Top Story

Food security: 1.3m Nigerians to benefit from Ukraine’s grain donation, says WFP

According to a statement by WFP, the shipment was made possible through a collaborative effort from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who urgently need it.

1.4k

About 1.3 million Nigerians impacted by the rising cost of food in the northeast will benefit from the 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat donated by the Ukrainian government to Nigeria, the World Food Programme (WFP) has disclosed.

The international organisation disclosed this while receiving the donation from the Ukrainian government, which was represented by the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Kholostenko Ivan, as part of their “Grain from Ukraine” initiative.

According to a statement by WFP, the shipment was made possible through a collaborative effort from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who urgently need it.

WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. David Stevenson, said: “The World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomes a generous donation of 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat from the Government of Ukraine that will help provide emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Ukraine Initiative.

“This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increases.”.

He added that, as part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation will be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men, and children for a two-month period.

Furthermore, Stevenson lamented the recent skyrocketing increase in food prices across the country, especially in Maiduguri, where prices of staple foods have increased by over 150%.

He said: “In Maiduguri, for example, the wholesale prices of red beans have increased by 210 percent compared to the same period last year, February 2023. Similarly, prices of maize and sorghum increased by 176 percent and 188 percent, respectively.

“WFP is committed to working with the government and partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and effective food systems, taking advantage of its current footprint in the country.

“Through its “Out of Conflict into Solutions” food systems approach, WFP seeks to prioritize emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable groups while simultaneously supporting self-reliance by rebuilding assets to improve long-term food security and resilience, including adaptation to climate change, providing timely access to nutritious food, and promoting innovative financing to support WFP operations.

“In 2023, WFP invested US$200 million in the agricultural economy through locally purchased food and cash transfers to crisis-affected families for food redemption in local markets.

“WFP has the tools and willingness to support the government in restoring and unlocking the agricultural potential of northeast Nigeria, making it again the breadbasket of the country. But we cannot achieve this alone.

“Collective action is needed to bring peace and stability, ensure stable markets, encourage financial investments, and generate employment through enhanced collaboration with Nigerian private sector partners, suppliers, transporters, service providers, and retailers.”

He, however, said that to ensure continued food and nutrition assistance to crisis-affected people in northeast and northwest Nigeria, WFP urgently requires $154 million for the next six months.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Full Privatization of Nigeria’s Refineries Underway – Presidency

The Presidency has announced plans for the complete privatization of Nigeria’s state-owned...

Staggering N197.72bln in irregular contract payments uncovered at MDAs – Auditor-General

A recent report by the Auditor-General of the Federation has uncovered a...

Eight secondary school boys seize, gang-rape 14-year-old schoolgirl in Ogun

A 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Ijebu-Mushin area of Ogun State has been...

Just in: Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran as DG PENCOM

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran for appointment...

Just in: Senate approves Tinubu’s $2.2 bln loan request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2...

Just in: Reps reject bill for six-year single tenure for president, governors

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday seeking...

Just in: Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over terror-related activities

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in...

Just in: FG sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Odoh,...

Senate raises alarm over fresh terrorists’ invasion from Mali, Burkina Faso, urges FG’s action 

Upset by the invasion of terrorists known as Lakurawa into Northern Nigeria...

Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ ambush: Defence HQ confirms killing of 5 soldiers in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists ambushed troops conducting...

Tinubu writes NASS for approval of $2.2bln fresh external loan

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking the approval...

NNPC Ltd’s spokesman, Soneye, explains delay in Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, assures of imminent completion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has acknowledged the challenges...

AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Suffer Shocking 2-1 Loss to Rwanda

Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers...

Tax reform bills: Nigeria struggling with tax-to-GDP ratio below World Bank’s 15 % benchmark – Speaker Abbas

Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed...

Just in: Again, Anambra sit-at-home claims four vigilance operatives, motorcyclist

Gunmen enforcing Monday’s sit-at-home order in Anambra State launched a deadly attack,...

Tinubu departs Abuja for G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on...

Breaking: APC’s Aiyedatiwa in landslide victory, wins all 18 LGAs in Ondo guber poll

The All Progressives Congress Candidate, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has swept the 2024...

Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa votes, says exercise peaceful, PDP raises alarm over thugs invasion

As the Ondo State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, Gov. Lucky...

Late COAS Lagbaja buried in Abuja amid tears, tributes

Amid tears and tributes, the body of the late Chief of Army...

Tinubu appoints Daniel Bwala, Atiku’s ex-spokesman as Special Adviser on Media, three DGs

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Media...