Opinion

Strengthening resilience in food security: Africa’s option to end malnutrition

Published

3 years ago

April 20, 2023

Preport

Strengthening resilience in food security: Africa’s option to end malnutrition

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Africa, rich in human and natural resources has no business being poor or hungry, but large-scale development challenges have taken a toll on citizens, making them very vulnerable and unable to self-actualize.

From Morocco in the North, Zimbabwe in the South, Somalia in the East, Nigeria in the West to the Central African Republic (C.A.R) in Central Africa, citizens suffer the common fate of over-population, leadership deficits, inadequate plan implementation, wars, climate change, pestilence, deprivation, poverty, food scarcity, malnutrition and other factors, which threaten the prosperity of the continent.

To mitigate this challenge, the African Union, the continental body with the mandate to ensure prosperity, peace and unity across the continent, has devised means to address the menace, using Agenda 2063 which is the continental framework for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It has other programmes like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African agricultural trade and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Agenda 2063, which seeks to build the resilience of communities and ecosystems, is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent in 50 years, having been put in place in 2013. It has identified 15 flagship programmes that can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to rapid transformation that would deliver both quantitative and qualitative transformational outcomes for citizens.

It advocates that, investments be made in modern agriculture for increased proactivity and production, (member countries are expected to increase investment level in agriculture by allocating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and rural development, and to achieve agricultural growth rates if at least 6% per annum) as well as exploit the vast potential of Africa’s blue/ocean economy and actions taken to address climate change issues and other environmental factors that pose a great risk to the agricultural sector.

A constructive implementation of the framework under its Aspiration 1 – A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development also sets targets for reducing poverty and malnutrition, increasing productivity and farm incomes, improve the sustainability of agricultural production and use of natural resources as AU advocates for member states to set the agricultural agenda and the stage for rapid agricultural change.

The seven goals of the Aspiration 1 are: A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all ending poverty, inequalities of income and opportunity; job creation, especially addressing youth unemployment; facing up to the challenges of rapid population growth and urbanization, improvement of habitats and access to basic necessities of life – water, sanitation, electricity; providing social security and protection.

Well-educated citizens and skills revolutions underpinned by science, technology and innovation; developing Africa’s human and social capital (through an education and skills revolution emphasizing science and technology).

Healthy and well-nourished citizens expanding access to quality healthcare services, particularly for women and girls.

Transformed economies and jobs transforming Africa’s economies through beneficiation from Africa’s natural resources, manufacturing, industrialization and value addition, as well as raising productivity and competitiveness.

Modern agriculture for increased proactivity and production radically transformed African agriculture to enable the continent to feed itself and be a major player as a net food exporter.

Blue/Ocean Economy for accelerated economic growth exploiting the vast potential of Africa’s blue/ocean economy.

Environmentally sustainable climate and resilient economies and communities putting in place measures to sustainably manage the continent’s rich biodiversity, forests, land and waters and using mainly adaptive measures to address climate change risks.

Using the AU Theme of the Year 2022 – the Year of Nutrition; strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent, this reporter with the support from the African Union, worked on a series of stories that delved into how to scale actions that address the challenges of food security, malnutrition, and how regional and continental trade offers the potential to meet the food demand of citizens.

The stories from five selected countries of Morocco, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, C.A.R and Somalia point out the economic importance of having well-nourished African citizens; the dangers of malnutrition among citizens; how nutrition can improve income; how violent conflicts affect the agro-food system and engender a malnourished society; advocate for ending of hostilities to ensure food security and proffer solutions to reverse malnutrition.

They also highlight the challenges of food security for citizens; the relationship between insecurity and food scarcity; the collaborations needed among African countries to ensure food security and steps to be taken to address malnutrition among women and children.

In Morocco, the stories would centre on how to scale up actions that address the challenges of food security as well as how regional and continental trade offer potential for the continent to meet the food demand of African citizens.

Stories from the C.A.R highlight the challenges of food security on citizens as well as how insecurity (violent conflict) engenders food insecurity and what efforts are being deployed to reverse the situations.

Somalia’s stories will dwell on how violent conflict affects the agro-food system and engenders a malnourished society as well as the economic importance of having well-nourished Africans. The stories however bring to the fore, the mechanisms put in place to address the menace of insecurity and malnutrition.

Zimbabwe’s stories centre on the relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition (the efforts being made to ensure food security); how malnutrition could be reversed as well as how good health of citizens can improve the economy of the country.

Stories from Nigeria would look into the efforts made to mitigate the dangers of malnutrition on citizens especially among children, women, and girls as well as promote actions that could curb/end hostilities to ensure food security.

End.

This article was developed with support from the African Union through the African Union Agenda 2063 Pitch Zone Awards, a partnership with the African Women in Media.

News

2027: Kanam Youths Back Tinubu, Mutfwang, Demand Senate Slot

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Preport

Youths under the umbrella of the Coalition of Kanam Ethnic Youths Nationalities have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for a second term in 2027, while also calling for the Plateau Central senatorial seat to be zoned to Kanam Local Government Area.

The endorsement was announced during a gathering held at the Multi-purpose Conference Centre in Dengi, headquarters of Kanam LGA, where youth leaders and stakeholders converged to deliberate on the political future of the area.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Sadiq Kwaltommai and Mr. Mustapha Bayuma said the decision followed extensive consultations across the 20 wards of Kanam, culminating in a unanimous agreement to support both leaders for re-election.

The group said its endorsement of President Tinubu was based on what it described as visible progress under his Renewed Hope Agenda, including efforts to stabilize the economy, address insecurity, and execute major infrastructure projects across the country.

“We commend the President’s bold decisions and commitment to long-term development, particularly projects that will have lasting impact on Northern Nigeria,” the coalition stated.

On Governor Mutfwang, the youths described their endorsement as “earned, not given,” citing several developmental projects executed in Kanam LGA. These include ongoing road rehabilitation projects such as the Amper–Dengi and Gishare–Gwamlar–Gidgid roads, upgrades to healthcare facilities including General Hospital Dengi, improvements in school infrastructure, and agricultural support programs for farmers.

They added that regular payment of salaries and support for traditional institutions have also contributed to improving livelihoods in the area.

The coalition, however, used the occasion to press for what it termed “equity and fairness” in political representation, insisting that Kanam LGA should produce the next senator for Plateau Central in 2027.

According to the group, Kanam remains the only local government in the senatorial district yet to occupy the position since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, despite having one of the highest voter populations in the zone.

“We therefore endorse Ephraim Usman for the Plateau Central senatorial seat. Justice demands that Kanam be given the opportunity to represent the zone at the Senate,” the statement read.

They noted that the LGA has consistently supported candidates from other parts of the district in previous elections and now expects reciprocal support in the spirit of rotational equity.

Also speaking, the Leader of the Kanam Legislative Arm, Duba-Allahyafi Samson, reinforced the call for fairness, pointing out that some areas have repeatedly occupied key political offices while others remain excluded.

He urged political stakeholders to consider balancing representation across the district to sustain unity and inclusiveness.

The event concluded with the coalition congratulating Nentawe Yiltwada on his emergence as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a significant milestone for Plateau State and a positive development for Nigeria’s democratic process.

News

Lagos, Kwara, Jigawa, 30 other states will experience flooding this year: Minister

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2026

Preport

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has said about 33 states and the FCT will experience flooding in 2026, with 14,118 communities identified as high-risk nationwide.

Mr Utsev disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

He said the high-risk communities were located in 266 Local Government Areas (LGAs) based on scientific forecasts and hydrological assessments.

The affected states according to him are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.

Others include Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, including the FCT.

The minister said that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states would face moderate flood risk, while Ekiti State remained the only state not affected.

He added that 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states fell within the low flood risk category.

”States in this category include Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara,” he said.

He warned of possible flash and urban flooding in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano.

He said coastal and riverine flooding is expected in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo states due to rising sea levels and tidal surges.

He stated, “The AFO is not just a scientific report; it is a call to action. Early warning saves lives and reduces economic losses.”

Mr Utsev attributed increasing flood incidents to climate variability, rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor land-use practices.

He noted that the Federal Government was strengthening hydrological monitoring through improved data systems, automated river gauges and advanced modelling techniques.

He added that collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were being enhanced to improve forecast accuracy and early warning dissemination.

The minister urged state governments to integrate flood risk considerations into land-use planning, urban development and infrastructure design.

He also called for improved drainage systems, effective floodplain management and stronger community preparedness to minimise impacts.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said flooding remained a major national challenge, with recurring incidents recorded since 2012.

Mr Tinubu said his administration had initiated policies and programmes, including flood control projects, to address the persistent threat.

He said that the 2024 Maiduguri flood marked a turning point toward proactive flood and disaster management.

According to him, the Anticipatory Action initiative, led by the Office of the Vice-President, is strengthening early warning, preparedness and coordinated response.

Mr Tinubu described the AFO as a key planning document guiding early action, mitigation and evacuation strategies nationwide.

He urged stakeholders to utilise the forecasts to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

The president also emphasised the need to harness water resources to drive economic diversification and sustainable development.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, said the forecast was based on comprehensive, data-driven analysis of flood-prone areas.

Mr Mohammed said the AFO served as an early warning tool to support planning and coordinated disaster response nationwide.

He added that the agency had upgraded its forecasting system to a hybrid AI-integrated model to improve accuracy and lead time.

He also said that the Flood Dashboard now enabled real-time monitoring and dissemination of alerts to stakeholders.

He urged residents in vulnerable areas to heed early warnings and adopt preventive measures to reduce risks.

The NIHSA director general called for wider dissemination of the outlook to strengthen preparedness and resilience in communities.

He appreciated the Federal Government and development partners for their support in the preparation of the 2026 outlook.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Meteorological Organisation, NiMet, NEMA, the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, and other stakeholders.

(NAN)