The World Food Programme in collaboration with the Nigerian government and the Swiss government has provided support in the form of cash and food items for vulnerable Nigerians and small businesses affected by COVID-19 in the country.
With the emergence of the COVID-19 in the world, many vulnerable people’s source of livelihood was brought to a halt as countries around the world and the African continental announced lockdown to prevent further spread of the Pandemic.
Most countries have opened up for business after the worse phase of the pandemic but nothing is the same for small businesses and vulnerable people in the society as they struggle to recover from the damages caused by the effects of the Pandemic on their businesses and source of livelihood, be it farming or trading.
Different organisations rose up to the challenges of supporting these vulnerable people and businesses in Africa and the world.
In Nigeria, cash and food items were distributed in a distribution exercise led by the World Food Programme to residents of Karon Majiji a suburb in the Nigerian Federal Capital city, Abuja.
The World Food Programme Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Paul Howe said the WFP is injecting the total some of two million dollars into the local economies of the three hotspots of Kano, Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria.
He said the Government of Switzerland supporting with part of the funding while the Nigerian Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is providing 2,000 metric tons of food from the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Strategic Grains Reserve to tackle the rising food insecurity in the country.
Dr. Howe said it’s the first time WFP is expanding into urban centres in Nigeria to serve people and families affected by hunger and severe food insecurity caused by COVID-19.
“WFP has been in Nigeria for four years but we’ve worked in the North east of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe state but because of COVID-19 and we saw the impact on people in the urban areas, they don’t have their livelihood the way they use, the economy is not quite as strong as it was so they also are hungry and so we are reaching people in Kano, Abuja and Lagos with this particular programme”
The country representative noted that the programme is a one-off two months distribution exercise to meet the need of people and also target the right people who actually need the support.
The Programme Director, World Food Programme, Barbara Clemence who expressed satisfaction with the mode of distribution said the door to door distribution is the best way to reach the indigents in the community.
She added that the monies were being distributed to the people using the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
On his part the Chief of Garki, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi appreciated the WFP’s support to his people as the support will go a long way in impacting the lives of his people.
“It will impact positively in the lives of my people, one it would help in the area of feeding their families, two it would improve their economic status because they would trade with the money and whatever they get as interest they can sustain themselves and their families”
Two aged women, Hadiza Bako and Aisha Adamu were part of the beneficiaries, speaking in Hausa Language, they both thanked the World Food Programme for remembering them and hoped to use the support to impact their communities.
Nigeria is handling the economic recession as a result of COVID-19 better than many other countries.
The Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, United Kingdom chapter, Prince Ade Omole stated this during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Prince Omole said President Muhammadu Buhari has been sensitive with the plight of people and is working on creating more employment for the youth.
“Talking about the economy, it is a global thing. If you remember, it’s not just Nigeria that is in recession at this present time, there are a lot of countries that have actually gone into recession. People are borrowing helter shelter and the reason for that was actually upon by the COVID-19 pandemic which is actually global. In fact, most countries are actually doing worst than Nigeria at this present time. We have a President and a government that is actually responsive, at least in terms of economy because if it wasn’t that responsible like I can tell you that by now, only God knows where we would be by present time. I did mention that as of today, we have just increased from 500, 000 to 1 million N-Power Youths that will be employed. That means that this same government despite the challenges is still trying even though with low income, the economic issues brought upon us by COVID-19 we are still trying to survive and we will overcome this,” he said.
Speaking on rotating the office of the president of Nigeria to different geopolitical zones in the country, Prince Omole is hopeful that the Presidency will leave the north to the southern region of the country in 2023.
He added that even though zoning is not in the constitution, it is the right thing to do.
“There are few divergent views regarding zoning but personally, I believe it is the right thing to do. It is a step in the right direction and it just gives everybody a chance to actually have a shot at the presidency or any other office in the country.
“So, I think it is the right thing to do even though it is not part of the Constitution. It is more of a gentleman’s agreement. Now, as we know, it (presidency) has been in the North and hopefully, it will come to the South this time around. We have read reports about chieftains from both sides of the divide saying that the North is having it for eight years, it is time for the South to have it for another eight years. So, it is a gentleman’s agreement that should continue for the greatness of the country. It is the right thing to do and we believe that that will happen come 2023,” he said.
The European Union wants to improve cooperation with Morocco for the return of the later’s citizens who don’t qualify asylum or refugee status in the bloc, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson said.
“I am here with a mandate to negotiate readmission and visa facilitation, we will see how the discussions go,” she said during a press briefing at the beginning of a two-day official visit.
“An ageing Europe needs labour, and irregular arrivals are frightening European citizens (…): For me, having fewer irregular arrivals and sending back those who are not allowed to stay is closely linked to visa facilitation and legal migration,” she explained.
In the midst of the migration crisis in the Canary Islands, her first visit to Morocco also aims to “continue discussions” on readmission mechanisms launched by Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska last week during a visit to Rabat.
Illegal arrivals in the Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa “have increased by more than 1000%” this year, “it seems that more than half of the migrants are Moroccan and it is important to know how to ensure that they return,” the commissioner said.
Johansson also plans to discuss with the Moroccan authorities their “needs” in terms of migration management and the “means necessary for shared benefits”.
Since 2018, Morocco has received 343 million euros of European aid on various programs (police training, education, etc.), according to data released Tuesday.
The European Union sees each year between two and three million regular arrivals (workers, students or refugees) from different countries of the world. About half of those who enter legally leave.
Last year, there were about 100,000 expulsion decisions, about a third of which were followed by effective return, mostly to Ukraine and the Balkans, according to figures released.
Yvla Johansson, who is leading the reform of the European migration pact, pleads for greater efficiency in the return of illegal migrants to their countries of origin and considers it a priority to obtain “good readmission agreements”.
The National Park Service is set to partner with the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC for the development and promotion of ecotourism in Nigeria.
The Conservator General, National Park Service Dr Ibrahim Goni, disclosed this when the Director General of NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Coker paid him a courtesy visit at the park headquarters in Abuja.
Goni noted that the collaboration is aimed at uplifting and promoting the ecotourism potentials of the Service and for the diversification of the country’s economy.
“We have to re-emphasise the issue of positivity so that Nigerians can lead other African countries in tourism – ecotourism and domestic tourism.”
“We are working to make Nigeria one of the best tourism destinations in the world, Nigerians should look inward at what we have and patronise our own,’’ Goni said.
In his response the NTDC Boss Mr Coker, said that the growth of Nigeria is Pan-Nigeria and the growth of Africa is Pan-Africa.
“The rest of the world has a problem, Europe has a problem, America has a problem, and at least in the next five years I don’t see anybody really stretching their hand out to come and visit us or help us”.
“But if Africans are helping Africans, Kenyans who have animals are exchanging livestock with Nigeria or South Africa, the Ethiopians who know how to fly planes are extending roots to Nigeria and vice versa, the days of Nigerians going to donate their money abroad, for me, is gone”.
“If you want to make money from Nigeria, come and join us here, let’s make the money together, you can take part of your own away but leave our own here”, Coker explained.
He said that countries around the world are categorically writing it into law banning cars that use petrol 2030 and that will definitely affect the prices of oil.
“It tells us quite clearly that even though oil is about 38 dollars to a barrel today, there is going to come a point well into the future that oil won’t be worth very much.”
“Therefore, let’s start looking at alternatives that we have and in this sense, Nigeria is truly a rich country.”
“Apart from the physical side of tourism attractions that you see, God has even blessed us beyond that in terms of what Nigeria is great for and known for,” he added.
The NTDC boss noted that the Service’s potentials, if properly exploited, will also help curb crime across the nation.
He applauded the Nigerian National Service for its collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure it meets global standards.
In a bid to fight against terrorism in the country, the Ministry of Defence has signed a Protocol Document on China’s provision of Military assistance gratis to Nigeria.
This was done at a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja,
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri said this is to deepen the bilateral Military Cooperation with the People ‘s Republic of China.
The Minister of Defence, (Retired) Maj Gen Bashir Salihi thanked the Acting Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Zhao Yong on behalf of the Federal Government while noting that China’s provision of Military Assistance is timely.
General Magashi pointed out that it will be a force multiplier for the troops in counter terrorism operation in the North East Nigeria.
He said the gesture is well appreciated considering the fact that terrorism is a global security challenge and fighting it requires the Cooperation of all countries to jointly defeat it.
He therefore appealed to other friendly countries to emulate the support of China to Nigeria so that collectively terrorism can be totally defeated in the country sooner than anticipated.
Leader of the 3-man China’s delegation, Acting Ambassador Chinese Embassy, Mr Zhao Yong supported by the Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Senior Colonel Liu Yongxuan while Signing the MoU assured the Minister of continuous strong military bilateral Cooperation with Nigeria.
They noted that the gratis to Nigeria on government to government is specific to the areas of diplomatic exchanges, Defence procurement and capacity building through training will be reinforced in joint cooperation to fight terrorism in the country.
The Nigeria-China diplomatic relation dates back to 1971 and has since been cordially consummated by both countries with Signing of various MoUs including the provision of Military Aid gratis in 2013, 2016 and Acquisition of Defence Equipment in 2019 among others.
The Nigerian government says it would leave no one behind and make sure no one dies as a result of HIV in the country.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, made the promise at an event organised by the National Agency for the Control of Aids, to mark World Aids Day 2020, in Abuja.
He said that Nigeria as a country aligns fully with the global solidarity and shared responsibility which requires the country to view global health responses, including the AIDS response, in a new way.
“The appropriation and release of a minimum of 1% of consolidated revenue from the federation account to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund has provided a strong financial base for sustained funding of primary health care and set the tone for the implementation of State Social Health Insurance Schemes nationwide. It is my recommendation that all States fully implement Social Health Insurance Schemes with the integration of HIV prevention and treatment services,” Boss Mustapha said.
He also urged drug manufacturers in Nigeria to, in line with the President’s Executive Order on local content expedite efforts towards the production of Anti-Retroviral Drugs and HIV test kits within the Country.
“To this end the Nigerian Government is grateful to all our Partners, The United States Government, United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and indeed the UN system, The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for their collaborative roles in supporting HIV Prevention and Treatment services in Nigeria. 1 therefore call on the private sector to work more with NACA and the Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS for a sustained access to life saving medicines, vaccines and diagnostics,” Mustapha said.
He therefore assured stakeholders of Government’s commitment to ensure human rights are respected, rights of women and girls as well as gender equality are at the centre of providing health services as we work towards zero new HIV infections by 2030 and attaining the 95:95:95 global HIV/AIDS Targets.
The Nigerian minister of health, Dr. Osagie, encouraged all Nigerians to take up the responsibility of knowing their HIV status by going for a test.
“I acknowledge improvements in HIV treatment coverage despite COVID-19 Induced disruptions. By the end of June this year, we had 1,228,100 patients on ART, a good 150,000 patients more than we had in June last year, and a fulfillment of the pledge made by His Excellency the President, to increase the number of persons on HIV medication,” Dr. Ehanire said.
He also said that there is need to continue to raise awareness about HIV, promote the rights of people living with HIV, and importantly, ensure access to life-saving HIV medicines for them.
“This year has been unique because of the new challenges to our Health System and our lives brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of which, I am pleased to note we are still on track to ending the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria,” The minister said.
He also stressed that the theme for this year, ‘United to End AIDS in the Midst of COVID-19’, is about shared responsibility. Shared responsibility is no longer an option.
“We reaffirm the critical role of country ownership and sustainability as important elements of the endeavor, including domestic investment, an enabling environment and ensuring people-centered policy-making and implementation. It has also been demonstrated that community-led actions can help improve access and quality of services.
’’We are committed to achieving epidemic control and the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. We know that intensive effort will be required to achieve this. It is against this background that the National Treatment and PMTCT Programme – NTPP – has been reinvigorated, with the support of our partners, to strengthen the health sector response. We have also adopted new, evidence-based approaches that ensure services are accessible to everyone needing it. The new National Guidelines for Prevention, Treatment and Care and the National Acceleration Plan for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Treatment and Care are examples of two initiatives which we shall be presenting here today,” Dr. Ehanire added.
In his welcome address, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of Aids, NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, encourage all Nigerians to take up the responsibility of knowing their HIV status by going for a test.
On his part, the World Health Organisation Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo said: “December 1 every year, the global community comes together to mark World AIDS Day to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS.
”Globally, there are 38 million people living with HIV and 67% of them are living in the WHO African Region. In 2019, more than 1 million people in the Region were newly infected with HIV, accounting for 60% of the global total, and sadly, 440,000 people in the Region died from HIV-related causes.”
Other partners at the event also pledged more support for HIV response in Nigeria.
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Electric Power Sector Reforms Act 2010.
The amendment is to provide for Electricity Distribution Companies to Reimburse any Power Consumer who incurs expenses in the Acquisition and Maintenance of Electricity Apparatus Connected to the National Grid.
Mr. Rollannd Igbakpa, while leading the debate said the bill will seek to ensure Nigerians enjoy affordable and safe electricity.
Mr. Igbakpa stated that “the Bill is people-oriented, seeking to ensure Nigerians enjoy affordable and safe electricity.
It is not a progressive practice for Nigerians to have to repair or replace electricity transformers without due compensation, this is to their disenfranchisement.”
He blamed some of the exorbitant expenses consumers expend to carry out these services on negligence on the part of the electricity distribution companies.
Magaji Da’u Aliyu a member from Jigawa State while speaking against the Bill stated that the electricity distribution companies have suffered tremendously due to lack of infrastructure and availability of the duly required enabling environment to thrive.
He said “The companies have just begun to break even due to the unfavorable business environment of the past.
However the distribution companies have assured us that they will continue to act in favour of consumers.”
Mr. Ndudi Elumelu while contributing to debate stated that the Bill would ensure the right of Nigerians as it relates to electricity service-delivery were respected.
The Zimbabwean government has limited the number of people permitted at any public gathering to 100 to avoid confusion and violation of COVID-19 restrictions.
The government had specified different numbers for various types of public gatherings as a way to control the spread of the pandemic.
But addressing a post-cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the different numbers were causing confusion and violation of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Accordingly, henceforth, the number of people permitted at any gathering is restricted to 100, irrespective of what the gathering is being convened for,” she said.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government had imposed a limit of 100 people or less for church gatherings and 50 people or less at funerals but this was later relaxed as the rate of new infections declined around September.
Mutsvangwa said in view of the need to promote the tourism sector, closing hours for restaurants have been extended from the current 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and for the operators to continue strictly observing COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
“Cabinet takes this opportunity to call upon all citizens to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protective and preventive guidelines in order to arrest the surge in confirmed cases,” Mutsvangwa said.
As of Monday, Zimbabwe had recorded 10,034 COVID-19 cases, 8,489 recoveries and 277 deaths.
Meanwhile, the country reopened a number of its busiest land borders on Tuesday to private motorists and pedestrians under a phased reopening of ports of entry and exit.
The Nigerian Government has urged the Media to disseminate issues that affect Persons with Disabilities to the members of the society with dignity.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, made the call at a media briefing ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Abuja, Nigeria.
She said, the role of the media is key to influencing and encouraging inclusiveness of the Persons with Disabilities in all aspects of the society.
“We will continue to count on your robust collaboration towards achieving our common goal,” She said
The Minister also commended the resilience and determination of the Persons with Disabilities in different fields of endeavor and their contribution to nation building.
According to her, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that persons living with disabilities have access to education, employment, social protection, health and other essential services.
“I urge us all to be sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities and the protection of their rights by supporting the provision of an enabling environment that will promote the realization of their potentials, to enable them live fulfilled lives and make meaningful contributions to societal growth and development,” the Minister reiterated.
Farouq noted that the Ministry will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders and partners to achieve its aims and objectives on issues of disabilities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Director Humanitarian Affairs in the Ministry, Alhaji Goni Grema said the day was intended to prompt member States and other disability stakeholders to focus on issues relating to total inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is celebrated on 3rd of every December is, Building Back better: Toward a disability- Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable post covid-19 world.
