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Nigeria To Face Food Crisis In 3 Months, Says Bafarawa

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On Sunday, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, a former Governor of Sokoto State and member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, expressed his concern about the escalating banditry in the North-West and North-East regions of Nigeria.

 

Bafarawa emphasized that this issue poses a significant threat to the country’s food security.

 

Bafarawa highlighted the need for President Bola Tinubu’s government to prioritize food security over discussions on cabinet ministerial appointments, subsidy, and the economy.

 

He urged the government to redirect its attention to addressing the pressing issue of ensuring an adequate food supply for the nation.

 

Furthermore, the veteran statesman cautioned that if decisive actions are not promptly taken to address the security challenges, the North would experience severe educational setbacks over the next five decades.

 

During an interview with The PUNCH, Bafarawa highlighted the distressing situation caused by the activities of bandits in Northern Nigeria.

 

He pointed out that numerous primary and secondary schools in the region have been forced to close down as a result, describing it as a grave disaster.

 

He said, “Instead of talking about cabinet, subsidy, and the economy, the government should consider food security because with the rate we are going, in the next three months, we are definitely going to have problems in Nigeria, especially in the North-West.

 

“The bandits have refused to allow farmers to cultivate their crops. This is a very dangerous situation, not only because the bandits are killing people but also because the food scarcity is going to be too serious in the next few months, especially in the North West and North East. So, we want the government to wake up and do something about it.

 

“Also, with the way education is going, in the next 50 years, we are going to be very backward in education because most of the primary schools in the North have been closed because of banditry.

 

“There are no primary schools, no secondary schools and this is a serious disaster. So, we cannot sit down and watch; something must be done right before it gets worse.

 

“The government should fight security, especially food insecurity, in the country because it’s a serious matter. Whatever the government is going to do, let the issue of food security be top priority.” he added.

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Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security

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On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.

The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.

The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London

In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.

The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.

As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.

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Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

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The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

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JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations

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The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.

The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.

RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.

“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.

The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.

Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.

The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.

Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.

A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.

“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.

The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.

 

 

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