TheNewsGuru

Tag: Hunger

  • Hunger! France imposes curfew to curb rising living costs protests

    Hunger! France imposes curfew to curb rising living costs protests

    France announced on Friday new curfew measures to quell civil unrest on its Caribbean island of Martinique, which has been hit by violent protests due to anger over rising living costs.

    The local French administration for Martinique said it was banning public gatherings until October 14, and banning the purchase of products that could be used for arson attacks.

    It added that protests had disrupted flights at Martinique airport and that as a result of this, flights were being re-directed to the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe.

    Since September 2024, there have been widespread protests and violent confrontations across the French Caribbean territory of Martinique.

    The unrest is caused by elevated costs of living, and consequential bans on public protests placed by the Central Government of France in several municipalities.

    Also, the deployment of elite riot police that had been banned from the territory for over 65 years due to their prior killing of several young demonstrators.

    Before 2024, Martinique was the site of several widespread protests against inequality in racial and economic areas.

    Protests and civil unrest were especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, where several civilians protested against COVID restrictions implemented by the French government in November 2021

  • Tackle hunger crisis, slash price of PMS-Bishop Kukah advises Tinubu

    Tackle hunger crisis, slash price of PMS-Bishop Kukah advises Tinubu

    The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Kukah, has urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to tackle the food crisis in Nigeria.

    Kukah urged Tinubu while making his remarks on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) unveiling of the Progressive Institute in Abuja.

    According to him, Nigerians are hungry and something urgent needs to be done.”

    He also called for urgent steps to be taken to reduce the cost of fuel.

    The event had governors, ministers, party leaders and other appointees of government from both national and state levels present.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume was also in attendance, as well as representatives of Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

    Nigeria currently battles one of the worst food crises in history, with food inflation pegged at over 40 per cent by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    The ongoing increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol from around N585 per litre to almost N900 per litre by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has also sparked uproar in the country, with many calling for a reversal.

    While speaking further, the bishop said unless democracy was built on an intellectual foundation, “it will be built on sand.”

    According to him, politics must be seen as a science to deliver good governance and not a game of looting.

    He also said the Kukah Centre desires to raise the bar.

    While noting that he is not a politician, the clergyman, however, said he is political and believed in promoting quality leadership.

    In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje noted that the Progressive Institute is to ensure that the ideology of the party is institutionalised.

    He said it will also serve as the official policy think-tank of the party, and provide a platform for discussion between the party, Nigerians, the academic society and the media, to promote inclusiveness.

    He also said the institute will provide policy advice and suggestions to the government elected on the platform of the APC at both the national and state levels.

    Ganduje further explained that the institute will also serve as an intellectual platform that will engage the international committee.

  • Anglican bishop charges Tinubu to address hunger, insecurity

    Anglican bishop charges Tinubu to address hunger, insecurity

    Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko, Bishop, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Kubwa, has urged the government to quickly address the economic challenges facing the country to ameliorate the current hardship.

    Akamisoko made this appeal on Sunday during the Holy Eucharist for the 20th anniversary/thanksgiving of the Church of Transfiguration Anglican Communion, Kubwa, with the theme “Arise and Build.’’

    He said the economic and political situation of the country had made some Nigerians including religious leaders to lose focus.

    The cleric said, however, that he and many other religious leaders would continue to pray for the right actions and steps to be taken.

    “The economic and social situation in our country is not pleasant and also not encouraging; so, I think political leaders need to listen to the people.

    “I have heard the government saying that it is someone that is engineering protests; it is not true; the hunger, pain and hardship are the ones engineering the protest.

    “The political leaders, especially the president, should listen to the people; in his speech a few days ago, he was telling Nigerians what they have achieved by way of infrastructure.

    “That is not what the people want for now; what they want is food; so, everything must be done to put food on the table of the people without stress and pain.’’

    He commended the members of  congregation for their commitment, zeal, sacrifice and enthusiasm exhibited in moving the church forward especially the church edifice which had reached roofing level.

    “Building for the Lord can never be in vain; God surely rewards the builder.

    “If you hear the number of people raising this structure without loan or help from anywhere, you will know that they are really committed to the gospel and the growth of the church.

    “They are also committed to serving God; so, I encourage them to persevere and God will assist them to complete this edifice.

    “We must not lose faith in God, nation and ourselves no matter what is going on in the country, believing that this challenging time will also pass,” he said.

    Rev. Mark Yohanna, the Vicar, Church of Transfiguration, Kubwa, commended the members for their resilience over the years, which had seen the construction of the new church building progress without any obstruction.

    “If you look at the environment, you will see the glory of God because he gave us victory in some of our challenges in this church and that is why you see the progress of work on the building.

    “The issue has to do with land; people were coming to claim the land but God gave us victory in the end.

    “As believers, we know that God will help us not to rely on anybody to do our work.

    “My advice is for them to continue to give because anyone that contributes to building a house for the Lord, he or she will never miss the reward.

    “The edifice is too big but not too big for God; so, we will continue and we will roof it in a very short time,’’ he said.

    Mr Joseph Emagbetere, one of the pioneer members of the church, said the thanksgiving service was an opportunity to appreciate God for preserving their lives while embarking on the foundation laying of the edifice.

    Emagbetere, who is also the first warden of the church, recounted the tribulations that followed the acquisition of the church premises.

    He said that in spite of the challenges, God gave them victory.

    The service afforded the members and well wishes of the church an opportunity to raise funds for the continuation of the project.

    Awards were also given to deserving members and priests who have been dogged in providing moral and financial support for the construction of the church building.

  • We’re hungry, end protests, street beggars in Kano beg

    We’re hungry, end protests, street beggars in Kano beg

    Some street beggars in Kano have appealed to the organisers of the ongoing nationwide protests to sheath their swords in the interest of humanity.

    Baba Haliru, a 70-year-old beggar from Rigiyar Zaki, told NAN that survival has become extremely challenging due to the protests.

    Haliru explained that many beggars relied on daily earnings to feed their families, but the protests have prevented them from doing so.

    He lamented, “We have not eaten anything in our household of 14 for two days in the last four days except water.

    ”For God’s sake, please reach out to those who organised the protests to end them by negotiating with the government.”

    Other beggars re-echoed Haliru’s sentiments, calling for an end to the protests and the total lifting of the curfew.

    Malama Mario Kabiru of Hotoro quarters said: “We have run out of foodstuffs and we can’t go out to buy more.  We don’t have money, and the situation is unbearable.”

    Malam Isa Musa of Dorayi quarters also appealed to the government to introduce measures that would  cater for the needs of elderly individuals who have no support.

    He urged,  “We are begging because we have no one to support us. Since the curfew was introduced, we have not eaten anything in the last three days with our families.

    ”We can’t continue like this; kindly let the protests stop.”

  • CARTOON OF THE DAY: The billionaire lavish party

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: The billionaire lavish party

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: The billionaire lavish party

  • Nigerians in US storm embassy to protest over hunger at home+Video

    Nigerians in US storm embassy to protest over hunger at home+Video

    A video showing Nigerians protesting over hunger has surfaced online.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports, the clip as captured in camera showed the Nigerians complaining bitterly embassy officials over hunger and terrible state of the Naira in Nigeria.

    Obviously, they have joined their brothers and sisters at home to register their anger.

    WATCH!

  • 733 million suffered hunger in 2023 – Report

    733 million suffered hunger in 2023 – Report

    About 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, one in eleven globally, and one in five in Africa. Also, 1.2 billion adults have been projected to be obese by 2030. This is contained in the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report.

    The SOFI Report is a collaborative effort by  the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and other world organisations. The others are the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Health Organisation, and the World Food Programme.

    The report was made available to journalists by Mr Victor Aguayo, the Director, Child Nutrition and Development Programme Group, UNICEF, on Thursday in Lagos. The report stated that, in 2023, 2.33 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity, with more than 864 million experiencing severe food insecurity. It added that more than 2.8 billion people were not able to afford  healthy diet in 2022, with 71.5 per cent in low-income countries affected.

    On exclusive breastfeeding, it said that progress had been made, with rates increasing to 48 per cent. It, however, said that achieving the other global nutrition targets remained challenging. On child malnutrition, the report said that stunting among children under five years was at 22.3 per cent, with stagnation in low birthweight prevalence and increased anaemia in women.

    It said that adult obesity had risen to 15.8 per cent in 2022 from 12.1 per cent in 2012 with projections indicating 1.2 billion obese adults by 2030. The report called on all governments to increase investments in proven, sustainable and cost-effective interventions to prevent child malnutrition, focusing on the critical first 1,000 days.

    “Good nutrition in early childhood is a game changer for children and nations,”  it said.

    It urged governments to adopt fiscal and regulatory policies to promote access to nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable foods for children and their families. It also enjoined governments to discourage production, marketing and consumption of nutrient-poor and ultra-processed foods and beverages.

    “Investing in data in these areas is important,” it added.

  • HUNGER! 31.8m Nigerians to face acute food insecurity in June, August – WFP warns

    HUNGER! 31.8m Nigerians to face acute food insecurity in June, August – WFP warns

    Hunger looming as the World Food Price has projected that 31.8 million Nigerians (16 per cent of the population analysed) are projected to face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity between June and August 2024.

    WFP, in its latest June to October 2024 outlook sourced from its X account, said nearly 1 million people in the country are projected to be in a state of emergency mode of acute food insecurity.

    Highlighting the five phases of food insecurity on a scale of 1 to 5, WFP explained that phase 1 represents minimal food insecurity; phase 2 stressed food insecurity; phase 3 crisis food insecurity; phase 4 emergency food insecurity and phase 5 catastrophic food insecurity.

    The statement partly reads, “Between June and August 2024, 31.8 million people (16 per cent of the population analysed) are projected to face crisis or worse ( Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, with nearly 1 million people projected to be in Emergency ( Phase 4).

    This represents a 3 percentage point increase in the number of acutely food insecure people compared to the same time in the previous year. Acute malnutrition levels remain high, above 10 per cent, in the northern states (Borno, Yobe, Sokota, Katsina and Zamfara), with 4.4 million children and 585 000 pregnant and breastfeeding women projected to be acutely malnourished in 2024.”

    The statement projected that food insecurity would likely remain highly concerning, due to a multidimensional crisis driven by weakening macroeconomic conditions, heightened insecurity and subdued agricultural production in the northern part of the country.

    The security situation is likely to continue to deteriorate, exacerbating population displacement. This is a particular concern for the northern states, which have already seen an uptick in insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in the first quarter of 2024.

    “Insecurity has been disrupting agricultural livelihoods and affecting the functionality of markets.321 Insecurity results in high humanitarian access constraints, particularly in the northeast, restricting the delivery of assistance to government-controlled towns and their immediate surroundings.

    “This is a particular concern for the northern states, which have already seen an uptick in insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in the first quarter of 2024. The latter increased by 44 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Insecurity has been disrupting agricultural livelihoods and affecting the functionality of markets. Insecurity results in high humanitarian access constraints, particularly in the northeast, restricting the delivery of assistance to government-controlled towns and their immediate surroundings.”

    WFP stated that in March 2024, the inflation rate exceeded 33 per cent year-on-year, eroding the frail purchasing power of households in a country where 38 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line.

    “On top of that, the naira has been strongly fluctuating, registering a yearly depreciation of 60 per cent in February 2024. Due to below-average cereal production in 2023 and high transport costs, prices of major staples such as rice and maize were 105 and 241 percent higher, respectively, on a yearly basis, in February 2024.

    “During the outlook, import restrictions amid abating foreign reserves, increasing farming costs, and high levels of conflict in the North East, North West and parts of the North Central zones will likely impact the 2024 agricultural season. This will cause reduced yields and elicit further inflationary pressures.”

     

  • TNG X-RAY: One year after, ’emilokan’ admin is a continuation of Buhari’s collateral damage as hunger overwhelms Nigerians

    TNG X-RAY: One year after, ’emilokan’ admin is a continuation of Buhari’s collateral damage as hunger overwhelms Nigerians

    …how 33.7% inflation swallowed 35% wage increase

    … insecurity remains largely unabated

    … ‘tokunboh’ economic policies continue to show Nigerians film tricks

    One year after, the President Bola Tinubu’s administration so far so good has continued to showcase all the collateral damages inflicted on Nigerians by the immediate past administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.

    In this x-ray, TheNewsGuru.com, TNG will take a careful look at some of the Tinubu’s administration landmarks and how it has affected Nigerians as hunger in the last one year wore ‘sokoto’ and even laced a bow tie to match.

    On May 29, 2023 when Tinubu mounted the rostrum to take over from Buhari who spent eight years doing nothing at Aso Rock Nigerians expected so much with the Renewed Hope mantra of the fresh administration.

    Tinubu like an ‘egbe wager’ boldly scrapped fuel subsidy which his predecessor, an armoured tank general was so scared to touch with a very long spoon.

    FUEL SUBSIDY ABRACADABRA:

    The layman’s understanding of fuel subsidy withdrawal is that within a certain period market forces will force down prices.

    As at today, since the subsidy is gone forever as Mr President declared one year ago, the price of the essential source of energy has continued to soar higher and pump price has climbed beyond N700 and may hit N1000 before December.

    So far, all the palliatives designed to cushion the effects of subsidy removal has remained a mirage as you can’t fight hunger with palliative. It’s like fighting a tiger with bare hands and is like the president had no economic adviser in his team.

    Throwing away such an economic policy without a structural adjustment program to help cushion the bitter pills you want Nigerians to swallow was the first fatal error of this administration.

    Nigerians are still bitting their fingers, those who can’t continue swallowing the bitter pills ‘don Japa’ and those who can’t ‘japa’ have to face the fangs of hunger.

    The fuel subsidy withdrawal ‘na just the more you look the less you see’ nothing is happening.

    35% WAGE INCREASE:

    The 35% wage increase which this administration will proudly announce to Nigerians as a major achievement today has been swallowed by 33.7% inflation, meaning that technically the wage increase was just 2.3% increase.

    Nigerian workers are not smiling as the salary they earn can’t take them home as the cost of foodstuffs continue to leak their pockets monthly.

    INSECURITY:

    This was one area so much was expected from this administration, a leader who could boldly scrap fuel subsidy should be bold enough to scrap insecurity in a matter of weeks.

    The situation as at yesterday and today has not changed. It’s a national issue that has continued to rubbish this administration as insurgency is fast looking like a permanent feature in the Nigerian project.

    ECONOMIC POLICIES:

    The economic policies being imposed on Nigerians from forex operations and to what have you are all film tricks, on paper they’re perfect but when it comes to implementation they display film tricks as we watch on Nollywood.

    Some of the policies are ‘tokunboh’ and the system just swallow them hook, line and sinker forgetting that their ‘tokunboh’ origin is where the institutions are strong. Where the judiciary is firm, the legislature don’t consider changing a national anthem or see it as an achievement.

    Conclusively, Tinubu and his men are just beginning or better still they are in the kindergarten still learning on what medicine to apply to the various wounds inflicted on the economy.

    Nigeria is still very far from recovery as the ’emilokan’ administration still has a lot of catch up to do. They should not be in a haste to forget that the hungry man is a very very angry man.

  • Coastal Highway: Obi raises alarm again, says amid hunger, FG adamant on misplaced priority

    Coastal Highway: Obi raises alarm again, says amid hunger, FG adamant on misplaced priority

    The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has again cried out loud that the Federal Government is going ahead with the inessential projects amid the spread of poverty and hunger in the land.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG recalls Obi had earlier condemned the start of trillions of naira Coastal Highway Project when the internal roads were impassable.

    Writing on his X handle on Tuesday, the LP standards bearer said “Contrary to the dictates of reason and the necessity for compassion in the pursuit of public policy, the federal government has kicked off the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway.

    ‘The outcry against this project has been overwhelming because it contrasts with the prevailing situation in the country at this time.

    “However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.

    “The sight of this insensitive demolition is, for me, heart-wrenching. As we watch this tragic theatre, livelihoods are being wiped away. Lifetime investments are being laid to waste while jobs are evaporating as the bulldozers roar. Habitations of the aged are being overturned by bulldozers of power.

    “This hasty flag-off is in utter defiance of widespread outcry by the public especially business and property owners whose investments are directly affected by this project. No one knows the outcry that I’ll herald this project as it progresses towards poor rural landscapes.

    ‘Thousands of jobs are about to be wiped out while in one case investments above $200 million are about to be lost. Over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector face clear and instant extinction. Over 80 small businesses are threatened with 4000 mostly youth employees imminently out of jobs. At a time when unemployment is ravaging the country, the government is embarking on a job-losing project.

    ‘The economic losses in view only have to do with the first few kilometers in the Lagos end. But the 700 km of this road will traverse rural areas where those to be affected have neither voice, power, or influence to press their rights.

    “Significant sections of the public have questioned the process that preceded the approval of this project. The government has turned deaf ears to voices of reason and caution.

    “More importantly, the time has come to interrogate the rationale and timing of this and similar projects being contemplated by this government.

    “The nation is today in the worst economic state in national history. Poverty is spreading by the day. Hunger has recently come center stage among the things that trouble the majority of Nigerians. The basic necessities of life are now beyond the reach of most Nigerians.

    “This is one moment in national life when any responsible government cannot embark on fancy inessential projects.

    “Therefore, We need to question the sense of priority of a government that is in a haste to embark on a mega white elephant project at a time of so many urgent and pressing national needs.

    ‘Most of the existing highways are in desperate need of maintenance. Even the ones that are passable remain unsafe because of the scourge of insecurity. Travelers on our existing highways are frequently kidnapped and abducted by killer gangs and bandits. Many travelers on our highways are uncertain that they will reach their destinations alive, in safety, or in freedom.

    ‘Our economy remains comatose as the exchange rate goes yo-yo by the day and our national debt balloons out of imagination.

    “Our health institutions are ill-equipped and often unmanned.

    “Worse still, why are we embarking on an expensive fancy new highway project when there are close to 50 abandoned and uncompleted federal highway projects all over the country?

    ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the clear and urgent necessities of the nation today are urgent nationwide security of life and property, poverty eradication, sustainable and affordable healthcare for all, and affordable and functional education for the majority especially the poor and underprivileged.

    ‘I would like to be placed on record as one citizen who raised his voice to coopposesand vehemently oppose this government’s penchant to misplace our national priorities at a moment of national emergency of an existential nature.

    ‘It is not too late to discontinue the Lagos-Calabar highway project. We can ill afford yet another expensive abandoned project. Above all, Nigeria’s urgent development needs are more real in areas that touch the lives of our citizens. We do not need escapades of landscape decoration.