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27 July 2022
Hydroponics-grown Animal Feed Improves Livelihoods, Incomes In Nigeria
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07 July 2022
UN Women convenes female CEOs and board chairpersons as key allies in women’s economic empowerment
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19 June 2022
Hate Speech | What are the Consequences ? | What You Can Do to Prevent the Next Atrocity
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Nigeria:
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05 May 2022
The Borno I found today is a Borno of hope - UN Secretary-General
"The Borno I found today is a Borno of hope. It’s a Borno with future and I was very impressed to see the policy that is being applied here, recognizing that we don’t fight terrorism just by military means," said the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in Maiduguri on Tuesday, 3 May during a joint press briefing with the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
Guterres said this after he visited two field locations, Bulukuntu rehabilitation facility and Gubio Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.
He noted that the Borno State he heard about when he was the High Commissioner for Refugees and afterwards was a Borno State of terrorism, of violence, of displacement, of despair. "This is not the Borno that I found today." He said further, “The fact that I came to Borno State is symbolic of our priority to the world to fight terrorism and to create solutions for the victims of terrorism.”
The Secretary General said he was pleased to see "the policy that is being applied here, recognizing that we don’t fight terrorism just by military means. In fact, terrorism – addressing the root causes of terrorism – and the policy of the government, which is aiming at reestablishing fully the confidence between the people and the government is an essential element that I witnessed today being implemented in reality."
Mr. Guterres acknowledged that it was absolutely essential to understand that, in a situation like this, it was not enough to provide humanitarian assistance.
"I am grateful to all those from the international community that have supported the people of Borno with humanitarian assistance." He added
In his remarks, Governor Zulum appealed to the Secretary-General to continue supporting Borno in its reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement processes, as well as the reintegration of thousands of repentant Boko Haram terrorists back into the society.
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12 July 2021
Prevention, only ‘sustainable solution’ to conflict, deputy UN chief tells Nigerian law students
Prevention will help us “flatten the curve” of conflict, and thus create space for our conflict management tools, which are currently often overwhelmed”, she said on Thursday, in a lecture delivered at Baze University, in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, entitled: The Use of Ceasefire Agreements In Avoiding Escalation of Armed Conflicts.
The Deputy Secretary-General was the guest lecturer at the University’s Faculty of Law Lecture Series.
Early intervention
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed addresses the Faculty of Law at Baze University Abuja in Nigeria, by UNIC Lagos/Oluseyi Soremekun
According to her, at the heart of this approach is the need to engage early and proactively with a wide range of actors, in particular regional, subregional organizations and civil society, while continuing to make a significant political investment in peace making and conflict resolution across the globe.
“Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa, where the UN has established a strategic partnership with the African Union (AU) and the UN Regional Economic Commission (UNECA). The UN has also focused on helping to reinforce national capacities for conflict prevention, with the understanding that prevention is more effective when it is led by national or local actors”, she said.
The UN, Ms Mohammed explained further, has put inclusion and the promotion of women’s political participation and youth engagement, at the centre of all efforts towards peace and security.
Prioritize gender equality
In establishing the role of gender equality in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, Ms. Mohammed emphasized that gender equality must be prioritized, noting that societies that sideline half their populations from political and economic life, leadership and decision-making, will always be vulnerable to conflict.
“Efforts that are responsive to the specific needs and rights of women and girls are likely to have more impact and contribute better to sustainable peace.” Added the Deputy Secretary-General.
On arrival at the University, she was received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tahir Mamman (OON, SAN); Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Ali Ahmad and other senior management of the University.
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31 March 2020
UN Nigeria Announces COVID-19 Emergency Response for Displaced and Most Vulnerable in North-east Nigeria
The United Nations in Nigeria on Tuesday declared it is taking emergency preparedness and response measures to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus to the most vulnerable crisis-affected people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. These measures also address immediate humanitarian consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic should it spread to north-east Nigeria.
“We will not wait for COVID-19 to reach camps for internally displaced persons before we act. They have already suffered enough from the decade-long conflict and our priority is to ensure the continuous delivery of life-saving assistance, especially health services, to the most vulnerable women, children and the elderly who need special attention,” said Mr Edward Kallon, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. “More than ever, it is crucial for vulnerable people to have access to not only water, soap, shelters, but also food, education and protection.”
Mr. Kallon noted that the UN in Nigeria is supporting the governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in developing emergency response plans that take the reality of the living conditions in many communities and IDP camps into account and include specific mitigation measures particularly in overcrowded camps and camp-like settings where the risk of disease outbreaks is higher.
The Humanitarian Coordinator highlighted that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, are actively involved in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in IDP sites across the BAY states in support of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Key activities are being implemented jointly in the IDP camps, guided by global guidance on Covid-19 Outbreak Preparedness and Response.
“Humanitarian partners are installing hand-washing stations in IDP camps and ensuring supply of clean water. Partners are also distributing soap and teaching women how to produce their own,” Mr. Kallon explained. The United Nations is also planning to bring in vital health equipment and tools to prevent and treat the respiratory virus, which is now affecting over 12 states across Nigeria, with 139 total cases recorded as of 31 March.
The UN has developed awareness-raising and prevention messages, leaflets, posters, animations and videos specific for IDPs and other vulnerable people in the north-east. In partnership with major TV and radio channels, it has launched sensitization campaigns across various Nigerian states, reaching millions of Nigerians.
The UN is also launching a survey tool with the Network of People Living with HIV (NEPWHAN) to gather specific and arising challenges for people living with HIV on continuous access to quality treatment, care and support in the midst of the response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
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13 March 2020
A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus
On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease as a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.”
The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.
This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.
To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit:
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Latest news on the United Nations’ response: https://news.un.org/en/events/un-news-coverage-coronavirus-outbreak
WHO guidance for countries: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
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Story
14 August 2021
Young people, Nigeria's greatest and most valuable resource - Edward Kallon
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has reaffirmed that young people are Nigeria’s greatest and most valuable resource. "The quality and type of investments made in this human resource by government, determines the trajectory of development and how society can be envisioned in years and decades to come." He said on Thursday, 12 August, at the observance of the International Youth Day organised as part of events marking the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs (NIIA), and in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos.
He explained that strategic investment in young people's education, health, security, employment, empowerment, effective civil participation, and overall development carried the potential for demographic dividends.
“Nigerian youth” according to Kallon, “are known globally as pacesetters. Not only are they highly skilled and educated, but they are also innovative and entrepreneurial. This country is one of the leading destinations for start-up investments, largely targeting and led by youth.”
The UN Resident Coordinator added that Fintech, e-commerce, and the digital economy were all driven by young people.
The Director General of NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, in his welcome address, reiterated that there was hope for Nigerian youths, "and the hope can only be actualised by the youths themselves." He said further to the participants who were mainly undergraduates from four Universities, "As you look for change, see yourselves in the change process. Take note that digitalisation is not an option but a necessity. You must embrace technology and leverage on it to drive change."
Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Lawal, commended the management of the NIIA and the United Nations for organising the event to celebrate the youths. He urged young people to embrace Agriculture in their quest for entrepreneurship.
Hon. Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Mr Sunday Dare, represented by the Special Assistant ICT and Corporate Relations to the Hon. Minister, Ms. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, explained that the youths must be met and engaged within their space.
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Story
01 August 2022
Hydroponics-grown Animal Feed Improves Livelihoods, Incomes In Nigeria
Over the past decade, the Malakyarari community of Borno State in Nigeria have been affected by conflict, which has negatively impacted livelihoods and household incomes. The conflict has threatened healthcare provision, caused internal displacement, and limited land usage for agriculture and livestock production.
This poses a problem because Malakyarari is situated in a semi-arid climate with a short annual rainfall duration and has rapid desertification rates of five kilometres per year. Because most of the land in Malakyarari has been used for trenches for security measures during armed attacks, there is even less space for the community to use for agricultural purposes.
50-year-old Nana defeats the odds by growing animal feed in Malakyarari’s challenging environment by using low-cost and locally sourced material, enough for her livestock, and selling excess feed to her neighbours. Nana benefited from H2Grow, a hydroponics project under the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator. In 2021, H2Grow facilitated the training of over 170 women in the community to grow animal feed with 90 percent less water on limited land.
Before the hydroponics training, Nana received four goats as part of WFP’s General Food Distribution emergency support that reached 193 households. The knowledge she gained increased her number of goats from four to 17 by 2021 and improved her income
“I am passionate because it is easy to produce animal feed using maize seeds. I used to spend huge sums of money on livestock feed,” says Nana. “Before I was introduced to the animal feeding units by WFP, I would spend about 2000 Naira (US$ 4.75) a day to feed my goats. I now spend 1000 Naira (US$ 2.75) in two days,” she says.
WFP Programme Assistant, Delphine Ekpang, explains that most livestock farmers in the Malakyarari community are mainly pastoralists as their goats graze on natural grasslands and feed on cereal stalks after harvest.
“Before we introduced the hydroponic animal feed units, the majority of the Malakyarari community fed their goats residues of harvested maize and legumes from neighbouring farms for a fee ranging from 1500 Naira (US$ 3) to 3000 Naira (US$ 7) per 50 kg bag,” Delphine explains.
“Some herders would let their goats roam freely in search of pastures, which exposed the goats to theft, diseases and weight loss,” Delphine adds.
WFP and its partner Christian Aid continue to support people like Nana with veterinary support and guidance on quality animal feed production maintenance to avoid mould, which causes livestock diseases.
“We do routine visits and make sure people like Nana are supported. This sustains the hydroponic animal feed project so that the community continually benefits from the gains,” says Delphine.
Delphine says she would like everyone in the Malakyarari community to adopt the hydroponics animal feed because of the beneficial opportunities, like livestock increase and improved incomes.
“I would like to see livestock farmers in Malakyarari adopt hydroponics production because good opportunities exist not just by producing the feed for household livestock, but also for sale to other livestock farmers because the market is potentially vast within the community,” Delphine says.
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07 July 2022
UN Women convenes female CEOs and board chairpersons as key allies in women’s economic empowerment
As part of its commitment to expanding partnerships with the private sector, UN Women Nigeria Country Office hosted a high-level round table dialogue with top female CEOs and board chairpersons. This convening aimed to explore the strategic alignment of UN Women's and private sectors priorities towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.
In 2010, UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact developed the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), which offer guidance on women's empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. These Principles emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and are informed by real-life business practices and input from across the globe.
UN Women envisages the private sector's strengths and comparative advantages in Nigeria as essential to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets in its 5-year Strategic Plan (2022-2025). In addition, UN Women's global work with the private sector provides a blueprint for strengthening collaboration with the private sector in Nigeria.
Many companies are investing in SDG 5 by supporting women's economic empowerment. To date, multi-national companies have collectively invested more than $300 million and launched programmes on employment and empowerment globally.
'The private sector produces goods and services crucial for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing employment opportunities, and contributing to a country's overall development. UN Women needs female heads of companies and businesses as allies to create a movement for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment within the private sector. We also encourage companies to sign up to the Women Economic Principles (WEPs) and create a network of companies to lead the economic revival, especially post COVID-19 pandemic' remarked UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong.
Covid-19 recovery and impact on women
The United Nations Secretary General's policy brief highlights the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women across four areas – financial, health, unpaid care, and gender-based violence. Other factor like fragility, conflict, emergencies where social cohesion is undermined, and limited institutional capacity and services, further amplify the impacts of the pandemic.
These negative economic impacts are most felt by women and girls who generally earn and save less and hold insecure jobs or live close to the poverty line.
Women are the majority of those employed in sectors that were worst hit by business closures, including the service sector and tourism. These sectors have limited protection against dismissal and limited access to social protection. The situation is worse in developing economies, where 70 per cent of women's employment is in the informal economy.
The crisis will likely roll back fragile gains made on women's participation in the formal labour market and have knock-on impacts on personal and family income, and gender equality.
During the deliberations, a linkage between the private sector and other previously left behind groups of women including women living with disabilities and women living in rural areas emerged. There is a growing need to scale up financial and technical support to local women’s cooperatives, especially those in rural areas. Participating in economic activities allows women to make positive changes in their own lives and their communities, with positive ripple effects for the whole nation. Markets provide great opportunities for increasing women’s economic empowerment as they are central to livelihoods in Nigeria.
Overall, UN Women's purpose of convening female CEOs was to strengthen cooperation with the private sector and, more specifically: Seek alignment between UN Women's strategic interventions and private sector activities across priority areas; Raise awareness and advocate for adopting the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), emphasizing the private sector's role in achieving SDG 5; and Incentivize behavioural change for women in the corporate world by recognizing private organizations as allies for women's empowerment champions.
The event held in Lagos from 5-6 July 2022 drew participants across various sectors, including banking, finance, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), construction, oil and gas, media, and ICT. Notable attendees included Ibukun Awosika; Co-founder WIMBIZ & Founder/CEO The Chair Centre, Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director-General & Chief Executive, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ifeyinwa Ighodalo; Co-Founder WIMBIZ & Founder, DO.II Designs Ltd, among others.
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Story
14 June 2022
“I Prayed That Hunger Would Not Take My Children”
More than a decade of conflict has torn northeast Nigeria apart. Thousands of people have been killed. Hundreds kidnapped, tortured and forcibly detained. Farmers have abandoned their fields, crops have not been harvested, roads have been blocked.
As a result, millions of people across the three northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have been displaced and face severe food shortages, verging on famine in some areas. The World Food Programme (WFP) provided life-saving food and nutrition assistance to more than 1.7 million people in the region last year.
Fanaa, 25, was a victim of the insecurity. She fled to Bama five years ago with her four children where she receives food assistance from WFP.
Bama town, in Borno State, is littered with the shells of burnt-out homes. Many streets are derelict and abandoned. Its population numbered 270,000 people. But in 2014, it was occupied by a non-state armed group. When the Nigerian army retook the town six months later, most of the population had fled and almost 85% of the buildings were left damaged or destroyed by the escaping fighters.
Like most of those living here, Fanaa left her village due to insecurity triggered by attacks from non-state groups and counter operations from the military.
“This fighting has destroyed our lives. We have lost so much, nothing but suffering. There is not enough food like before and all the roads are closed,” she says.
“Sometimes, we just had water. I would put it on the fire to boil until the children fell asleep just to assure them that food would soon be ready. I used to pray that hunger would not take my children.” Fanaa explains with a weary sigh. “We lived, we suffered for so long.”
Yangana’s story of how she arrived in Bama, a town on the old trans-Africa route not far from Cameroon, is typical of many.
“When the attacks began in our village, we ran. We no longer had a home, nowhere to wash and no food. We were just running all the time.”
“At one time, I was separated from my husband, children, my mother, and in-laws. We lost each other while running in the forest,” she explained.
After Fanaa found her mother and children, but not her husband, they decided to trek to Bama where traditional leaders said they would be cared for. On arrival, she also found that WFP was providing food. She says the support of WFP and its partners has been invaluable.
“We are so grateful that they have not given up. Not just on us, there are other people, including mothers with lots of children, who were suffering like me,” she says.
As part of its humanitarian assistance, WFP, with contribution from the European Union (EU), is providing life-saving food and nutrition assistance to 1.2 million people in Nigeria during the lean season this year.
“We still need their help. If they leave us, it will be so difficult for us. I don’t know how we will survive,” she added in a quiet voice as one of her children leant against her.
Fanaa hopes one day to return home and back to the life she knew and enjoyed.
“We used to have enough food, we prayed and lived happily together with each. Now, with the crisis we are suffering a lot,” she explains.
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14 June 2022
Father Becomes HeForShe Champion, Saves Daughter From FGM
Ibrahim Babangida a beneficiary of UN Women’s northeast programming lives at Teachers Village Camp in Borno State as a committed HeForShe champion advocating for COVID prevention and against gender-based violence within his community.
Through the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) -COVID Emergency Window project implemented with technical support from UN Women which seeks to train women’s groups and leaders to play a stronger role in advocacy and accountability, Ibrahim received sensitization on the prevention of COVID-19 and gender-based violence (GBV).
The father of four lived happily with his family in Baga in northeast of Nigeria until armed insurgence attacked his home eight years ago. He and his family escaped to Teachers Village camp for shelter and safety. Ibrahim lost his source of income and had to depend on government support which was infrequent and insufficient to sustain his family.
“I was a businessman travelling to Lagos for buying and selling of electronics before we were attacked. My family and I had to run for our safety. I lost everything and was rendered jobless overnight. We have lived in this camp since then depending on government support and benevolence of friends.” he recounted.
According to Ibrahim, thoughts of losing his source of income made him frustrated to the point where he at times transferred his aggression unto his wife until he became a beneficiary of the UN Women’s northeast programme. “I received sensitization on the negative effects of gender-based violence (GBV) and ever since, my wife now has an equal say in every decision, we make concerning our family”, he said.
Ibrahim is now an advocate in his community where he also educates other men on the implications of being infected by COVID-19, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced and early marriage, and all forms of violence against persons. He and other HeForShe champions are known for pursuing cases of GBV and ensuring offenders are punished.
His commitment to prevent gender-based violence began from his household where he refused the traditional arrangements to circumcise his eight-year-old daughter. “Traditionally, plans and arrangements had been made for my daughter, Fatima to be circumcised at a certain age. After I encountered the project and received all the sensitization, and knowing the risk associated with FGM, my wife and I decided not to go ahead with the practice anymore”.
Knowing how early and forced marriage can affect girls, Ibrahim commits to protect his only daughter from all forms of violence. “My daughter, Fatima always tells me she wants to become a medical doctor in future, and I am going to educate and support her in order to achieve her dreams”, Ibrahim said.
WPHF is supporting women in Nigeria to contribute to lasting peace by financing a range of local CSO projects that aim to end sexual and gender-based violence, protect women’s rights and respond to COVID-19 in settings of conflict and crises.
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24 April 2022
Empowering Displaced Women, Girls and Persons with Disabilities in North-East Nigeria
Since 2009 and the start of conflict in northeast Nigeria, millions of people have been displaced. More than two million are living in temporary settlements and camp sites across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. More than half of the displaced population living in camps in northeast Nigeria are women and girls.
They experience displacement differently from men and boys and face specific challenges such as exclusion from decision making processes and participation in livelihood activities. Those with disabilities are further excluded and alienated which has a direct impact on their well-being and psychosocial health. Their concerns and voices are unheard.
The Women’s Participation Project (WPP) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has since 2018 sought to empower individuals affected by these challenges while ensuring that cultural norms and customary traditions of the displaced populations are respected. It further seeks to enhance women’s participation in decision making to reduce their perception of risk to gender-based violence. This is achieved through livelihood support in tailoring, traditional pasta making and cap making, leadership skills training, inclusion of people with disabilities in camp activities through provision of mobility aids/assistive devices among others.
Falmata is a 55-year-old mother living in an IDP camp in Bama. She has a proactive role in the camp as a representative of all women IDPs. Since she got involved in the WPP she has been vouching for women’s views and concerns where decisions are taken, encouraging women to participate in camp activities.
“I can now freely talk in front of men and express my needs and concerns about the household and children,” Falmata admits with confidence.
To date the WPP is in nine camps in six Local Government Area (LGAs) where more than 9,720 individuals have benefited through various activities.
“Myself and other people with disabilities were not allowed to take part in any camp activity.” says Habiba, a 30-year-old woman from Bama LGA. Now things are different thanks to the sensitization conducted by the Women’s Participation Project team in the camp. We, the people with disabilities, are now participating in training courses for leadership skills and facemasks production. Joining the women’s committee has been extremely helpful because women and girls with disabilities have now been recognized and are involved in camp activities.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41 women and girls, including those with disabilities, were trained in the production of facemasks. In just a few months, they produced 21,000 facemasks which were distributed in Gubio camp, Borno State, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I used to watch my brother sewing at home.” says Habiba. “I always had a passion for sewing but I can’t press and propel the machine with my legs. I am grateful to WPP for the special hand sewing machine and training provided by IOM. I would like to get my own sewing machine and start a tailoring business after this skills acquisition programme.”
The WPP started in 2016, by carrying out a pilot study in Adamawa state and with support from USAID it was extended to more LGAs in northeast Nigeria in 2018.
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Press Release
01 September 2021
Applications open next week for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, the graduate employment initiative by the Federal Government and UNDP
Applications will open September 6th for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), H.E, President Muhammadu Buhari announced today at the Aso Rock Villa. The NJFP is an initiative led by the Federal Government of Nigeria, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), to match 20,000 highly skilled graduates annually with yearlong job placements in public and private sectors across multiple industries. The programme is open to graduates and organisations that fit the requirements found here.
In attendance at the official launch was the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, His Excellency, Mr. Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON.
Other development partners who attended the event included the Chargé d'Affaires a.i Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency, Alexandre Borges Gomes, United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon and the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Mohamad Yahya.
According to one 2019 estimate, about 25 million graduates remain unemployed across the country. The NJFP aims to create a channel between graduates and industry, to help address this employment gap by identifying the emerging skills that companies need most, while guiding graduates to be more prepared for a constantly evolving work environment.
In his remarks, H.E President Muhammadu Buhari said, “An important part of our policies and strategies is to focus on employment and creating opportunities for young Nigerians. The Jubilee Fellows Programme will create new opportunities for 20,000 recent graduates annually and I encourage all eligible Nigerians to apply. I also urge private and public sector organizations across the country to join us by providing work placement opportunities, mentors, and funding to support the program. I thank the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union for their support on this vital initiative”.
The NJFP will champion homegrown Nigerian talent and opportunities by connecting organizations directly to graduates. The pandemic has changed our lives in many ways and made it even more difficult for young graduates entering the job market as well as for organizations looking for new talent. Through the NJFP, both graduates and organizations will get a boost in a changing post-COVID job landscape.
In his remarks, the Chargé d'Affaires a.i at the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Alexandre Borges Gomes said: “The EU sees itself as being at the forefront of promoting youth focused, and youth led, development. We see the young as change-makers, essential to the implementation of the Development Agenda and stand ready to assist Nigeria in keeping the young as an asset. This is why we are committing to support the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme.”
This fellowship is designed to help fresh NYSC graduates with zero work experience, who often find it challenging to break into the professional world. The long-term goal would be for the Fellows to feel that they are playing a meaningful part in growing the private and public sector landscape, helping to shape the future of Nigeria.
“Through the Jubilee Fellows Programme, young Nigerians will access skills that will help them to navigate in an evolving job market. By creating a channel between graduates and companies, the programme will help identify the emerging skills that companies need most, while guiding graduates to be more prepared to make impact, influence decisions and re-imagine future-proof skills” said UNDP Resident Representative Mohamed Yahya. “We look forward to seeing the inspiring young talent of this country leverage this programme to continue to make positive change and impact in their communities”.
Applications for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship Programme will open on the NJFP website on September 6, 2021. For more information on NJFP, visit the website here. You can also watch the recording of the launch event on the Aso Rock Youtube page.
[1] Babalobi, B. Nigeria - Why Graduates Are Unemployed and Unemployable. AllAfrica. Retrieved 30 Aug 2021.
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Press Release
18 April 2021
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator's Statement on UN Operations in North-East Nigeria
I am deeply concerned about the recent attacks on humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak, affecting humanitarian assets and personnel. We have temporarily suspended operations in these areas in order to safely relocate humanitarian staff and are closely monitoring the situation. We intend to resume operations as soon as possible, so that civilians affected by the conflict continue to receive the assistance they need.
I condemn in the strongest terms attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure which may constitute violations on International Humanitarian Law.
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Press Release
16 March 2021
North-East Nigeria: US$1 billion needed to address the humanitarian needs of 6.4 million people in 2021
Abuja, 16 March 2021- Ongoing conflict continues to be the main driver of humanitarian needs in northeast Nigeria, where millions of people have been displaced. Longstanding insecurity and violence, compounded by climate change, and the impact of Covid-19 are increasing the vulnerability of close to nine million people. Close to two million people are internally displaced, while millions of people depend on humanitarian partners for basic services, and up to 5.1 million people are facing hunger in the lean season – the worst outlook in four years. The humanitarian community and the Government of Nigeria officially launched the north-east Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan for 2021 earlier today. The plan requests US$1 billion to enable partners to provide critical services to the 6.4 million most vulnerable people - amongst a total of 8.7 million people in need of some form of humanitarian assistance in 2021.
“The humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, unfortunately, remains one of the largest in the world and continues to have a profound impact on Nigeria and its people, causing untold suffering and deprivation for millions of vulnerable women, men and children. The year 2021 marks the twelfth year of the conflict and the sixth year of the international community working together with the Government of Nigeria to provide humanitarian support,” said the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon. “Last year was a challenging year for vulnerable people in north-east Nigeria.
It was a year marked by a new reality, the COVID-19 pandemic. The socio-economic impact of the pandemic has already diminished the resilience of millions of people, increasing the fragility of those who were already extremely vulnerable,” he added. “The requirements for this 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan reflect a growing need, while we know that the available resources will very likely not be commensurate with those needs”, said the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq. “We are facing additional challenges in terms of security and access for humanitarian partners, which is why we have developed the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework”, she added.
A combination of escalating conflict, displacement, and disruption to and loss of livelihoods due to COVID19 restrictions, could lead to hunger for millions of Nigerians living in the north-east. As many as 5.1 million people are threatened by acute hunger during the upcoming lean season – the worst outlook in four years. The humanitarian community remains committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria and local communities to reduce protection risks, provide basic services, including shelter, health, water and sanitation, education, as well as food and nutrition and, moreover, livelihood opportunities. The operation will increasingly seek to identify longer-term or durable solutions for those displaced, restoring dignity, self-reliance and hope for a better future, where possible. “The main thrust of the operation in 2021 will continue to be providing lifesaving and life-sustaining support to people who are displaced, host communities, and others that are affected by the humanitarian crisis”, said Mr. Kallon. “This includes improving the living conditions in camps through decongestion and enhancing the quality of services. We will continue to prioritize prevention, development where feasible and humanitarian assistance where needed. A durable framework to find solution to the crisis in north east Nigeria must promote and implement the humanitarian, development and peace nexus,” he added. “In 2020 the Government took major steps to strengthen its coordination and leadership role and structures at federal and state levels to bring better coherence to addressing humanitarian needs, while laying the foundation for stabilization and development of conflict-affected states,” said the Honourable Minister. “One of these steps includes the inauguration of the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee, which is the highest national advisory body to guide humanitarian activities in the country,” she added. In 2020, only 55 per cent of the required funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan was secured notwithstanding the additional needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, recording the lowest funding level since the beginning of the joint response. Nevertheless, humanitarian partners reached over five million people with potentially lifesaving services despite funding shortfalls, security challenges and movement restrictions caused by the ongoing violence and the COVID-19 pandemic. Malnutrition was averted for over two million children through their provision with fortified nutritious foods to address or prevent malnutrition, and two million people were reached with protection services, including sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response, enhanced mine awareness, and support in addressing housing land and property concerns. For further information, please contact:
Sandy MAROUN, Public Information Officer, OCHA Nigeria, (+234) 906 227 7205, sandy.maroun@un.org
It was a year marked by a new reality, the COVID-19 pandemic. The socio-economic impact of the pandemic has already diminished the resilience of millions of people, increasing the fragility of those who were already extremely vulnerable,” he added. “The requirements for this 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan reflect a growing need, while we know that the available resources will very likely not be commensurate with those needs”, said the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq. “We are facing additional challenges in terms of security and access for humanitarian partners, which is why we have developed the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework”, she added.
A combination of escalating conflict, displacement, and disruption to and loss of livelihoods due to COVID19 restrictions, could lead to hunger for millions of Nigerians living in the north-east. As many as 5.1 million people are threatened by acute hunger during the upcoming lean season – the worst outlook in four years. The humanitarian community remains committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria and local communities to reduce protection risks, provide basic services, including shelter, health, water and sanitation, education, as well as food and nutrition and, moreover, livelihood opportunities. The operation will increasingly seek to identify longer-term or durable solutions for those displaced, restoring dignity, self-reliance and hope for a better future, where possible. “The main thrust of the operation in 2021 will continue to be providing lifesaving and life-sustaining support to people who are displaced, host communities, and others that are affected by the humanitarian crisis”, said Mr. Kallon. “This includes improving the living conditions in camps through decongestion and enhancing the quality of services. We will continue to prioritize prevention, development where feasible and humanitarian assistance where needed. A durable framework to find solution to the crisis in north east Nigeria must promote and implement the humanitarian, development and peace nexus,” he added. “In 2020 the Government took major steps to strengthen its coordination and leadership role and structures at federal and state levels to bring better coherence to addressing humanitarian needs, while laying the foundation for stabilization and development of conflict-affected states,” said the Honourable Minister. “One of these steps includes the inauguration of the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee, which is the highest national advisory body to guide humanitarian activities in the country,” she added. In 2020, only 55 per cent of the required funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan was secured notwithstanding the additional needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, recording the lowest funding level since the beginning of the joint response. Nevertheless, humanitarian partners reached over five million people with potentially lifesaving services despite funding shortfalls, security challenges and movement restrictions caused by the ongoing violence and the COVID-19 pandemic. Malnutrition was averted for over two million children through their provision with fortified nutritious foods to address or prevent malnutrition, and two million people were reached with protection services, including sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response, enhanced mine awareness, and support in addressing housing land and property concerns. For further information, please contact:
Sandy MAROUN, Public Information Officer, OCHA Nigeria, (+234) 906 227 7205, sandy.maroun@un.org
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Press Release
03 March 2021
UN Strategizes to ensure African countries respond and recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic
3 March 2021
BRAZZAVILLE – Africa’s regional know-how, assets and policy expertise will be more systematically channeled to the Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) across the continent as they help countries ensure an inclusive and sustainable transition out of the COVID-19 crisis, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group Amina J. Mohammed stressed as she joined the first annual meeting of the new Regional Collaborative Platform on 2 March 2021.
“Today marks the start of the next-generation collaboration approach for the regional UN entities to support African countries to respond and recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic and reignite the Decade of Action for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is aligned with the Africa Union Agenda 2063,” Ms. Mohammed said.
The United Nations has been making progress on its sweeping reforms to strengthen its support to countries, leveraging its capacities at all levels. The new Regional Collaborative Platform has responded to the growing need for enhanced UN coordination and regional collaboration in the face of the pandemic and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It brings together UN regional expertise, capacity and data to provide analytical, policy and operational support to countries.
Yesterday’s discussion, attended by regional representatives from the Africa UN development system, focused on high-priority issues for the African continent to recover better from the pandemic and move toward the Sustainable Development Goals. These included accelerating the implementation of the continental free trade agreement; investing in youth and women’s empowerment to help countries reap the benefit of their demographic dividends; advancing home-grown sustainable and scalable technologies and digital solutions; building climate and disaster resilience; and continuing to support the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative.
Across the continent, Resident Coordinators and UNCTs are supporting countries in their access to COVAX vaccines and their socioeconomic response plans. In addition to the pandemic recovery, UN entities will work together to support sustainable development efforts in the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa, and address the resurgence of Ebola, and climate crises with severe damage caused by deadly droughts, cyclones and locust outbreaks.
“We are still in a recovery phase for the continent. We need additional resources. Our low- and middle-income countries, as well as small island states, have lost a lot of their resources. They need more fiscal space. They need more revenues. They need additional liquidity to ensure we build forward better,” said Under-Secretary-General Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Although it was a transitional year, the regional UN entities demonstrated evidence of enhanced system-wide collaboration at the regional level. For example, last year, all of them joined forces to launch the Knowledge Management Hub on COVID-19 and shared a business continuity plan with governments to support their e-governance, e-justice and e-commerce for livelihoods, while the Africa e-education strategy was introduced to Resident Coordinators to provide emergency education to more than 100 million African children out of school.
“The African region is at a strategic juncture with COVID-19 recovery programmes and investments that we are making to enhance trade. All our efforts will yield desired results only if Africa’s people – our most important resource – feel productive, if they feel valued, if they feel safe, and if they feel secure,” said Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The new platform will engage with the African Union in April and accelerate its effort to deliver on its promise with an impact-oriented focus on implementations.
The Regional Collaborative Platform is chaired by the UN Deputy Secretary-General with two Vice-Chairs: Ms. Songwe and Ms. Eziakonwa. Its joint secretariat is comprised of UNECA, UNDP and the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO).
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Notes for correspondents
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development.
The UN Resident Coordinator system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country.
Screenshots of the meeting can be downloaded here (©UNDCO).
Media contacts
Hiroyuki Saito, Regional Communications Officer
Regional Office for Africa, UN Development Coordination Office
saitoh@un.org
Maleele Choongo
Regional Bureau for Africa, UN Development Programme
Maleele.choongo@undp.org
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Press Release
02 March 2021
Federal Government, UN Convene National Dialogues on Food Systems
Abuja, 02 February 2021. The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations system in Nigeria, has announced plans to organize series of dialogues across the country towards ensuring resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Nigeria by 2030. This was preparatory to the September 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (FSS) convened by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The National Convenor of Nigeria Food Systems Summit Dialogue (FSSD), and Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday 1 February 2021, during a multi-sectoral, inter-Agency planning meeting for the dialogue.
According to her, the food systems dialogues, the first of which holds on 23 February, are based on five action tracks which align with the current developmental priorities of Nigeria, and therefore, immensely contributory to an improved food systems in the country.
“The five action tracks”, Mrs. Idowu explained, “include to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; Shift to sustainable Consumption Pattern; Boost nature-positive production; Advance equitable livelihood; and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.”
The National Convenor emphasized that the Nigeria FSSD would be organized at three levels: The Inception National Dialogue, aimed at identifying food systems challenges from multiple perspectives; the Exploratory Dialogues, planned to hold in the six geo-political zones and major cities in Nigeria to harness promising approaches from diverse stakeholders that contribute to food systems in the country; and the Consolidatory Dialogues, aimed to exchange views on the pathway towards sustainable national food system, identify intentions and commitments of different food system actors.
Providing some insights, Mrs. Idowu explained that in Nigeria, the Food Systems Dialogue would create more inclusive, healthier food systems, and encourage a collaborative approach towards building a sustainable food systems and enhance the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, observed that the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened the Nigeria food systems and the food systems dialogues would provide a critical opportunity to tackle the weaknesses that were exposed by the crisis.
“We must mobilise human and material resources across the country, and come together to dialogue on how to build back better, the ailing food systems.” He emphasized, “We are all members of the global food system, and we all have a responsibility to act.”
Mr Kallon informed that the UN Secretary-General’s Food Systems Summit was designed to galvanise new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems. “It will also enhance food security and sustainability of eco-based Agriculture and food systems around the world.” He added.
In November 2020, the Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Food Systems Summit, Amina J. Mohammed, had invited all Member States to engage in the preparation of the Summit through encouraging action-oriented Dialogues, discussing ways to achieve sustainable food systems by 2030.
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