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Over 3.7 million battling food crisis in northeast Nigeria – ICRC

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised concerns about a deepening food crisis in Nigeria’s northeast, revealing that more than 3.7 million people across the conflict-affected region are currently grappling with food scarcity.

Aliyu Dawobe, who serves as the ICRC’s spokesperson, disclosed this development in a press statement shared on Monday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He explained that a significant number of those facing hunger were once self-reliant farmers who lost access to their lands due to the protracted violence in the region.

The statement detailed how the ongoing conflict has displaced thousands of families, hindered access to arable land, and disrupted traditional food supply networks, leaving communities extremely vulnerable.

As the annual lean season takes hold, households are coming under growing pressure, said Diana Japaridze, Head of ICRC’s Maiduguri sub-delegation.

“This is the period when families must begin buying food, but many conflict-affected households simply can’t afford it.

They’re forced to drastically limit their intake,” she said.

She warned that the lack of food is driving a spike in malnutrition, especially among children under five, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

“In response, the ICRC is supporting malnutrition stabilisation centres and offering community education programmes to help families care for vulnerable children.”

To combat the structural roots of food insecurity, the ICRC has introduced an agricultural support project designed to strengthen resilience and boost local food production. The program spans both rainy and dry seasons.

“The initiative supports both rainy and dry season farming and targets thousands of farming households.

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This year alone, more than 21,000 farming households have received seeds adapted to local conditions, along with planting tools to ease labour and improve efficiency,” Japaridze added.

As part of the aid, farmers received varieties of staple and vegetable seeds including rice, maize, tomato, and okra — aimed at enhancing food variety and nutritional quality in meals.

Additionally, training in sustainable agriculture is being provided to ensure that farmers continue to thrive independently even after ICRC’s direct intervention ends.

“At a systemic level, and in collaboration with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), we recently repaired a vital water source to ensure continuous access for the council’s seed testing and greenhouse facilities,” Japaridze said.

Despite these interventions, she acknowledged that the lean season still poses a significant hardship for many farming families who are unable to meet their food needs.

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Adeleke begins vacation, orders probe into chieftaincy disputes

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a probe into the disputed kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Government.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, where he also disclosed that Adeleke has commenced vacation.

Olawale said Adeleke left the country for vacation in Europe, during which he will also embark on medicals.

The governor’s spokesperson said during the vacation, the governor will be spending time in the United Kingdom and other destinations that will be announced.

“I am taking a short break to refresh and get further prepared to serve the good people of Osun State,” the governor stated.

The statement further read, “He, however, directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported appointment of another king for Koka Ilase, leading to alleged two kings in the same town.

“The ministry was instructed to review the situation and enforce due process of the law in respect of the chieftaincy law and tradition.”

Commenting on the said appointment of another Onikoka, the statement quoted the governor as saying, “I read of another king appointed outside the one on the stool. The ministry is hereby directed to look into the dispute and issue a report to set the records straight.

“I, however, urge all stakeholders to remain peaceful as the ministry does the needful. Kingship is governed by extant laws and regulations, and the government will stand by the law and tradition of our people.”

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Source: punchng.com

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Solomon Islands’ PM survives attempt to oust government

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Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale adjourned the Pacific nation’s parliament indefinitely on Monday, after staring down a no-confidence vote closely watched by China and US allies.

The political drama unfolded as US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau arrived in the Solomons on Sunday, pledging the return of the Peace Corps to the island nation where US Pacific forces fought a pivotal battle in World War II.

Wale is reviewing a security pact struck with China in 2022 as he steers his nation closer to the US and Australia and was forced to abruptly leave a Pacific islands leaders summit last week to fight the no-confidence motion.

Diplomats at the Pacific Islands Forum told AFP that the survival of Wale’s government, three months after he embarked on a course to reduce reliance on China, would have security consequences for the region.

Several Pacific leaders avoided the summit after China bristled at Taiwan’s presence.

Elected in May, Wale’s government is negotiating a new treaty with Australia, struck a deal to allow US Coast Guard patrols and is in talks for US investment in a port development previously eyed by China.

The motion against him was withdrawn Sunday by Manasseh Maelanga, its instigator who was sacked as home affairs minister as more lawmakers crossed over to Wale’s coalition.

Parliament adjourned indefinitely on Monday, preventing another challenge.

“We hope to come back before Christmas to pass the budget,” Wale told parliament.

“The pace of change is fast.”

The pause will allow time to consider major policy changes including mining reform and the introduction of free education, he said.

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“I imagine that the Australian government will be very relieved,” said James Batley, Australia’s former high commissioner to the Solomons.

“The general public reaction to the idea of a motion of no-confidence would have been very hostile so soon after Wale’s election,” he told AFP.

Australia has criticised the presence of Chinese police in the Solomons, agreed by former leader Manasseh Sogavare, and is working with Wale’s government to train more Pacific police.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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Trump suggests renaming New Mexico state ‘New America’

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United States President Donald Trump’s name-changing spree found an unlikely new target on Sunday when he suggested the state of New Mexico could become “New America.”

His proposal, which was immediately dismissed by the state’s governor, comes days after he signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in the middle of a trade war with neighboring Canada.

“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” the Republican president posted on social media. “So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!”

The White House reposted an image showing the Mexico part of the state’s name crossed out and replaced with “America.”

Some US media reports said the idea originated as an internet hoax.

State governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told Fox News that the name “isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”

She said the president wanted to “distract Americans” from issues such as soaring gas prices.

Trump last week suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait” as the war with Iran continues — then hours later implied he was not serious about the plan.

He renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on his first day back in the White House in 2025 in a move rejected by Mexico.

Canada has also rejected the attempt to rename Lake Ontario.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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