Libya’s National Oil Corporation has categorically denied reports of negotiations to supply crude oil to Nigeria’s Dangote refinery.
No crude oil supply talks between Libya and Nigeria: NOC Read More »
Activists and chefs worldwide joined a new campaign on Thursday (July 25) to spotlight the global food crisis. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where G20 leaders were meeting for a two-day summit, campaigners staged a demonstration. Members of various NGOs distributed empty plates from a mock food truck. The CEO of Sustainable Development Goal 2 Advocacy explained the symbolism behind the empty plates: “We use these plates to represent the 733 million people worldwide who face hunger. We need urgent action and commitment to drive change, building on Brazil’s and the G20’s promises to create an alliance for this cause.” The protest came after Brazil committed to partially funding the global alliance against hunger and poverty.
Activists urge action to address global food crisis Read More »
The plant is reselling imported and Nigerian crude due to technical issues, impacting oil prices and raising concerns about its operations.
Dangote refinery reselling crude amid technical issues Read More »
Around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, according to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published on Wednesday by five United Nations specialised agencies. Hunger affected one out of every eleven people in the world and one out of five in Africa, with the number rising on that continent. The report highlights that access to adequate food remains elusive for billions with around 2.33 billion people globally faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. It add that this number that has not changed significantly since the sharp upturn in 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. David Laborde, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s director of agri-food economics, says solving the problem is a political choice, and also depends on “how much money we are ready to put on the table”. “Today we produce enough food on this planet to feed everyone. So if we want to solve the position by 2030, it’s technically feasible,” he says. While there has been some progress in specific areas, hunger in places like Sudan and the Gaza Strip has been dramatically worsened by ongoing conflicts. And the report predicts that if current trends continue, about 582 million people will be “chronically undernourished by 2030″, half of them in Africa. Laborde said chronic hunger was a crisis impacting people not only right now, because its impact would still be felt in the future. “Pregnant women, kids that face malnutrition problem today, will pay the price all of their life. So by not solving the problem today, we are basically impoverishing these countries in the future,” he says. The report says food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening due to a combination of factors, including persisting food price inflation that continues to erode economic gains for many people in many countries. And major drivers like conflict, climate change, and economic downturns are becoming more frequent and severe. These issues, along with underlying factors such as unaffordable healthy diets, unhealthy food environments and persistent inequality, are now coinciding simultaneously, amplifying their individual effects. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, it says, requires a multi-faceted approach and targeted interventions. This includes transforming and strengthening agrifood systems, addressing inequalities, and ensuring affordable and accessible healthy diets for all. The UN agencies are calling for increased and more cost-effective financing, with a clear and standardised definition of financing for food security and nutrition.
UN: 733 million people globally faced hunger in 2023 Read More »
The mass trial of 300 captured members of the Boko Haram terrorist group has begun in Nigeria. Michael Abu, Director of Strategic Communications and Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Center, shared updates on the judicial process Wednesday. Abu confirmed that the trial adheres to international criminal justice standards and is being overseen by the Federal High Court of Nigeria. He highlighted that five judges are presiding over the trial to ensure swift justice for the 300 defendants. The Nigerian government previously announced plans to prosecute 5,000 Boko Haram members captured in the country’s northeastern region. The terrorists are being tried in groups at the federal court. Since 2009, Boko Haram has been responsible for mass terror attacks in Nigeria, resulting in over 20,000 deaths. The group has extended its attacks to neighboring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger since 2015, leading to at least 2,000 more deaths in the Lake Chad Basin area. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are displaced annually due to terror attacks and ongoing conflicts.
300 members of Boko Haram on trial in Nigeria Read More »
Nigeria’s government is urging citizens to be patient as it tackles economic challenges, while protests against rising costs and bad governance are planned.
Protests gain momentum amid Nigerian police warning Read More »
Tobi Amusan, the world record-holding hurdler, has been chosen to represent Nigeria as the flag bearer at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Tobi Amusan to lead Nigeria at Paris Olympics Read More »
Nigeria’s police chief warned against planned protests over economic hardship and poor governance, threatening a crackdown if demonstrations turn violent.
Nigeria police warn against Kenyan-style protests Read More »
Faced with rising inflation and a struggling naira, Nigeria’s central bank has hiked its interest rate for the fourth time this year.
Nigeria’s Central Bank hikes rate again to curb inflation Read More »
On Monday, Nigerian lawmakers launched an inquiry into allegations of polluted fuel imports, aiming to address conflicts involving Aliko Dangote’s oil refinery and regulatory authorities. Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere disclosed that the legislative committee is investigating claims of unregulated licensing and the absence of international standard laboratories linked to the contaminated products in Abuja. Aliko Dangote, President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, defended his position, expressing regret over the challenges faced but stressing the necessity to persevere through ongoing projects. The committee urged the parties in Nigeria’s petroleum sector to reduce tensions that have been heightened in recent weeks by allegations from the regulator that Dangote was trying to monopolize the market and that his refinery’s products are of poor quality. Dangote claimed that the mafia in the oil industry is more dangerous than the mafia involved in drugs. He emphasized that while you may have some knowledge of your opponents in the drug trade, the oil mafia operates in secrecy both internally and externally. He expressed his certainty that they may even have insiders aiding them in their operations. Dangote also lamented the fact that Nigeria has been struggling with fuel queues since 1972, calling it a national shame. The largest refinery in Africa, located in Lagos, has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Despite being hailed as a game-changer by officials, the $19 billion facility has faced a slow start since opening over a year ago. Due to challenges in sourcing crude oil locally, the refinery has had to rely on imports from other countries, highlighting Nigeria’s struggles with oil theft and corruption. The refinery’s senior executive has also alleged that international oil companies in Nigeria are scheming to cause the refinery to fail. Devakumar Edwin, a vice-president of Dangote Industries, claimed that the companies are either intentionally demanding an exorbitant premium or stating that crude is not available. Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive of the regulatory agency, expressed concerns about Dangote’s request to suspend or stop the importation of petroleum products, citing potential market monopoly. However, Dangote refuted these claims and welcomed lawmakers to inspect the plant where its products were tested. He also clarified that he did not receive any incentives from the Nigerian government for the refinery and announced the cancellation of plans to invest in the steel industry. The origin of the dispute between Nigerian authorities and Dangote, whose companies dominate various markets, remains unclear. This conflict emerged after President Bola Tinubu succeeded Muhammadu Buhari, a close ally of Dangote, following last year’s presidential election. Analysts warn that such disputes could deter foreign investments and destabilize Nigeria’s economy. Nigerian economist Bismarck Rewane criticized allegations of low-quality products from the refinery, deeming them baseless without evidence or consumer complaints, suggesting deeper underlying issues.
Nigeria probes alleged import of contaminated fuel Read More »
