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Meghan Markle Shares ‘Worries’ About Her Kids Having Social Media

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have shared their “worries” about raising their two children in a social media-driven world.

Meghan Markle spoke at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in the Digital Age during Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival 2023 in New York City.

She said, “Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life. Outside of course to being a wife to this one.”

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After glancing lovingly at her husband, Meghan explained that the couple’s Archewell Foundation has been working to better highlight the negative effects that come with social media for children.

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“I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again quite young, so this isn’t in our immediate future,” Meghan said at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit “Mental Wellness in the Digital Age” presentation on Tuesday, noting that “it worries me” what’s to come.

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The actress — who shares son Archie, 4, and daughter Lili, 2, with Harry, 39 — added that she’s also been “given a lot of hope” based on the “progress” the Archewell Foundation has made in the last year at giving a voice to the families hurt by social media toxicity.

“Everyone now is affected by the online world and social media. Some more than others. We all just want to feel safe,” Meghan continued. “In that so much of it can come down to, if someone is looking for something, please don’t feed them the thing that they’re not looking for that is going to harm them.”

Harry agreed with his spouse, telling attendees, “I think for us, for myself and my wife, with kids growing up in the digital age, for us the priority here is to turn pain into purpose.”

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The prince explained that by having parents tell their cautionary tales — or stories of loss at the hands of social media — they can make a positive change and save kids’ lives.

Yes, these platforms are addictive. We all accept that and agree. As someone who works within those companies — as someone who designs them especially — please stop sending children content that you wouldn’t want your own children to see,” Harry pleaded. “I think that’s a really simple request. It’s an easy fix.”

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Meghan added that “social media is not going away” and should therefore be a cause for concern for all parents. “By design, there is an entry point that’s supposed to be positive,” she said. “Something has devolved and there’s no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard. Their stories are what matter.”

Earlier that day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were in New York City to celebrate World Mental Health Day, paid a visit to Marcy Lab School. The Brooklyn trade school is a partner of Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation.

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The twosome met with a group of high school graduates that were chosen as the Fall 2023 Marcy Lab Fellows. They also spoke with alumni of the fellowship to gauge how they are using technology for good in their careers post-graduation.

Harry and Meghan’s trip to NYC is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Meghan’s next steps in her own career.

“Harry and Meghan have been busy with Invictus Games recently, but Meghan is still planning her Hollywood reinvention,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly earlier this month. “Meghan has a new team around her, and they’ve been strategizing about what mediums will have the most impact.”

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While nothing is “locked in yet,” the insider said that Meghan wants her next venture “to be rooted in giving back” and “philanthropy,” which could lead to more docuseries that highlight fundraising needs in different areas.

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Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi

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The Heineken Africa Foundation, through Nigerian Breweries Plc is investing N4 billion to train 14,000 smallholder farmers on smart agriculture across seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi state for three years.

Mr Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs, Nigerian Breweries Plc, disclosed this in Bauchi on Thursday during the official Launch of the ‘empowerment of Smallholder farmers to thrive and build climate resilience through regenerative agriculture’.

Aniukwu, who explained that the foundation is in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), added that the investment builds on the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving access to healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa.

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“Our decision to invest in Bauchi is both deliberate and strategic. Bauchi is home to resilient, resourceful, and industrious smallholder farmers whose contributions are essential to Nigeria’s food security.

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“The strength of your farming communities, combined with the natural potential of this land, gives us confidence that meaningful and lasting impact can take root here. We are here because we believe in the people of Bauchi.

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“This project is designed to strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, by enhancing their capacity to generate sustainable income.

“It will deliver training, access to quality inputs, stronger market linkages, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Also, Dr Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director, Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), explained that the farmers would receive hands-on training through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots in.

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According to him, out of the 14,000 smallholder farmers, 60 per cent were women and 40 per cent of youth.

The farmers, he said, would also be trained on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, soil and water conservation, pest and disease management, crop diversification and post-harvest handling, among others.

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The project supports the restoration and protection of natural resources by promoting regenerative farming that rebuilds soil fertility, efficient water management and irrigation practices, and adoption of drought-tolerant crop varieties.

“We are here to make smallholder farmers big players and our target is to increase incomes by at least 30 per cent, but our dream is bigger.

“This programme spans seven Local government areas of Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa. Women and youth are not an afterthought, they are at the heart of this intervention because the future of agriculture depends on their strength, creativity, and leadership,” he said.

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The Executive Director commended the Bauchi state government for its partnership, support and provision of an enabling environment and promised that the programme would be effectively implemented.

In his address, Mr Iliyasu Gital, Bauchi state’s Commissioner for Agriculture commended the foundation for bringing the programme to the state and expressed the state government’s commitment to support the training in every capacity.

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Some of the beneficiaries commended the gesture, adding it would transform agriculture and encourage productivity towards achieving food security in the country.

Maimunatu Sani, a farmer, who had benefited from the programme in Kano state, said that she learnt how to recycle farm residues and transform it into an effective organic fertilizer, calling smallholder farmers in the state to key into the programme.

She said she acquired practical skills to improve her farming activities and increase output.

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Another farmer from Kano, Mama Mairam, said the introduction of new techniques assisted farmers to significantly reduce wastage and increase yields per hectare.

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Edo Govt Bars Ijaw Communities From Laying Claim To Disputed Forest Reserve

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The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, says the disputed forest reserve between Abere and Ajakuruma Ijaw communities of the Ovia South West Local Government Area belongs to the state government.

The deputy governor who is the chairman of the state boundary committee subsequently barred members of the two communities from laying claims to the forest reserve.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor declared the disputed reserve as “Bona Vacantia” on Wednesday when he met with both communities.

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He directed both communities to maintain peace and adhere to the resolution of the state boundary committee on the disputed forest reserve.

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Idahosa explained that it was criminal for either of the communities to go into the forest reserve to take ownership of the landmass as the area in dispute was not “Bona vacantia.”

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He noted that documentary evidence available suggests that the area in question belongs to the government of Edo state.

You cannot fight over what doesn’t belong to you. Documentary evidence showed that the landmass in question belonged to the state, a process verified through the use of digital Coordinates.

READ ALSO: Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards

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“Whatever we have done here today is in line with the law. Go back to your communities and ensure that there is peace. Anybody that wants to foment trouble should be ready to face the wrath of the law,” he emphasised.

The deputy governor commended the Ovia South West council chairman, Mr Nosakhare Edobor, for averting crisis that would have led to loss of lives.

Edobor, who said the issue had been on for about seven months now, appealed to communities in the local government to always embrace dialogue in resolving contentious matters.

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Edo Journalist Hospitalised After Being Attacked By Political Thug

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Juliet Asein, a female journalist with the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), has been hospitalised after she was allegedly assaulted by the suspended Coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), Kelly Okungbowa, widely known as Ebo Stone.

The incident occurred on Wednesday inside the Edo State Government House, where Juliet who covers the Office of the First Lady was said to have been shoved and slammed against a wall during a confrontation with Ebo Stone.

The violence reportedly stemmed from a disruption at an empowerment programme for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), organised by the First Lady’s Office and held within the Government House.

Trouble reportedly broke out when some PWDs stormed the venue’s entrance, protesting alleged exclusion from the programme.

‎In the commotion, an EBS cameraman attempting to film the scene was allegedly harassed by Okungbowa, prompting Juliet to intervene, which reportedly led to her being physically attacked.

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READ ALSO:NUJ Reacts As Sacked Edo Taskforce Boss Assaults EBS Staff

‎Okungbowa, a chieftain of the ruling APC and the former PSRT coordinator, previously faced public backlash after the taskforce he headed was linked to a tragic incident in which a two-year-old girl died in a crash involving team members.

‎The public outcry that followed led Governor Monday Okpebholo to suspend him from the role.

Confirming Juliet’s state of health, a family member Andrew Enabulele, said she began experiencing severe pains later that night and could not sleep.

According to him, ‎she was taken to a private clinic on Thursday before being referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for further medical care.

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‎He said: “We took her to a private clinic where doctors said she may have suffered muscle spasms.

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“She has now been referred to UBTH, where she is receiving treatment. She is a mother of twin toddlers, so we are praying for her quick recovery,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ebo Stone had visited the NUJ Press Centre, Benin on Thursday, where he reportedly apologized to leadership of the Council after the Union had condemned the act, threatening a press conference to that effect.

After meeting the Chairman and the Secretary of the council for the apology, the NUJ Chairman urged members to sheath the sword.

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