News

808 Million People Trapped In Extreme Poverty – UN Raises Alarm

Published

5 months ago

March 2, 2026

The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh concerns over rising global poverty and hunger, warning that the world is off track to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, a central target of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In a statement shared on its social media platforms on Monday, the global body disclosed that no fewer than 808 million people, representing one in every 10 persons worldwide, were living in extreme poverty in 2025.

The figure, according to the UN, reflects an upward revision from earlier projections following an update to the international poverty benchmark.

The organisation explained that the international poverty line is now defined as surviving on less than $3.00 per person per day at 2021 purchasing power parity.

“Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal aim of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the agency stated.

While acknowledging that extreme poverty has declined remarkably over the past decades, the UN lamented that progress has slowed significantly in recent years.

“If current trends continue, 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030,” the statement added, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Beyond poverty statistics, the UN described as “shocking” the resurgence of global hunger levels to figures last recorded in 2005.

It also noted a persistent increase in food prices across more countries compared to the 2015–2019 period, describing the combined crisis of poverty and food insecurity as a critical global concern.

The body warned that without decisive action, millions more could slide into deeper hardship as economic pressures and food inflation continue to bite.

Explaining the root causes of the crisis, the UN said poverty is multidimensional and driven by factors such as unemployment, social exclusion, and the high vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases and other shocks that limit productivity.

It stressed that poverty and inequality extend beyond those directly affected, impacting broader society.

“As human beings, our well-being is linked to each other,” the statement read.

The organisation warned that widening inequality is detrimental to economic growth, weakens social cohesion, heightens political and social tensions, and in some cases fuels instability and conflict.

3.8 Billion People Lack Social Protection

On social protection, the UN emphasised that robust systems are essential to cushion shocks and prevent people from slipping into poverty.

Although many countries expanded safety nets during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global body revealed that 47.6 per cent of the world’s population, approximately 3.8 billion people, remained completely unprotected as of 2023.

This figure includes about 1.4 billion children.

Addressing the global cost-of-living crisis, the UN said 105 countries and territories introduced nearly 350 social protection measures between February 2022 and February 2023.

However, the organisation observed that about 80 per cent of these measures were short-term interventions.

“To achieve the Goals, countries will need to implement nationally appropriate universal and sustainable social protection systems for all,” the agency said.

The UN called for stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector and citizens to reverse current trends.

It urged individuals to actively participate in policymaking processes to ensure their rights are protected and their voices heard.

Governments, the body noted, must create enabling environments that generate productive employment and job opportunities for the poor and marginalised.

The private sector, it added, “has a major role to play in determining whether the growth it creates is inclusive and contributes to poverty reduction.”

The organisation further highlighted the role of science and innovation in tackling poverty, citing improvements in access to safe drinking water, reductions in deaths from water-borne diseases and enhanced hygiene standards as notable gains.

Maintaining that coordinated and sustained efforts across sectors remain critical, the UN insisted that urgent action is required to lift millions out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind by 2030.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 307

News

PHOTOS: NESREA Investigates Suspected Chemical Spill On Kaduna-Abuja Expressway

Published

31 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into a suspected chemical spill on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway following the appearance of a white, foamy substance believed to have resulted from a road accident involving a heavy-duty truck.

A statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, said a team from the NESREA Kaduna State Field Office, led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Hena Dangari Emmanuel, visited the scene to commence investigations.

During the visit, the team met with the Police Commander for Jere, ACP Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander for the area, and the community leader as part of efforts to gather information on the incident.

According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that a heavy-duty truck was involved in an accident leading to the spillage of its contents at the location.”

NESREA said investigators also gathered information from relevant officials and residents, while samples of the foamy substance, surrounding soil, and water from a nearby stream were collected for laboratory analysis to determine the nature and possible environmental impact of the spill.

The agency appealed to residents and road users to exercise caution pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid contact with the foamy substance, the water, and the surrounding soil until the investigation is concluded, to prevent possible exposure to hazardous materials,” the statement said.

NESREA said the laboratory analysis would help establish the composition of the spilled substance and guide any necessary environmental response, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 11

News

MURIC Rejects Life Imprisonment For Terrorists, Advocates Capital Punishment

Published

41 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the life sentence given to the two notorious terrorists jailed last week, insisting that terrorists must receive capital punishment in order to deter others.
‎
‎In a statement issued by the executive director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday, MURIC averred that it was dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.
‎
‎MURIC recalled that wo notorious terrorists were given life sentence on Monday, 20th July, 2026.
Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the sentence after convicting Abubakar Abba, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and Mahmud Usman, also known as Mahmuda for terrorist activities.
‎
However, the group rejected the judgment, saying, “We reject this judgement for being too lenient, too dangerous and too disproportionate.
“These are hardened and merciless criminals who should be eliminated with the speed of light. A good surgeon will not hesitate to amputate a rotten limb from the anatomy.
‎
‎”We are of the opinion that terrorists who execute their captives, traumatize families as well as whole nations and subject their victims to inhuman treatments deserve capital punishment.
“It is dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody temporarily or ad infinitum because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.
‎
‎”They are no longer human beings. It is dangerous to keep them with other inmates if we don’t want them to convert ordinary prisoners into terrorists like them.
‎
‎”It appears the Nigerian authorities are yet to learn their lessons. The terrorists who staged the kidnap of school children and teachers at Oriire, Oyo State recently had demanded the release of the same two terrorists who were sentenced two days ago as a condition for releasing their innocent victims.
‎
‎”That should have sent a red alert to the authorities that terrorists are taking advantage of the democratic environment to abuse our values.
Those who rob others of the dividends of democracy do not deserve to enjoy same. Terrorists have no right to claims of fundamental human rights.
‎
‎”We, therefore demand the death penalty for any terrorist found guilty of active participation in terror attacks.
‎
‎”In view of several audacious attacks on prison facilities and the tendency of terrorists to plan attacks from prison, we also demand that terrorists sentenced to death must be executed within seven days of the judgement.
‎
‎”The federal government should put all necessary legal niceties in place to ensure that due process is followed in this regard,” it added.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 30

News

PHOTOS: Woman burnt to de@th in the home of a man she met at a club in Uyo

Published

52 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

An unidentified woman was d!ed early Tuesday morning, July 21, after a fire gutted a residential building along Ikpa Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

According to accounts shared online by a social media user, Frank Tochukwu Fidelis, the victim had accompanied a male companion to the residence after the duo met at a local nightclub earlier in the night.

Reports indicate that the fire broke out at approximately 5:30 AM, destroying properties worth millions of Naira. While the male resident managed to escape the burning structure unharmed, the woman was trapped inside and suffered fatal burns.

‘’If you have a friend or relative who went clubbing in Uyo last night and has not returned home, please contact the appropriate authorities or visit the relevant hospital or police station for confirmed information, rather than relying solely on social media posts.” Tochukwu wrote in the caption