By Muhammad Nur Tijani

In a sobering revelation, UNICEF has highlighted that an estimated 100 million vulnerable children in Nigeria are on the frontline of climate change impacts, making the nation the second most vulnerable globally.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Mr Farah Mahmud, made this announcement during the 2023 World Children’s Day celebration in Kano, underlining the urgency of addressing the profound effects of climate change on the lives of children.

During the event, Mahmud unveiled UNICEF’s action plan for 2023 – 2027, aimed at addressing children’s vulnerability to climate change.

The plan emphasises integrating climate change considerations into all UNICEF interventions across sectors, with a focus on building resilience to climate change.

Mahmud stressed that the harsh realities faced by Nigerian children include the threats of rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and severe storms.

The action plan is a deliberate and organised effort to confront the specific challenges of climate change in Nigeria, ensuring that every UNICEF project contributes to resilience against its impacts.

Mahmud explained that the day serves as a vital platform for children to voice their concerns and experiences in the face of the escalating climate crisis.

Looking ahead, UNICEF aims to collaborate with the government and stakeholders to systematically address the challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Nasiru Garo, affirmed the state government’s commitment to sensitising children on climate change dangers and fostering environmental responsibility.

Garo emphasised the government’s dedication to a green and sustainable environment, pledging efforts to combat desert encroachment, control pollution, and promote environmental sanitation.

The commitment extends to achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and ensuring a resilient environment for the well-being of Nigeria’s children.

World Children’s Day, celebrated annually on November 20, was marked by UNICEF this year with the theme “Impact of climate change on lives of children.” (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Aderogba George

In a transformative gesture, the Yahaya Seriki Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has donated over N250 million to more than 1,800 vulnerable families in Kwara.

The initiative aims to alleviate poverty and empower beneficiaries by addressing various needs, from education to enterpreneurship.

Founder and CEO of the Foundation, Alhaji Yahaya Seriki, in a statement on Tuesday emphasised that governmental efforts alone cannot eradicate poverty.

He highlighted the foundation’s commitment to providing financial support to vulnerable households, offering aid to traditional rulers, and granting scholarships, including those pursuing Doctorate Degrees.

Seriki expressed gratitude to the Kwara State Government for its support and understanding of the foundation’s mission.

“We believe that our effort will go a long way to assist the people in furthering their education, establishing or boosting their businesses and addressing other needs at the home front.

“The foundation wants to appreciate the Government of Kwara for its understanding and support. We are encouraged and by the Grace of Allah, we will do more on financial empowerment for our people,” he said.

He asserted the foundation’s determination to do more in the realm of financial empowerment, underlining the importance of collective efforts in uplifting the community.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, commended the Yahaya Seriki Foundation for its significant role in collaborating with the government to combat poverty among indigenes.

Acknowledging Seriki’s selflessness, the governor praised the foundation’s engagement with Kwara’s youth, recognising its positive impact on nation-building.

The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries including Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi, former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, Kwara Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaniyi, and traditional ruler Alhaji Daudu Ejidongari.

It also signified a collective stride toward a more empowered and resilient Kwara. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Vincent Obi

By Tosin Kolade

The London Borough of Southwark Mayor, Mr Michael Situ, has confirmed his desire to host members of Nigeria’s diaspora community in the UK, in a bid to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school children’s crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Situ offered to host Nigerians in the Diaspora, to show his support and solidarity to the activities of the British charity which has been active in Nigeria, known as Ibironke Adeagbo (IA)-Foundation.

Speaking in a telephone interview with a NAN correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, Adeagbo, the Chief Executive Officer of the charity said that Mayor Situ would be hosting captains of industry, politicians, philanthropists, delegates and friends of IA-Foundation, to open a new page on the out-of-school issue.

She described the event as the latest initiative of the charity, to bring the crisis in Nigeria’s education to global attention.

Adeagbo said that the event, which would be held early next year would be staged at the Southwark Civic Townhall at the London Bridge, overlooking the River Thames.

According to her, the purpose of the event is to showcase the work, impact and key findings of the foundation over the years and to attract the attention of the Nigerian diaspora community in the UK to make the difference back home.

Adeagbo said that the interaction would be geared toward mobilizing the international community toward building a shared vision and harnessing resources to combat the menace of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

She affirmed that members of the UK Parliament, UK councillors, politicians, philanthropists, delegates from corporate organisations and other notable individuals would also attend the event.

“The endeavour is to ensure that the international community plays a critical role in the development of a solid and functional educational system in Nigeria,’’ she said.

IA-Foundation which was established in 2019 by Adeagbo, a Nigerian born in England, has demonstrated an uncommon passion to tackle the out-of-school crisis in Nigeria.

In 2022, the UN agency, UNESCO reported that Africa’s most populous nation is having an army of out-of-school children, estimated at about 20.2 million – the highest in the continent.

However, Adeagbo, who is a chartered accountant has been pushing relentlessly, using the foundation to draw international attention to the out-of-school crisis in Nigeria.

Last month, the foundation hosted a summit in Lagos that attracted prominent Nigerians and activists to discuss the out-of-school problem. 

Also, the foundation is billed to host a fund-raising event in Lagos next March to enable the body to take more children out of the streets and return them to classrooms.

President Bola Tinubu has however, assured Nigerians that his administration would pull Nigeria out of the woods and re-position the country on glory path in the education sector. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Silas Nwoha

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has successfully trained 20 postgraduate students and researchers in “Dynamical Systems” during a two-week foundation postgraduate course in Abuja.

Prof. James Ajie, the Coordinator of the Mathematics Programme at the Centre, highlighted the program’s goal to equip postgraduate students, lecturers, and researchers with essential knowledge and skills for effective research.

“Dynamical systems,” an integral area of mathematics dealing with change, holds significant relevance for mathematicians, making the program a valuable contribution to fostering expertise in crucial mathematical domains.

Prof. Ajie emphasised the program’s utility in addressing the shortage of experts in certain mathematical areas and promoting collaborative research among participants from various tertiary institutions.

While acknowledging the Centre’s potential to produce mathematical experts, Ajie expressed the limitation caused by inadequate funding.

“There are some aspects of mathematics in Nigeria that today in the whole country you may not get up to five persons that major in those areas.

”What will five persons do in a situation where you have over 100 universities and some of these courses are very crucial in the study of mathematics.

“So you see some universities graduating students without them doing some courses that are very important in the field of mathematics,” Ajie explained.

He underscored the importance of consistent funding to ensure continuous training activities, suggesting that enhancing mathematical education is crucial for national development.

The Director/Chief Executive of NMC, Promise Mebine, encouraged participants to apply the gained knowledge in dynamical systems to solve environmental challenges for the betterment of the country.

Mebine emphasised the foundational role of mathematics in sciences and technology, envisioning an improved Nigeria through the effective deployment of mathematics.

Dr Ignatius Ako, speaking on behalf of the participants, expressed gratitude to the NMC for the opportunity and pledged to utilise the acquired skills, knowledge, and experiences in their future research projects.

The participants aim to contribute to the growth and development of mathematics in Nigeria and globally, leveraging their enhanced expertise. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi