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FG raises concern as 19.4m Nigerians face hunger
Federal Government has expressed concern over recent statistics by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), showing that 19.4 million Nigerians across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory are food insecure.
The analysis carried out by FAO at the beginning of the year also revealed that two million children across the country suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed this in Abuja at a media briefing to kickstart the World Food Day celebration.
He stressed the need to be concerned over the current indices but urged Nigerians not to panic, saying the Federal Government is doing all it can to mitigate the food challenge.
He attributed the crisis to COVID-19 lockdowns, the Russia-Ukraine war, which has slowed the movement of raw materials, especially fertilizer, and flooding occasioned by climate change.
The minister said: “Some of you might think COVID-19 is gone but the havoc it wreaked in the last few years is still here. Up till today, a lot of supply chain routes have not opened up.
“I just came back from the United States. I have been to different supermarkets; you will see empty shelves because up till now, they have not been able to get all the raw materials they need.
“I flew over Panama in South America when I went to Brazil about five weeks ago. I saw tons and tons of ships at the Panama Canal, waiting to pass through to deliver supplies. So, the havoc caused by COVID-19 is still there.”
He, nevertheless, affirmed that there is no food shortage in the country, saying: “We know that we have some issues of insecurity. Production has dropped. But it is not significant enough that we should have a shortage of food. We don’t have shortage of food in Nigeria at this point. I want to make sure there is no shortage. But prices have risen.”
FAO Country Representative, Fred Kafeero, while speaking on the theme of the celebration, ‘Leave No One Behind: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, stressed the need to do more to reverse the trend of hunger and malnutrition.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective efforts of Nigerians to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and protection of other rights of the girl child.
In a statement issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders, especially parents, to be proactive in upholding the dignity of children especially the girl child.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2025 celebration of the international day is “Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”
“As we commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we are reminded of our shared responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of girls and women,” she said.
The first lady said that genital mutilation was a violation of the rights of girls, which had consequences.
According to her, female genital mutilation has no health benefits.
Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders to do more to curb or end FGM.
“Although Nigeria has made significant strides toward eliminating FGM, due to the collaborative efforts of the government, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community leaders, there is still much work to be done.
“We must remember that violence against women is not just a women’s issue but an issue against humanity. It affects us all, erodes our shared values of respect and dignity.
“We must recognise that every person, regardless of gender, deserves to live free from fear, discrimination, and violation.
“According to UNFPA, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of FGM globally, with over 20 million women and girls that have undergone FGM and if care is not taken, about 14 million girls are still at risk of also experiencing this practice by 2030,” she said.
The first lady, however, promised that she would take a lead in combating the menace in Nigeria.
“Together, we will strengthen the movement against FGM by building alliances across sectors, empowering survivors, and ensuring that youth and women lead the charge.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to ending FGM and I will continue to advocate for the necessary support.
“Our collective voice is our greatest strength, and with united efforts, we can achieve a Nigeria free from FGM.
“Let us continue to work together, for our girls, for our women, and for a future where Female Genital Mutilation no longer exists,” she said.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with the families of people who died in a fire outbreak that affected an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.
The Police in Zamfara confirmed the death of 17 Almajiris (street urchins) while 17 others were injured in the fire incident in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sen. Tinubu in a statement on Thursday also commiserated with Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara over the tragic incident.
“I pray Allah comfort and give the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss.
“This, once again, brings to mind the need for precautionary safety measures in all our public facilities.
“I pray that such will not reccur, not only in Zamfara, but any other part of Nigeria.
“May Allah grant the souls of the departed Aljanah Fridaus,” she said.
The Katsina Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has called for collective effort to address drug abuse in the state.
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Muhammad Aminu-Abubakar, made the call on Thursday in Katsina during a sensitisation and advocacy for women and youth on drug abuse awareness and prevention.
Aminu-Abubakar expressed the need for the people of the state to contribute their quota in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse
The NDLEA commander explained that the fight against drug trafficking and abuse was a collective effort of stakeholders, noting that “all hands must be on deck to fight the menace”.
According to him, combating drug trafficking and abuse requires effort and critical role from families, communities, religion and traditional leaders.
He also called on the state government to continue to give the command the needed support in tackling drug trafficking and abuse.
First Lady seeks collaborative measures to end FGM
Fire outbreak: First lady commiserates with Zamfara people over deaths
NDLEA seeks collective efforts to tackle drug abuse in Katsina
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