In this post, we digest some top stories that make up the front pages of major Nigerian newspapers on Monday 14 October, 2024, and provide key advocacy asks.
Severe malnutrition rises by 51% in the North – Daily Trust
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international charity, says it has treated 52,725 children with severe malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, across the whole of northern Nigeria over the first eight months of this year.
The alarming rise in severe malnutrition across northern Nigeria demands immediate and decisive action from the Nigerian government. With over 52,000 children already affected this year, the government must urgently invest in scaling up nutrition programmes, ensuring access to life-saving healthcare services, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity in vulnerable communities.
‘NASS considering raising VAT to 10% by 2025′ – Vanguard
THE National Assembly is considering a bill proposing an increase in the Value-Added Tax, VAT, from 7.5 percent to 10 percent.
In the executive bill seen by TheCable, yesterday, the National Assembly intends raising the tax rate to 10 percent by 2025.
Given the severe economic hardship already burdening millions of Nigerian citizens, we urge the National Assembly to reconsider the proposed VAT increase to 10 percent. Instead, we call for a more comprehensive approach to revenue generation that prioritises economic relief for citizens, fosters business growth, and targets equitable taxation that does not disproportionately impact low-income households.
Reverse petrol price pending court verdict, SERAP tells Tinubu – The Guardian
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices, pending the hearing and the determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.
We call on President Tinubu to reverse the increase in petrol prices, as the high cost of living caused by continuous petrol price increase has become unbearable for millions of Nigerians.
