Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. Daily Trust: Politicians, Soldiers among Boko Haram Informants – Zulum
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has claimed that some military officers and politicians are informants and collaborators for Boko Haram terrorists.
The governor stated this following resurgence in attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in his state.
Our Take: Governor Zulum, it is not enough to express outrage, there must be a full, transparent investigation with immediate sanctions for any collaborators found guilty.
2. Punch: Lagos Seeks Justice for 3,215 Abused Children in 2024
The Lagos State Government has intensified its fight against violence and abuse of children as data from the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency revealed that 3,215 children were subjected to various forms of abuse between January and December 2024.
Our Take: The alarming figure of 3,215 abused children in Lagos in 2024 should jolt every stakeholder into urgent action. While the state government’s efforts are commendable, it is clear that systemic failure in prevention, reporting, and prosecution persists. The Ministry of Justice must fast-track child abuse cases, the police must prioritise child protection, and the Lagos State Ministry of Education must integrate abuse prevention programmes into school curricula.
3. The Guardian: Manufacturers Groan over 37 Percent Lending Rate, Cite Threat to Productivity
With the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retaining the benchmark interest rate at 27.5 percent, local manufacturers have expressed deep concern and worry over the apex’s bank continued decision to maintain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.5 percent since November 2024, despite a global wave of interest rate reductions aimed at revitalising economic productivity and combating stagflation.
Our Take: The CBN must urgently reconsider its stance on the MPR, as the current 37 percent lending rate is choking local manufacturers and stifling economic growth. At a time when global economies are easing rates to stimulate productivity, Nigeria cannot afford to remain an outlier. The federal government and CBN must engage with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other industry stakeholders to develop more supportive fiscal and monetary policies.
