Hello everyone!
Welcome to another roundup of some top stories from last week.
The tenth anniversary of Chibok girls’ kidnapping and government’s failure to secure schools; President Bola Tibubu’s refusal to address claims of the return of fuel subsidy; effects of dam spillages in Ghana; harassment of human rights defenders in Uganda; and the jailing of a journalist for ‘insulting’ a government official were some of the issues we highlighted.
President Tinubu, Address Return of Subsidy Payment Claims
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, asserted that over eight trillion naira may have been spent by the President Bola Tinubu administration to subsidise the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS). To ensure public trust, President Tinubu needs to urgently respond to the claims that the government is secretly paying subsidy for PMS. Read more
Chibok Girls: Government Must Implement Safe School Policy
Nigeria marked a decade since terrorists abducted 276 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok, Borno State, but insecurity in schools remains a concern in the country. The Tinubu-led administration must mobilise all available resources to secure the release of all the women and girls still in captivity. Also, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, should ensure the implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools to guarantee the security of schools and students. Read more
Shell Sale: Tinubu Must Halt Move to Protect Human Rights
The Nigerian government faces a crucial decision regarding the sale of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), as it carries significant human rights implications for the Niger Delta. The Ministry of Petroleum under President Tinubu must prioritise the protection of human rights in the Niger Delta by halting Shell’s sale of its business unless stringent measures are put in place to address past abuses and prevent future violations. Read more
National Identity Card: Plans for New I.D. Needless
There are plans by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to issue Nigerians with new national identity cards by June 2024. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, should instead invest in improving the efficiency and reliability of existing identification systems in the country. Read more
Grid Collapse: Power Minister Adelabu Must Rise to the Occasion
The national grid collapsed for the third time this year at 2:42 am on Monday, slashing power generation to 64.70 megawatts. The incessant collapse of the national grid is a national crisis that demands urgent and concerted action. Read more
Flood Warning: Government Must Protect Vulnerable Communities
With the recent announcement of 148 flood-prone areas across Nigeria, an urgent and inclusive response needs to be implemented by the government, both at the federal and state levels. The state emergency agencies in the aforementioned states and the various state governments should act swiftly and decisively to safeguard vulnerable communities and build resilience against future flood events. Read more
Ghana: Addressing Effects of Dam Spillages
Away from Nigeria, a recent assessment of the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillages that affected eight districts in Ghana reveals the gaps the government needs to urgently close to provide succour to those affected by the flooding. The Ghanaian government has to put measures in place to prevent future dam spillages and floods from happening. Read more
Malawi: End Legal Action against Journalist Mhone
A journalist with Nation Publications Limited, Macmillan Mhone, has been accused of cyber spamming, publishing false news, and extortion. The Malawian authorities must put an end to any legal action taken against Mhone and ensure reporters can work without worrying about being arrested. Read more
Uganda: Harassment of Women, Human Rights Defenders Unacceptable
It appears the government of Uganda has no intention of protecting the rights of its citizens, based on the recent eviction of 42 families from their land. The government must respect the rights of its citizens and ensure families are fully compensated for their lands. Read more
Tunisia: Jailing of Journalist for ‘Insulting’ Official Is Human Rights Violation
The sentencing of a journalist to six months in prison for allegedly insulting an official in Tunisia is a blatant violation of press freedom and human rights. The Tunisian government must respect the rights of journalists and uphold its obligations under international law, and release Boughalleb. Read more
That is the roundup of some stories that made headlines last week. More headlines are available on Development Diaries or dev_diaries on IG and X, and development diaries on Facebook.
