General
8 million in Dire Conditions in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe—UN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Nations has issued an alert over the deteriorating situation for millions of mainly women and children in northeast Nigeria who continue to be affected by protracted armed conflict, just as the country enters the lean season.
The body said that well over 8 million people are in need of assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) States and an estimated 600,000 face emergency levels of food insecurity because of extremist violence centred around the Lake Chad region, that’s now in its 12th year.
The UN’s top relief official to Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale revealed that although the previously dominant Boko Haram militia have been significantly weakened since the group’s leader was killed over a year ago, it continues to carry out indiscriminate attacks.
Another extremist offshoot, ISWAP, is also dangerous, although it had also suffered setbacks, he noted.
As in previous years, a staggering one million people are also beyond the reach of international aid teams, said Mr Schmale.
More than 80 per cent of those in need are women and children, who also face “abductions, rape and abuse”, while indiscriminate attacks in Borno state make it the most “unstable place to be”, he added.
He told journalists in Geneva that the UN was aiming to support at least 5.5 million, out of the 8.4 million in need overall.
“The conflict has left 2.2 million people presently displaced. We’ve just entered what is called the lean season that normally lasts until September; last year it lasted until November, so we’re also seeing the impact of climate change.”
Mr Schmale noted that although Nigeria is a major oil producer, it lacks refineries which means that it has not benefited from the global surge in energy prices, linked to the war in Ukraine.
“It’s early days yet in terms of understanding the full impact, as you may know, in Nigeria from the beginning there was speculation as to whether Nigeria would benefit as an oil-producing country.
“We’re not seeing that in fact at all, because Nigeria, as contradictory as this may sound, depends very largely on imports of refined oil so, the price rises we’ve seen are not benefiting Nigeria, that’s one concern.”
In time, the massive country could feed itself and avoid ever costlier food imports, the UN official insisted, although, for the moment, it lacks the infrastructure and agricultural investment required to be competitive at a global level.
It noted that there is a particular concern for 1.74 million children under five who are expected to be suffer from acute malnutrition in the northeast in the coming months.
“A key message is ringing the alarm bell,” Mr Schmale said. “If we don’t get immediate funding soon for an initial multisector response plan worth $350 million, we will have a crisis that will be much worse in a couple of months.”
He added: “We hope that the international community realises that you ignore a situation like in the north-east of Nigeria at your own peril; it could have far-reaching consequences beyond the borders of Nigeria if we’re not able to keep it stable.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Lead Pastor and Apostolic Head of the Love of God in Christ (LOGIC) Churches Global, Apostle Flourish Peters, has stressed the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Christian faith.
Speaking at the church’s inaugural Jesus + Nothing Worship on Good Friday in Lagos, he informed the congregation that, “Without an empty grave, there is no Christian faith.”
“Our faith is fundamentally premised on this singular, undeniable truth – the empty grave. This is what distinguishes our faith; while over 4,000 religions exist, only one points to a vacated tomb.
“Ours is the unique faith where the very person we worship lives within us. We are truly elated that through the resounding success of Jesus + Nothing Worship, we were able to bring christocentric worship to the masses,” the cleric added.
Business Post reports that the programme, a powerful evening of gospel music, left attendees deeply moved and spiritually uplifted.
It served as a profound reminder of the sacrifice and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasising the core message that through a sober Friday came a Good Friday for all.
Several entertainers, including Timi Dakolo and Greatman Takit, alongside Neon Adejo, SMJ, Noble G, Steve Hills, Lily Perez, Joxie, Anderson Qozan, Pastor Victor Paul, Emeka Songz, Flo, Dorcas Moore, Magpsalms, Mera Owili, Gerald Bishung, Phebe Lion, Larry J and the Evolution Children’s Choir delivered soul-stirring performances that resonated with the central theme of redemption through Jesus Christ at the church’s headquarters in Lekki.
Apostle Peters said Jesus + Nothing Worship was an impactful success, declaring that it would become an annual event.
He emphasised that this worship session is intentionally focused on Jesus Christ, the message of salvation, and providing a vital platform to unveil the gospel talents within The LOGIC Church.
“Jesus + Nothing Worship has been a truly unifying experience, allowing us to collectively focus on the profound significance of Jesus’ death and the abundant life we have in His resurrection.
“It is our vision to create a consistent platform where the power of music can amplify the core message of the Gospel and provide an opportunity for the incredible music ministers within our church to impact lives,” he stated.
Building on the momentum of the successful 2024 Jesus + Nothing Conference, the Jesus + Nothing Worship further solidified The LOGIC Church’s mission to cultivate a family centred on grace and faith, where the transformative Love of God in Christ is tangibly felt.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria today from his work visit to France, the presidency has said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday.
President Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris, France, on a short working visit. This means the President would have spent 19 days in the European nation if he arrives today.
According to the statement, President Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.
His latest trip had been faulted by major opposition leaders who criticised him for being away despite the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where scores of residents have been killed in attacks on several communities.
President Tinubu closest opponent at the 2023 presidential election and former Vice President, Mr Atiku Abubakar, asked him to end his trip to France and address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
Mr Atiku questioned Mr Tinubu’s continued stay in the European country despite the spate of killings across Nigeria.
“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks,” his spokesman, Mr Paul Ibe, said in a statement on April 17.
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Mr Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A youth-focused leadership development advocacy group known as the Not Too Young To Perform (NTYTP) has called for a renewed focus on youth-driven leadership and national transformation in Nigeria.
In a statement to greet Christians around the world for Easter, the organisation emphasised the urgent necessity of bringing more young people into leadership positions, noting that resetting the nation’s trajectory requires fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a break from the mistakes of the past.
In the message signed by its National Secretary, Mr Muhammed Bello, NTYTP described the 2025 Easter celebration as a period for deep reflection on the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — a story that embodies patience, perseverance, sacrifice, and ultimate victory.
It said the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ stand as timeless examples of strength, determination, and divine restoration, offering crucial lessons for a nation like Nigeria, which is currently in need of significant economic, social, and institutional reforms.
“We use this yuletide period to appeal to all State actors to prioritize the progress of this country above politics, region, ethnicity, and religion.
“Our actions today will determine whether future generations inherit a country they can be proud of,” the group stated.
NTYTP also expressed hope that the spiritual significance of Easter would inspire Nigerians to work collectively towards building a nation where unity, justice, and prosperity reign.
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