Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. Vanguard: SERAP, Editors to Tinubu: Stop Cybercrime Act Abuse, Free Detained Journalists, Others
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have urged “the government of President Bola Tinubu to immediately end the use of the draconian Cybercrimes Act to target journalists, activists, critics, and other Nigerians peacefully expressing their views online and release those in custody across the country under the legislation.”
Our Take: We call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately halt the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act as a tool of repression, release all journalists and citizens unjustly detained under its provisions, and initiate urgent reforms to safeguard freedom of expression and press freedom in Nigeria, in line with democratic values and constitutional rights.
2. The Guardian: Obi Faults VDM’s Arrest, Alleged NANS President’s Abduction/NCoS, HURIWA Disagree over Poor Feeding of Inmates
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, yesterday, condemned the arrest of Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), saying the action was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled.
Punch also reports that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disagreed with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and disclaimed a recent report that inmates across custodial centres in the country were poorly.
Our Take: We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law by conducting arrests in a transparent, lawful, and humane manner. We also demand the release of VeryDarkMan, as holding him beyond 48 hours without charges is an infringement on his human rights.
On inmate feeding, we call on the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, to urgently investigate the true state of inmate welfare across correctional facilities, review the adequacy of the daily feeding allowance in light of current economic realities, and implement transparent, rights-based reforms to ensure humane and dignified treatment of all inmates in line with national and international standards.
3. Punch: NELFUND Under Fire over Loans to Ex-Students
Some graduates from public tertiary institutions have raised concerns over the delayed disbursement of student loans, revealing that funds were sent to their schools months after they had already graduated.
Our Take: The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr should swiftly investigate and resolve the issues surrounding delayed loan disbursements and continued stipend payments to non-students and put in place a transparent, efficient monitoring and verification system that ensures timely delivery of funds to eligible students, prevents wastage of public resources, and restores trust in the education loan scheme.
4. Daily Trust: Poverty Rising in Rural Nigeria – World Bank
The World Bank has expressed renewed concern over the deepening poverty crisis in Nigeria, revealing that an alarming 75.5 percent of rural dwellers are living below the poverty line.
Our Take: We call on President Tinubu to prioritise the implementation of targeted poverty alleviation programmes, expanding access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water, and investing in agriculture and rural infrastructure to address the alarming 75.5 percent poverty rate among rural Nigerians.
