#food security Nigeria

[agricjournalist]

AfDB To Partner BUK In Achieving Food Security Using Technology

The President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has pledged a commitment to partner with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK) in many areas to achieve food security using cutting-edge technology. Adesina made this known Saturday evening when he visited the centre after being conferred with a Doctorate in Business Administration. After…

[seekergkfan]

ESSAY: Climate Change and Food Security

ESSAY: Climate Change and Food Security (Understanding the Link and Urgency for Action) OUTLINE: I. Introduction A. Explanation of climate change and food security B. Interlinkage between climate change and food security C. Importance and urgency of the topic D. Thesis statement “Climate change poses significant challenges to food security, affecting agricultural productivity, food availability,…

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #14

April 12-19 2024

The Department of Commerce announced a deal with Samsung to help bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing and research and development to Texas. The deal will bring 45 billion dollars of investment to Texas to help build a research center in Taylor Texas and expand Samsung's Austin, Texas, semiconductor facility. The Biden Administration estimates this will create 21,000 new jobs. Since 1990 America has fallen from making nearly 40% of the world's semiconductor to just over 10% in 2020.

The Department of Energy announced it granted New York State $158 million to help support people making their homes more energy efficient. This is the first payment out of a $8.8 billion dollar program with 11 other states having already applied. The program will rebate Americans for improvements on their homes to lower energy usage. Americans could get as much as $8,000 off for installing a heat pump, as well as for improvements in insulation, wiring, and electrical panel. The program is expected to help save Americans $1 billion in electoral costs, and help create 50,000 new jobs.

The Department of Education began the formal process to make President Biden's new Student Loan Debt relief plan a reality. The Department published the first set of draft rules for the program. The rules will face 30 days of public comment before a second draft can be released. The Administration hopes the process can be finished by the Fall to bring debt relief to 30 million Americans, and totally eliminate the debt of 4 million former students. The Administration has already wiped out the debt of 4.3 million borrowers so far.

The Department of Agriculture announced a $1 billion dollar collaboration with USAID to buy American grown foods combat global hunger. Most of the money will go to traditional shelf stable goods distributed by USAID, like wheat, rice, sorghum, lentils, chickpeas, dry peas, vegetable oil, cornmeal, navy beans, pinto beans and kidney beans, while $50 million will go to a pilot program to see if USAID can expand what it normally gives to new products. The food aid will help feed people in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen.

The Department of the Interior announced it's expanding four national wildlife refuges to protect 1.13 million wildlife habitat. The refuges are in New Mexico, North Carolina, and two in Texas. The Department also signed an order protecting parts of the Placitas area. The land is considered sacred by the Pueblos peoples of the area who have long lobbied for his protection. Security Deb Haaland the first Native American to serve as Interior Secretary and a Pueblo herself signed the order in her native New Mexico.

The Department of Labor announced new work place safety regulations about the safe amount of silica dust mine workers can be exposed to. The dust is known to cause scaring in the lungs often called black lung. It's estimated that the new regulations will save over 1,000 lives a year. The United Mine Workers have long fought for these changes and applauded the Biden Administration's actions.

The Biden Administration announced its progress in closing the racial wealth gap in America. Under President Biden the level of Black Unemployment is the lowest its ever been since it started being tracked in the 1970s, and the gap between white and black unemployment is the smallest its ever been as well. Black wealth is up 60% over where it was in 2019. The share of black owned businesses doubled between 2019 and 2022. New black businesses are being created at the fastest rate in 30 years. The Administration in 2021 Interagency Task Force to combat unfair house appraisals. Black homeowners regularly have their homes undervalued compared to whites who own comparable property. Since the Taskforce started the likelihood of such a gap has dropped by 40% and even disappeared in some states. 2023 represented a record breaking $76.2 billion in federal contracts going to small business owned by members of minority communities. This was 12% of federal contracts and the President aims to make it 15% for 2025.

The EPA announced (just now as I write this) that it plans to add PFAS, known as forever chemicals, to the Superfund law. This would require manufacturers to pay to clean up two PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. This move to force manufacturers to cover the costs of PFAS clean up comes after last week's new rule on drinking water which will remove PFAS from the nation's drinking water.

Bonus:

President Biden met a Senior named Bob in Pennsylvania who is personally benefiting from The President's capping the price of insulin for Seniors at $35, and Biden let Bob know about a cap on prosecution drug payments for seniors that will cut Bob's drug bills by more than half.

[angelsaxis]

Lola is a black trans person in Nigeria who has once again been thrown out of their semi-stable housing without explanation (the reason undeniably being transphobia).

Nigeria is not safe for any queer person of any kind.

Lola has been having difficulties securing stable housing for months now. The last shelters she was in kicked her out after she tried to report transphobia.

She needs help, urgently, for food, HRT, and rent.

Please help in any way you can.

0/1200 USD

[thegildedbee]

Family/Laugh: May 12 & 13 Prompts from @calaisreno

The exterior nowheres that Sherlock inhabits can be charted by his footfalls as he wends his way through the precincts of temporary cities. The silent drift of assimilating interior nowheres, however, seems to leave no traces, even as he feels unseen changes taking hold. His suspension in the January North of a darkness that persists until late morning, and then quickly returns in the afternoon, intensifies his perception that he lives in a shadow-world, a lone dark figure extracted from the frozen rain that curtains his days. 

The patterns he seeks to capture as he hunts amidst the ones and zeros of cyberspace are likewise intangible – extended solitary vigils as his fingers command the keyboard to winnow through the tangle of codes – as well as tangible, of meetings with the technological mix of people here at Tallinn’s crossroads: software developers seeking the leading edge at corporate labs, security experts at NATO’s Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, the underground hackers who traverse the landscape of the digital realm’s hollow earth. Both the intangible and the tangible are intense efforts to spy glimpses of Moriarty’s covert presence in the spaces between the ones and zeros, summoning up the networks and nodes of the intersecting spheres of finance, and energy, and communications, as made manifest in trafficking, and counterfeiting, and hijacking, across the physical and human worlds.

He’s accumulated an abundance of leads, some he’s near-certain he understands, and others he’s yet to decipher – but it’s enough to reveal to him his next move on the chessboard: St. Petersburg. He’ll take the train from Tallinn, without needing to step out for border control, which is handled en route. He’ll be leaving Estonia under a new identity; he hopes to keep Lukas Sigerson in his back pocket for later uses, but it’s time to make his presence difficult to trace: it's time to step away from Mycroft’s grid. He’s left seemingly inadvertent clues to allow Mycrofts’s people to (think that they’re) following him, along a pathway that connects the nefarious doings of Mexican cartels involved in establishing meth labs in Nigeria for the Asian market. Their pursuit of him will be turned to good account in dismantling that nexus, even when they realize he is elsewhere. 

St. Petersburg is a hive of hacking activity, the physical site of the infamous Russian Business Network, which catered to the needs of cyber criminals. It’s not surprising that it is the city where Vladimir Putin lived, received his education, and joined the KGB, as an agent in its foreign intelligence wing, before tunneling his way to Moscow. Sherlock doesn’t believe that there are many degrees of separation between Moriarty and the dark internet of Putin’s hellscape. 

He arrives at the end of Tallinn’s usefulness on a Friday evening. As he packs up his kit in the office space he’s made homebase through a courtesy loan in deference to his Norwegian technology credentials, some of the younger workers have swept him up into their murmurating flock as they celebrate the coming weekend in search of alcohol, bar food, and music. In London, Sherlock would have begged off such a request, were anyone intrepid enough to suggest it, and he would have been unperturbed at whatever anyone might think. But he’s not Sherlock, he’s Lukas, at least for a short while longer, and although his persona is reserved, businesslike and uninclined to make small talk, Lukas possesses an average quantity of affability; and remaining unobtrusive is best accomplished by being amidst the motions of others, rather than making himself conspicuous by setting himself off from the norms of sociality. 

He did not, however, anticipate the karaoke session, which is putting a severe strain on the bonhomie he is channeling to Lukas, as it’s clear that he’s going to need to accede to accepting a turn in the spotlight, lest he put a damper on the good spirits of his companions. He nevertheless protests with a smile, holding out his hands, but any input he might have been able to exert on the decision-making disappears, when two of his impromptu friends conspire to tug him toward the microphone, explaining that all three of them will venture forth together, with a song they insist is dead simple to sing, and that the well-lubricated crowd will be delighted to join in with them in belting out the familiar refrain. Which is how he finds himself being carried along within a punchy, melodic stream that turns out to be excruciating emotionally, as the verses unfurl. He listlessly despairs, marooned, a hollowed-out laugh echoing inside his head in response.

. . . When I'm lonely, well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you And when I'm dreamin', well, I know I'm gonna dream I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you. When I go out (when I go out), well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you And when I come home (when I come home), I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you I'm gonna be the man who's comin' home with you . . .

He’s exasperated at the universe conspiring to keep him unsettled, to deny him the solace of alone protecting him. He fears that he is fated to have any social contact whatsoever somehow conjure home and reminders of John. The song ends to raucous cheers, and the enthusiasm surges on, and he’s being importuned to name a new song of his own choice before being allowed to return to the table. He looks at the smiling faces helplessly, immobilized by the churning cacophony playing hide-and-seek inside his guts, incapable of conjuring up the simplest of answers. Undeterred, they jolly him along, prompting him to think of a film he’s recently seen, or club he’s been to, or a favorite television show. At the latter suggestion, his mind does slightly slip free, and there is John again, teasing Sherlock into watching another of his favorite shows, Sherlock pretending to be annoyed at being consigned to such a fate. He turns to the young people, and raises his voice to speak into the nearest person’s ear to be heard over the noisy crowd, and says with a question in his voice, Peaky Blinders? He seems to have pleased them, as they fiddle around to pull the selection, bouncing in high spirits and punching their fists into the air, as the music starts, a bell ringing out, and the slithering deep tones speaking of the edge of town, of secrets in the border fires, of a gathering storm -- and a tall handsome man, in a dusty black coat, with a red right hand. 

As Sherlock listens to the song unspool, his mind wanders back to the show's themes, reminding him of a line of thought he’d been considering the last few days – that to focus singularly on Moriarty and faceless confederates is not quite the right way to conceptualize the dead man's web: that there must have also been family members in leading positions, positions of trust. One of the deep divides between himself and Mycroft originated in Sherlock’s refusal in uni to agree to work for SIS. Mycroft knew that he would never be able to trust completely any of the professionals who worked for him – after all they are spies working for money. To be sure, he wanted Sherlock to sign on to be able to appropriate his intelligence, but even more compelling was the fact that never having to question the loyalty of a brother would have made him an asset par excellence. Mycroft considers getting what he wants to be an inviolable law of the universe, and Sherlock doesn't think his brother will ever be able to truly forgive him for the rejection . . . especially given Sherlock's devotion to the inferior endeavors of dedicating himself to a life of metropolitan crime-solving. Family; family is what matters. A Moriarty is gone; but there are other Moriarties yet to be unearthed. ........................................................ @calaisreno @totallysilvergirl @friday411 @peanitbear @original-welovethebeekeeper @helloliriels @a-victorian-girl @keirgreeneyes @starrla89 @naefelldaurk

@topsyturvy-turtely @lisbeth-kk @raina-at @jobooksncoffee @meetinginsamarra @solarmama-plantsareneat @bluebellofbakerstreet @dragonnan @safedistancefrombeingsmart @jolieblack

@msladysmith @ninasnakie @riversong912 @dapetty

.............................................................................

[probablyasocialecologist]

On September 5, the annual Africa Food Systems Forum, organised by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), will launch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Government officials, experts, policymakers and business leaders will come together to discuss – in their words – “building back better food systems and food sovereignty”.

[...]

[AGRA] has failed to deliver on its own promises to increase productivity and incomes for 20 million farm households while halving food insecurity by 2020. Of the 13 countries it has primarily worked with, three have reduced the number of malnourished people over the past 15 years: Zambia by 2 percent, Ethiopia by 8 percent and Ghana by 36 percent, still short of the 50 percent target. In countries like Kenya and Nigeria, both of which have embraced industrial agriculture policies, the number of undernourished people has grown by 44 percent and 247 percent, respectively. Taken together, the population of undernourished people in the 13 states AGRA has primarily worked with has actually risen by 50 percent over the past 15 years. A donor-commissioned evaluation released in 2022 also confirmed that AGRA “did not meet its headline goal of increased incomes and food security for 9 million smallholders” in the previous five years. That is because the industrial agriculture practices AGRA and others promote degrade soils over time and decrease productivity – as our research has shown. Still, under pressure from foreign donors and big agribusiness, countries across Africa have been adopting policies that reflect this harmful approach to agriculture.

[sussex-newswire]

"When Harry took the stage at the Clinton Global Initiative on Tuesday morning, it was clear just how far he had come as a speaker and a public figure. He paced the stage, TED Talk–style, and used his personal cell phone as a visual aid. He began by discussing the Space Race, using it as an extended metaphor for the unforeseen effects that technology can have on our politics. Compared to the uplifting yet somewhat hesitant speeches he used to give five years ago, the prince was brimming with purpose when talking about Big Tech.

"'Our laws and regulations are different state-to-state, country-to-country—we may have different backgrounds, viewpoints, beliefs, and even access to the internet itself. But the one thing we can universally agree on is the safety of our children,' he said. 'So why, why do the leaders of these insanely powerful social media companies still refuse to change? Why are we holding them to the lowest ethical standards? In any other circumstance, a business would commit all resources to fixing the bug.'

"Unlike the trip to Nigeria or their August trip to Colombia—where Harry and Meghan spent a few days with the country’s vice president and got in a few cultural experiences—the duke’s multiday trip to Manhattan was all business. In under 72 hours, he packed in at least seven events with a handful of his charities, some of which have counted him as a patron for more than a decade. He gave prepared remarks at most of the events, which meant he was switching gears from subjects ranging from youth empowerment to minefields and conflict to the climate impacts of travel to the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis in Southern Africa at the drop of the hat.

"Rather than focusing on the climate specifically, the trip was an opportunity for Harry to shine a spotlight on the teams that have helped him carry out his grand charitable plans. He was the headliner on Tuesday when the sustainable travel coalition Travalyst, which he founded in 2019, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a panel discussion and cocktail reception.

"On Monday, he celebrated the successes that the HALO Trust has had in demining Angola following the country’s devastating 26-year civil war, work that began with the support of Princess Diana in the final years of her life. He spoke about his 2019 visit to the same former minefield as his mother, in front of an audience that included three of the nonprofit’s current Angolan frontline workers.

...

"In a UN event with King Letsie III and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho on Tuesday, Harry explained why he is interested in talking about a range of issues in partnership with a variety of organizations across the world. 'Today we have gathered here in New York, a city known for its diversity and progress and whose example teaches us the importance of inclusion,' he said. 'Diverse perspectives, experiences and voices are crucial if we are going to forge a more equitable world. Partnerships are therefore fundamental to delivering change. Whether we’re addressing the changing climate and its effects on food security, advocating for children’s rights, or tackling the HIV epidemic, we cannot do it alone.'

...

"Harry and Meghan have always been more project-driven than his Windsor family relatives, a quality which was previously met with skepticism and some disdain from the palace staff. 'You can say what you want about Meghan, but she works incredibly hard,' an insider told Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl in 2020, months after their royal exit. 'The problem is she and Harry have a tendency to hatch big projects over dinner and expect them to be actioned within days.' It’s now been four years since they started their Archewell Foundation, and in his whirlwind trip, Harry’s charity appearances made the implicit argument that he has a lot to show for his years outside of the palace."

[thoughtlessarse]

Nigerians are protesting against a high cost of living, brought on by surging inflation and stagnating wages. Authorities fear the types of mass rallies that have been seen in other parts of Africa. Nigeria is bracing for a day of protests across cities and towns as people make known their anger over economic hardship that has persisted for years. Africa's most populous country, with a population of more than 210 million, is grappling with the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. The hardship is blamed on surging inflation, which is at a 28-year high, and the government's economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record low against the dollar. The price of petrol and the price of staple foods, such as rice, have shot up, while wages and salaries have remained stagnant. Nigerian President Bola Tinubi promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, but his government has struggled to create jobs. Now, protest organizers say they are determined to take matters into their own hands. Police block major roads in cities, organizers vow to press ahead with protests Local media reported that organizers rejected a proposal by Nigerian police to hold rallies in confined places — easily controlled by security forces. The government has, over the course of the year, offered to alleviate economic pain, including raising minimum salary levels and delivering grains to states across the country. But unions say the minimum wages fall far short of what is required to live a decent life. "We believe that this protest must go on regardless of the threat and intimidation," protest organizers said earlier this week.

continue reading

[rhian-008]

Nigeria: A Climate Change Crucible

Nigeria, a nation endowed with abundant natural resources and a burgeoning population, is increasingly grappling with the tempestuous challenges of climate change. This environmental crisis, exacerbated by a confluence of factors including deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and rapid urbanization, is inflicting profound wounds upon the nation's social, economic, and ecological fabric.

The specter of climate change looms large over Nigeria, manifesting in a myriad of destructive forms. Extreme weather events, once episodic, have evolved into a recurring nightmare. Flooding, an annual scourge, has escalated in severity, displacing millions and causing billions of naira in damages (National Emergency Management Agency, 2023). The Niger Delta, a region historically enriched by oil, is now experiencing accelerated coastal erosion, threatening the livelihoods of coastal communities and compromising critical infrastructure. In stark contrast, the arid north contends with prolonged droughts and desertification, a malevolent duo that is fueling food insecurity, mass migration, and socio-political tensions.

Agriculture, the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy and the sustenance of millions, is under siege. Erratic rainfall patterns, soil degradation, and the proliferation of pests have conspired to decimate crop yields. The World Bank (2022) reports a significant decline in agricultural productivity, with far-reaching consequences for food security and rural livelihoods. The nexus between climate change and food insecurity is a perilous one, as it creates fertile ground for social unrest and conflict.

Beyond the economic toll, climate change is exacting a heavy price on public health. The rising temperatures provide optimal conditions for the breeding of disease-carrying vectors, such as mosquitoes, resulting in a surge of malaria and other vector-borne illnesses (World Health Organization, 2021). Moreover, the interplay of water scarcity, poor sanitation, and flooding has led to an upsurge in waterborne diseases, further straining an already overburdened healthcare system.

The economic repercussions of climate change are far-reaching and profound. The agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the Nigerian economy, is experiencing a steady decline, impacting food prices, rural incomes, and overall economic growth. The World Bank estimates that climate change could reduce Nigeria's GDP by several percentage points by mid-century (World Bank, 2018). Beyond agriculture, the tourism industry, a nascent but promising sector, is facing headwinds due to the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the degradation of natural attractions.

The response to this existential threat has been a complex interplay of governmental initiatives, civil society engagement, and individual actions. While the government has articulated policies and strategies to address climate change, such as the National Adaptation Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan, implementation has been uneven and often hindered by bureaucratic inertia and corruption. However, some states, notably Lagos and Cross River, have demonstrated a more proactive approach to climate resilience.

Civil society organizations have emerged as vocal champions of climate action. Groups like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Friends of the Earth Nigeria, and Health of Mother Earth Foundation have been instrumental in raising awareness, advocating for policy reforms, and implementing community-based adaptation projects. These organizations have played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between government and the populace, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

At the individual level, awareness of climate change is growing, but behavioral change remains a challenge. While there are isolated examples of eco-conscious citizens, the broader populace is yet to fully internalize the urgency of the crisis.

A constellation of factors impedes Nigeria's progress in combating climate change. Poverty, a pervasive challenge, limits the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities. Weak governance, characterized by corruption and inefficiency, undermines policy implementation. The country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels complicates the transition to a low-carbon economy. Moreover, a dearth of technological capacity and expertise hampers the development and deployment of climate solutions.

Despite these formidable obstacles, there are glimmers of hope. A growing number of young Nigerians are emerging as climate leaders, demanding bold action and inspiring hope for the future. Individuals like Naomi Ageli and Isioma Osakwe have galvanized youth activism, leveraging social media and grassroots organizing to drive change.

Addressing the climate crisis in Nigeria demands a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. A swift and just transition to renewable energy is imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure energy access for all. Investing in sustainable agriculture, including agroforestry and water-efficient irrigation practices, is crucial for bolstering food security and resilience. Ecosystem restoration, such as reforestation and mangrove rehabilitation, can help mitigate climate impacts and protect biodiversity. Early warning systems for extreme weather events are essential for saving lives and minimizing economic losses. Finally, investing in climate education and awareness is indispensable for building a climate-resilient society.

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The choices made today will shape the nation's future for generations to come. By embracing sustainable development, investing in climate solutions, and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, Nigeria can transition from being a victim of climate change to a leader in climate action.

[lethimfertilise]

Urea Market: Is an Oligopoly Possible?

Given the concentrated nature of its production, there is speculation about whether urea producers could form an oligopoly to control market prices.

In 2023, global urea production reached approximately 185 million metric tons, marking a significant milestone for the fertiliser industry. Without a doubt, urea is the king of fertilisers. It is often said that it is unlikely for urea to be strong while the rest of the fertiliser market is weak, and vice versa. Though there may be divergence, it is seldom sustained. Urea production continues to grow, driven by increasing agricultural demands, particularly in regions with high population growth and food security concerns.

The urea market is characterised by a few large producer countries that dominate global production. Key players include China, Middle Eastern and North African countries, Russia, and the US. These countries possess significant natural gas reserves, the primary feedstock for urea production, giving them a substantial cost advantage.

China, for instance, is not only the largest producer but also a major exporter, usually supplying between 5-5.5 million metric tons annually. Similarly, countries in the Middle East leverage their abundant and cheap natural gas to produce urea at a lower cost, making them significant players in the global market. The concentration of production within a few regions and companies suggests that these producers have the potential to influence market prices.

An oligopoly is a market structure where a small number of firms hold significant market power, enabling them to influence prices. For urea producers, this possibility exists given the market’s concentration. The actions of major producers, particularly in times of market stress, can significantly affect global prices.

For example, China’s recent reduction in urea exports during the first half of 2024, where it only exported 220,000 metric tons compared to its usual 5-5.5 million metric tons, indicates a strategic manipulation of supply. This sharp reduction could be seen as an attempt to influence global prices, especially if done in coordination with other large producers. However, in this particular case, it has had the opposite effect, controlling price increases domestically rather than internationally.

If key producers like China, the Middle East, and Russia were to coordinate their production levels, they could theoretically control supply and, by extension, the market price. Such coordination could involve reducing output during times of excess supply or increasing it to capitalise on high demand periods, thereby stabilising or even raising prices to their benefit.

However, the formation of an effective oligopoly in the urea market faces several challenges. First, the global nature of the market means that any collusion would require cooperation among countries with different economic goals and domestic needs. For instance, while China might reduce exports to influence global prices, it also needs to ensure domestic supply to avoid inflation and food security issues at home.

Second, the entry of new producers and the expansion of production capacities in other regions could dilute the power of established players. For example, Africa has been increasing its production capacity, with countries like Nigeria emerging as significant producers. This diversification of supply sources can reduce the effectiveness of any coordinated effort by traditional producers.

Third, regulatory scrutiny, especially from importing countries, could pose a significant barrier. Countries reliant on urea imports might impose trade restrictions or seek alternative suppliers if they suspect price manipulation. Moreover, international trade organisations might view such collusion as anti-competitive behaviour, leading to sanctions or tariffs that could hurt the producers involved.

While the concentrated nature of urea production suggests the potential for oligopolistic behaviour, several factors limit the feasibility of such an arrangement. The need for domestic stability, the emergence of new producers, and the threat of regulatory intervention make it difficult for urea producers to form a lasting and effective oligopoly.

[jobaaj]

🚨𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠🚨 16 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 300+ 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑!!😨 🤔✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝?

🔸 Thousands of Nigerians, mostly youngsters, have taken to the streets in protest. 🔸 Clashes with security forces escalated into violence, with tear gas and gunshots used to disperse the crowd. 🔸 A devastating bomb blast in Borno claimed 4 lives and injured 34 others! 💔

🧐✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐲?

🔹 Due to a cost of living crisis. 🔹 President Bola Tinubu's reforms last year have led to a staggering 40% jump in food inflation and tripled fuel prices! 😰 🔹 The Nigerian Naira has massively devalued as a result of these reforms. 🔹 Protests also target systemic corruption. Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria's economy has stagnated, and people have become poorer! 😱

😲𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲: - Corruption is rampant in Nigeria. - Armed bandits and Islamist militants are running rampant in the country’s north. - Over 40% of the population is now living in dire poverty! - Nigeria is now under 24-hour curfews!! ❓𝙷̲𝚘̲𝚠̲ 𝚕̲𝚘̲𝚗̲𝚐̲ 𝚠̲𝚒̲𝚕̲𝚕̲ 𝙽̲𝚒̲𝚐̲𝚎̲𝚛̲𝚒̲𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚜̲ 𝚜̲𝚞̲𝚏̲𝚏̲𝚎̲𝚛̲?? Follow Jobaaj Stories (the media arm of Jobaaj.com Group for more)

Jobaaj Stories started as a storytelling branch and now includes news, inspiring stories, and valuable information. Our mission is to educate and inspire young professionals and students through storytelling, providing you with information and motivation.

[beardedmrbean]

Uganda passes anti-LGBTQ laws

As reported by Time, Uganda’s Parliament in Kampala on Tuesday passed a bill that would make it a crime to identify as LGBTQ — legislation described by the United Nations’ human rights chief as “probably among the worst of its kind in the world.” The Anti-Homosexuality bill introduced several new regulations that would see anyone who is openly gay and advocates for LGBTQ rights severely punished.

The new bill proposes: The death penalty for those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality,” meaning sexual acts with minors, people with disabilities or with HIV; 20 years in prison for committing the “offense of homosexuality”; and 10 years in prison for attempting to commit a sexual act. The bill now heads to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who can veto it or sign it into law. The legislation has received worldwide condemnation, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stating Uganda could face economic repercussions if it’s made law.

Why it matters: The new bill is the latest in Uganda’s crackdown against homosexuality. The LGBTQ community had already been facing discrimination before Tuesday’s bill. In 2013, same-sex acts became outlawed with the punishment of life imprisonment. Following this, suicide rates in the LGBT community increased. The newest bill could see further discrimination and a possibility of mass violence against those who identify as LGBTQ.

More from Time here.

Nigerian politician convicted in U.K. for organ trafficking

CBS News reported on Thursday that a court in the U.K. convicted a senior Nigerian politician and his wife of attempted organ trafficking after bringing a 21-year-old man to England from Nigeria with the intention of getting their 25-year-old daughter a new kidney.

Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice, and Dr. Obinna Obeta, a “middleman,” were found guilty of conspiring to exploit the victim for his kidney. Prosecutors said the 21-year-old street trader was offered £7,000 (around $8,550) and opportunities within the U.K. The operation was to take place in an £80,000 (nearly $100,000) operation in London’s Royal Free Hospital — but it was only when the man was brought to the hospital and met with doctors that he realized what was happening. Investigators began to probe what happened when the victim ran away from London to a neighboring county, where police found him sleeping in a train station and in distress.

More from CBS News on this story here.

Drought in Somalia saw 43,000 die last year

From the Independent: An estimated 43,000 people in Somalia died in 2022 during what was the country’s longest-ever drought, according to a new report. Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health & Human Services, the World Health Organization and the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF found that at least half of the 43,000 were children under the age of 5. It is expected that 34,000 more are likely to die in the first half of this year.

Why it matters: Somalia has faced five consecutive failed rainy seasons, resulting in a food crisis. Alongside the lack of rain, the price of food has increased due to the war in Ukraine, causing further food insecurity. According to the UNICEF, at least 2 million children are at risk of malnutrition, and nearly half the country’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

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19 September 2023: King Abdullah II held a series of separate meetings with a number of heads of state participating in the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

He met with Albania President Bajram Begaj, Czech Republic President Petr Pavel, North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovsk, Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Nigeria President Bola Tinubu. (Source: Petra)

The meetings, attended by Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Hashem, covered relations between Jordan and each of these countries, as well as means of enhancing cooperation in various fields and coordination to face global challenges, especially climate change, in addition to food and energy insecurity.

Discussions also touched on regional and international developments and the importance of maintaining coordination among all countries to enhance international security and stability, with His Majesty reiterating the need to continue efforts in the fight against terrorism within a holistic approach.

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News from Africa, 19 June

Hage Geingob will host Danish PM Mette Frederiksen and Dutch PM Mark Rutte today in Namibia. Green hydrogen will reportedly be among the subjects discussed.

2. Namibia's proposed visa exemption for Chinese nationals is a bilateral agreement that would benefit both countries, according to China's ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping.

Some Namibian politicians have objected to the proposal, with opposition leader McHenry Venaani claiming it is a "hoodwinking process" for Chinese prisoners to come to the country, and aspiring presidential candidate Job Amupanda alleging that it involves a deal between the ruling party and China to garner support for next year's elections.

The proposed agreement's main goal is to attract Chinese tourists and help Namibia become competitive again after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Namibia's minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana.

3. Angola and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in information technology, including digital transformation, AI, and space technology.

The agreement includes the establishment of direct cross-border optical fibre backbone connectivity between the two countries, scheduled to happen this month.

The collaboration is expected to help improve the regulation of the Angolan and Zambian telecom markets and lead to improved coverage and quality of ICT services provided in both countries.

4. Namibia is embarking on a journey of digital transformation to modernize various aspects of the country's life.

The Department of Home Affairs, Immigration and Security recently announced the successful implementation of an online passport application system, a major step towards delivering home affairs government services through digital channels. Namibia is partnering with Estonia to bring government services online and gradually prepare citizens for the transformation ahead. The Vice Minister of ICT recognizes the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for African technology spaces, but stresses the need for a clear roadmap or strategy to ensure that solutions developed in Africa fit the lifestyle on the continent.

5. Nigeria has 71 million people living in extreme poverty and 133 million people are classified as multidimensionally poor, according to 2023 data from the World Poverty Clock and the National Bureau of Statistics.

6. The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate to safeguard the dollar-rand peg and contain inflationary pressures, but this will severely impact consumers who rely on debt to survive.

The governor expressed empathy for people losing their homes due to rising debt costs, and urged the nation to find better solutions to keep more Namibians in their homes while maintaining financial stability.

7. The fighting in Sudan has caused a surge in refugees fleeing to South Sudan, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The UN has called for $253 million in funding to respond to the crisis, but donations have been slow to come in.

The lack of resources and funding has led to inadequate food, water, and sanitation facilities in transit camps, resulting in malnutrition, disease, and preventable deaths.

[danielkhent]

"Nigeria to release drought-tolerant maize variety. The maize which was developed at Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is water efficient, drought tolerant and fights insects and pests such as Fall Armyworm."

The article doesn't get into the dynamics of GMO adoption in Nigeria.