General
Over 2.3 million Children, Youths Starving in North East—Group
By Adedapo Adesanya
A charity organisation known as Save the Children has called on the Nigerian government to urgently assist more than 2.3 million children, including some 700,000 children under five, and youths starving in North East Nigeria.
The crisis in Nigeria comes at a time when the world is facing its biggest hunger crisis of the 21st century, with an estimated 5.7 million children under five on the brink of starvation across the globe. A further 13 million children under 18 are facing extreme food shortages, the organisation said.
A recent United Nations report found out that 4.4 million people in the North-East area of Nigeria are facing food shortages as attacks by militants are forcing farmers from their lands.
Save the Children also strongly condemned the reported attacks and displacement of farmers and other civilians.
The group said it was worried that an estimated 2.2 million people have fled their homes because of the violence, leaving families and children wanting food, a safe place to live and, for many children, education.
Speaking on this, Mrs Shannon Ward, Acting Country Director, Save the Children International Nigeria, said, “The situation is extremely dire. Millions of children have already been through a decade of suffering, violence and humanitarian crisis. Thousands and thousands have died, and many more saw their rights impacted to survive, learn and be protected.
“The reported loss of livelihoods, land and crop coupled with the effects of COVID-19 is beyond something the community can bear. We are extremely worried that this will lead to an even bigger food crisis in the northeast of the country.”
“We call upon the Federal and State Governments to ensure that farmers are supported and protected, so they can work their lands, and feed their families and communities.
“And we call for safe access for humanitarian workers, so we can reach those most in need.
“Children, girls and women are more vulnerable at times of attack and displacement. As a result of overcrowding, family separation, a lack of basic social services and desperate measures people take just to survive, such as marrying off their children, they run a high risk of gender-based violence, physical and sexual abuse. Many children will be urged to drop out of school, and some will never return – with their childhood dream fading away,” she added.
Save the Children urged the authorities in Nigeria and the international community to commit more resources to address the massive critical needs of the displaced people in North-East Nigeria.
The group was one of the first humanitarian organisations that responded to the humanitarian crisis in the area, reaching 1.2 million people since the start of the response.
The organisation is providing food assistance and protection services to more than 320,000 children and families regularly.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The federal government has promised to collaborate with stakeholders in the real estate sector to drive affordable and inclusive housing, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at improving access to decent homes for low-income and informal-sector workers.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Muttaka Rabe Darma, made this pledge at the 2026 Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), where industry heavyweights like Dangote Cement, HBM Nigeria and others showcased their products.
Mr Darma noted that the government was ready to partner with organisations to address Nigeria’s housing challenges, remarking that the exhibition’s theme, Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa, aligned with government efforts to expand access to affordable and inclusive housing.
He lauded Dangote Cement and others for their significant contribution to affordable housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria, describing them as key partners in efforts to bridge the nation’s housing deficit and improve access to quality building materials.
The Minister also commended Mr Aliko Dangote for his commitment to Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation, noting that his investments continue to drive sustainable growth across the continent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of AIHS, Mr Festus Adebayo, described Dangote Cement as a dependable partner whose consistent support has contributed to the growth and success of the annual housing exhibition.
Dangote Cement’s Regional Sales Director for North Central, Mr Bankole George, who represented the National Sales Director, Dolapo Alli, said housing remains critical to dignity, social stability, economic productivity and inclusive development.
He identified major barriers to affordable housing as high land costs, expensive building materials, limited access to mortgage financing, weak rental systems and planning regulations.
He advocated innovative housing finance models tailored to low-income earners and informal workers, including micro-mortgages, rent-to-own schemes, cooperative savings programmes, employer-assisted housing and incremental housing loans.
The exhibition attracted thousands of policymakers, investors, housing professionals, exhibitors and delegates from several countries, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading platforms for housing and urban development dialogue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
