Hello everyone!
We are back with another roundup of some top stories from last week.
The killing of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, the abduction of a Nigerian journalist, and the country’s first lady’s comments on the japa syndrome got our attention, not forgetting the bombing of Nuba village school in Sudan and the water crisis in South Africa.
Killing of Soldiers: No Excuse, Justification for Attacks
At least 16 soldiers said to be on a rescue mission in Okuama community in Delta State, southern Nigeria, were ambushed and killed in the state. We demand an independent, impartial investigation into the attack to identify the perpetrators, just as the Nigerian army must restrain its officers and ensure that the rights of innocent civilians are respected. Read more
Japa: Boosting Nigerian Economy for Taxi Jobs, Others
The First Lady, Remi Tinubu, said that Nigerians who japa take on jobs they refuse to do at home. According to her, even though she believes in social development, she believes that help should be rendered to those who truly need it, as the government cannot feed the whole nation. This japa syndrome should be a challenge for those in government to support efforts to improve the livelihoods of the suffering Nigerians. In fact, japa should trigger a social development response from the Nigerian government. Read more
Cost of Governance: Abia’s Move to Stop Pension for Ex-Governors Laudable
The Abia State House of Assembly revoked the State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law of 2001, a victory for campaigners against the high cost of governance and proponents of pro-development policies. We recommend that other governors follow suit. Read more
Soludo’s Governance: Party Interest over Public Welfare Is Wrong
Governor Chukwuma Soludo said he rejected advice to construct a road in Anambra State over political party affiliation. That is an example of what governance should never be about. The Anambra State governor and other state governors in Nigeria must commit to ethical leadership, and prioritise the common good over partisan interests. Read more
Press Freedom: Release Abducted Journalist Olatunji
Reports of the abduction of the editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, emerged. Olatunji was whisked away by ten armed men on Friday, 15 March, and nothing has been heard of his whereabouts to date. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, must order an investigation into the claims that armed men in military uniform whisked the journalist away. This investigation should be carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian police. Read more
Sudan: SAF’s Bombing of Nuba Village School Condemnable
Away from Nigeria, the recent killing of schoolchildren and teachers in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan by the Sudanese Air Force (SAF) is condemnable, and those responsible for this disregard for civilian lives must face the law. The authorities in Sudan must respect international humanitarian laws and ensure civilians are not counted among the casualties of the war. Read more
Congo: Reinstating Executions Is Gross Injustice
The decision of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to resume executions after a two-decade pause would have significant implications for human rights. Instead of the government resorting to archaic and inherently flawed punitive measures, it should direct its efforts towards strengthening the rule of law, ensuring access to justice for all, and promoting respect for human dignity and rights. Read more
Liberia: Boakai’s Urgent Action Crucial to Addressing Poverty
With nearly 2.5 million Liberians living in absolute poverty, President Joseph Boakai needs to, as a matter of urgency, deliver on his campaign promises. President Boakai must prioritise the creation of government-supported interventions in the agriculture sector to boost production and support smallholder farmers across the country as a measure to boost family income and the economy at large. read more
South Africa: Why Is Government Failing to Provide Water?
Residents of Durban, South Africa, marked the country’s human rights day without water, as over 70 protesters gathered at Durban City Hall on Human Rights Day to demand that the eThekwini municipality provide a dependable, secure water supply. The eThekwini municipality must speed up efforts to ensure a stable water supply is provided for the people of Durban. 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.
