(Lagos, December 1, 2008) - The Nigerian government should investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing up to 400 people during several recent days of violence in the city of Jos, Human Rights Watch said today.
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An opening of a health care center in Nigeria gave officials a chance to speak on how the country is striving to meet the Millennium Development Goals. The Nigerian newspaper This Day Online was at the occasion.In Nigeria, a comprehensive strategy was adopted to achieve the set targets, with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President coordinating the strategy. Virtually all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the country have adopted the MDGs document with a view to help in realising its objectives. Of the leading states in the implementation of the objectives is Zamfara, where so far, a total of 59 projects have been executed whose impacts are being felt by the people in all parts of the state. The projects include construction of 27 new primary...
A police raid of a "baby farm" in Nigeria has uncovered how widespread the social ill is. Some human trafficking sites pose as maternity homes or foster clinics to lure young girls in. Once inside they are drugged, and raped, then some months later the baby is sold on the black market. A recent raid in Nigeria rescued 20 teenage girls from the baby farm. The News Australia details how the farm operated, and talks to one on the girls. Our snippet is a bit bigger than usual due to the gravity of the story. The doctor in charge, who is now on trial, reportedly lured teenagers with unwanted pregnancies by offering to help with abortion.They would be locked up there until they gave birth, whereupon they would be forced to give up their babies for a token fee of around 20,000 naira ($170).The...
Addis Ababa, 22 October: At this week’s workshop to discuss how improved communication can help maximize the impact of agricultural research in Africa, participants profiled and mapped their research communication efforts: What type of organization do they represent? Who do they communicate with? Which communication tools do they use? Which ‘gaps’ do they need to cross? Each participant drew a picture of their situation.As the photograph of the coloured cards reveals, we were a broad mix of organizations, with a strong interest in communicating with policymakers, researchers and academics, farmers and the private sector. We also use a wide range of communication methods such as face to face meetings, the media, publications, and the web.What about the gaps, the challenges? These...
This time, more events and a couple of speeches.International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is being recognized around the world today. Events even continue onto the weekend as the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign takes place. A story in the Afrique en ligne has a good overview on both events. The events, in which the UN and its partners will participate, will hold simultaneously around the world.In Lagos, Nigeria, a concert hosted by popular musician Femi Kuti to make "Music Against Poverty" will commemorate the life of renowned Nigerian Musician Fela Kuti and Stand Up in support of the MDGs.In Tema, Ghana, "Games Against Poverty" will use sport as a platform to support the MDGs.In the United States, students will join a campus challenge to build political will to end extreme...
from All Africa Byline: Adedapo OlojoLagos, - Government and relevant stakeholders have been called upon to help empower people living with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); as a way to alleviate poverty among the masses in Nigeria.The call was made by the Executive Director of Ajegunle Community Project (ACP), Alhaja Roli Daniju, during a programme on stigmatisation organised by the group in Lagos.ACP, a non-governmental organisation, an NGO committed to reducing social inequalities among grassroots women and girl-child, organised the one day programme, titled, 'positive living and income generation' for women living with HIV/AIDS at their secretariat.The programme was supported by Global Fund for Women (LFW) and the objectives is to...
from All Africa Abuja, - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has urged the government to take urgent steps to eradicate poverty in the country.Maduekwe made the statement in Abuja, when he received the National Coordinator of NAPEP, Dr Magnus Kpakol."Unless the government eradicates poverty in the country, Nigeria as a nation and her citizens would not earn respect from the comity of nations," he said.According to Maduekwe, a nation is strong when it can provide for the majority of its population and NAPEP has the capacity to deal with the situation.The minister noted that the major practical step towards national security was to empower the people with adequate food, employment and attain the MDGs by 2015.Earlier, Kpakol had said he was in the ministry to intimate the...
from Leadership Nigeria This article profiles a town in nigeria that many poor workers settle in. - Kaleby Christiana EsebonuThe excruciating and disgusting whiff from compounds and streets that hit you as you walk through Suleja town, the sight of table water sachets, orange and sugar cane peels among other wastes, which litter the streets and gutters, the picture of pretty school-age girls sitting in line beckoning at any passer-by to buy nunu, roasted yams and oranges and young boys between the ages nineten and following people about with plates to beg for money and reciting a slogan, which is very common among beggars "sada-ka-sobo-da-Allah", meaning "Give because of God," is heartbreaking. All these paint a picture of a forgotten and sinking community.To be sure, Suleja, a...
from All Africa The National Poverty Eradication Programme in Nigerisa received more money from it's federal government. The money will go to the area known as Sokoto State - KaleBy Rakiya. A. MuhammadSokoto State coordinator, Alhaji Bello Ibrahim who disclosed this at a one day sensitization workshop on 'Village Economic Development Solution', assured that the fund would be judiciously used.He said 15 small scale industries were to be established across the state and that over 40 associations are to benefit from NAPEP programmes in Sokoto.The coordinator who added that NAPEP had selected 13 local governments to benefit from this scheme, said each of the councils would have some 'capacity widening activity' attached to them."The capacity widening is such that whatever the small-scale...
from Business Day This article examines banking practices in Nigeria. - Kaleby BLESSING ANAROGoing by the recent Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) released chart which indicated that remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora helped to grow the macro economy, then it is unfortunate that the issue of monies remitted by Nigerians in the Diaspora is no longer being taken seriously, particularly by banks which should know better.While banks dangle attractive rates to woo depositors, billions trickle into the system, which in most cases, are not well utilised because some of the benefactors of such remittances lack banking acumen.A look at the official figures bandied by government agencies or other world bodies may be incorrect, because there is more money flowing in through unofficial than...
from Guardian Newspapers This is an examination of the factors that make it difficult for Nigeria to meet the Millennium Development Goals. And this article suggests some ways that might help. - KaleBy Bukky OlajideTHE achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 will require a need for countries to grow their respective economies especially in education and health sectors.MDGS, a programme designed to halve the proportion of poor people in the world to be achievable between 1990 and 2015, has influenced development benchmarks around the world, with nation's evolving various strategies to achieve the goals.It is a programme by which all countries of the world, rich and poor have agreed to participate.The MDGs, as it is, addresses those issues that are common to all nations...
from All Africa Leaders of the Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited reached a milestone and took the occasion to promote their company. - Kale The management of Integrated Microfinance Bank Limited (IMFB), last week announced that it has grown its customer base to over 102,000 just as it restates commitment to poverty alleviation in the country.Mrs Titilayo Osinubi, head, legal counsel, IMFB, who disclosed this development noted that the bank is committed to poverty alleviation in the country through economic empowerment of the masses by ensuring easy and accessible banking transaction for the poor. The bank does this through its concept of 'banking at your doorstep', capacity building for the people and adequate financial, technical and moral support for the community.The bank, which...
This Day A Nigerian World Bank assisted project helps to build infrastructure in communities. A survey was released to measure how many communities have been helped by the project. - KaleFederal Government has said that nine states, ninety-six local government areas and one thousand three hundred communities have so far benefited from its poverty reduction intervention projects under the World Bank assisted Local Empowerment and Environmental Management Project (LEEMP).Minister of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Halima Tayo Alao gave the outcome of the federal government pilot initiative while launching the programme jingle.She said LEEMP had shown that devolving responsibility and authority to communities, with government providing policy guidance and facilitation is a sure...
from All Africa There are calls being made for a state of emergency for the northern part of Uganda. - Kaleby Abdulraheem AoduKaduna, - The Central Bank Governor, Professor Chukuma Soludo has asked federal government to declare the poverty level in the north, a national crisis situation which may stall the realization of the country's goal to achieve the target of one of the fastest developing economies in the world in 2020.Soludo who made the statement while speaking at a one day public lecture organized by the Northern Development Initiative in Kaduna on Friday said that the Northern Nigeria poverty crises has assumed as much national importance as the Niger Delta crises because the country will not be achieve the gaol without economic development of the Northern Nigeria. He...
from All Africa Daily Trust (Abuja)By Abubakar YakubuThe economic value of a plant called Cactus Opuntia (Ficus indica) was over the weekend in Abuja disclosed by Professor IK Aduba, who said it can fight the scourge of malaria as well as combat desertification, alleviate poverty, hunger and enhance better livelihood for man and livestock.The professor also called on frontline buffer states of Nigeria to combat desertification and global warming through the plant."From the numerous pads being produced by this plant, the sap from the pads was used in 1911 by an American, Luther Burbank in Central Africa to smother the mosquito larvae found in exposed stagnant water bodies and environment," he statedHe said the effect lasted for 12 months, adding that the research report can be expanded...
from All Africa This Day (Lagos)By Yusuph OlaniyonuLagosNaomi Campbell: "It is fantastic that THISDAY and Mr Obaigbena are helping improve the positive awareness of Africa as too many people have stereotypical and negative views of the Continent.He obviously had a remarkable vision, a real passion and a special message... The more I found out about his mission to promote positivity and understanding, the more I wanted to be involved going forward with the 'Africa Rising' Festival"Nduka Obaigbena: "Right now the international community seems to be dealing with the symptoms not the problems of Africa. The symptoms are poverty and disease, but the problem is lack of social and physical infrastructure. This initiative is to highlight the need to focus sustainable solutions on the problems...
from All Africa Daily Trust (Abuja)NEWS20 June 2008Posted to the web 20 June 2008The rapid urban migration which has increased with the growth of our population in the last few years now poses fresh challenges to government and other stakeholders in the housing sector.These challenges which include but not limited to declining infrastructure, non adherence to town planning and building regulations, lack of access to basic health facilities, poor sanitation and environmental pollution call for new strategies.Chief Chuka Odom, at the occasion of the rapid urban sector profiling for sustainability (RUSPS) training for the preparation of structure plans for three cities, held in Anambra State in November 2007, said one of such strategies is to develop new urban centers and aggressive urban...
from All AfricaByline: Toba SuleimanAdo-Ekiti, The federal government yesterday disclosed that over 70 percent of Nigerians live below poverty level, saying this had led to the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs unconditional grants so as to break the vicious circle of poverty among the people of the country.Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), Hajia Amina Ibrahim, made the disclosure during an interactive session in Ado-Ekiti with a cross section of market women, civil servants, farmers, artisans and several other stakeholders.She said the federal government was disturbed with the impact of hunger and starvation that had continued to ravage people of the country and has thus set up the special fund to give the people the...
from All Africa Vanguard (Lagos)GOVERNOR Peter Obi has said in Awka that he does not believe in poverty alleviation, arguing that it was of no use alleviating people's poverty without offering them sustainable means of livelihood.Speaking during a sensitization programme organized by the state ministry of lands and survey, Obi said he believed in wealth-creation, noting that "once wealth is created, you unlock the people's potentialities and give them the opportunity to fully express themselves."He urged the people of the state to use opportunities offered by his administration's Integrated Development Strategy to revive their dead capital and improve their economic life, assuring of his commitment to doing things that impact positively on the lives of the people.While encouraging the...
from All AfricaLeadership (Abuja)NEWS18 May 2008Posted to the web 19 May 2008By Michael OcheThe Association for Truth and Justice (ATJ), has condemned the actions of some state governor for lavishing monies on the purchase of Okadas and Tokumbo cars for their civil servants and youths rather than using such funds for the provision of social infrastructures and boosting of agriculture. The association noted that this is the cause of increasing poverty in the country.The chairman of the association, Alhaji M. M. Abdu, queried the idea of giving out huge sums of money as loans when social amenities such as adequate supply of infrastructure and health care services are lacking.Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, Alhaji Abdu observed that people will be more comfortable to ride their okadas and...
from All AfricaThis Day (Lagos)By Senator IroegbuLagosStakeholders are calling for a Fair and Transparent Arbitration (FTA) mechanism in resolving trade disputes between creditor and debtor nations; to promote global partnership and economic growth. This was the highlight of a workshop organised in Abuja by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) with support from the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD). Senator Iroegbu, who was at the forum, reportsThe workshop as an official launch of the FTA in Nigeria helped to shed more light on the origin, principal actors, the consequences of Nigeria's foreign debts and the possible way forward.Research work by AFRODAD and findings from groups of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) stated that the...
from The TideAction Congress Secretary in Rivers State, Mr. Emmanuel Ahamefula has attributed the weak opposition in the country to poverty and other pecuniary needs facing the populace.Mr. Ahamefula in an exclusive interview with The Tide on Sunday argued that most times those who claim to be in opposition parties are easily drawn over to the ruling party because of the need to survive.Commenting on the party activities in the state, the AC scribe noted that at present, the party is still torn into groups but in no time will recuperate to assert itself in the political terrain.He noted that AC as a party, “is just two years old, but the PDP is over eight years old. So as far as we are concerned, we have made impact.”On the performance of the present administration in Rivers State,...
from Vanguard Written by Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Obinna The prevailing high food prices are having radically different effects across the length and breadth of the country. Most Nigerians are hard hit by the rising or risen food prices. At the household level, surging and volatile food prices are hitting families least able to afford it, where they feel it most - their pockets or wallets. Clearly, the abjectly poor and chronically food insecure are in dire straits.The outlook is even more bleak for poor households that are net buyers of food — which represent the larger majority. With no buffer to shield them from these outrageous price rises, they are groaning. Their survival is at risk. Higher prices of food is leading especially the poor to limit their food consumption quality...
from All Africa This Day (Lagos)NEWS29 April 2008Posted to the web 30 April 2008By Segun AwofadejiGombeThe Development Exchange Centre (DEC) in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria with the support of Britain's Department for International Development (DfID) have launched a Monitoring Virtual Poverty Fund (MVPF) of the Coalitions for Change (C4C) in Gombe, the State capital.MVPF, also known as debt relief gains initiative, was set by Government to invest the proceeds of the Debt Relief Gains (DRGs) for the provision of projects that can lead to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).The launch of above project, THISDAY checks reveal, signifies a fulfillment of a brand of partnership that ActionAid Nigeria advocates; being a partnership between Government, the civil...
from All AfricaThis Day (Lagos)NEWS29 April 2008Posted to the web 29 April 2008DeltaNo fewer than 45,000 poor rural families in Delta State are to benefit from the poverty alleviation programme of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government.The households are located in nine local government areas targeted by IFAD/FG Community-Based Natural Resources Management Programme (CBNRMP) in Niger Delta.The project basically targets agriculture and rural development in nine Niger Delta states, including Delta State.State Programme Officer for the project, Mr Chris Abuah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibusa, Delta State, that 27 communities were being targeted in the state. He said the programme, which started in three pilot local government...
from All AfricaThis Day (Lagos)NEWS24 April 2008Posted to the web 25 April 2008By Michael OlugbodeLagosWhile global attention focuses on the increasing food prices, the Yobe State government is already planning ahead to make food abundant by encouraging the youth to embrace agriculture. It is also a strategy for fighting poverty.Mallam Abdul Wasili, 60 years and an indigene of Yobe State is a grandfather. For some time now he has found life so difficult because he can not provide food and other essentials for his large family. It never used to be like this with him and the members of his family because he is a man who believes in hard work and grew up with the knowledge that if you till the ground, it will be kind with you, providing you with milk and honey.But five years ago what was a...
from All Africa
Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
21 April 2008
Posted to the web 21 April 2008
By Michael Eboh
Lagos
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned Nigeria on the need to reduce its overall economic spending if it hopes to achieve any meaningful development and success in its drive towards the alleviation of poverty.
According to a Public Information Notice (PIN) on Nigeria released by the IMF, any attempt to increase the overall spending of the country would further plunge the economy into backwardness and significant deterioration.
"The Directors considered the government's medium-term fiscal strategy a sound foundation for fiscal policies, and encouraged the authorities to adhere to the strategy's deficit targets. Spending on priority areas has increased appropriately...
from The TideUNICEF has challenged teh Kebbi State Government to meet its target of constructing houseold latrines and compartments in schools across the state.The government has set a target to construct 31,480 household latrines, 270 compartments in 63 health centres and 394 compartments in public places. Mr. Raymond Akor, the Officer In-Charge, UNICEF, Kaduna ‘C’ Field Office, gave the challenge at the signing of Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) between Kebbi government and UNICEF in Birnin Kebbi.He also urged Governor Sa’idu Dakingari to adopt the International Year of Sanitation as his personal project and ensure that all communities achieve this status during his tenure.He said that it would be a unique and unparalled leacy to leave behind for the people. He said this...
from All AfricaThis Day (Lagos)NEWS2 April 2008Posted to the web 2 April 2008By Taiwo OlawaleDutseJigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, has blamed failure of past leaderships for the level of illiteracy and poverty in the country, saying the people have lost faith in governments and leaders as a result.The governor made these remarks while receiving the Course 30 students of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in Government House, Dutse. Lamido said "the country is blessed with abundant human and material resources, but the level of poverty, illiteracy and insecurity is increasing, due to the failure of leaders and prominent people in the country." He, however, pledged that his administration would continue to focus its attention on reviving the confidence...
from All AfricaBy Amaka IfeakanduAbujaIn furtherance of effort to ensure steady flow of funds in the Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), particularly micro enterprises, the Bankers' Committee is set to establish micro credit fund (MCF) of N20 billion.A guideline released by the Development Finance Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the fund is projected to grow to N100 billion by the year 2010.In addition to this, it said banks are expected to continue to support SMEs while the CBN, in collaboration with the fiscal authorities would work out other necessary incentives to make SME lending more attractive to banks.The major objective of the MCF according to the guideline was to complement the poverty and small and micro credit interventions by government at all...