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N’East children facing hunger, violence, UNICEF laments
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: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.
According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.
Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Details shortly…
PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule
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