Here is a roundup of the top stories making headlines in major Nigerian newspapers on Wednesday, 08 January, 2025, along with our key advocacy asks.
1. ‘Stampede: Ooni’s ex-queen, others allege illegal detention, Oyo opposes bail’ – Punch
The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, urged the state high court in Ibadan not to grant bail to the ex-queen of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Shilekunola, Hamzat Oriyomi, and a school principal, Fasasi Abdullahi.
Our Take: Detaining individuals under the guise of a holding charge, something the law doesn’t even recognise, feels like adding an extra chapter to the manual on how not to administer justice. The tragic loss of 35 children deserves a thorough investigation and accountability, but turning suspects into long-term tenants of prison without trial is a grave injustice. We demand an end to this ‘holding pattern’ of detention and call on the Oyo State Government to stop delay of justice.
2.’Over 7m registered electricity customers yet to be metered’ – Vanguard
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, said 7,182,909 or 53.8 per cent customers have not been metered.
Our Take: With over seven million electricity customers still unmetered, because apparently, we prefer playing the ‘guess-your-bill’ game, it’s high time NERC and electricity distribution companies got serious. How long will Nigerians keep paying for electricity that feels as elusive as a winning lottery ticket? Citizens should demand accelerated metering and an end to estimated bills.
3.’Despite privatisation, FG to spend N751.7bn on wires, transformers, streetlights, others’ – The Guardian
The President Bola Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Power, has proposed spending a substantial N751.7 billion on new projects in the privatised power sector. These projects include procuring cables, transformers, and electricity poles.
Our Take: The proposed N751.7 billion expenditure on new projects in the privatised power sector makes one wonder if ‘privatisation’ now means ‘government-funded upgrades for private profits’. While we brace for brighter streetlights, let’s not stay in the dark about where this money is really going. We demand transparency.
