General
Saraki, Civil Societies Want Child Rights’ Law Domesticated
By Dipo Olowookere
The domestication of and strict implementation of the Child Rights Act (CRA) across the country has been advocated for by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki and a group of Civil Society Organization (CSOs).
Speaking at a roundtable on ‘Advancing the Rights of the Nigerian Child’ organized by the Office of the Senate President in commemoration of the 2017 Children’s Day celebration in Abuja, Mr Saraki lamented that out of every five children, two currently live in poverty, millions in poor housing, crowded rooms, squalid conditions, on streets and affected by communal conflicts and insurgency.
He argued that “these type of beginnings can hold a child back for the rest of his or her life. At just 22 months, a poor child’s skills already trail behind those of better-off toddlers. At age five, that poor child, even if he or she is very bright, will have been overtaken at school by a less talented but more privileged classmate.”
He noted that, “Releasing these children from that trap, unleashing their potentials is critical if we are to create a society that is truly fair. A starting point is to review what protection our laws offer this demographic vulnerability.”
While wishing Nigerian children a happy celebration, Mr Saraki noted that the event was meant to celebrate the resilience and perseverance of Nigerian children in overcoming the many obstacles of childhood.
“With this in mind, we celebrate the recent release of the 82 Chibok girls and take time to make constructive and critical evaluation of our commitment to the next generation,” Mr Saraki said.
He further stated that the existing laws which offer special protection to children and other vulnerable groups in the country include the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP Act, 2015) and the Child Rights Act (2003).
“These laws contain specific provisions to protect the Nigerian child. In order for our objective to be realized, much more needs to be done at all levels of State governance, but particularly at the local level, through meaningful cooperation and collaboration of all actors involved in the field of protecting children.
“The need remains to establish well-functioning Child Protection Units, provide quality social services for child protection and empower families in need.
“The domestication of the Child Rights Act has been concluded in 24 States. Other States are examining it to see how it relates to local sensitivities and values, and thereby make the law more relevant and effective. It is my hope that the scrutiny of the Act will enhance its inclusiveness and the comprehensive protection and the Nigerian child,” he said.
He stated that domestication and strict implementation of CRA and VAPP are critical for success in the battle to raise a future generation of national touch bearers.
“I must also add that, domestication alone will not turn the tide; we must be willing to vigorously implement the law to match words with action,” Saraki said. “Otherwise we risk making a caricature of ourselves, government, and governance if we fail to give the law teeth to protect the vulnerable for whom we are gathered today.”
He enjoined State Houses of Assembly, traditional heads, political leaders, civil societies and all Nigerians to initiate discussion at their various levels, to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along and their views captured in the advocacy to fully domesticate and implement the CRA.
“We in the 8th Senate are willing to back you up by ensuring adequate appropriation to institutions charged with response and protection such as the police and public health agencies,” he said. “In the years to come, I want us to be able to turn around and say that Nigeria is an ideal place to raise a child.”
“I want us to be able to look back and say: We tackled the deficit, we protected the futures of our children, and we gave them the childhood they deserved. These are not big ambitions. This is what government and leaders are here to do!” he added.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Mr Kauwa Damina, reaffirmed the commitment of the Bauchi Assembly to domesticate the CRA in view of the centrality of children to the growth and development of the country.
On her part, Professor Joy Ezillo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka called on the nation’s leaders to reflect their love for children with action and appropriate foster, adoption and child support laws.
Others at the event were representatives of the European Union (EU), The Malala Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Youths of Africa, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and a cross section of teachers, students and pupils from primary and secondary schools in Abuja.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has issued a strong warning to heads of agencies under the ministry, demanding strict accountability and measurable results.
Mr Oyetola issued the warning during the signing of performance bonds with heads of maritime agencies at the Ministerial Management Retreat, held alongside the 2026 first-quarter stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos on Thursday, where he emphasised the need for performance-driven governance.
“Let me emphasise that all Departments and Agencies under the Ministry must remain firmly focused on delivering tangible results,” he said.
In a statement by Mr Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Oyetola noted that performance bonds to be signed during the retreat are binding commitments that will be closely monitored and rigorously evaluated.
“These are not ceremonial documents. They are binding commitments. Accountability will not be optional,” the Minister declared.
Mr Oyetola reiterated the need for data-driven decision-making, robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and alignment with the Ministry’s strategic objectives.
“At the institutional level, we must remain disciplined and accountable. Every department and agency must deliver measurable outcomes,” he added.
He explained that the retreat was designed to foster alignment between policy formulation, implementation, and stakeholder expectations.
“The integration of this engagement enables us to listen, reflect, and recalibrate,” he said.
The agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Maritime Academy of Nigeria, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
He also announced a 160 per cent increase in revenue generated by agencies under the ministry, attributing the growth to sweeping reforms and a renewed focus on accountability.
“In 2023, our agencies generated N700.79 billion. By the end of 2025, this figure had risen to approximately N1.83 trillion. This remarkable achievement is the result of deliberate and sustained reforms,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the gains were driven by strengthened regulatory oversight, improved revenue assurance mechanisms, digitalisation of key processes, and a firm commitment to blocking leakages.
“This gathering reflects our commitment to a governance approach that is inclusive, transparent, and results-driven,” he added, noting that the convergence of stakeholders, policymakers, and institutional leaders was designed to align policy with implementation and public expectations.
Mr Oyetola linked the ministry’s improved performance to broader sectoral reforms, including port modernisation, approval for disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), and ongoing efforts to enhance indigenous participation in maritime activities.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has explained why Mr Bola Tinubu addressed the victims of the Plateau attacks at the airport on Thursday evening.
The decision of President Tinubu to console victims of the attacks, which left over 20 persons dead, at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos last night has continued to generate reactions.
He was criticised for not visiting the victims at the epicentre, Angwan Rukuba, instead of having them to travel to meet with him at the airport.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Onanuga said his principal’s itinerary for yesterday included two main engagements: receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu, Ogun State.
“After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun. Overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed. However, the President could not postpone the scheduled visit by the Chadian leader.
“The President of Chad was at the Presidential Villa for a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries. The meeting ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos.
“Upon arrival in Jos, the visit encountered some logistical challenges. While the road distance from the airport to Jos township is approximately 40 minutes, the runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids. The constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment and return to the airport before dusk.
“Consequently, state and federal officials decided to bring representatives of the affected community to a hall adjoining the airport so the President could meet with them promptly while adhering to flight restrictions. Among the people in the hall were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, who had visited Rukuba, the epicentre of the conflict. President Tinubu deployed the high-level team to Rukuba, including the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to undertake critical groundwork on security and community engagement, with a view to stabilising the area before his arrival.
“Beyond expressing his condolences to the victims, President Tinubu’s objective was to engage with critical stakeholders in Plateau State on ending the recurring, decades-old conflict that has resulted in needless loss of lives and property.
“President Tinubu’s visit to Jos was not merely symbolic. It was a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity in the state.
“He interacted with the victims, consoled them, and listened to them. He also listened to local leaders and assured them that the federal government would deliver justice and end the cycle of violence. He promised the deployment of 5000 AI-enabled cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers.
“Furthermore, the President invited the community leaders to Abuja for further talks on finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence in the state.
“The meeting, televised live, was solemn and reassuring, boosting residents’ confidence. President Tinubu achieved the purpose of his visit, despite the naysayers’ attempts to ridicule it. He dropped an unmistakable message: sustainable peace must be built with the people, not imposed on them,” the presidency explained.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Workers of Seplat Energy Plc, under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), began an indefinite strike on Friday as talks over a collective bargaining agreement and staff welfare issues broke down.
This development may impact Nigeria’s oil production at a time when the world is facing shortages due to the Iran war, and global oil prices are recording multi-year highs.
It will also hurt Seplat Energy’s operation as Nigeria’s largest independent oil and gas producer, adding to pressure on the country to maximise supply, which is fluctuating around 1.3 million barrels per day.
PENGASSAN said its action would remain active “until further notice, adding that its members would suspend most operations, including production reporting and export activities, while maintaining only essential safety and power functions.
The strike notice covers onshore and offshore assets, joint‑venture operations and offices nationwide from Friday.
Other less-skilled workers are covered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which is not on strike with PENGASSAN.
Seplat Energy’s group production averaged 131,506 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, according to its latest audited results. That is the equivalent of around 7 per cent–9 per cent of Nigeria’s total liquids production.
The company expects output to rise to 155,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, making any sustained disruption particularly sensitive for Nigeria’s supply outlook.
With the company’s output expected to rise, any prolonged disruption could significantly impact Nigeria’s oil supply and fiscal outlook.
The company also plans to revive hundreds of Nigerian oil wells lying fallow, which, according to its chief executive, Mr Roger Brown, will be done in collaboration with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, as legally mandated in the country’s oil and gas industry.
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