Child malnutrition crisis in Nigeria amid rural violence and soaring food inflation

An unprecedented number of children in northern Nigeria are suffering from acute malnutrition, aid workers in the country have said.

Nigeria has the “largest number of food insecure people globally” at 31.8 million, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization office in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri said.

Médecins Sans Frontières, which is working in seven states, said its facilities were so overwhelmed that children were being treated on mattresses on the floor. MSF said it admitted 1,250 children in April to an inpatient therapeutic feeding centre in Maiduguri, twice the figure for the same period in 2023.

Dr Simba Tirima, MSF’s Nigeria representative, said: “In all these places we’ve seen, at least in some cases, double what we saw last year or at least a more than 60% increase in the patients admitted. We have a crisis at hand. We have an emergency at hand, and those kids that are severely malnourished definitely need treatment.”

Severe acute malnutrition has also led to other conditions, such as tuberculosis and acute diarrhoea, and stunted children’s growth. More than 52,000 patients were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition across seven states in 2023 and 2,693 of them died, according to MSF figures.

The reasons for the increase in malnutrition are well noted: food inflation is close to 30% as Africa’s most populous country is experiencing worsening food insecurity. A third of the country – amounting to more than the combined population of the UK, Ireland and Denmark – live on less than £1 a day.

Meanwhile, farmland has been abandoned in parts of the north because of gangs kidnapping, extorting and in some cases killing farmers. The Nigerian newspaper the Punch reported that 165 farmers were killed in the first three months of this year.

About 1.2 million people were displaced in eight states in central and north-west Nigeria by the end of 2022 because of violence, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. In that same period, about 2.3 million others were displaced in the north-east, where jihadist groups such as Boko Haram continue to run amok.

The insecurity and economic instability have made food expensive. Food reserves in some villages have been depleted as there has been little or no growth in household incomes, some local people told aid workers.

In January, a report by the US Department of Agriculture and the Global Agricultural Information Network revealed that Nigeria had become the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to embrace genetically engineered corn.

A month later the government ordered the release of 2,000 metric tonnes of grains from the federal reserves, with the agriculture minister, Abubakar Kyari, saying: “Food security is national security”.

But aid organisations say millions of people are still at risk of famine as Nigeria enters the lean season, which is usually from June to September. The World Food Programme has already projected that 26.5 million people in Nigeria could face acute hunger by the end of this period.

Other experts say the position could deteriorate even before then and have called for immediate funding to save millions of vulnerable children.

“We’re not even in the middle of that lean season,” Tirima said. “We need other actors to come in. MSF is just one organisation. In fact, what we do is a drop in the bucket … we are nowhere near addressing the immediate crisis that we face.”

“A child who died yesterday of malnutrition is a tragedy,” he added. “A child who might die tomorrow because of malnutrition is preventable.”

By Eromo Egbejule, The Guardian

Abuja estate residents live in fear over frequent attacks by kidnappers

On the night of 21 April, Oliver was brutally killed at Leisure Court Estate in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja, where he worked as a gateman. His bullet-riddled body was recovered the following morning by the residents.

“He saw the kidnappers attempting to enter a building, and he shot at them. Unknown to him, others were behind him. They shot him from the back,” Kayode Imole, a resident of the estate, told PREMIUM TIMES.

A security man in the estate, who pleaded anonymity, said Oliver stood no chance against the invaders because he was armed with a locally-made gun with one bullet. “After firing the bullet, there was nothing else to do,” he lamented.

Not first time

The incident was not the first this year in the beautiful estate surrounded by a bush. But it was the first in which a person was killed.

According to a resident, the same night the security man was killed, a woman and her daughter were kidnapped. Two young girls and an adult were also kidnapped10 days later on 30 April.

As in other cases of kidnapping recorded in the estate, the woman and her daughter were released by their abductors after the payment of ransom.

In the first incident this year, recorded on 15 January, a resident of the estate, Olaitan Tayo (not real name), was kidnapped while returning from work at about 10.15 a.m.


That night, four men with AK-47 guns ambushed Mr Tayo as he drove home in his blue Lexus ES SUV. They fired repeatedly at his car, dragged him out of it and marched him into the bush, leaving the vehicle behind.

Narrating his ordeal to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Tayo said he and the kidnappers trekked in the bush until 5 a.m. when they arrived at a cave close to a military checkpoint around Kuje.

“Before I got to that spot that night, they attempted to stop two cars. Olanrewaju (whose family members were later kidnapped in their home) was driving one of the cars, but he was able to escape. They were shooting at my car; I thought they were security men at first. One of the bullets went through the roof of my car,” Mr Tayo narrated.

“My car eventually stopped after a bullet hit the engine, but they continued to shoot at the tyres. They marched me into the bush, and we trekked for over seven hours till we got to the cave around five in the morning.

“I was the only one with them in the cave, and I tried to negotiate with them. They did not assault me. We saw some herders passing with cows from the cave, but they couldn’t see us to tell you how thick the bush was. The cave is just a 15-minute drive from the military checkpoint.”

Mr Tayo said his kidnappers demanded N50 million as ransom but later accepted N15 million. “My friends and family raised the money,” he stated.

Mr Olanrewaju, who escaped the night Mr Tayo was kidnapped, was attacked in his house on 1 May. The kidnappers took away his 10-year-old daughter, another 15-year-old girl and a friend of his staying with him after arriving in Abuja to take a new job with an NGO. Mr Olanrewaju said that the friend was to assume duty the following day.

“We were inside around 10:30 p.m. when they attempted to break the gate. I used the walkie-talkie provided to communicate with the residents and guards, but no one could come. They (kidnappers) cut the electric wire and entered the gate. They couldn’t open our door, so they started breaking the window.

“I opened the door because I thought if they got angry, they would shoot and kill. I opened the door and prostrated immediately. But they told me to stand up and asked for my family.”

Mr Olanrewaju said the kidnappers took away his phone and later used it to demand ransom for the release of his family members. “Currently, I am gathering the money. I want to sell my cars and house,” he said.

According to a resident, the kidnappers consistently increased in number each time they attacked the estate.

They were four, with two of them carrying guns, when they struck in January. But when they returned in April, there were six of them, four of them bearing arms. On their 1 May visit, there were eight with all welding guns.
 

Ransom payment

PREMIUM TIMES they learnt that residents have paid over N30 million to secure the release of kidnap victims since January.
 

Police response

Following the 21 April bloody attack, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Beneath Igweh, led some officers to the estate.

After combing the bush around the estate for about three hours, the police officers returned with two individuals who they paraded as suspects.

But ten days after the visit of the police, the kidnappers struck again and went away with three persons from the estate. Residents said the police did not respond to the latest incident.

Some residents complained that the police and the estate management also did not want the incidents reported in the media.

“We wanted to invite the press after the last attack, but the management told us not to,” a resident said, who also preferred anonymity to avoid victimisation.

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, did not respond to several calls and messages this reporter sent to her mobile telephone on the incidents at Leisure Court Estate.
 

Fear

The constant attacks have left the residents feeling insecure. Some said they were considering relocating from the estate.

“I just moved, and I have advised my friend to do the same,” a house owner in the estate, Mr Raphael, told this reporter.

However, for many residents, the decision to move house is complex in Abuja.

“Where will I go? I bought this house to stop wandering around,” Mr Imole said.
 

N2.5 million service charge

Some residents said the estate is porous to attack because it has no fence. They blame the management for their vulnerability to attacks.


This newspaper learnt that residents paid N2.5 million to the estate management as an “infrastructure/service fee” for electricity, security, perimeter fencing, road and other provisions. Yet, they still need to make individual arrangements for security.

“Except for Phase 1, other areas do not have gates. Phase 4 is the biggest, but the gate has been abandoned for over a year. There is no fence or security outpost.

“Also, look at our gate in Phase 1 here. We requested removing the bamboo, but it has not been completed since then.”

Another resident, Joseph Sunny, urged the police to allow security guards in the estate to be properly armed.

“How can you with a local gun face someone with AK 47 or AK 49?” he said.
 

Estate management reacts

Just before the reporter filed this report, a member of the estate management, who gave his name only as Mr Dimeji, told PREMIUM TIMES on the phone that the police had deployed some officers to the estate. At the same time, the residents have hired more security guards.

The residents hope those steps will check the attacks on their beautiful estate.

By Ademola Popoola, Premium Times

Ginger farmers in Nigeria struggle after outbreak of disease

Nigeria is one of the world’s leading producers of ginger, but a massive outbreak of fungal disease last year caused millions of dollars of damage. The Nigerian government has launched an emergency recovery intervention to help ginger farmers. Timothy Obiezu reports from Kaduna.

VOA

Ethiopian Airlines Joint Venture Plans In Nigeria Fall Through

Ethiopian Airlines’ ongoing talks to establish a joint venture (JV) airline in Nigeria have come to an end.

However, the airline is continuing to develop its multi-hub strategy in Africa.

“The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said recently in Dubai. The plan for the proposed airline, to be known as Nigeria Air, was for Nigerian investors to take a 46% stake, with the government holding 5%.

However, Tasew said this setback will not stop the Star Alliance member from developing JVs to establish sister airlines in Africa where Ethiopian Airlines has an equity stake.

“We have been approached by several airlines in Africa for support, and we are evaluating them,” Tasew said. Countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile, Togo-based ASKY, in which Ethiopian holds a 40% share, and Malawi Airlines, which was Ethiopian’s first JV, continue to do well. Zambia Airways—in which Ethiopian Airlines holds a 45% share—is also continuing to develop.

Closer to home, at its hub in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Tasew said Ethiopian Airlines is investing in expanding the airport’s international terminal, as well as aircraft parking and other infrastructure. The expansion, however, is now reaching the limit of available airport space. “We have a plan to build a new airport, 40 km [25 mi.] south of Addis. A consultancy, who will design the airport and supervise the construction work, has been selected,” Tasew said. The location of the new airport has been identified.

“We are hiring and training our aviation professionals including pilots and technicians to support the continued growth of the airline,” Tasew said. “We see opportunities, and we are on track with our growth plan Vision 2035.”

Besides a shortage of aircraft, spare parts and constrained capacity, traffic right restrictions are also an issue for the airline, not only within Africa but in other countries, including Europe.

“We want to fly to Munich as well as to Amsterdam, but traffic rights and available slots are an issue,” Ethiopian Airlines Regional Manager in Austria and Eastern Europe Saba Kassaye said.

In June, the carrier added services to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Maun, Botswana, as well as a route to Warsaw. “The preparation work to launch Warsaw and to set up everything necessary took almost one year,” Kassaye said regarding the route development.

Vienna, which launched 10 years ago in Ethiopian’s network, became the connector to Eastern Europe. The logical step now would be to operate double daily services from Addis to Vienna during peak season in the summer and winter. “This could be a reality in maybe two years,” Kassaye said.

Starting in October, the current aircraft on the Addis Ababa-Vienna route will be upgraded from a Boeing 777-200LR and 787-9 to an Airbus A350-900. The aircraft continues from Vienna to Copenhagen four times, as well as to Warsaw three times a week.

Ethiopian Airlines—Africa’s largest carrier—carried 13.9 million passengers in 2023. The airline expects to carry 18 million passengers in 2024.

By Kurt Hofmann, Aviation Week 

Related story: Ethiopian Airlines Announced As Partner For Nigeria Air

Starlink Mini Dish Revolutionizing Internet Connectivity in Nigeria

 SpaceX is on the verge of launching the highly anticipated Starlink Mini dish. This revolutionary device promises to transform internet availability, particularly in underserved areas. It is set to provide satellite-based internet connectivity to people in remote locations where physical connections are impossible and mobile connections offer limited bandwidth.

The Starlink Mini is a game changer. With dimensions measuring 11.4 inches by 9.8 inches, it is significantly more compact and portable than the current 23.4-inch by 15.07-inch Starlink dish. The device is designed to fit comfortably in a backpack, providing users with unprecedented flexibility and convenience. This portability makes it an ideal companion for remote workers, travelers, and those living in isolated areas.

The integrated Wi-Fi router in the Starlink Mini supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11b/g/n/ax) and operates over the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. It features 3×3 MIMO built-in antennas, enhancing the connectivity experience. The device has only two connectors: a DC barrel for the external power source and an RJ45 network connector, allowing users to connect up to 128 devices. Weighing only 2.4 pounds (or 3.4 pounds with the kickstand and DC cable), the Starlink Mini is lightweight and easy to set up.

Since TD Africa, the leading distributor of tech products in Africa and the major distributor of Starlink products in Nigeria, introduced Starlink into the Nigerian market, the company has captured the public’s interest with its ubiquitous satellite service. In fact, the latest Internet Service Provider (ISP) data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest ISP by subscriber number in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.

For Nigerians eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Starlink Mini, the wait is almost over. Immediately after Starlink launches the Mini, Konga, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group and Starlink’s exclusive shop-in-shop retailer, will ensure it is available nationwide. The device will be offered on konga.com at the best prices. This partnership underscores Konga’s commitment to providing cutting-edge technology solutions at affordable prices.

Rest assured, the Mini delivers impressive performance. Based on a speed test screenshot shared by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the Starlink Mini offers a robust 100 Mbps download speed and a respectable 11.5 Mbps upload speed with a latency of 23 ms. These capabilities are more than enough to power multiple 4K video streams, video calls, seamless voice chats, and speedy file downloads. Users can expect a seamless and high-quality internet experience, regardless of location.

For users needing to extend coverage to a broader area, the Starlink Mini is compatible with Starlink mesh, allowing it to pair wirelessly with another Starlink router. There is also an Ethernet port for those who prefer a direct connection. This versatility ensures that the Starlink Mini can adapt to various user needs and environments.

One of the most attractive aspects of the Starlink Mini is its affordability. The device is likely to be sold at half the price of the standard dish, making it accessible to a broader audience. This pricing strategy is expected to significantly boost adoption rates, particularly in Nigeria, where cost has been a barrier to accessing high-speed internet.

The launch of the Starlink Mini signifies a significant step forward in democratizing internet access. Whether you reside in a remote location, crave internet on the go, or simply yearn for a more affordable and reliable internet solution, the Starlink Mini is here to bridge the gap. With TD Africa and Konga at the helm, a brighter and more connected future awaits Nigerians.

By Ugo Onwuaso, Nigerian CommunicationWeek

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