A recent report, titled *The Situation Analysis (SitAn) of Children in Nigeria*, has revealed alarming statistics about the state of child poverty in Nigeria, with 54 percent of Nigerian children classified as multi-dimensionally poor. The report, launched on November 20, 2024, during the World Children’s Day celebration, was developed by the Federal Government with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to address critical child welfare issues in the country.

The findings of the report identify several factors contributing to this severe deprivation, including corruption, widespread unemployment, lack of political will, ongoing violence and insurgency, and insufficient investments in essential social sectors. Displacement caused by conflict and violence exacerbates the situation, further depleting already strained resources.

Defining Child Poverty

The report defines child poverty as the deprivation of essential resources required for survival, development, and well-being, such as material, spiritual, and emotional needs. The inability of children to access these resources hampers their ability to achieve their full potential and participate equally in society.

The report highlights seven key indicators used to assess child poverty: health, water, sanitation, nutrition, shelter, education, and information. The multidimensional poverty of children varies significantly across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with stark regional disparities. For example, while Osun State has the lowest poverty incidence at 17.5 percent, Sokoto State has the highest at nearly 90 percent.

Urban-Rural Divide

The report underscores a significant urban-rural divide in child poverty. In urban areas, 29.7 percent of children are multi-dimensionally poor, compared to a staggering 65.7 percent of rural children. States like Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara face the worst levels of deprivation, with over 70 percent of children in these states experiencing severe poverty. In contrast, urban states like Lagos and Edo have poverty rates below 20 percent.

Impact of Education and Household Structure

The analysis also links education and household structure to child poverty. Children in larger households, as well as those with uneducated parents, are more likely to experience deprivation. In particular, children with illiterate mothers face higher rates of poverty than those with educated mothers.

The Almajiri Crisis

One of the most troubling revelations in the report is the plight of Almajiri children—many of whom are forced into itinerant lifestyles, deprived of basic needs such as food, water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. These children often face abuse, exploitation, and are vulnerable to being recruited into armed conflict.

Recommendations for Change

The report calls for urgent actions to address child poverty, stressing the importance of family support, public healthcare, education, and social services that are accessible, inclusive, and affordable. Effective governance at all levels is critical to ensuring equitable distribution of resources, improving household livelihoods, and fostering an environment where children’s rights are protected.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide sustainable income support to households, ensuring financial barriers do not prevent children from accessing their full potential. The report also advocates for strategic investments in child welfare programs to break the cycle of poverty.

Implications for Nigeria’s Development

The findings of this report offer stark insights into the multi-faceted challenges Nigeria faces in addressing child poverty, which in turn has profound implications for the nation’s broader development.

1. Impact of Worsening Insecurity

   The role of violence, insurgency, and displacement in exacerbating child poverty is particularly concerning. Regions affected by insurgencies, such as the Northeast and parts of the Northwest, are seeing a dramatic rise in child poverty. As the conflict deepens, children become both direct victims and indirect casualties, trapped in cycles of deprivation and displacement. This destabilizes communities and creates a generation vulnerable to exploitation, recruitment into militant groups, and an inability to participate in nation-building.

The link between insecurity and child poverty highlights the urgent need for peacebuilding efforts that address the root causes of conflict and the provision of humanitarian aid to displaced families.

2. Economic Growth and Social Investment

Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, including high unemployment and underinvestment in public services, contribute to a widening gap between rich and poor children. The report’s findings suggest that without substantial investment in healthcare, education, and infrastructure—particularly in rural areas—Nigeria will struggle to achieve sustainable development. Inequality in access to these resources only deepens divisions within society, with the poorest children growing up in environments of neglect, which hampers the country’s future workforce and economic stability.

3. The Role of Governance

Effective governance is central to tackling child poverty in Nigeria. The report underscores the need for a transparent and accountable government that prioritizes child welfare through inclusive policies and the judicious use of resources. This aligns with the broader challenge of improving governance across sectors to ensure that the benefits of development reach those who need them most.

4. The Human Capital Crisis

The failure to address child poverty and related deprivations creates a human capital crisis that will have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s growth and development. Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to face long-term health issues, limited educational opportunities, and diminished prospects for employment, contributing to a cycle of poverty that perpetuates socio-economic inequality. If Nigeria is to harness its demographic dividend, it must address child poverty as a fundamental component of its development strategy.

5. The Almajiri Problem: A Humanitarian and Security Concern

The plight of Almajiri children represents both a humanitarian crisis and a security threat. Their vulnerability to exploitation and recruitment into armed groups during times of conflict poses a significant challenge to national stability. Addressing this issue requires both social interventions to reintegrate Almajiri children into formal education systems and long-term efforts to alleviate poverty in the Northern states.

In conclusion, the high rate of multi-dimensional poverty among Nigerian children highlights critical structural challenges that must be urgently addressed if the country hopes to achieve long-term peace and development. Solutions will require a concerted effort from government, civil society, and international partners to break the cycle of deprivation and provide all children in Nigeria with the opportunity to thrive.

Nigeria and China have renewed their 15 billion yuan ($2 billion) currency swap agreement, extending the arrangement for another three years to strengthen economic cooperation and boost bilateral trade.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) confirmed the renewal in a statement on Friday, noting that the agreement, initially signed in June 2018, can be extended further by mutual consent.

The currency swap allows for the direct exchange of Chinese yuan and Nigerian naira, eliminating the need for US dollars in transactions and reducing trade costs. The facility was originally introduced to address liquidity challenges faced by businesses in both countries and to promote trade in local currencies. Under the deal, up to 15 billion yuan can be exchanged for 720 billion naira, facilitating smooth transactions and investments between the two nations.

The agreement also enables the central banks of Nigeria and China to inject liquidity into their financial systems through bi-weekly auctions, providing yuan for Nigerian businesses trading with China and naira for Chinese firms operating in Nigeria. This mechanism enhances market efficiency and supports bilateral investments.

As one of China’s largest trading partners in Africa, Nigeria plays a significant role in the economic relationship, with trade volumes between the two countries exceeding $22.6 billion in 2023. Nigeria exports crude oil and agricultural products to China, while Chinese goods, including electronics and construction materials, dominate Nigerian markets.

The renewal of the swap deal comes amid Nigeria’s efforts to stabilize the naira, which has depreciated significantly following the liberalization of its exchange rate earlier in 2024. By improving access to yuan, the agreement is expected to ease pressure on Nigeria’s dollar reserves and strengthen its trade position with China.

This move highlights the growing economic ties between Nigeria and China, emphasizing the shift towards direct currency exchanges to reduce reliance on the US dollar and foster cross-border trade.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revealed that 190 flights were cancelled and 5,225 delayed across domestic airlines in September and October 2024.

Chris Najomo, the acting director-general of the NCAA, disclosed these figures on Friday during an engagement session with airline operators in Lagos. Najomo expressed concern over the growing frequency of flight disruptions, emphasizing the need for better management to minimize inconvenience to passengers.

“Delays and cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, but poor management of these disruptions is not,” Najomo stated. He urged airlines to handle operational, technical, and weather-related challenges professionally, particularly during the harmattan season when poor weather conditions frequently impact flight schedules.

Providing a breakdown, Najomo said 5,291 domestic flights were operated in September, with 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations recorded. In October, 5,513 flights were operated, with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations.

He reminded operators of their obligations under the Nigeria Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2023, which outline passenger rights during disruptions. “These regulations are not optional; they are mandatory obligations,” Najomo stressed.

The NCAA also disclosed that on December 24, it had sanctioned five airlines—two international and three domestic—for violating Part 19 of the 2023 regulations. Violations included failure to refund passengers within the stipulated timeframe, non-responsiveness to directives, issues with missing or damaged luggage, short-landed baggage, and mishandling of flight delays and cancellations.

The NCAA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that airlines prioritize passenger rights and adhere to regulatory standards to enhance service delivery in the aviation sector.

Israeli jets attack Syria-Lebanon border crossings to stop arms smuggling

Israeli jets struck seven crossing points along the Syria-Lebanon border on Friday, aiming to cut the flow of weapons to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon.

Israeli troops also seized a truck mounted with a 40-barrel rocket launcher in southern Lebanon, part of a haul from various areas that included explosives, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and AK-47 automatic rifles, the military said.

The commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, said Hezbollah was trying to smuggle weapons into Lebanon to test Israel's ability to stop them.

"This must not be tolerated," he said in a statement.

Under the terms of a Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement, Israel is supposed to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon in phases while unauthorised Hezbollah military facilities south of the Litani River are to be dismantled.

However, each side has accused the other of violating the agreement, intended to end more than a year of fighting that began with Hezbollah missile strikes on Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, from Gaza.

On Thursday, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon called for Israeli forces to withdraw, citing what it said were repeated violations of the deal.

Israel, which destroyed large parts of Hezbollah's missile stocks during weeks of operations in southern Lebanon, has said it will not permit weapons to be smuggled to Hezbollah through Syria.

Israel has also conducted attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen in recent days and pledged to continue its campaign against Iranian-backed militant groups across the region.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine's Zelenskiy: North Koreans suffering battlefield losses, unprotected by Russian forces

North Korean troops deployed in Russia's Kursk region are suffering heavy losses and being left unprotected by the Russian forces they are fighting alongside, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, said Russian troops were sending the North Koreans into battle with minimal protection and that North Koreans were taking extreme measures to avoid being taken prisoner.

"Their losses are significant, very significant. We see that neither the Russian military nor their North Korean overseers have any interest in ensuring the survival of these North Koreans," he said.

"Everything is set up so that it is impossible for us to capture them. There are instances in which they are executed by their own forces. Russians send them into assaults with minimal protection."

Ukrainian and Western intelligence reports say there are about 12,000 North Korean troops in Kursk, a Russian region on the border where Ukrainian forces are holding chunks of territory after staging an incursion in August.

Earlier this week, Zelenskiy said more than 3,000 North Koreans had been killed or wounded.

He said Ukrainian forces had managed to take a few North Korean soldiers prisoner "but they were severely wounded and it was not possible to save their lives".

Zelenskiy said the Korean people "should not be losing their lives in battles in Europe. This is something that Korea's neighbours, including China, can influence."

"If China is sincere in its statements that the war should not expand, it needs to exert appropriate pressure on Pyongyang."

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

West ‘must’ send Ukraine more – Zelensky

The West “must” send Kiev more weapons and faster in order to help the war effort against Russia, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said

Since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022, Ukraine has received over $200 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian aid from the US and its allies. Kiev is now completely dependent on the West for military logistics, according to the US media.

“It is crucial that the US is now increasing its deliveries, this support is essential to stabilize the situation,” Zelensky said in a video message on Thursday evening.

“I thank our partners for their assistance, but the pace of deliveries must accelerate to disrupt the tempo of Russian assaults. We need more strength in weaponry and strong positions for diplomacy,” he added.

The video was in Ukrainian but had English subtitles, while two lines were posted in English on Zelensky’s X account.

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election last month, President Joe Biden’s administration has sought to send as much money, weapons, equipment and ammunition to Ukraine as possible before handing over power on January 20.

On December 2, the White House announced a $725 million package of military aid from Pentagon stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). Five days later, Washington said another $988 million worth of drones and missiles had already been supplied under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

A third package followed on December 12, consisting of $500 million worth of drones, armored vehicles and ammunition for HIMARS rocket launchers.

Congress approved a $61 billion request for Ukraine funding in April. The Republican majority in the House of Representatives has since ruled out the White House’s request for another $24 billion. The $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved earlier this week did not include any aid for Kiev.

According to Al Jazeera, the White House may have up to $3.5 billion left in the PDA and another $2.2 billion under the USAI that it could “surge” to Kiev before Biden’s term expires.

Russia has maintained that no amount of Western aid will change the ultimate outcome of the conflict or prevent Moscow from achieving the goals of its military operation.

Reuters/RT

In a surprising incident in India, a man who accidentally dropped his iPhone into the donation box at a Hindu temple was informed that the device was now the property of the temple’s deity and could not be returned.

The man, identified as Dinesh, was visiting the Arulmigu Kandaswamy Temple in Thiruporur last month with his family to offer prayers. While making his donation, his iPhone slipped out of his pocket and fell into the hundial—a metal box used to collect offerings. Dinesh immediately approached temple authorities to explain what had happened and requested the return of his phone. However, officials refused, citing temple rules that forbid returning anything deposited into the hundial, whether intentionally or accidentally, as it is considered the deity’s property.

Determined to retrieve his device, Dinesh filed a complaint with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, requesting to be informed when the hundial would next be opened. This month, when the donation box was unlocked, Dinesh was present, hoping to recover his phone. Despite his efforts, temple authorities upheld their stance.

“Anything placed into the offering box, even by mistake, becomes part of God’s account,” explained Sekar Babu, Minister of the HR&CE Department. “According to temple tradition, offerings made into the hundial are considered contributions to the deity, and rules prevent returning them to devotees.”

Dinesh was given the option to retrieve the data from his phone but was not allowed to take the device itself. Minister Babu also mentioned that he would consult with temple officials to explore possible ways to compensate Dinesh.

The incident has gone viral on Indian social media, sparking widespread debate. While some defended the temple’s adherence to tradition, many criticized the decision as unjust and inflexible.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform policies, calling them “anti-northern” and threatening that the region would “show its true colours” in response. Speaking on Thursday, the governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, argued that the Tax Reform Bills disproportionately benefit other regions, while shortchanging the north.

Mohammed’s comments were made during his reception of the Christian community in Bauchi State at the Government House on Wednesday, where he acknowledged their support during his political career. The gathering was part of the annual Christmas homage.

The governor urged Tinubu to reconsider the reforms, labeling them “anti-people” and stressing that policies should reflect the needs and concerns of all Nigerians. He emphasized that no policy should be imposed on the people, particularly in a democracy like Nigeria, where government is not run as an oligarchy or under military rule.

“Whenever a policy is unpopular, the government must listen to the people,” Mohammed said. “This is not an oligarchy or military rule; this is a democracy, and leaders must be responsive to the voices of the people. If they continue to ignore the people, they are inviting unrest.”

He also expressed concerns about the economic challenges facing the country, including widespread hunger and hardship, urging Nigerians to pray for the nation’s leadership. The governor called on the federal government to adjust its policies to address the growing discontent, particularly regarding the tax reforms, which he said were ill-suited to the economic realities of the north.

Mohammed warned that if the government continued down its current path, the north would “fight for its interests,” stressing that northern Nigeria faced particular difficulties under the new policies. “It’s not just about pride or ego; it’s about ensuring that the people are supported,” he added. “The current policies are not helping us; we won’t be able to generate revenue to pay salaries or build infrastructure.”

The governor also expressed discontent with the perceived imbalance in the policies, suggesting that they favored specific regions or states over others. “It’s not about religion or tribe; it’s about national unity and good governance,” he said. “The presidency must listen to us, or we will show our true colours. We are not afraid of anyone, including the president. We respect the office, but we will not allow anyone to disregard us.”

In his closing remarks, Mohammed called for unity and patience among Nigerians, emphasizing that peace was essential for the country’s progress. He also appealed for divine intervention, hoping that God would guide the president and his administration to adopt policies that benefit all Nigerians and foster national cohesion.

Finally, he thanked the Christian community in Bauchi for their enduring support, saying that his efforts in office were a reflection of the support he had received over the years.

At least 11 people have been reportedly killed in Tor Azege community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Locals said that the incident happened on Christmas Day and splilled into Thursday.

But there were conflicting reports about the number of casualties as some residents claimed that 26 people were killed during a Christmas service at NKST Azege in Kwande while others placed the death toll at 11.

President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT), an umbrella body of the Tiv nation, Iorbee Ihagh, told journalists in Makurdi that information available to him suggested that 11 people were killed during the Christmas day attack on communities in Kwande LGA.

Ihagh described the attack as unprovoked, alleging that armed men invaded the community, leaving many dead and others missing.

“Leaders of the affected areas have reported the incident to the police,” he said.

Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Internal Security to the Benue Governor, confirmed the attack but declined to provide further details.

Efforts to reach the Director-General of Homeland Security, Jacob Gbamwuan, were unsuccessful as his line was not connecting at the time of this report.

Police spokesperson for Benue Command, Catherine Anene told our correspondent on the telephone that she was yet to receive any report about the incident in Kwande LGA.

Daily Trust

Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen, killing six

Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was about to board a plane at the airport when it came under attack. A crew member on the plane was injured, he said.

The Israeli military said that in addition to striking the airport, it also hit military infrastructure at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Kanatib on Yemen's west coast. It also attacked the country's Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations.

The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said that three people were killed in the strikes on the airport and three were killed in Hodeidah, while 40 others were wounded in the attacks.

Later on Thursday, the Houthis said they were ready to respond quickly to the attack and meet "escalation with escalation", Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported.

Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14 that Israel was only at the beginning of its campaign against the Houthis. "We are just getting started with them," he said.

The prime minister has been strengthened at home by the Israeli military's campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon and by its destruction of most of the Syrian army's strategic weapons.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

God is with us – Putin

God is with Russia, President Vladimir Putin has said, expressing confidence that Moscow would prevail in its conflict with Ukraine.

Putin spoke with reporters on Thursday after a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) in St. Petersburg.

Asked whether he believes that the Ukraine conflict will end in 2025 with a Russian victory, he said: “I believe in God. And God is with us.”

He brushed off reports that the US is planning to propose to “freeze” the conflict along the current front line in exchange for a delay in Ukraine’s membership in NATO.

Putin said that such a delay was first proposed by outgoing President Joe Biden in 2021, adding that the US was told at the time that such a deal would be unacceptable to Moscow.

“We are also striving to end the conflict,” Putin said, stressing that Russia’s “number one goal” for 2025 is achieving victories on the battlefield.

“We believe that we will be successful on the front line and accomplish our objectives in the field of the economy, as well as resolve social issues, the issues of military security, and security in the broadest sense,” the president said. “We will continue moving in accordance with our plans.”

US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine within hours of taking office. While he has declined to discuss any specifics of his proposal, the American media has cited several anonymous sources as saying that it could involve “freezing” the conflict with each side keeping the territory it currently controls. Both Moscow and Kiev have rejected an idea of an unconditional ceasefire.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russian drone attack kills two in Ukraine's Donetsk region, several injured in Dnipropetrovsk

Russian drones struck a multi-storey apartment building in the front line town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region of Ukraine on Thursday, killing two people and injuring two, regional prosecutors said.

Chasiv Yar has been under attack by Russian forces for many months in Donetsk region, the focus of Russia's drive westward to capture the Donbas, which also includes Luhansk region. The town lies west of Bakhmut, a regional centre which fell to Russian forces in May 2023 after months of heavy fighting.

Regional officials in Dnipropetrovsk region, further west, said a drone strike on the market in the town of Nikopol injured eight people on Thursday morning.

Seven of those injured were treated in hospital after the strike damaged stalls at the market, Dnipropetrovsk governor Serhiy Lysak wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Nikopol, a frequent target of Russian attacks, lies on the opposite bank of a large reservoir from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Russian forces struck an industrial area of the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram. No injuries were reported.

The attacks in Ukraine's east come after Russia's Christmas Day attack on the country's energy system, killing one person in Dnipropetrovsk region.

The Ukrainian military said on Thursday it shot down 20 drones out of 31 launched by Russia overnight.

RT/Reuters