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Flood, Insecurity May Cause Severe Food Shortages — AFAN
Farmers under the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have issued a dire warning regarding the imminent threat of hunger across the country, urging the government to take urgent action to prevent this crisis.
In a statement released on Monday, AFAN’s National President, Kabir Ibrahim, attributed the rising food inflation and pressure on Nigeria’s agricultural system to several factors, including inadequate mechanization, challenges in accessing credit, lack of affordable seeds, poor transportation, ongoing insecurity, and severe flooding.
Ibrahim cautioned that without focused interventions to address these agribusiness challenges, Nigeria risks facing catastrophic food shortages. He stated, “Various efforts such as the importation of certain food items for a limited period, support for smallholder farmers, and the distribution of agricultural palliatives and inputs are underway. However, they must be implemented transparently and efficiently to effectively impact the food system and lower prices immediately.”
He stressed the need for transparent distribution of palliatives, efficient importation of essential food items, and robust support for smallholder farmers to bring immediate relief to the populace. Ibrahim further warned that the usual seasonal decrease in food prices during harvest may not occur this year due to the significant farm damage caused by flooding in 2024.
Ibrahim emphasized the importance of facilitating seamless agribusiness practices through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He remarked, “The most probable respite can come by encouraging seamless agribusiness practices through AfCFTA and other available opportunities.”
He called for the provision of incentives and affordable credit to both small and large-scale agribusiness operators to enhance food production and distribution. Ibrahim pointed out that temporary solutions such as palliatives or mass importation would not resolve Nigeria’s food crisis. Instead, the focus should be on sustainable agribusiness practices that empower smallholder farmers.
“The engine room of food production in Nigeria revolves around smallholder farmers, who should be encouraged to thrive by receiving fair value for their produce, along with various other incentives,” he noted.
Finally, Ibrahim urged both leaders and farmers to reassess their strategies to achieve food sufficiency, warning that only strategic actions can avert a severe hunger crisis in the nation.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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