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Tag: Ukraine

  • Niger State can feed Nigeria, not Ukraine – Obi

    Niger State can feed Nigeria, not Ukraine – Obi

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has said Niger State alone can feed Nigeria and not a war-torn country like Ukraine

    He insisted Ukraine has no reason to give Nigeria grains.

    Obi disclosed in Abuja on Tuesday while reacting to his award as the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023’ at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards.

    “We have no reasons to be poor. Poverty should never be part of our lives especially in the North,” Obi said, adding that with over 7,442,00 square meters of land, Nigeria can feed Africa.

    “Ukraine has no reason to give us grain. Niger State can feed Nigeria, Africa with over 73, 000 square meters of land.

    “The two biggest states in the North-East, Borno with over 70,000 square metres of land and Taraba, are four times the size of Belgium that is exporting food. There is so much we can do in the country if we have the right leadership.

    “The more you remove people out of poverty, the more you have fewer criminals,” Obi pointed out.

  • National disgrace: FG replies Peter Obi

    National disgrace: FG replies Peter Obi

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the fact that Nigeria accepted grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria a weak or failed state.

    “Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine. The fact that Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine does not make it a failed state.

    “The fact that we are having challenges at the moment does not make Nigeria a failed state. Therefore, accepting grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria or Egypt failed countries.

    “It is a normal thing, because countries exist to depend on one another,’’ the minister said at the Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2023 on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The event was organised by the Leadership Group, publishers of Leadership Newspapers.

    According to the minister, it is true that Nigeria is facing some challenges and President Bola Tinubu is aware of this and he does not shy away from it.

    “Nigerians voted for Tinubu with the deeper understanding and conviction that he has the capacity to turn things around for the better; and that is what he is doing.

    “Some of the decisions he has taken were to ensure that Nigeria finds its place in the comity of nations.

    “The decisions include removal of fuel subsidy and addressing the issue of foreign exchange and many others.

    “In spite of the current challenges, the economic growth of Nigeria is on track and has continued to improve,’’ Idris said.

    He explained that fuel subsidy removal was a bold step in the right direction and urged Nigerians to support the president as the country would soon begin to reap the benefits.

    The minister noted that current national challenges did not begin upon assumption of office by President Tinubu

    He stressed that going by figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s fuel importation reduced by 50 per cent after fuel subsidy removal, just as the economy improved significantly.

    Idris noted also that President Tinubu had demonstrated capacity and since his assumption of office, had attracted more than 30 billion dollars in foreign investments into the country.

    “He has not stopped at that. Just last week, President Tinubu went to Qatar to attract more businesses and investments into Nigeria.

    “We are optimistic that soon, what we are passing through will be a thing of the past and Nigeria will be better,’’ Idris said.

    The Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2023 has: “An economy in distress: The way forward.’’ as its theme.

  • Why I said Ukraine’s food donation to Nigeria is a disgrace – Peter Obi

    Why I said Ukraine’s food donation to Nigeria is a disgrace – Peter Obi

    Mr Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, has continued to insist Ukraine’s food aid to Nigeria is a “national disgrace“.

    The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party on Tuesday maintained that the food donation by war-torn Ukraine to Nigeria “remains awkward to the nation”.

    According to Mr Obi, the situation is actually painful, stressing that Nigeria has all it takes to surpass Ukraine in grain production.

    On the Egypt comparison made by Reno Omokri, the former Anambra Governor clarified that over the years, Egypt imports 60% of its grains, out of which about 22% is from Ukraine.

    Obi wrote: “After my comments on the embarrassing grain assistance which Nigeria received from a war-torn Ukraine, some government spinners in defence tried throwing up a comparison pointing at Egypt which also got grain from Ukraine.

    “In my remarks I stated that such an offer, though aimed at ameliorating the impact of the food crisis in Nigeria, remains awkward to the nation, considering that we, as a nation with more fertile lands and a working population, now receive aid from a war-ravaged nation like Ukraine.

    “Egypt was particularly mentioned, by the spinners, to have received the same grains from Ukraine long before Nigeria did (September last year) and that Egypt is still dependent on Ukraine for its wheat and much of its fertilizer needs.

    “It is important to clarify that over the years, Egypt imports 60% of its grains, out of which about 22% is from Ukraine.

    “The imported grain provides half the flour that goes into a subsidized bread program that feeds some 72 million Egyptians daily.

    “Egypt, therefore, just enjoys a business relationship with their grain supplier, Ukraine, whereas, in the case of Nigeria, it was an emergency donation to help us fight a hunger epidemic that has resulted from economic mismanagement.

    “To illustrate further, on the Global Hunger Index, Egypt ranks 57th, while our dear nation ranks 109th, out of 125 countries measured.

    “So, while Egypt has a hunger level considered moderate, Nigeria is in the league of 20 hungriest countries in the world, with a hunger level considered serious.

    “Egypt, without facing severe hunger, and not in the list of hungriest nations, exported over 9 Billion dollars of agricultural products in 2023.

    “May I also point out that our grains donor, Ukraine, still maintains a hunger level considered low, with a ranking of 44th on the global hunger index, 7th highest grain producer, exporting almost 23 Billion Dollars, despite years of war!

    “The situation is actually painful because we have all it takes to even surpass Ukraine in grain production if we were a more serious and productive nation.

    “The vast arable lands in the North, if put into productive use, will not only give us sufficient food for local consumption, but even the surplus for export. A New Nigeria is POssible!”

  • He is ignorant – Reno Omokri blasts Peter Obi over Ukraine food aid to Nigeria

    He is ignorant – Reno Omokri blasts Peter Obi over Ukraine food aid to Nigeria

    Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has lambasted Peter Obi as ignorant for referring to Ukraine’s food aid to Nigeria as a national disgrace.

    Omokri, a former Special Assistant to erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that Ukraine is the world’s 7th largest wheat producer, and that the war in the country has not affected its position.

    He said Obi, who himself is a former Governor of Anambra State, needs to be educated about Ukraine and wheat, adding that not everything must be politicised.

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party had described the “generous donation of tons of grains to Nigeria” by Ukraine as a national disgrace.

    Reacting, Omokri wrote: “It is very ignorant for Peter Obi to say that it is a “national disgrace” for Nigeria to receive food aid from Ukraine because it is a war-torn country.

    “Peter Obi needs to be educated about Ukraine and wheat. Please fact-check me: Egypt received food aid from Ukraine long before Nigeria did.

    “And Egypt is still dependent on Ukraine for 60% of its wheat and much of its fertiliser needs. Yet, Egypt is a country that Peter Obi praises.

    “Obi even went to Egypt to study their economy. The attached photo was taken when Obi was visiting and praising Egypt.

    “In fact, Obi is looking well fed in this photo. Maybe the Egyptians fed him a lot from the wheat donated to them by Ukraine.

    “It is not everything that we must politicise. Ukraine is the world’s seventh-largest wheat producer, and the war in Ukraine has not affected her position.

    “The whole world was affected when Ukrainian wheat could not hit the market, and the World Trade Organisation, led by a Nigerian, helped to organise a deal with Russia that allowed Ukrainian wheat to get to countries like America.

    “Please Google it. Ukrainian wheat is not only bought by America but it is also being used as food aid to multiple countries. Obi should stop politicising hunger!”

  • Ukraine’s food donation to Nigeria is national disgrace – Peter Obi

    Ukraine’s food donation to Nigeria is national disgrace – Peter Obi

    Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election has described the “generous donation of tons of grains to Nigeria” by Ukraine as a national disgrace.

    Mr Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, stressed that as laudable as Ukraine’s kind gesture is to Nigeria, it speaks volumes for the country.

    The former Governor seen as a messiah by Obidients on Monday in series of tweets via X (formerly Twitter), opined that to overcome the national embarrassment, the government must aggressively reorder priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture.

    He further argued that addressing insecurity is crucial for farmers to return to their fields, adding that in the next 5 years, such concerted effort can reverse the current trend in the country, leading toward a productive country.

    Peter Obi wrote: “Let me begin by sincerely appreciating the war-torn nation of Ukraine for their generous donation of tons of grains to Nigeria thereby aiding our current fight against nationwide hunger.

    “As laudable as Ukraine’s kind gesture is, it speaks volumes for us as a people endowed with all needed human and natural resources, that a country officially prosecuting a brutal war of national survival with its powerful neighbor, Russia, is generous and kind enough with their food supplies to help us who are officially at peace.

    “For the people of Ukraine, this act of human solidarity testifies to a rare generosity of spirit which should earn them greater global solidarity. It demonstrates our shared humanity.

    “However, a situation like this underscores vigorously the importance of sound political leadership as the first concrete requirement for any nation desiring to develop and enhance the standard of living of its citizenry.

    “It is disheartening that our once economically confident nation, blessed with vast arable land and abundant natural resources, now relies on a war-torn Ukraine for food assistance.

    “This national disgrace stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation.

    “Instructively, Ukraine, with a population of 43 million on 603,728 km2, outshines Northern Nigeria, covering 744,249 km2 with a young, energetic population exceeding 100 million. In 2015, Ukraine’s GDP per capita was $2125, compared to Nigeria’s $2680.

    “By 2022, despite being at war, Ukraine’s GDP per capita exceeded $4000, while Nigeria’s regressed to $2184. Ukraine cultivates over 60% of its arable land, whereas Nigeria has over 60% uncultivated arable land.

    “Despite the conflict, Ukraine feeds itself, and exports agricultural products worth over $ 25 billion which is about the same value as our crude oil export earnings, and it serves as a strategic global food supplier, even providing aid to a peaceful yet unproductive Nigeria.

    “To overcome this embarrassment, we must aggressively reorder our priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture. Addressing insecurity is crucial for farmers to return to their fields, enabling a productive manufacturing sector and supporting small businesses.

    “In 4 to 5 years, this concerted effort can reverse the current trend, leading us toward a productive and New Nigeria that I believe is possible and within reach”.

    Recall the Ukrainian government had donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in Northeast Nigeria amidst rising inflation and food price spikes in the country.

    Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, British High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, last Friday, made the donation known.

  • Hardship: War-torn Ukraine makes food donation to Nigeria

    Hardship: War-torn Ukraine makes food donation to Nigeria

    The Government of Ukraine has donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria amidst rising inflation and food price spikes in the country.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, British High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, made available to newsmen on Friday.

    Akande-Alegbe said that the donation was made under the auspices of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) response in northeast Nigeria.

    She explained that the contribution was part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.

    Akande-Alegbe disclosed that the shipment was done through a collaborative effort from the UK, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea and Sweden, who transported it from Ukraine to Nigeria.

    According to the High Commission’s spokesperson, the grains intervention was informed by the soaring prices of staple food in Nigeria, which have pushed basic meals out of the reach of millions of vulnerable families across the country.

    “This is a really tough time for many people across the world, including in Nigeria, it is important that we help the most vulnerable populations.

    “The UK is proud to be part of the global community supporting WFP to distribute lifesaving grain across Nigeria, reaching over 600,000 people.

    “This contribution will go some way to addressing rising food insecurity, driven by conflict and regional instability. We continue to back measures that help reduce its impact in Nigeria, support livelihoods and promote peace.”

    “Deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria have driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardizing agriculture and livelihoods production,” the statement quoted Cynthia Rowe, British High Commission Development Director as saying.

    Rowe also noted that over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels hampering food access for vulnerable families who depended on harvest and markets for their supplies.

    “In Maiduguri, for example, the wholesale prices of red beans have increased by 210 percent compared to the same period last year (February 2023). Similarly, prices of maize and sorghum increased by 176 percent and 188 percent respectively.

    “The country is also grappling with its fourth consecutive year of chronic food insecurity with 26.5 million people across the country projected to face acute hunger during the 2024 lean season between June and August according to the November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis.

    “WFP is committed to working with the government and partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and effective food systems taking advantage of its current footprint in the country,” Rowe further said.

    She also said that through its “Out of Conflict into Solutions” food systems approach, WFP seeks to prioritize emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable groups while simultaneously supporting self-reliance by rebuilding assets to improve long-term food security and resilience.

    These, according to the Development Director, include adaptation to climate change, providing timely access to nutritious food, and promoting innovative financing to support WFP operations.

    She said that in 2023, WFP invested 200 million dollars in the agricultural economy through locally purchased food and cash transfers to crisis-affected families for food redemption in local markets.

    Also commenting on the gesture, David Stevenson, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, expressed the organization’s appreciation to the Ukrainian government for the donation.

    “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative. This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase.

    “As part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation will be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men and children for a two-month period.

    “WFP has the tools and willingness to support the government in restoring and unlocking the agricultural potential of northeast Nigeria making it again the breadbasket of the country. But we cannot achieve this alone.”

    Stevenson added that collective action was needed to bring peace and stability, ensure stable markets, encourage financial investments, and generate employment “through enhanced collaboration with Nigerian private sector partners, suppliers, transporters, service providers, and retailers.”

    “To ensure continued food and nutrition assistance to crisis-affected people in northeast and northwest Nigeria, WFP urgently requires US$154 million for the next six months (March-August 2024),” he added.

  • Zelensky arrives in Berlin to discuss security deal

    Zelensky arrives in Berlin to discuss security deal

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Berlin for only his third visit to Germany since Russia’s all-out invasion of his country nearly two years ago.

    Zelensky was welcomed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in front of the Chancellery building, where the two leaders shook hands and briefly posed for photographers.

    Zelensky was expected to sign bilateral security agreements with Germany and France on Friday.

    Following his meeting in Berlin, Zelensky was due to travel on to Paris.

    Zelensky would attend the Munich Security Conference on Saturday to rally Western political and defence leaders for more military support.

    “I am starting two important days. Meetings with partners in Germany and France, new agreements, and the Munich Security Conference,” he wrote on X, previously Twitter.

    He said he was working towards a “new security architecture for Ukraine, as well as new opportunities.”

  • EU plans new sanctions on Russia for anniversary of Ukraine war

    EU plans new sanctions on Russia for anniversary of Ukraine war

    The European Union say that it is preparing to impose a new package of sanctions on Russia for the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine later this month.

    According to information obtained on Monday, the sanctions are to be significantly expanded to include more people and organisations whose EU assets will be frozen.

    In addition, further companies that contributed to Russia’s military and technology development or to the advancement of its defence and security sector will be targeted for sanctions.

    The EU would then no longer be allowed to sell goods and technologies with military connections to Russia.

    The EU recently used this tactic to target companies based in China, Uzbekistan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, for example, which are allegedly involved in circumventing the EU’s punitive measures.

    The concrete proposals for what is now the 13th sanctions package were presented to representatives of the EU member states by top officials of the European Commission over the weekend.

    The next step will be to draft a sanctions resolution, which will then have to be formally approved by all 27 EU countries.

    According to the sanctions proposals, well over 200 people and companies could be affected.

    The last EU sanctions package on Moscow included a ban on importing diamonds and jewelry from Russia.

    A far-reaching ban on imports of crude oil, coal, steel, gold and luxury goods, as well as measures aimed at banks and financial institutions had been in place for some time.

    The long-planned absorption of proceeds from frozen Russian Central Bank funds could also be decided at the same time as the upcoming sanctions package.

  • Scores dead as massive Russian strike hit Ukrainian city

    Scores dead as massive Russian strike hit Ukrainian city

    The war between Russia and Ukraine reared its ugly head again  on Friday, when the former launched a massive air attack on the latter, thus killing at least 30 people and wounding scores across the country in the fiercest assault since the first days of the war nearly two years ago.

    Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in the barrage, said Ukrainian officials.

    The attacks on Ukraine triggered international condemnation and fresh promises of military support to Ukraine, which has been fighting off invading Russian troops since late February 2022.

    “Today Russia hit us with almost everything it has in its arsenal,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

    According to the Ukraine Military, Russia had launched 158 missiles and drones on Ukraine and 114 of them had been destroyed.

    Interior Minister Igor Klymenko announced on Telegram: “As of now, 30 people have been killed and more than 160 wounded as a result of Russia’s massive attack on Ukrainian territory in the morning.”

    Late Friday, Russian authorities said a strike on a residential building in Belgorod, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, had left one dead and four wounded.

    A total of 13 missiles were intercepted over the Belgorod region while 32 drones were downed overnight in the Bryansk, Kursk and Oryol regions north of the border and in the Moscow region, according to the Russian defence ministry.

    Russia’s army said it had “carried out 50 group strikes and one massive strike” on military facilities in Ukraine over the past week, adding that “all targets were hit”.

    The United Nations condemned the attacks and said they must stop “immediately”.

    “Regrettably, today’s appalling assaults were only the latest in a series of escalating attacks by the Russian Federation,” said UN assistant secretary-general Mohamed Khiari.

    Poland reported that a Russian missile passed through its airspace.

    “Everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace… It also left,” said General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the general staff of the Polish armed forces.

    After speaking to Polish President Andrzej Duda, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance “stands in solidarity” with Poland, adding: “NATO remains vigilant.”

     

  • Ukraine has to wait 20 years to join EU

    Ukraine has to wait 20 years to join EU

    Ukraine’s accession to the European Union (EU) will probably take at least 20 years, French politician and leader of the Generation Frexit movement, Charles-Henri Gallois, said.

    Gallois expressed the opinion in an interview with Sputnik.

    “Ukraine may have to wait at .east 20 years to become a member of the EU,” he said.

    He explained that it takes between seven and ten years to carry out reforms and implement all European standards in the country’s legislative and judicial systems.

    According to the expert, if the fight against corruption in Ukraine does not intensify, kyiv’s accession to the organization will be “postponed indefinitely.”

    Furthermore, he stressed that “the admission of a country in conflict into the European Union is a very bad idea.”

    Among other things, he described the decision of the European Commission (EC) to start negotiations on the country’s accession to the EU as a big mistake, since Ukraine is the poorest country in Europe and one of the most corrupt in the world.

    On Wednesday, the EC recommended starting negotiations on EU membership with Ukraine and Moldova, conditioning the process on the fulfillment of several conditions by kyiv and Chisinau.

    On Feb. 28, 2022, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed Ukraine’s application for membership in the community bloc.

    The heads of state and government of the EU at a summit held in Brussels on June 23, 2022 approved granting Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for entry into the bloc.

    Candidate status is the beginning of a fairly long path that must be followed to join the EU.