General News
2025 Children’s Day: Humanitarian Groups Vist Benue IDP Camp, Donate Mobile School, Library, Render Free Medical Services
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Non-Governmental Organisations and other Humanitarian Groups on Tuesday, organised a children’s day celebration at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Mega Camp located in Mbayongu, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State where educational materials including mobile school was donated to children of internally displaced persons.
Humanitarian organizations including K2U Games Limited, Smile Doctor Foundation, Offshore Lab, and their partners, carried out the gesture to mark the 2025 Children’s Day.
The event, filled with fun activities and educational support, was aimed at uplifting the spirits of displaced children and emphasizing their right to a hopeful future.
Mr. Martins Oloye, co-founder of K2U Games Limited, producers of African games and K2 African Offshore puzzles, explained that the team returned to the camp after an earlier visit where they conducted a puzzle competition.
The goal, he said, was to expose the children to Africa’s rich heritage and provide tools that would inspire intellectual and personal growth.
“We noticed the children needed a few things,” Oloye said. “We reached out to our partners, including the Oando Foundation, and were able to establish a small library stocked with books. This isn’t just about fun. It’s about letting the children know they matter. They are not statistics or numbers. We want them to glimpse the world beyond this camp and believe in their potential.”
He emphasized that the group’s efforts went beyond donating materials. “We brought thousands of notebooks, textbooks, and exercise books, but what matters most is the change in mindset. We want a child from this camp to say one day, ‘I passed through this library and became a doctor, a lawyer, an artist.”
In line with this mission, Emeka Obiwulu, CEO of Offshore Lab, introduced an innovative education solution known as Schoolbox.
He described it as a rapid-response infrastructure system designed to combat the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
“With over 10.5 million children out of school, we are facing a national emergency,” Obiwulu stated. “Schoolbox uses recycled shipping containers to quickly set up classrooms, ICT labs, and sanitation facilities in areas where education has been disrupted. Within 7 to 14 days, we can equip any local government area with functional educational spaces.”
He thanked the Benue State government and other partners, including K2U and NNPC Limited, for supporting the pilot deployment at the camp.
“The classroom here seats only 22 but serves over 1,000 children. It clearly isn’t enough. We’re hoping to scale this solution across all IDP camps and underserved areas in Nigeria.”
Also contributing to the event was Dr. Olufemilayo Adeniyi, Executive Director of Smile Doctor Foundation and founder of Luxe Dental Clinic, Lagos. She led an oral health outreach, distributing over 500 dental kits and teaching children how to maintain hygiene.
“As a foundation, we believe everyone deserves access to oral care,” she said. “It has been humbling to see over 3,000 families in this camp, in a country not at war. We must all rise to stop the root causes of this displacement. We are doing our bit, but this is just a drop in the ocean.”
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr. Aondowase Kunde, disclosed that IDPs were already returning home despite rising insecurity, stressing that there is ongoing reintegration efforts including the construction of boreholes in communities like Tatyough and the development of large-scale rice and maize farming for IDPs.
“Return, resettlement, and reintegration are the three pillars of our durable solution strategy,” Kunde said. “We are not resettling them in clusters but in structured communities where they’ll have access to social amenities and livelihoods.”
When asked if these efforts would be sustained amid recurring attacks, the commissioner said some communities remain secure and viable for return, adding that not all areas are under threat.
On his part, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, said Governor Alia is committed to education, even within the camps.
He highlighted the use of the Accelerated Basic Education Program, a federal initiative that offers learning in informal settings.
“It’s a stopgap that ensures our displaced children are not left behind,” Ikyaan said. “They’ll be able to reintegrate into the regular school system once they return home. It’s already shown promise in other regions.”
However, when pressed for data on how many schools had been shut down due to insecurity, Ikyaan declined to provide a specific figure. “The situation is fluid, and the numbers change rapidly. But we know that several local governments including Gwer West, Guma, Kwande, and Agatu have been badly affected,” he noted.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. James Iorpuu, represented by Mr. Donald Komgbenda, assured the IDPs of continued support. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare and safe return to ancestral lands.
Highlights of the celebration included cultural dances, March past puzzle game and other activities.
The event brought smiles, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose to hundreds of children, reminding all stakeholders that in the face of crisis, compassion and collaboration remain powerful tools for transformation.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and sunshine from Monday until Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, envisaged moderate dust haze over parts of Kebbi and Kano States of the northern region on Monday.
It predicted horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km over the region with the rest of the northern States to be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For central region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger states, while the rest of the states in the region should be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For southern region, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the region with prospects of afternoon/evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States,” it said.
According to NiMet, a slight dust haze is anticipated over parts of Kano and Kebbi States of the northern region on Tuesday, while the remaining states in the region are expected to have sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
The agency envisaged sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period with chances of isolated thundery activity over parts of plateau state during the afternoon and evening hours.
It anticipated sunny skies with patches of cloud over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
NiMet forecasts sunny and hazy skies over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
The agency predicted sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
”Dust particles are in suspension; the public should take necessary precaution; People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.
”Driving under the rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said
The agency urged residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, and visit its website on www.nimet.gov.ng.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.
It also announced Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a public holiday for the New Year celebration.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr.
Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.According to the statement, the minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security, and national development.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations and wished them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest to transform the state into a maritime hub with the official presentation of the Hydrographic, Geotechnical, geophysical Report and New Navigational Chart for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
Out, who spoke at a formal ceremony held in the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar, described the event as a “historic milestone” that not only affirms Nigeria’s maritime boundaries but also sets the stage for an economic revolution across the Gulf of Guinea.
“This is truly a historic day, not just for Cross River State but for the entire country,” Governor Otu said.
“What we have achieved today replaces charts dating back to 1903 and settles long-standing debates about Cross River’s status as a littoral state. This chart clearly affirms our coastal status.”Otu emphasized that the updated maritime chart now aligns with S-100 international standards, positioning Cross River for deepwater commerce and international shipping operations.
“When we connect this with the ongoing coastal highway, we’re looking at a completely different city,” he said. “The economic potential is enormous.”
Otu acknowledged the foundational work of former NDDC Chairman Professor Eyo Etim Nyong, describing the seaport project as a dream revived and revitalized.
“We picked up this dream where the former governor, Professor Ben Ayade left off. Public funds had been committed, and we could not allow it to die. Today is another giant step toward its full realization,” he said.
With the technical phase complete and the report formally presented, Governor Otu disclosed that the project now awaits a final seal of approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Once we get that FEC seal, work starts almost immediately,” he assured. “Cross River is ready, and this project is not just for us, it is for Nigeria and for West Africa.”
The presentation was led by Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, Hydrographer of the Federation and CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria, alongside senior naval officers including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Rear Admiral Anyo Olokunle.
Rear Admiral Olugbode described the report as the culmination of an intensive multi-year effort, beginning with a formal flag-off on December 21, 2024, and followed by rigorous data acquisition starting January 6, 2025. The survey, he said, covered hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical dimensions, all aimed at ensuring safety, precision, and international compliance.
“This is more than just a technical report. It is the bedrock for constructing and operating the Bakassi Deep Seaport,” he said. “It provides essential data for engineering design, dredging, breakwater construction, and navigation safety.”
He added that the data would boost investor confidence, enable effective ocean governance, and contribute to global initiatives such as Seabed 2030, a project that aims to map the entire seafloor of the world by 2030.
Olugbode also praised the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support.
“Your Excellency, your administration’s commitment and facilitation of logistics created an enabling environment for the success of this complex operation,” he noted.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is expected to catalyze investments in shipping, logistics, trade and tourism, while creating jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.
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