three-member panel led by Justice Jummai Hanatu freed Kanu on Thursday.

Reacting to the development, Malami said the court’s decision was on a single issue that bordered on rendition.

According to a statement released by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Umar Gwandu, there were other issues predating Kanu’s rendition “on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail” which remained “valid issues for judicial determination”.

The statement said, “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.

“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”

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BREAKING: ASUU Suspends Strike After Eight Months

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has suspended its eight month old strike, The PUNCH can authoritatively confirm.

Though the union is yet to make an official pronouncement, our correspondent gathered that the decision was taken at the end of the National Executive Council meeting which was held at the ASUU secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking with our correspondent, a highly informed source within the NEC said, “Yes, it has been called off”.

When asked for more details, the source said, “the president will release an official circular in the morning”.

The PUNCH reports that the academic union embarked on a strike on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Details later…

Source: Punch

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In Two Weeks, Nigerian Businesses Lost Over N1trn to Flooding – Expert

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian economy and businesses have lost over N1trillion in two weeks to the flooding crisis, according to expert.

Kogi, Benue, Anambra, Niger, Nasarawa and other states in Nigeria are worst hit by the flood.

Many houses have been submerged, a large chunk of dry land cut off, over 80 lives lost and 600,000 persons displaced according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The flood situation in the Lokoja-Abuja federal highway has caused travelers excruciating pains. Trucks supplying foods items from the South to the North and North to the South have been stalled.

NEMA described the nightmares some Nigerians are facing owing to this year’s deadly flooding, a crisis now demanding global intervention.

Governor of Kogi State, Yayaha Bello said the flood crisis is a near-hell disaster.

He disclosed that Kogi State’s worst-hit Ibaji district is “100 per cent underwater” while calling for quick intervention.

Reacting to the development in a chat on Wednesday, Financial Inclusion/Wealth Management expert, MD/CEO SD & D Capital Managment Limited, Mr Idakolo Gbolade said the Nigeria economy, businesses have lost over N1trillion Naira in two weeks to this year’s flooding.

According to him, “The recent flooding affects most agrarian areas in Nigeria, thereby affecting the availability, cost of food products.

“The flooding has affected Nigeria economy and businesses greatly. Billions of businesses plying the Lokoja-Abuja road have been stranded for over 15 days now. For instance Fuel Tankers using Lokoja road to supply Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) to North Central and Abuja have been held up in Lokoja because of the flooding crisis. This will no doubt affect businesses relying on fuel for energy”.

Also, Irish potatoes, tomatoes, pepper, onions, carrots, yams and others food Items have witnessed sharp rise as a result of the flooding. The cost of transporting goods through alternative routes is higher, hence, the price increase.

“The Nigeria Economy and businesses have lost over N1trillion naira in two weeks to this year’s flooding crisis”, he stated.

The Director-General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Mansur Matazu on Tuesday revealed that the North Central and Southern zones should expect more flooding.

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Food Security: Women Farmers Seek Inclusion in Agriculture Budgetary Allocation

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), has called for inclusion of its members in budgeting processes and implementation towards contributing to food production.

This was the thrust at the Public Dialogue on Gender- Responsive Agriculture Policy, an event organised in partnership with the International Budget Partnership in Abuja on Thursday.

National President, (SWOFON), Madam Mary Afan noted that 75 per cent of farmers in Nigeria are women, with most of them still using obsolete equipment and their needs not included in the national agriculture budget.

Afan said the number of those who depend on Nigerian farmers for food has increased, saying the need to mechanise the farms had become imperative.

She noted that the socio-economic effects of insecurity and flooding across the country had led to a reduction in crop yield and income for women farmers.

“Nigeria is signatory to the Malabo Declaration, and the Maputo Declaration says 10 per cent of every country’s budget should go the agriculture sector, to achieve a six per cent annual growth.

“Over the years, the budget allocation is so slow, today, we are interacting with critical stakeholders to increase and support smallholder women farmers who do almost about 80 per cent of the workforce in the farm.

“We are also calling on stakeholders, policymakers, the Nigerian government to come up with a national agenda on agriculture so that all our challenges will be met’’

Mr Austin Ndiokwelu, Country Manager, International Budget Partnership, said agriculture was responsible for roughly a quarter of the gross domestic product, the second-highest contributor in the country.

He said although Nigerian government had reaffirmed its commitment to allocate 10 per cent of its annual budget to agriculture, it has not allocated more than 2.2 per cent in recent years.

“Women smallholder farmers especially are overlooked by officials overseeing agricultural policy and decision-making”.

“This is surprising when they make up 70 per cent of the workforce and produce 60 per cent of the food Nigerians consume”.

“In just two and a half years SWOFON, with the support of IBP, secured three critical budgetary changes to strengthen their livelihoods and contributions to the country’s agricultural sector.

Ndiokwelu said as a result of data-driven advocacy, Nigeria increased its spending on agriculture by 18.5 per cent and made new federal budget allocations towards the sector.’’

He added that through the partnership with SWOFON, issues of underdevelopment in agriculture, equitable access to farm inputs were resolved and had encouraged rural economic development and increased food production.

Mr Eze Onyekpere, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, said small-scale women farmers constituted 60 per cent of the farming population and produce 70 per cent of food consumed nationally.

He said there is need for an improved budgetary investment for smallholder women farmers, saying this would aid agriculture value chain.

“All plans and policies are based on budget and there are several plans and policies which have shown the need for investment for small-scale medium farmers.’’

He said it was critical that funds appropriated for smallholder women farmers got to them directly and not diverted into wrong hands.

In his remarks, Chairman House Committee on Agric Production Hon. Muntari Dandutse stated that the impact of climate change has further worsened food productivity in the country and drastic solution must be put in place to mitigate this impact.

He explained that the floods has washed away rice farms and other crops in Kogi, Borno, Benue, Jigawa, Yobe and Bayelsa to mention but a few couple with case of insecurity as and such increase in price of food.

He however assured the support of the National Assembly to support rural farmers in their agricultural food production.

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In 9 Months, Meningitis Killed 56 Persons in Nigeria – NCDC

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Meningitis has killed 56 persons in Nigeria between January and October 5, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed Wednesday night.

In a statement, the Centre said the deaths occurred from 961 suspected cases.

The Centre said the suspected cases and deaths were logged from 159 local government areas in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an epidemic-prone disease with cases reported all-year round in Nigeria.

The highest burden occurs in Africa’s ‘Meningitis Belt’ south of the Sahara Desert.

In Nigeria, the belt includes all 19 northern states, the FCT and some southern states.

In its statement, the Centre restated its commitment to the global goal of defeating the disease by 2030.

The Centre said it has an active National CSM Technical Working Group that had worked with partners and stakeholders to develop guidelines, checklists, and standard operating procedures for meningitis response.

“We are also working on enhancing meningitis surveillance at the subnational level, especially in high-burden states. Furthermore, with the support of partners, a National CSM epidemic preparedness & response plan has been developed.

“Currently, there is a network of 29 public laboratories with the capacity to diagnose CSM across the country. We continue to render technical support for state planning and capacity building to states to support the prevention and control of meningitis.”

It noted that with significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity and vaccine development over the last few years, CSM remained a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in several countries worldwide, with frequent epidemics that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and societies.

“To this end, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), on behalf of Nigeria, joined the global community to launch the global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030. The Defeating Meningitis by 2030 Global Roadmap was approved by the World Health Assembly in November 2020.

“Alignment and local translation of this roadmap are especially critical for Nigeria where meningitis remains one of many often-concurrent public health challenges.”

According to the NCDC, the roadmap sets a comprehensive vision for 2030, ‘Towards a world free of meningitis’, with three strategic goals:

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Sleeping 24 Hours is Difficult after Quitting Smoking – Tekno

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigeria music star, Augustine Miles Kelechi, widely known as Tekno, has disclosed that he is staying away from marijuana intake.

Tekno revealed this in a post on his InstaStory and said he found it a little difficult to sleep the first night after he quit smoking.

The Pana singer said it was difficult for him to sleep at first after quitting the substance, stressing that he has, however, stayed 24 hours without the drug.

He said, “My first 24 hours of not smoking cannabis, marijuana, weed or whatever you decide to call it. It was a little hard to sleep the first night, but this is 24 hours. I am about to go another 24 hours; I am trying to go 30 days not smoking weed.

“At the end of these 30 days, I will decide if I want to keep smoking or if I don’t want to smoke anymore, but I will come back here to keep you guys updated every day,” he assured.

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Prices of Cement to Rise as Dangote Plant Shutdown in Kogi

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Reactions have continued to trail the shutdown of Dangote Cement plants in Obajana, Kogi State, over a faceoff between the company and the state government on Wednesday.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications at the Dangote Group, Sunday Esan, confirmed the incident, describing it as an invasion.

But, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, said the shutdown was due to the company’s inability to tender evidence of land acquisition validity.

In the midst of this faceoff, an economic analyst has called for a quick resolution while stating the economic implication.

Reacting to the development in an exclusive chat with DAILY POST, an economic expert and former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Prof Segun Ajibola, said cement prices might rise nationwide following the shutdown of Dangote Cement plants in Kogi State.

He said, “If supply dip, while demand remains constant, the natural occurrence is for prices to go up.”

He explained that “cement affects virtually everything man does, construction of roads, building, bridges, houses, the shut down has far-reaching economic implications.

“Dangote Cement is part of the Dangote Conglomerate that has been operating for decades in Kogi State. The Dangote I know will not allow this crisis to linger because of its seriousness.”

He urged both parties to quickly resolve the matter for the betterment of Nigeria’s economy.

Meanwhile, the disruption received knocks from members of the host community in Kogi State.

The spokesman for the Oyo mining host community, David Oluruntoba, disclosed that the action by the Kogi State Government would only spoil the existing good relationship between the company and its host community.

He said, “They called us to join them. But I told them that the company has not offended us. We just signed a Community Development Agreement (CDA) and the company has been helping us and providing us with jobs. What has the government done for us, nothing. There is no basis to support the government.”

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