Globally, up to one billion children aged 2-17 years – or one in two children – have suffered physical, sexual or emotional violence or neglect in the past year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday, February 9, 2018 that it would be joining global efforts next week aimed at promoting solutions, and reinforcing global commitments, to end all forms of violence against children.
The widespread presence of spanking and other forms of violence against children violate a child’s right to equal protection under the law
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will participate in “The Agenda 2030 for Children: End Violence Solutions Summit” scheduled for Stockholm, Sweden from February 14 to 15. Also participating will be HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, 30 ministers, the heads of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as senior officials from development agencies, foundations and nongovernmental organisations.
Violence is the second leading cause of death in boys aged 10-19 years, with a global homicide rate for that age group of seven per 100,000 population. Across their lives, more than one in five children have experienced physical abuse, while more than one in three children have experienced emotional abuse. Around 18% of girls and 8% of boys have experienced sexual abuse.
Dr Etienne Krug, from WHO, says experiencing violence in childhood has lifelong impacts on the health and well-being of children, their families and communities.
“We must not tolerate that half of the world’s children suffer violence each year,” explains Dr Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. “The sad fact is that we know what needs to be done, yet we do not do it. Violence is not inevitable. Its causes are understood and it can be prevented; only the will is needed.”
“Evidence-based measures include those reflected in the WHO-led “INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children”, namely:
Implementing and enforcing laws (e.g. banning violent discipline and restricting access to alcohol and firearms);
Norms and values change (e.g. altering norms that condone the sexual abuse of girls, or aggressive behaviour among boys);
Safe environments (e.g. identifying neighbourhood “hot spots” for violence and then addressing the local causes through problem-oriented policing and other interventions);
Parent and caregiver support (e.g. through the provision of parent training to young, first time parents);
Income and economic strengthening (e.g. providing cash transfers to families on the condition that their children attend school);
Response services provision (e.g. ensuring that children who are exposed to violence receive effective emergency care and appropriate psychosocial support), and
Education and life skills (e.g. providing children with life and social skills training, including the skills to manage emotions, maintain self-control, empathise with others and express themselves assertively).
Strong evidence shows that the consequences of violence go much beyond death and injury. Because children who are exposed to violence are more likely to smoke, misuse alcohol and drugs, and engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, they are also more likely to attempt suicide and endure a range of illnesses later in the life. These include anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer and HIV.
The WHO’s work on violence prevention is reflected in its “Global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system to address violence” and in its 13th General Programme of Work 2019-2023.
As three consecutive Olympic Games move to East Asia, the headquarters of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the link between sports and sustainability is increasingly unfolding.
PyeongChang 2018: Nigeria makes a debut at the Winter Olympics. Flag bearer, Ngozi Onwumere, and teammates during the opening ceremony
The Republic of Korea’s first hosting of the Winter Olympics, preceding the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is accompanied by two key fora harnessing the global spirit of the Games to address planetary environmental challenges.
Many of the dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang on Friday, February 9, 2018 reportedly took part in these two important discussions.
The PyeongChang Forum, named after the Republic of Korea county where the 2018 Winter Olympics are staged and organised by the Governor of Gangwon Province, shared ideas on forming a “new solidarity for the Earth and its citizens.” The second, the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum, organised by the Bank Ki Moon Centre at Yonsei University, focused on ways to attain the Sustainable Development Goals by “putting people and planet at the centre.”
Both the PyeongChang and the Global Engagement and Empowerment fora, billed as preliminary events of the 2018 Winter Olympics, held in Seoul on Wednesday, February 7 and included the sharing of ideas between global experts on how to integrate climate action with sustainable development.
Speaking at the PyeongChang Forum, GCF Executive Director, Howard Bamsey, said the Olympic Games and climate action share a common denominator, with both reminding us we are all global citizens.
“While the winter athletes will test their prowess against each other bonded by the Olympic spirit, it is also possible for nations to come together and develop their economies in ways that are sustainable,” he said.
Mr Bamsey emphasised GCF’s key supportive role after taking part in a plenary session at the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum where he described how climate change adaptation and mitigation can serve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal pledge to leave no one behind.
“A number of innovative projects in the GCF portfolio show clearly that creative avenues exist where environmental protection and economic development can be compatible,” he said.
Other keynote speakers at these fora included Antonio Guterres and Ban Ki-Moon, respective current and former Secretaries General of the United Nations.
The GCF was set up by the 194 countries which are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with an initial pledge of over $10 billion. Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, the Fund has a growing portfolio of 53 projects, currently valued at $2.6 billion, which support low emission and climate resilient development.
With the world’s attention focused on the winter sport athletes gathered in PyeongChang, a recent study indicates only eight of the 21 cities that previously hosted the Winter Olympics will be cold enough to reliably host the Games again by the end of the century.
The Board of the GCF is set to meet at the end of February to consider further projects to expand its portfolio of support for developing countries.
Residents of Lekki in Lagos on Friday, February 9, 2018 made good their threat to stage a protest over the multiple hikes in tolls collected at two toll plazas in the area, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Lekki toll hike protest
On Feb. 1, the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) effected a 100 per cent increase in some tolls collected at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, jolting millions of residents.
Leading a peaceful protest, the convener of the protest, Mr Adedotun Hassan, described the toll hikes as unacceptable, unfair and killing.
He said it was unthinkable for a government to impose such a burden on hapless and poorly paid residents at a difficult moment like now, calling on the Lagos State Government to cancel the toll increases.
Hassan, who led a group known as Eti-Osa Development Forum, argued that imposing the toll on residents was inhuman and amounted to double taxation.
He argued that in a democracy, the residents ought to have been consulted before making such hikes, saying that the development would affect businesses in Lekki and its environs adversely.
“Residents are not happy with the situation. The increment is killing, that is why we are staging this protest.
“We want the government to cancel the tolls because we pay our taxes, the amount is too high, residents are being short-changed.
“We belong to the same Lagos State, ours is not different. Is it a crime to live in Lekki? What have we done to warrant this punishment?’’
Another Lekki resident, Mr Murphy Adebare, lamented that life had not been the same for him since the new tolls came into effect.
He pleaded with Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to come to the rescue of the residents and show human face in his administration of Lagos State.
“How can an administration impose two toll gates within one Local Government Area in the state? This is the worst form of meanness.’’
A cleric Mrs Ngozi Igbokwe, also called for the cancellation of the tolls, pointing out that no genuine reason had been advanced by the operators of the plazas.
“During rainy season you will pity the residents of this area because of flooding. Government has not done anything on this problem.
“Why would the same government allow its citizens to be devoured by greedy businessmen in the name of toll collection?’’
On Feb. 1, the LCC rolled out a new toll regime at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.
Motorcycle riders are now to pay N100 instead of N50, while cars are to pay N200 instead of N120.
Sports utility vehicles are now to pay N300 instead of N150 while commercial buses now N100 instead of N80.
NAN reports that anti-riot policemen were deployed in large number at the toll plazas to prevent a breakdown of law and order during the protest.
An attempt by some people to disrupt the peaceful protest was immediately brought in check by security operatives.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Friday, February 9, 2018 presented documents of 15,000 hectares of land for cattle colony to the Federal Government.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
Presenting the acceptance document to Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja, Bello said the state would pilot the cattle colony programme.
The governor said that 15,000 hectares of land have been mapped out in two local government areas of the state for cattle colony.
Bello said 10,000 hectares of land had been earmarked for cattle colony in Ajaokuta Local Government Area and 5,000 hectares in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the quest to key into the programme was to accommodate the youth, herdsmen and farmers without conflicts and add value to the economic wellbeing of the people.
The governor said the state and its people were ready to ensure the success of the initiative.
“Our visit is in continuation of our efforts as a state to key into the programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in terms of cattle colony.
“This is otherwise known as the conglomeration of cattle ranches programme of the Federal Government.
“We are here to state our interest and readiness to participate in this programme.
“I am here to inform the minister that the people of Kogi State have keyed into this programme 100 per cent.
“We are ready to pilot the programme, our people have been sensitised about what the programme is all about.
“I am here to convey this message in a written letter to the ministry and we will be waiting for your actions.”
The governor explained that the state government would gradually pay compensation to citizens that donated their land for the programme.
Bello said the state had budgeted sufficient fund to ensure the smooth take-off of the programme in the areas of security and equipment.
Responding, Ogbeh commended the state government for keying into the cattle colony initiative of the Federal Government.
Ogbeh said that the country currently had an estimated 19.5 million cows.
“This is about courage. We have an estimated population of 19.5 million cattle now. If we have every individual keeping a ranch, it is an average population of 300 cows per herd.
“We need 1,711 ranches in every state, and 633,333 ranches in the country.
“That is when the conflicts will come because we cannot manage it but if they are closer together, management becomes easier.
“The land belongs to states under the Land Use Act and we don’t have any intention to colonise them.
“I do hope that when the programme works, other states will key in,” the minister said.
On debates that cattle business is private and should not gain government’s support, Ogbeh said the government had also supported crops production in the country.
According to him, cattle contribute six per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 states have indicated interest to key into the Federal Government’s cattle colony initiative.
Sunday, February 11 is the 2018 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that reminds humanity to work towards improving access for women to technology and science education, and to strengthen the position of female scientists and technologists.
The girl child: Increased female participation in science is key to tackling major global challenges such as climate change
Despite progress in opening new doors of opportunities, women and girls continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Increased female participation in science is key to tackling major global challenges such as climate change, not least because it contributes to a better understanding of the impacts of climate change on various communities and helps develop a more effective and sustainable response to the climate threat.
UNESCO estimates suggest that only around 35% of all students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields are female. Closing the gender gap in science is also crucial for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and meeting the promise of the 2030 Agenda to “leave no one behind”.
Marking the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Women and Girls in Science, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa, said: “Inspirational women have over centuries made crucial and vital contributions to the world of science. From the fourth century astronomer, Hypatia to Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani and Tu Youyou of China who discovered the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, women have, and continue to make, their special mark across scientific and technological fields.
“Many eminent women from across the world have also contributed their unique insight to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In doing so they have provided the evidence and impetus upon which governments are acting under the Paris Climate Change Agreement to address one of the great challenges of our time.
“Yet women remain under-represented in science and in engineering, depriving humanity of a vital catalyst for shaping a better future for current and future generations. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science should celebrate their achievements but more. It should provide the trigger for all nations and institutions to find ways to really open the doors to this vast pool of talent. It should start with more encouragement, support and opportunities at school for girls to be engaged in the wealth of scientific and technological fields that will define all our futures”.
According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in science-related field are 18%, 8% and 2% respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37%, 18% and 6%. Full and equal participation in science for women and girls can play a vital role in ensuring diversity in research, expanding the pool of talented researchers and bringing in fresh perspectives.
In his statement, United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, stressed the importance of taking concerted, concrete measures to overcome stereotypes and biases that prevent women from realising their full potential.
“We need to encourage and support girls and women achieve their full potential as scientific researchers and innovators. Women and girls need this, and the world needs this, if we are to achieve our ambitions for sustainable development on a healthy planet.”
What the UN is doing to encourage women participation
The United Nations is driving global efforts to inspire and engage women and girls in science. For instance, through the STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) project, UNESCO aims to contribute to improving the situation of women and reducing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in all countries at all levels of education and research.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) encourages more women to become meteorologists, hydrologists, climate scientists and oceanographers and nurtures leadership talent through dedicated training workshops and conferences
In celebration of the 2018 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, WMO has published an interview with four remarkable pioneers who broke through both the glass and the ice ceiling, and are the first female heads of their respective institutes.
The Golden Rice (GR) is genetically engineered to produce provitamin A carotenoids, in particular, beta-carotene, to supposedly help combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD), especially in developing countries. In 2016, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) filed an application with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for the market approval of food derived from Golden Rice for import in food.
In 2005, Swiss food company Syngenta first produced Golden Rice 2, which contains even more Beta-Carotene
The application was filed for the “Golden Rice 2” (GR2), a second generation trait with a reportedly much higher content of carotenoids than the first generation of Golden Rice. For the application, a line of GR2 (called GR2E) was crossed into indica rice varieties. Data was submitted from greenhouse and field trials conducted in the Philippines. In 2017, FSANZ gave approval for GR2’s import and usage as food.
An industry campaign was initiated to support the application: Amongst the submissions sent to FSANZ were several letters from companies such as Bayer, Dow and Syngenta.
Nutritional quality
Data from the application show that the plants grown in field trials produce a much smaller amount of carotenoids (3,5µg/g – 10.9 µg/g) compared to the original GR2 event, which is supposed to produce a maximum of more than 30 µg/g. Further, while previous publications identified beta-carotene as having a percentage of around 80 percent of the total carotenoids, the rice in the field trials only reached 59 percent. It is not clear if this much lower content in carotenoids is due to the varietal background or to environmental conditions. Further significant reduction in the content of carotenoids has to be expected due to storage, processing and heating of the grains in food preparation. Thus, in regard to the nutritional quality of GR2, this application gives the impression that the potential benefits of the rice claimed in the submissions from industry are greatly overestimated, and cannot be realised under practical conditions.
Genetic stability
Recent publications on similar lines of Golden Rice show genetic instability if they are crossed with other varieties; these were not discussed by FSANZ even though they are also relevant for food safety. Data from the applicant also show that the expression of the transgenes is impacted by varietal backgrounds and is dependent on interactions with the environment. Therefore, it would be necessary to gather more data on the range of variability that can be expected under a broader range of genetic backgrounds and in interaction with biotic and abiotic stressors. Based on the data available, no final conclusions can be drawn on the genetic stability of the rice plants.
Compositional analysis
There are further reasons to doubt the reliability of the data provided by IRRI: Surprisingly, the line which showed lowest concentration of carotenoids was chosen for field trials and compositional analysis. One possible explanation is that the applicants wanted to establish safety at a low level of transgene activity. Such a low level can decrease the likelihood of unintended changes in plant metabolism and composition. Therefore, such plants might appear to be “safer” compared to plants with a higher level of transgene activity. Consequently, the data for risk assessment cannot be regarded as reliable for determining food safety of the GR2 lines with a higher carotenoid content, if such lines were available.
Toxicology
According to IRRI, the consumption of this rice is especially beneficial to young children as well as lactating and pregnant women. At the same time, it is self-evident that food products with no history of safe use must be subjected to the highest standards of risk assessment before the most vulnerable groups of the population are exposed to it. However, no toxicological studies were performed with the rice. In the light of the humanitarian claims made in the context of GR2, it is surprising that this application is not based on a full set of data to establish high safety standards.
Conclusions
This application does not show substantial benefits. Furthermore, the risk assessment as performed by FZANZ is not sufficient to demonstrate safety of food derived from GR2.
Testbiotech comments on the data submitted by IRRI
The plants grown in field trials produced a much smaller amount of carotenoids compared to the original GR2 event. The rice in the field trials only reached 59% of beta-carotene of the total carotenoid content compared to the 80% claimed in earlier research. Further reductions in carotenoids may be expected due to storage, processing and heating for preparation of food. Thus, the potential benefits of GR2 are greatly overestimated and are unlikely to be realised under practical conditions.
Even though relevant for food safety, available evidence of adverse effects of GR, e.g. plant growth disturbance, were not discussed by the applicant or FSANZ. Some significant differences were detected e.g. in niacin content and the composition of fatty acids. These effects should have been but were not taken as a starting point for more detailed investigations. Based on the data available, no final conclusions can be drawn on the safety of the rice plants.
The line which showed the lowest concentration of carotenoids was chosen for the field trials and compositional analysis. Consequently, the data for risk assessment cannot be regarded as reliable for determining the food safety of GR2 lines with a higher carotenoid content, if such lines were available.
No toxicological studies were performed with GR2. Many more in-depth toxicological studies would be necessary before any conclusion can be drawn on food safety.
Testbiotech concludes that given the substantial risks associated with the cultivation of GR2 plants and existing uncertainties in regard to negative health impacts, the application indicates a high likelihood of risks without substantial benefits.
Ongoing conflicts and climate-related shocks have left millions of people on the brink of starvation, the United Nations agriculture agency warned on Thursday, February 8, 2018 as it launched a $1.06 billion appeal to save lives and livelihoods, and tackle acute hunger in 26 countries.
An elderly woman begs for food at a camp for internally displaced persons on the outskirts of Dinsoor, Somalia. Photo credit: Giles Clarke for Getty/OCHA
“The reality is that while the lives of millions of people were saved thanks to rapid humanitarian response in 2017, millions more remain on the very edge of starvation,” Dominique Burgeon, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Emergency and Rehabilitation Division said on Thursday.
“Maintaining food production and rebuilding agriculture are fundamental to preventing loss of life from severe hunger and to providing a pathway towards resilience in the midst of humanitarian crises,” he added.
With donor support, FAO hopes to employ a range of interventions to rapidly restore local food production and enhance nutrition for over 30 million agriculture-reliant people, to include by providing seeds, tools and other materials for crop farming.
Climate-related shocks are escalating humanitarian needs, which are largely caused by persist and intensified violence and conflict.
“This is why FAO focuses on transforming vulnerability into resilience – so that when something bad happens families are better able to cope and feed themselves, people don’t have to sell off their assets or flee, and communities can rebuild more quickly after the crisis passes,” Mr. Burgeon elaborated.
FAO’s 2018 humanitarian appeal focuses on assisting crisis-hit, vulnerable people in 26 of the world’s most food insecure countries, including Yemen, the Democratic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Syria, and Somalia.
Firewall against famine
The latest UN report on global hunger found that, after years of steady declines, the ranks of the malnourished are on the rise, totalling 815 million people.
Continued conflict – including in Iraq, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen – and new outbreaks in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Myanmar have played a major role in driving hunger up.
Caribbean hurricanes left lives – and livelihoods – in tatters, while in the Horn of Africa ongoing drought has taken a heavy toll. Across all of Africa, the Fall Armyworm pest is threatening the crops of millions of farmers.
Last year, famine was contained in South Sudan and averted in three other at-risk countries thanks to a massive response by the humanitarian community on multiple fronts – including large-scale support to agricultural and pastoral communities that tilted the balance away from the worst-case scenario.
In a new publication on political economy, sociology and environmental studies, Nigerian activist, Nnimmo Bassey, authored one of the book’s 15 chapters. Titled: “The Climate Crisis and the Struggle for African Food Sovereignty”, the chapter deals with the historical roots of the food challenge in Africa. The book is titled: “The climate crisis: South African and Global Democratic Eco-Socialist Alternatives”, and is edited by Vishwas Satgar, an associate professor of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and editor of the Democratic Marxism series for which he received the distinguished contribution award from the World Association of Political Economy. Bassey sheds some light on his chapter
Nnimmo Bassey
Besides dealing with the historical roots of the food challenge in Africa, the chapter on “The Climate Crisis and the Struggle for African Food Sovereignty” stretches from the colonial to the neo-colonial and touches on the fact that the current pressures to introduce new market-driven models is an imposition of “a complex system of interlocking oligopolies that span seeds, agrochemicals, biotechnology, trading, retailing and consumer goods companies”.
The chapter looks at the unending tales of climate woes for Africa and states that the continent can expect to be hit by more droughts and intensified desertification. This could lead to a reduction of production from rain-fed agriculture by 50 per cent in some African countries by 2020. By that same year, between 75 and 250 million Africans will face water stress and, by 2025, only a handful of African countries will not be suffering from water scarcity or stress. The implication of this for farmers and pastoralists can only be imagined. We can also expect more tensions between nations over water-sharing arrangements, as has been seen between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, for instance.
The chapter also dwells on what it calls the “marketing false solutions to climate change in Africa.” In this sub-section the searchlight is pointed on climate solutions promoted globally that help lock in polluting activities and thus exacerbate the climate crisis. Some of these false solutions are said to include REDD or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, carbon trading, so-called climate-smart agriculture and genetically modified or engineered crops. These solutions generally depend on the current business infrastructure, including that of the fossil fuels industry. The false solutions have direct implications for agriculture in Africa, especially through the promoting of biofuels as an alternative or supplement to fossil fuels, synthetic biology, geo-engineering and other market mechanisms.
Another section of the chapter looks at “Genetically modified foods’ unsuccessful push” in Africa. The chapter did not foresee the cascading in of GMOs in Nigeria which may be the wedge the biotech industry needs to pry the continent open to the technology. The chapter dwells on the resistance to the introduction of GMOs through food aid, citing the 2000 Zambia situation as a prime example, and on the failure of the introduction of genetically modified cotton to small scale farmers in South Africa and Burkina Faso.
The chapter also takes a critical look at seed colonialism and land/water grabs on the continent.
As powerful as the forces pushing false climate solutions are, the people at the receiving end have been organising and mobilising arguments and actions to show what the real solutions are. People power can overturn those false arguments and autonomous actions can illustrate the foolery in the propositions that Africans can only be assured of food and nutrition through the products of laboratories, such as GMOs, or that climate-smart means modern biotechnology.
Climate change undermines planetary life-support systems. It attacks resilient systems and cultures developed over millennia. The chapter sees hope in the activities of smallholder farmers, whose practices work in sync with nature and do not depend on artificial inputs that degrade soil and biodiversity.
Food sovereignty ensures the human right to food and prioritises local food systems and local markets. It is against food dumping and promotes culturally appropriate and wholesome foods. Food sovereignty fundamentally tackles hunger by ensuring that local farmers maintain control of their farming and food systems. By this approach, Africa can regain her food independence, support the majority of our farmers in their small-scale agro-ecological farming, reduce the gender gap, increase employment and income, protect agricultural biodiversity, promote health and nutrition and mitigate global warming.
The oldest Traveler’s Society of Russia, Geographer, has taken to Nigeria a six-man “travelogue by bus” from Russia, Europe to western Africa. The exercise is a continuation of the World expedition, which started on October 1, 2017 in Moscow, the Russian capital. The land-over team arrived Benin City, the Edo State capital, Nigeria where it anchored for two days, before going to Enugu and few other Nigerian cities.
The Russian tourist team in company of a local official
The Nigerian itinerary of the six-man expedition was partly organised by Jemi Alade Tours Limited, one of the oldest and foremost Nigerian tour and ecotourism organiser managed by Ladi Jemi-Alade, who was valuable in the formulation of the Nigerian Tourism Master Plan. The expedition to Benin City was also conducted by Tony Erha, a journalist and tour/ecotourism guide.
Named “4 X 4 Minivan UAZ-452 Buhanka” the trip, led by Nikolai Balandinski, a Russian pilot, had his fellow countrymen namely: Vadim Solovev (professor of space electronics), Aleksandr Morozov (an automobile engineer) and three other businessmen – Aleksey Kotelnikov, Viktor Borissov and Nikolai Kachalin.
In the national museum grounds of the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Benin City its Curator warmly received the team. Some other locations visited in the city included the Bronze Casting Centre at Igun and the Ebohon Cultural Centre.
While addressing journalists during the excursion visit, Balandinski hinted that the nickname of the expedition derives from the 4 X 4 Minivan UAZ-452- also called “Buhanka” (translated from the Russian language into English – “a loaf of bread”), due to the shape of the bus. It is the first bus to be manufactured in Russia, and has come in several models.
The 1965 model of the minibus, which he said is the mascot of the journey themed: “Around the World on a Loaf”, is one of the models that depict Russia’s identity. The bus uses petrol and liquefied gas and cost some $8,000.
The 4 X 4 minivan
Indications of the various countries it has visited in the clustered trip showed miniature stickers of usual maps of the over 42 countries it has sequentially travelled in Europe and Africa.
The tour project, he also disclosed, was being undertaken by a specialised group of Russian travel/tourism volunteers, who are in the league of other land-overs and touristic institutions around the world, particularly those in Europe. He further hinted that the group has a mandate to help Russian tourists and investors to travel to different countries and to discover new tourism and investment destinations. The travelogue group also professes to be al major facilitators or contributors to tourism and general development of the destinations they visit, by recommending such destinations to the numerous tourists and investors on their network.
Balandinski emphasised: “The expedition and its destinations and outcomes have wide support of the Russian automobile and equipment manufacturers, state and public organisations.”
However, he called for effective synergy between Nigerian governments, the tourism and travel sub-sectors, businesses and the general public in this regard.
Apart from many of the European and other developed countries the group has toured, Balandinski explained that their present voyage to Africa is long stretched, and started about 42 days back in Moscow, Russia, covering about 43,000 km distance. Countries visited, according to him, include: Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.
The group, while answering questions from journalists, said that the Nigerian country and most of its people have a negative image-impression amidst Russians and the travelling populace. This, he revealed, tends to discourage more tourists from coming this way. Balandinski said he was a first-time visitor to Nigeria, but quickly retorted that their experience during the visit tend to portray the opposite about Nigerians. He acknowledges to a Nigerian people that are very receptive, supportive and well-cultured.
“Where ever we go in Nigeria, we see a people who are very warm, helpful and peaceful than the average African. The Nigerian police are very accommodating and not the bribe-takers, like we had been reminded by negative media reports and those who may have not come here and see things for themselves. In Nigeria, we have not witnessed anything like the extortion and intimidation that some country-policemen in the sub West Africa did to us. Anyway, our good experience about Nigeria has been confirmed by several groups of tourists, who came here recently, that Nigeria is really good and not as bad as it is negatively portrayed.”
Balandinski’s advice was that Nigeria should work assiduously to discourage its wrong global image profiling by the global press. “The negativity of crisis situations like the Boko Haram and other criminality, that will not make tourists to go to the North East and some other sides of the country should be quickly addressed. Nigeria is a great country and Africa’s heartland that could play a bigger role in the affairs of the world if it is properly managed. No doubt, there are always some good and negative things to say about any country and its people. But the advantages are far more than the disadvantages, in the case of Nigeria.”
Mr. Erha, an itinerant tour organiser and guide, expressed happiness that numerous tourists, in groups and individuality, continue to visit Nigeria, particularly Edo State. He attributed it to the years of efforts the like of Ladi Jemi-Alade and his outfit have put in by attracting tourists to the country.
“Although, Edo State is far behind in the availability or provision of the needed tourism and recreational facilities, that attract tourists, there is no doubt that the state government, particularly the current one under Governor Godwin Obaseki, is doing its best to develop the tourism business.”
Erha also identified the uniqueness of Edo State as one of the prime destinations of tourists, with its central location in Nigeria, and its huge tourism and ecotourism allures.
Erha is a keen birdwatcher and ornithologist (one who studies bird), who has carried out bird survey in Nigeria. He discovered Taraba State in 1998 as a destination and transit for ringed birds on seasonal migration from Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany, which was once highlighted by the foreign and local media, thus assisting the establishment of the first Nigeria’s International Bird Office by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and BirdLife International in Buru, Donga local government area of Taraba.
“It is so interesting that whilst migratory forest birds from Russia, Finland, the Balkan and Scandinavian countries take about 20 days to migrate to important rainforest habitats like Baissa of Taraba State and the Okomu National Park and Ogba Zoo and Nature Park (both) in Edo State, respectively, a 43,000 km road distance and cross-over of the Mediterranean Sea on boat by the present Russian land-over team and others covered about 45 days. It therefore means that whilst men make the rigmarole and cumbersome land distance, migratory birds fly the shorter and definite routes they have cleverly perfected. God and His Nature are truly wonderful.”
The UK Space Agency said on Thursday, February 8, 2018 that it would invest £38 million ($52.79 million) to help people cope with climate disasters by using satellites.
Space
The device will monitor unpredictable weather patterns in Rwanda, deforestation in Colombia, the risk of forest fire in Indonesia, and the impact of severe climate swings on Tanzania, Fiji and Vanuatu.
“The UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme will help developing countries tackle big issues like disaster relief and disease control,” Britain’s Science Minister, Sam Gyimah, said in a statement.
From battling illegal mining in Colombian forests to protecting Mongolian cattle from death by extreme weather, researchers are looking to space to cope with earth’s climate challenges.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe flooding, droughts, storms and heatwaves as average global temperatures rise to new records, sea ice melts in the Arctic and sea levels rise.
Now earth is looking to space for answers.
In countries like Colombia, forests are under threat from farmers seeking grazing land and criminal gangs cutting down trees for illegal gold mining.
When forests are degraded or destroyed, the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere, with deforestation accounting for 10 to 15 percent of carbon emissions worldwide.
In Mongolia, where about 30 per cent of the population depend on livestock herding, severe winters known as ‘dzuds’ are killing off animals and devastating the economy.
Camels, goats, horses and cows have been dying in record numbers.
The UK Space Agency’s 10 projects, which will partner with global satellite companies like Inmarsat and CGI.
It will join more than 20 existing initiatives that use satellite communication to tackle humanitarian issues that occur during cyclones and other natural disasters.
