Here is a roundup of the top stories making headlines in major Nigerian newspapers on Thursday, 02 January, 2025, along with our key advocacy asks.
1.’Expect more dividends of democracy this year’ – Daily Trust
Governors are at it again, promising the elusive ‘dividends of democracy’ while asking Nigerians for more prayers and support.
Our Take: Governors, we are tired of the same chorus. The only dividends Nigerians have seen are potholes large enough to host fishing tournaments, understaffed hospitals with more prayers than pills, and classrooms doubling as saunas. Let’s see tarred roads, equipped clinics, and functional schools.
2. ‘133 women, girls killed in gender-related violence in 2024’ – Report – Punch
No fewer than 133 Nigerian women, including teenagers, were victims of suspected gender-related violence between 01 January, 2024, and 31 December, 2024, according to the 2024 DOHS Cares Foundation femicide reports.
Our Take: Ministry of Women Affairs, are you keeping a scrapbook of tragedies? While you are busy drafting speeches, predators are out there drafting obituaries. How about we move from collecting data to collecting handcuffs for these criminals?
3.’Economy: Hardship deals huge blow to physical, mental wellness’ – Vanguard
The economic crunch is pushing Nigerians into a state of collective physical and mental exhaustion.
Our Take: Mr President, is this the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda or an unintentional health retreat? Nigerians are shedding pounds they cannot afford to lose. Inflation as cardio? Rising costs as intermittent fasting? This is not wellness. It is state-sponsored survival mode.
