In 2024, Nigeria plans to produce 31 million metric tonnes of grain to address its food security problems. The government says the increased grain output will help deal with food inflation - which stood at 32.8% in November - while creating much needed jobs in the country of 200 million people.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Video - Nigeria seeks to increase grain production to address food security
Video - Nigerian President Tinubu suspends humanitarian affairs minister
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has suspended the country's humanitarian affairs minister, Betta Edu, over her alleged involvement in corruption. President Tinubu has also ordered a thorough investigation to establish the accuracy and validity of the graft claims leveled against the minister.
Related story: President Tinubu suspends humanitarian minister in corruption scandal
Nigeria destroys record $11.2 million in seized elephant tusks
Nigeria on Tuesday destroyed 2.5 tonnes of seized elephant tusks valued at over 9.9 billion naira ($11.2 million) in a push to protect its dwindling elephant population from rampant wildlife traffickers.
Over the past three decades, Nigeria's elephant population
has declined drastically from an estimated 1,500 to less than 400 due to poaching for ivory, habitat loss and human-elephant conflict, according to conservationists.
Minister of State for Environment Iziaq Salako said the government crushed the tusks and will use the powder to build a symbolic national park monument as a reminder of the importance of elephants in the ecosystem.
The pulverization of the tusk in the capital Abuja follows a similar event in October where officials destroyed four tonnes of seized pangolin scales valued at $1.4 million.
Thousands of elephants are killed each year for their tusks despite a 1989 ban on the trade of ivory by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Despite being a signatory to CITES, Nigeria is considered a hub for gangs sending illegal African wildlife parts including tusks and pangolin scales to Asia, according to law enforcement and wildlife experts.
But the large West African nation has stepped up counter-smuggling efforts in recent years, partnering with British, U.S. and German officials as well as international organizations to make its biggest seizure of illegal wildlife parts in August 2021.
Last month, officials began an investigation after a video posted on social media showed a soldier shooting two elephants that strayed into farmlands, sparking outrage among citizens.
In 2022, Nigeria customs officials seized 1,613 tonnes of pangolin scales and arrested 14 people.
By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Video - Dubai looking to boost trade with Nigeria
Dubai International Chamber recently opened its seventh office in Nigeria. The wider oil-rich Gulf region is seeking to leverage its unique geography with sound investment opportunities in the region.
Video - Nigeria eyes restart of four oil refineries by end of 2024
The Nigerian government says it is determined to not only end petrol imports but to also make the country a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year. It says its two other refineries will come back on stream by the last quarter of the year.
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