North-east Nigeria’s problems principally due to “development failures”

North-east Nigeria’s problems are principally due to long-term “development failures”, compounded by a Boko Haram terrorist insurgency that’s provoked a “crisis of global magnitude.” That’s the view of UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, who is also UN Humanitarian Coordinator there. Nearly two million Nigerians have been internally displaced, while hundreds of thousands fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger; countries which have also been deeply affected by Boko Haram violence. On Wednesday, the UN issued an appeal for more funding to help deal with the impact of those now returning home. Matt Wells asked Mr Kallon to outline UNDP’s priorities.

UN camp residents in South Sudan “feel safer” after weapons searches

South Sudanese citizens who have been displaced to UN protection camps as a result of conflict in the country say they feel safer when those camps are searched for weapons and other prohibited items. Currently around 219,000 people live in protection of civilians sites set up by the UN mission in South Sudan, UNMISS. To ensure the sites, known as POCs, remain civilian in nature, the mission regularly carries out surprise inspections. Daniel Dickinson joined one of the search operations in Juba, the country’s capital.

Solar energy and GPS bringing education to nomadic children in Nigeria

There is much the world can learn from nomadic cultures, according to a man who is using solar energy, GPS technology and virtual reality to bring education to children in Fulani communities in northwest Nigeria. Usman Muhammad Mareri is calling for more support for nomads and pastoralists who he believes have been “abandoned and neglected” by the international community. Mr Mareri is the founder and executive director of Centre for Renewable Energy which provides solar-powered tent classrooms for children who spend their days on the move herding cattle with their parents. He spoke to Dianne Penn on the margins of a recent UN General Assembly to push for more inclusive and equitable education.

Presenter: Matt Wells

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10’00″