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N’East children facing hunger, violence, UNICEF laments
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The United Nations Children’s Fund has raised concern over the inadequate protection of children in the North-East, warning that many still face severe risks ranging from malnutrition to lack of education and gender-based violence.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Thursday during an event to commemorate the 2025 World Children’s Day, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, called for renewed investment in children’s rights, especially in the areas of protection and education.
Senesie said this year’s theme, “My Day, My Rights,” serves as a reminder that children must be guaranteed the rights to life, survival, health, and education.
“Children in North-East Nigeria face grave odds against malnutrition, being out of school, gender-based violence and other protection concerns,” he said. “The theme for this commemoration is a call to action to recognise and protect these rights.”
The UNICEF official highlighted ongoing interventions, noting that more than 250,000 children in Borno State accessed formal and non-formal basic education through UNICEF support in 2025.
He added that nearly 1.2 million children aged six to 59 months received two annual doses of vitamin A supplementation.
“In addition, 86,000 women, girls and boys in the state benefitted from gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention and response services this year,” he said. “UNICEF, with support from donors and the government, also provided 33 schools and health centres with basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.”
Senesie urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to support vulnerable children, stressing that investing in their well-being is vital to the region’s long-term stability.
“I urge us to do more,” he said. “Protecting our children today is safeguarding our future. We must continue to collaborate and support those affected by conflict, displacement and poverty.”
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that every child in the Northeast “survives, thrives and fulfils their potential,” working in partnership with government and development actors.
Speaking at the event, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, said the state government remained committed to fully implementing and protecting children’s rights.
“The government of Borno State under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is irrevocably committed to ensuring that the rights of every child are not only recognised on paper but protected in reality,” she said.
As part of activities marking the day, a 16-year-old visually impaired student of Maiduguri Special School, Precious Joseph, served as Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs for one day in a UNICEF-led symbolic exercise.
During the ceremony at the state secretariat, Precious expressed gratitude for the opportunity and said she aspired to become a journalist in the future.
She pledged that, if given the chance in public office, she would prioritise ending street begging and ensuring that children with disabilities are enrolled in school.
“I appreciate UNICEF and the Borno State government for providing an enabling environment for children with disabilities to thrive,” she said.
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PHOTOS: Jay-Jay Okocha’s Daughter, Daniella, Shares Photos From Bachelorette Party in Greece Ahead of Wedding
Daniella, the daughter of legendary Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has shared stunning photos from her bachelorette party held in Rhodes, Greece, as she celebrates the next chapter of her married life.
Taking to social media, Daniella gave fans a glimpse of the fun-filled getaway with her close friends, describing the experience as unforgettable.
“Hen Do dump. I had the best time with my girls,” she captioned the photos.
The picturesque celebration featured moments of laughter, relaxation, and festivities as Daniella and her friends enjoyed the scenic Greek island ahead of her wedding celebrations.
Daniella and her husband, Leonard Okorocha, got engaged in November 2025, with the announcement attracting congratulatory messages from family, friends, and admirers.
The couple later formalised their union by holding both their traditional marriage and civil wedding earlier this year.
Her latest post from Greece has since drawn warm reactions from fans and well-wishers, many of whom congratulated the couple and wished them a happy and successful married life.
See photos below:
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Tinubu is no longer talking to Nigerians-Peter Obi
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s style of communicating with Nigerians, accusing him of rarely addressing citizens directly.
According to Obi, President Tinubu has largely relied on official statements and spokespersons to communicate with the public since assuming office after the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Obi argued that Nigerians deserve to hear directly from the leader they elected rather than from his political appointees.
He maintained that the President should engage citizens personally on important national issues instead of delegating such responsibilities to aides.
During the interview, the former Anambra State governor also stated that he is not driven by personal ambition to become Nigeria’s president.
According to Obi, his primary concern is to see Nigeria function effectively and provide good governance for its citizens.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.
Obi added that he would support any individual capable of transforming the country and delivering effective leadership, regardless of personal political interests.
He stressed that his desire for the presidency stems from a commitment to improving Nigeria rather than pursuing power for its own sake.
The NDC presidential candidate also expressed concern over what he described as Nigeria’s continued decline, saying he remains deeply saddened by the country’s current direction.
According to Obi, the nation’s challenges require committed leadership focused on addressing economic hardship, insecurity, and governance issues to put Nigeria back on the path of progress.
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Tinubu Is Tired, Should Be Allowed To Retire In Peace, Says Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 election, saying the President is “tired” and no longer has the capacity to tackle Nigeria’s mounting economic and security challenges.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, Obi argued that while Tinubu may have performed well as governor of Lagos State, his current leadership had failed to address the country’s worsening crises.
“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace, and then go home,” Obi, a former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, said.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria was “headed in the wrong direction” and required a leader with the energy and commitment to reverse the country’s fortunes.
“As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job.”
Obi’s remarks came as he painted a grim picture of the country’s economic and social conditions, lamenting what he described as rising poverty, hunger, insecurity and poor governance.
He said successive reports from international organisations showed the scale of Nigeria’s challenges but accused political actors of focusing on personalities rather than addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens.
“World Bank has just said that 79% of Nigerians are going to face poverty. In a country of 230 million people, that’s over 180 million. That should be the issue we should be discussing.”
He added, “They should be talking about the issue of out-of-school children, talking about the issue of health, and all these monies that are missing here and there that would have been invested properly. Nobody is discussing it.”
The former presidential candidate also referenced food insecurity, saying millions of Nigerians faced hunger.
“This election in 2027 should be about issues that affect the ordinary Nigerians… The World Food Programme has just said 35 million Nigerians are going to face hunger. Nigerians are being kidnapped. Let’s talk about Nigeria.”
Responding to comments by former US President Donald Trump commending Tinubu’s efforts against insecurity, Obi acknowledged the praise but maintained that the government’s response remained inadequate.
“Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing,” he said.
“I’ve heard people, and Donald Trump is now confirming it, say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more.”
Obi cited recent abductions in Zamfara State as evidence that insecurity remained a major national emergency.
“On Wednesday, 40 people were abducted in Zamfara, and the entire community, everybody is packing to run away. On Thursday, 50 were abducted. So we’re in a crisis situation that requires another capacity.”
The former governor argued that tackling insecurity required addressing its underlying economic causes, particularly widespread poverty and poor access to education.
“You can’t create mass poverty and think you can deal with insecurity,” he said. “The more you put people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality. You need to invest in education, massive.”
Obi said he would adopt a more hands-on leadership approach if elected president, insisting he would personally oversee security responses across the country.
He said, “Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that.”
“If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. You’re the president. You’re the number one person.”
‘I’m Desperate To See Nigeria Work’
On his own presidential ambition, Obi insisted he was driven not by personal ambition but by a desire to see the country succeed.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work.”
He added that he would support anyone capable of delivering good governance.
“If it’s working, I’ll support whatever makes it work.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s trajectory, Obi said he remained saddened by what he described as the country’s continued decline.
“Every year we’re headed south, where more and more people have been impoverished, more and more children are out of school. Things are going in the wrong direction.”
He said his vision remained to build “a Nigeria that is united and peaceful” where every citizen has equal opportunity regardless of tribe or religion.
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