Weekly Roundup of Top Stories

Welcome to the Development Diaries weekly roundup of top stories for Sunday, 12 February, 2023.

Last week, we reported the continued scarcity of naira notes and how Nigerians are struggling to access their funds; why Nigeria must make senior secondary education free; response to the killing of Nigerians in Burkina Faso; INEC’s plan to work with MC Oluomo-led parks committee; call for probe into forced conscription in Ethiopia; and rights organisations’ demand for justice in Algeria among other top stories.


Naira Swap: What Next as CBN Deadline Ends?

The deadline fixed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the return of old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes elapsed on Friday, 10 February, and Nigerians have been left in a state of confusion and chaos. Read more

Why Nigeria Must Make Senior Secondary Education Free

Despite the promises made by Nigerian politicians during electioneering campaigns that they will give education the deserved priority, many successive leaders across the country have only paid little attention to the sector as a dark cloud hangs over education in the country, writes John Andah. Read more

Citizens Frustrated as Naira Scarcity Lingers

Nigerians are still struggling to access their money, either in cash or via online platforms, and it appears there is no end in sight. Many expressed frustration and anger as they spent hours in long queues without being able to withdraw cash via Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Read more

Burkina Faso Killings and Nigeria’s Response

No fewer than 16 Nigerians were recently killed in Burkina Faso by the country’s soldiers as they were on their way to Kaolak, Senegal. These Nigerians, who were Muslim pilgrims, were members of the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya of Nigeria. Read more

INEC to Work with MC Oluomo-Led Committee?

There have been heated debates regarding the recent plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage the Parks Management Committee in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, to distribute election materials and convey personnel in the state. Read more

CHRICED Sets Agenda for New NLC President

Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged the new President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, to reactivate NLC’s alliances with vibrant civil society organisations (CSOs) in the advocacy for the well-being of citizens. Read more

Eritrea: HRW Seeks Probe into Forced Conscription

Human Rights Watch (HRW), during the week, called for urgent action to be taken over an intensive forced conscription campaign carried out by the government of Eritrea in recent months. Read more

Algeria: HRW, AI Demand Justice for Group

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) have jointly called on Algerian authorities to reverse the decision to dissolve the Algerian League for Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) over ‘politically motivated’ allegations. Read more

South Africa: UNICEF, ICC Make Gender Equity Call

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called for the promotion of gender equity, tolerance and inclusion in South Africa. Read more

Congo: HRW Seeks Probe into War Crimes

Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the summary executions and forced recruitment of civilians by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Read more


That is the roundup of some stories that made headlines last week. More newspaper headlines are available on Development Diaries.

Photo source: The Guardian

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