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300,000 Nigerian Children May Die of Hunger in 2021—UNICEF

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Hunger

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that more than 800,000 children in the northeastern part of Nigeria are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, including almost 300,000 who are estimated to be at imminent risk of death.

The UN agency, in a statement, noted that these children are part of the 10.4 million in seven countries, including Nigeria, that will suffer from acute malnutrition next year.

The other countries to be affected by this are Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen.

“As we enter 2021, UNICEF is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of 10.4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northeast Nigeria, the Central Sahel, South Sudan and Yemen – all countries or regions experiencing dire humanitarian crises while also grappling with intensifying food insecurity, a deadly pandemic and, with the exception of the Central Sahel, a looming famine.

“UNICEF is on the ground and working with partners to minimize the impact of a downward spiral that is jeopardizing children’s development – building the basis of recovery, providing a second chance, and ultimately saving lives,” it said.

UNICEF said ongoing insecurity in the DRC, socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and limited access to essential services will result in an estimated 3.3 million children, under the age of five, who will suffer from acute malnutrition next year.

According to the agency, the highest number of children since 2013, put around 1.4 million, will face acute malnutrition in South Sudan next year, due to ongoing conflict, insecurity, as well as limited health care, water and hygiene services.

In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the number of malnourished children could increase by 21 per cent to a staggering 2.9 million amid conflict, displacement and climate shocks in these Central Sahel countries.

UNICEF also warned that more than 2 million children already suffer from acute malnutrition in Yemen and the figure is expected to rise in 2021.

The body had appealed for more than $1 billion from donors to support nutrition programmes for children in fragile countries in 2021.

It also urged humanitarian actors and international donors to expand access and support for aid operations.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Dangote, German Firm to Deliver 16,940 Metric Tonnes of Fertiliser

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Dangote Tonnes of Fertiliser

By Adedapo Adesanya

The fertiliser producing arm of Dangote Industries Limited has partnered with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to license four urea granulation units in Nigeria. These will deliver a combined daily capacity of low-emission 16,940 metric tonnes of the product.

thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, entered into a strategic agreement with Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for the four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

The agreement includes the provision of the technology license, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers.

Each of the four new units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day, significantly boosting DFL’s annual urea granule production from approximately 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons.

These units will be constructed in Lekki, adjacent to DFL’s existing fertilizer complexes, which have been operating with UFT technology since 2021 and produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.

The new facilities will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to minimize pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions to meet stringent environmental standards.

Additionally, the plants will feature the Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT), which integrates ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules, eliminating waste streams and offering logistical and commercial advantages.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “This partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security. By deploying our proven UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production. We are proud to support DFL in building resilient and future-ready value chains.”

In the same vein, President of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, said: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa. With UFT technology, we are ensuring the production of high-quality urea fertilizer that meets global standards while reducing environmental impact. This investment further positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.”

Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of Africa’s largest fertilizer producers, committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting food security across the continent while thyssenkrupp Uhde’s UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is recognized globally as one of the most advanced solutions for producing urea granules.

Currently, over 70 per cent of the world’s urea granule output is produced using this technology, contributing significantly to global food supply while maintaining emissions well below regulatory limits.

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JCI Nigeria’s Oluwatoyin Atanda Emerges 2025 Most Outstanding National President

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Oluwatoyin Atanda

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, JCI Senator Oluwatoyin Atanda, has been named as the most outstanding National President for the global youth organisation for the year 2025.

Her emergence was announced on Saturday, November 9, 2025, at a Gala Night of Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Tunis, Tunisia.

She was chosen as the best out of over 100 national presidents of the global youth leadership organisation because of her outstanding leadership qualities.

Ms Atanda has been a long-standing member of JCI Nigeria since 2009, consistently demonstrating her ability to deliver results through a detailed, values-driven approach.

Over the years, she has earned widespread admiration for her strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to empowering young leaders across Nigeria.

Also, at the World Congress, she received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of JCI Nigeria, in recognition of the organisation’s exceptional Global Impact Leadership and contribution to the 2025 JCI Impact Drive.

This honour celebrates Nigeria’s outstanding commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and shaping the 2025 JCI Impact Report —a testament to the passion, innovation, and dedication of every JCI Nigeria member working to create positive change across communities.

In her remarks, Ms Atanda, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Establishments and Training, as well as the Lagos State Coordinator -AUDA-NEPAD/Governance, dedicated the honour to the entire members of JCI Nigeria, especially members of the 2025 JCI Nigeria Executives, for their commitment to excellence and teamwork.

“This is indeed a very proud moment for me and for JCI Nigeria, we made history today, our ELV8 theme of rising together for a sustainable future, redefining leadership and inspiring others to lead with purpose paid off,” she said.

“When I took over the mantle of leadership of JCI Nigeria in January 2025, I made a pledge to inspire transformational change for the organisation by mobilising Nigeria’s youth, fostering community development, and positioning it as a leader in social impact both locally and globally, and I am glad we have been able to surpass our own expectations,” she added.

JCI is a global youth leadership organisation for people aged 18 to 40, dedicated to creating positive change in their communities.

It operates in over 100 countries and empowers members through leadership development, community projects, and international cooperation in areas such as business and personal growth.

The group provides members with opportunities to develop skills, create impact, and hold leadership positions at local, national, and international levels.

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Lagos Signs MoUs with Three Investors on Waste Conversion

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Wastes Landfill

By Faridat Yusuf

The Lagos State Government has signed three agreements with private investors to turn waste into useful products.

The Director of Public Affairs, Mr Kunle Adeshina, said this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the MoUs were to help reduce the amount of waste in the state.

He said, “The state over the weekend demonstrated its irrevocable commitment to advanced waste conversion.”

According to him, the signing took place during the 11th Lagos International Climate Change Summit.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the government wants to move from the old waste system of “pick and dump” to “conversion of waste to wealth which was more sustainable.”

He said the new MoUs would help reduce the waste that ends up at landfill sites.

“This is through a deposit refund system hinged on the Extended Producer’s Responsibility mechanism (EPRM),” he said, adding that one of the companies, HAK Waste Ltd, plans to establish a circular beverage container bottle recycling and recovery system.

“Haggai Logistics Ltd proposes to build a first-of-its-kind tyre recycling plant. This will be responsible for processing end-of-life tyres via a fully automated Waste Tyre Recycling Factory and deployment of environmentally sound recycling technologies.”

He also said, “Mondo 4 Africa, proposing to convert non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable fuel and other valuable resources through environmentally friendly technology.”

Mr Wahab said the government would continue to educate residents to sort their waste and see it as a resource.

He said, “We are trying to make people change the culture of seeing waste as waste but waste as a resource. We are also trying to shift their mindset from the practice that has been in use for decades.”

On his part, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said, “The state government or LAWMA alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility of managing the quantum of daily generated solid waste in the state.”

“We need the partnership of the private sector to turn waste into a resource and wealth,” he added.

The investors thanked the government for the opportunity and promised to work with the state to achieve its goals.

The event was attended by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Rotimi Akodu; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Omobolaji Gaji; and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite.

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