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41 Million Face Hunger Worldwide

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41 Million Face Hunger Worldwide

No fewer than 41 million people around the world are on the brink of famine and the slightest shock could tip them over the edge, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.

WFP spokesperson, Phiri Tomson, said on Friday that the impact of conflicts old and new, climate shocks and COVID-19, in addition to a lack of funding, had left millions more on the verge of famine than six months ago.

In an appeal for five billion dollars to avoid famine, Mr Tomson said that millions of refugees faced uncertainty and hunger as the impact of the pandemic on emergency aid budgets became clearer.

He said WFP was working round the clock to avert famine, saying, “we urgently need 5.5 billion dollars to do this.

“The price of doing nothing in the face of these growing hunger needs will inevitably be measured in terms of lost lives.

“Tragically, by the time a famine is declared, it’s already too late and thousands of people are already dying of hunger.’’

Yemen and South Sudan face catastrophic levels of acute hunger, according to the Hunger Hotspots report released by WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

READ ALSO: What Should Be Done For Economic Recovery, Growth In Africa – Okonjo-Iweala

The most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis for Ethiopia’s Tigray region, issued in June, revealed that 5.5 million people there were grappling with high levels of acute food insecurity, with 350,000 already facing ‘catastrophic’ conditions.

“According to the latest IPC food insecurity assessments – which humanitarians used to assess needs on a scale of one to five – the 41 million are people who are in IPC phase 4 – emergency,” the WFP spokesperson explained.

New refugee influxes linked to conflict and drought have increased needs for people in “IPC phase 5 – catastrophe” and “that number stands at 584,000 people.

“These are people in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Madagascar, particularly the southern part; South Sudan, especially as we are now at the height of the lean season in that country, and Yemen,” Mr Tomson said.

Launching its Global Operational Response Plan, the UN agency highlighted operations in no less than eight countries and regions where it has had to make “brutal choices” because of significant funding shortfalls.

In practice, this has meant reduced rations “across east and southern Africa, as well as the Middle East…among some of the world’s most vulnerable people who rely on WFP to survive.

“In some cases it’s 40 per cent, in some cases it’s 25 per cent, in some cases it’s 60 per cent.

READ ALSO: How Rising Prices Pushed Seven Million Nigerians Below Poverty Line In 2020 – World Bank

“The fact is, the assistance we provide is a basic need, the assistance we provide is just enough to help people get by,” he said.

For many vulnerable aid recipients in West and Central Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic had left them without the opportunity to work to supplement their rations and unable to pay for increasingly expensive staple foods.

“Countries like Chad, Niger and Burkina, Mauritania; these are all countries of concern, including Sierra Leone as well,” Mr Tomson said, after a warning by the UN agency that the world was no longer moving towards Zero Hunger.

“Progress has stalled, reversed, and today, more than 270 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure or at high risk in 2021.

“But what are the factors at play, why is famine even an issue in a 21st Century world of abundant food, and how can it be finally consigned to history,’’ the WFP spokesperson asked.

NAN

 

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BREAKING: NNPC Sacks  All Top Management Staff With Less Than 15 Months To Retire

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CAC Incorporates NNPC

As part of further reorganization for effective operations, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)  has sacked  top management staff who have less than 15 months to retire from the national oil company.

The development is coming days after the oil company announced the removal and replacement of three of the its Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs).

Those impacted by the previous shakeup included Abdulkabir Ahmed, who was hitherto in charge of gas, power and new energies; Adokiye Tombomieye, who headed the upstream segment as well as Adeyemi Adetunji, who was in charge of the downstream.

They were replaced by Olalekan Ogunleye as EVP gas, power and new energies; Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan for the company’s upstream operations, while Adedapo Segun took charge of the downstream.

In a brief statement Tuesday morning, the NNPC stated that the new reshuffling was in line with its aspiration to rejuvenate its workforce.

“In our bid to pursue effective organisational renewal to support the delivery of our strategic business objectives, it has become imperative to rejuvenate our workforce.

“Consequently, in addition to the recent exit of three executive vice presidents, other members of management staff with less than 15 months to statutory retirement will be exiting the company effective 19th September 2023,” the statement said.

The NNPC noted that the move was in line with its commitment to scale up its capabilities through targeted talent management and equal opportunity for all Nigerians.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates Cardoso As CBN Governor

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Dr Olayemi Cardoso

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A press statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed on Friday evening that Cardoso will serve for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

“This directive is in conformity with Section 8 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which vests in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority to appoint the Governor and Four (4) Deputy Governors for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate,” he stated.

The new Deputy Governors include Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the President expects the above listed nominees to successfully implement critical reforms at the Central Bank of Nigeria, which will enhance the confidence of Nigerians and international partners in the restructuring of the Nigerian economy toward sustainable growth and prosperity for all,” Ngelale stated.

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We Help Nigerians Transform Their Dreams Of Studying Abroad Into Realities – Braimah

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Sheriff Braimah

There is no gainsaying the fact that studying abroad opens doors to limitless opportunities. From getting a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of your desired choice of course – which positions you better than your peers – to the networking opportunities it provides, studying abroad can be the door to a better future.

On this premise, thousands of Nigerians dream of studying abroad and pursue that dream. Like every other dream for greatness, studying abroad is accompanied by several challenges including complex visa processes, financial constraints, and many more that often make some give up the dream or fail at it.

To help Nigerians, especially the youths, nurture their dreams of studying abroad, Redefined Consults Limited, a reputable educational consulting company with a team of dedicated and experienced travel professionals has helped many Nigerians process their applications seamlessly.

Having been in the global education competitive landscape for a while, Redefined Consults Limited understands the unique needs of its clients as well as the challenges that come with those needs, hence the need for a personalised approach to all applications they handle.

From choosing the right destination and university to advising on the courses that make application easy, up till the moment of obtaining a visa and settling into their new academic home, Redefined Consults makes it a core need to guide every client they have worked with through every step of the process.

The Founder and Team Lead, Redefined Consult Limited, Sheriff Braimah told our correspondent: “At Redefined Consults Limited, we recognise that education is not just about academics; it is also about personal growth and cultural enrichment. That is why we go beyond the conventional role of a consultancy firm. We are driven by a passion for excellence and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals seeking quality education,”

He explained that the United Kingdom, Malta, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and China are some of the most sought-after travel destinations for Nigerians who desire to study abroad, and the educational consulting firm makes it a priority to research schools in these destinations, have a clear understanding of their requirements and provides the knowledge while helping them navigate the opportunities offered by each destination.

“With a core understanding of students’ recruitment, some of the services offered by our company include visa counseling and assistance to ensure a smooth and seamless process. Over the last three years, we have successfully helped more than 200 students achieve their dreams of studying abroad with the help of eight experts who are professionals and know their onions.

” If studying abroad is a dream you have had for a while but do not know how to pursue it or you have failed, Redefined Consult Limited is your hope to achieve that dream. With a proven track record of transforming study abroad dreams into reality, yours could be the next success story to tell,” Braimah added.

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