Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. Punch: VIPs lobby Presidency as FG grounds 60 private jets
Customs has grounded 60 private jets because some Very Important People (VIPs) skipped their import duty homework. Now they are reportedly ‘lobbying’ the presidency in what appears to be a rich man’s version of ‘oga abeg nah’.
Our Take: Citizens should demand full disclosure of the identities of these jet owners. If public money is owed, public accountability is non-negotiable. Let’s call for an independent audit and a transparent recovery process.
2. The Guardian: Foreign aid withdrawal: Donor fatigue hits 331 PHCs, over 400 staff, puts North in dire straits
Nigeria’s primary healthcare system is now wobbling under the weight of donor fatigue as international donors quietly pack up, and we are acting surprised.
Our Take: If your government spends more money subsidising fuel than saving lives, should you really be surprised that hospitals are now relying on prayers and flashlights?
Nigerians must demand from their federal and state governments a full account of how much of the national health budget has actually been released and utilised. Ask your representative: where is our local health funding strategy? Donor funding is not a plan. The National Assembly’s health committees must hold public hearings on emergency funding for primary health centres.
3. Vanguard: Mokwa flood victims lament poor food, camp conditions
At this rate, affected Nigerians may soon need to flood their own living rooms before the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) remembers they exist.
Our Take: You should demand real-time public updates from NEMA and the government of Niger State on the scope of response. Let’s know how many families have been reached and the logistics plan for food and shelter. Also, urge your state legislators to table motions for better flood preparedness, not just condolence visits.
