Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines with our advocacy calls for Thursday, 13 March, 2025.

1. ‘Rivers crisis: Call Wike, Fubara to order, PANDEF urges Tinubu’ – Nigerian Tribune 

Here we go again. In one corner, we have Minister Nyesom Wike delivering yet another bombshell statement, daring the heavens to fall if Governor Sim Fubara gets impeached.

In the other corner, we have Fubara, trying to hold on to his gubernatorial seat while dodging the political missiles fired his way. Meanwhile, everyday citizens are left wondering: ‘Na which kind wahala be this again’?

Our Take: Wike’s latest statement that ‘heaven will not fall’ if Fubara is impeached might sound like bold rhetoric, but for the average citizen who just wants steady electricity and decent healthcare, it is more like a lot of noise with no relief from the scorching heat of hardship.

While Wike dares the heavens to fall, let’s not forget that it’s the masses who will bear the brunt of any political earthquake. The ordinary citizens of Rivers State cannot afford to be caught in the crossfire of political egos. We call on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action by calling both parties to order and prioritising peace and stability over power plays.

2. ‘Bauchi Assembly passes bill to establish sanitary pad banks’ – Punch

Kudos to the Bauchi State House of Assembly for passing the bill to establish sanitary pad banks in schools, correctional facilities, and community centres. It’s about time policymakers realised that period poverty is not just an inconvenience but a public health crisis.

Our Take: Now, before we all start popping champagne, let’s ask the important questions: Will these pad banks actually materialise, or will they end up as ghost projects? How well are they planning to sustain this initiative? Or will we see dusty pad bank signs with empty shelves a few months down the line?

This move is a potential game-changer for thousands of girls and women who often miss school or endure discomfort because they can’t afford basic hygiene products. But to make it truly impactful, the government needs to go beyond just passing bills. They must ensure effective implementation, proper funding, and community involvement.