Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. The Guardian: Plateau Urges Calm as Riyom Attack Death Toll Rises to 32
The Plateau government has urged calm following the 15 July invasion by gunmen of the Bidi Jebu community at Tahoss village in Riyom council area of the state that led to the loss of lives and property.
Condemning the dastardly act in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government sympathised with the affected families of the victims and all those affected by the tragic incident.
Our Take: While the Plateau government calls for calm, perhaps it’s time calm came with bulletproof vests and working security architecture. We urge the state and federal authorities to go beyond condolences and photo ops, deploy adequate security, investigate the killings, and bring the perpetrators to justice. After all, peace isn’t just a word in press releases; it’s a product of action, not inaction.
2. Punch: JAMB Uncovers 9,460 Illegal Admissions in 20 Tertiary Institutions
Punch reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has flagged no fewer than 9,469 admissions across 20 tertiary institutions nationwide for the 2024 academic session.
According to the board, the admissions were conducted outside the popular Central Admission Processing System, popularly known as CAPS.
Our Take: The revelation of over 9,000 fake admissions by JAMB should not be swept under the lecture hall carpet. We call on the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant regulatory bodies to investigate the institutions involved, impose appropriate sanctions, and overhaul the admission process to ensure transparency and accountability.
3. Vanguard: Operating Environment Remains Harsh, Businesses Groaning — NECA, NLC
Against the backdrop of some improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have expressed concerns that the operating environment is still adverse while sustaining pressures on average Nigerians.
Our Take: While the government celebrates small wins in inflation and exchange rates, NECA and the NLC paint a harder truth. Businesses are struggling, and workers are barely coping. We urge President Bola Tinubu and key ministries to stop focusing only on numbers and start solving real problems: fix insecurity, make policies stable, and make sure any economic progress actually helps everyday Nigerians.
