General

Hunger Eases First Time Since Boko Haram Crisis

Published

8 years ago

21/12/2017

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

For the first time since the onset of the Boko Haram crisis, hunger has considerably declined in north eastern Nigeria. In the three states ravaged by the violence, the number of people facing acute hunger has halved since June-August – from 5.2 million to 2.6 million people – according to the latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis.

This is a major step forward thanks to an overall improved security situation, and the scaling-up of humanitarian and longer-term livelihoods assistance by the government and its partners.

The report warns, however, that without sustained and timely assistance, all good work could quickly be undone; more than 3.5 million people could battle again with acute hunger, including a risk of famine, by next August.

FAO provided cowpea, maize, millet, sorghum, vegetable seeds and fertilisers to 1 million people – internally displaced populations (IDPs), returned refugees and host communities – to help them get through the last rainy season (June-September) when food stocks are low.

Now, as the harvest season is winding down and communities transition into the dry season and a new planting phase, FAO is aiming to further boost local production through distributions of vegetable seeds, farming kits, fertilisers and irrigation equipment to some 780,000 people across the three states.

In Yobe, one of the three states affected by violence, the villages are still a bustling field of yellow as farmers cut the last millet and sorghum and pile them in neat bundles. The smell of freshly cut crops lingers in the air.

Everyone takes part in the harvest – the children cut the head of the millet, the women thresh it, the men bundled it and carry it home. For many, this is the first time they have enough food to eat.

“This will be enough food for the family, and with the money from my knitting business, I will plan for my children’s education,” said 37-year-old Aisha Ibrahim who was forced to flee her village three years ago and has been displaced ever since.

“Families in my village help about five to six displaced people each. They depend on our assistance. Good harvest brings joy to all of us. It reduces the pressure and makes us stronger,” said Malam Mohammed, a local farmer from Ngalda village who supports IDPs.

By supporting host communities to plant during the rainy season, FAO has also brought relief to displaced, landless populations who could work in the fields and earn an income.

“The local communities have helped me; I could work on their farms and got paid,” said 40-year-old Hajanuwe Sulieman, a widowed mother of eight children who has been displaced by violence three years ago and is now taking refuge in an informal settlement of Mainok. This is a considerable support for Hajanuwe who, at times, has had to resort to begging to make ends meet.

Across north eastern Nigeria, violence aside, farmers have been through a lot these past few months; some have had to deal with a dry spell, others with flooding. Others still with pest infections that ate their crops.

But now the fields are dry and farmers like Malam and Hajanuwe are getting ready to plant again.

Sustained support – from rainy to dry season – builds vulnerable communities’ resilience, strengthens their capacity to grow both staple and cash crops, and reduces the need for food assistance.

General

President Tinubu Greets Senator Kalu at 65

Published

9 hours ago

23/04/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, has been congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on his 65th birthday.

In a statement released by the State House, the former Governor of Abia State was praised for his multifaceted roles and his service to the nation.

Mr Tinubu said his longtime friend and political ally has worked for the growth of Nigeria, having served as the Senate Chief Whip and currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The SEDC is one of the regional development commissions established by the administration of President Tinubu to accelerate infrastructure, economic growth, and overall development across the South East geopolitical zone.

The President highlighted the lawmaker’s significant contributions during his tenure as Governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, as well as his continued dedication to the progress of the state and the nation at large.

He also acknowledged Mr Kalu’s accomplishments in the private sector, describing him as a media mogul and Chairman of SLOK Holding, who continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development.

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s vision, resilience, industry and service to the nation and commitment to the progress of Abia are noteworthy,” President Tinubu remarked.

“I wish him long life, greater strength and increased wisdom as he continues his service to the nation,” the President concluded.

General

FCCPC Seals Paradise Estate Over Consumer Rights Violations

Published

11 hours ago

23/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed Paradise Estate in Life Camp Extension, Abuja, following serious allegations of consumer rights violations.

The action was taken due to the estate’s alleged failure to deliver housing units to buyers despite receiving full payment.

The FCCPC also cited multiple public complaints and other offences as grounds for the enforcement.

According to the commission, numerous complaints had been lodged against Paradise Estate, but the management repeatedly failed to comply with regulatory directives.

The non-compliance prompted the FCCPC’s visitation and eventual sealing of the premises.

Speaking to reporters, the FCCPC’s Deputy Director of Surveillance, Marvin Nadah, noted that the developer was given a seven-day window to respond to an official summons but failed to comply.

In its defence, Paradise Homes’ Head of Legal, Mr Aloysius Ezenwa, argued that the transactions were protected under the existing “Contract of Sale.” The company expressed its dissatisfaction with the sealing, maintaining that the dispute is a contractual matter that should be settled before a tribunal.

However, the FCCPC maintained that its actions were lawful and that it had not been served with any court appeal to halt the process.

The commission reiterated its stance on prioritising the rights of Nigerian consumers and ensuring developers are held accountable.

It noted its commitment to protecting consumers from unfair business practices and warned other real estate developers to adhere strictly to contractual obligations and consumer protection laws.

The FCCPC’s involvement in a housing complaint comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the organisation has the powers to investigate consumers’ complaints involving banks and other financial institutions.

The banks, the court ruled, are answerable to FCCPC. It dismissed a suit filed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and slammed N2 million on it.

The decision has been described as a big win for bank customers.

In a statement signed by its Corporate Affairs Director, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s chief executive, Mr Tunji Bello, said, “This is a big victory for bank customers.”

General

NPA Onne Honours Retirees

Published

12 hours ago

23/04/2026

Business Post Contributor

By Bon Peters

Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Onne Port complex in Rivers State were honoured at an event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The ceremony was full of conviviality, renewal of camaraderie and more importantly a demonstration of love, affection and commitment as shown to the retirees by the management.

The Port Manager for Onne Port Complex, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain, informed newsmen that the event was to appreciate the retirees who have shown commitment, laid foundation and also mentored most of the workforce at Onne.

“What the Nigerian Ports Authority Onne Port complex management is doing today is to appreciate our retirees,” he said.

“We believe that the foundation we are standing on today was laid by them. While in service, they have mentored our junior staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Port.

“Simply put, you know here is referred to as a family Port and we want to sincerely show them that they are still members of the family though retired,” he added.

Mr Hussain also praised the Managing Director of the NPC, Mr Abubakr Dantsoho, for giving welfare of employees a priority.

“Today’s event is the first of its kind at our Port but we promise to make it more memorable going forward.

“Apart from the multivitamins and other drugs we provided for them, I feel the most important thing is the demonstration of love and care which the management has shown them today, and I promise that the management will do more next year,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Onne Port complex Dr Bashir Kangiwa, applauded the Port Manager for the initiative describing it as the first of its kind.

He noted that when he was assigned to carry out the project from the Medical Department, he embraced the responsibility with all arms and was happy it was successful.

He hinted that the NPA has a policy that even as a retiree, they enjoy an unhindered access to the company’s medical facilities and could also be referred to another hospital if the ailment is beyond the organisation’s control.

One of the retirees, Mr Ndudim Amos Nwaji, a former NPA Senior Staff Association Chairman, thanked the management of Onne Port complex for the gesture.

He advised those in the leadership position of this country to borrow a leaf from the NPA management, insisting that the senior citizens of this country should be taken care of.