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SAD Report; World Bank warns over unrest in Nig, Kenya, others, says 464m sub-Saharan Africans live in abject poverty

The World Bank has revised its economic growth forecast for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) downward to 3% for this year, a drop from the initial 3.4% projection made in April.
This change is largely attributed to the devastating impact of Sudan’s escalating civil war on its economy.
The region’s growth has been slowing down, with the three largest economies – Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola – experiencing a significant slowdown, averaging only 1.8% growth last year.
This downturn is a concern, especially considering the region’s history. For instance, in 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa’s output contracted by 2.4% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first economic contraction in a generation and the deepest recession since the 1960s.
The World Bank’s latest report, Africa Pulse published on Monday, highlights these challenges and provides valuable insights into the region’s economic prospects.
It’s essential for policymakers and stakeholders to address these issues to foster sustainable growth and development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The downgrade is partly explained by the collapse of economic activity in Sudan caused by the armed conflict, which has destroyed physical and human capital as well as state capacity, with adverse impacts on food security and greater forced displacement,” the World Bank stated.
According to the report, Sudan’s economy is projected to decline by 15.1% in 2024 before recovering slightly the next year with 1.3% growth. The northeast African country has been embroiled in a violent conflict since April 2023, with UN estimates putting the death toll in the thousands. Around 11 million people have been displaced.
Ahead of the report’s release, the World Bank’s chief economist for Africa told reporters on Friday that without the Sudanese conflict, regional growth in 2024 would have been 3.5% higher and in line with the initial April estimate.
“So that’s how much this is knocking off the regional growth rate,” Andrew Dabalen said, adding that “Sudan, the economy, has basically completely disappeared.”
Regardless, the Washington-based lender expects economic growth in 1.24 billion-strong SSA to accelerate to 4% in 2025 and 2026. This will be driven by an expected boost in private consumption and investment, owing to lower interest rates as the region’s inflation rate falls to 4.8% this year from 7.1% in 2023.
The institution also expressed concern about the region’s per capita growth, claiming that it has not been sufficient to reduce extreme poverty. It stated that SSA’s real income per capital in 2024 is about 2% lower than it was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The number of poor people increased from 448 million in 2022 to 464 million in 2024,” it stated.
“The high cost of living, corruption, and, more broadly, weak governance have triggered protests and palpable anger among the youth in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda – unrest that could spread throughout the region,” the World Bank warned.
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Zed-Faith Foundation Donates Food, Medical Supplies to Orphanage, Elderly Homes in FCT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to ease the impact of rising food prices and economic hardship, the Zed-Faith Foundation International has donated food items and medical supplies to Ark of Refuge Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Kado, Abuja.
The items were distributed over the weekend by representatives of the Foundation on behalf of its Founder and Chairman, Amb. Daniel Onyeka Newman, a UK-based Nigerian and Chief Executive Officer of SBI.
The Foundation’s Media Consultant, Amb. Victor Atewe, who led the delegation, said the donation was a personal initiative by the Chairman and not funded by government or external bodies.
“These items are intended to directly support the children and elderly, and we trust they will be used solely for that purpose,” Atewe said.
He added that the Foundation plans to continue its outreach efforts across the country, noting that the economic situation has made daily survival increasingly difficult for vulnerable groups.
The Foundation also used the occasion to urge the federal government to collaborate more with credible non-governmental organisations in supporting disadvantaged populations, especially as inflation and food insecurity worsen.
Speaking on behalf of the Country Representative, Mr. Chinnaya Dominic Chikwado, the Foundation’s Administrative Officer, Mr. Udodirim Okorie, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support charitable causes and contribute to alleviating the burden on those most affected by the country’s economic crisis.
Representatives of the Old People’s Home and Ark of Refuge Orphanage expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful. They noted that such support helps bridge the gap in essential services for the elderly and children in their care.
“This donation will go a long way in meeting our daily needs.”
“We thank the Foundation for its continued support, especially during such challenging times.”
“Even the smallest gesture makes a big difference to those who have no one else to turn to.”
“We hope others are inspired to follow suit and remember those most in need.”
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May Day: Senator Manu celebrates with Nigerian workers

The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District, Manu Haruna celebrates May Day with Nigerian workers in Taraba and across Nigeria.
Senator Manu in a congratulatory letter to all Nigerian workers said:
“Your labour towards building a virile nation shall never be in vain as you celebrate May Day today in Nigeria and across the globe.
The former Taraba State Deputy Governor acknowledged the invaluable contributions of workers across various sectors and emphasized their crucial role in driving the nation’s development and progress.
He encouraged continued solidarity among workers while advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and enhanced opportunities.
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Ibas Pledges Commitment to Workers’ Welfare

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare of workers across the state.
This assurance was given during a meeting with the leadership of organised labour unions held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, the meeting served as a platform for open and constructive dialogue on critical labour matters.
The statement outlined key areas of intervention currently being addressed by the government.
These, he said, included the timely payment of salaries and pensions, as well as the resolution of salary arrears, with approval already granted for the payment of newly employed workers at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the judiciary.
Similarly, he said medical workers in the local government areas would receive their proper wages.
He said the minimum wage was being implemented for all local government employees across the state.
The administrator also noted that his administration was currently reviewing challenges related to the contributory pension scheme, ahead of the July 2025 implementation deadline.
Ibas disclosed that plans were underway to expand the fleet of intervention buses reintroduced to ease the transportation burden of workers.
On capacity building, the administrator announced that specialised leadership training for senior civil servants would begin within the next two weeks.
He also revealed that the government was actively considering the implementation of the N32,000 consequential pension adjustment, along with measures to clear outstanding gratuities owed to retirees.
While commending workers for their dedication to service, he called for continued collaboration with labour unions to ensure lasting industrial harmony in the state.
According to the statement, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, expressed appreciation to the administrator for the steps already taken to promote workers’ welfare.
Agwanwor also lauded the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged the sustained support and cooperation of labour unions in achieving shared goals.
Meanwhile the NLC has directed its members in the state to observe the International Workers’ Day as a peaceful rally, which is expected to be held within the premises of the union, involving all affiliate unions, and would focus on advocating for the restoration of democratic governance in the state.
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