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Tinubu @2: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prioritization of Needs, Voices of Ordinary Citizens
Tinubu @2: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prioritization of Needs, Voices of Ordinary Citizens
By: Michael Mike
As President Bola Tinubu marks second year in office, ActionAid Nigeria calls for a renewed commitment to governance that prioritises the needs and voices of ordinary citizens.
The NGO in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu noted that while some economic reforms and policy efforts have been initiated at the national level, the true measure of progress lies in how these actions impact the daily lives of Nigerians beyond policy announcements, media headlines, or online narratives.
The statement read: “In the last two years, Nigeria has experienced both gains and challenges across different sectors of the economy .However, critical issues persist, including growing poverty, increasing inequality, underinvestment in education, persistent gender disparity in political representation, sexual and gender-based violence, and a shrinking civic space that stifles citizen engagement. The administration’s appointments also reflect this lack of inclusivity, only about 10% of ministers are women, far below the African Union’s 35% gender parity benchmark.
“Furthermore, regional imbalance in appointments has triggered discontent, deepening feelings of marginalisation among somegroups.”
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, noted that, “We believe the time has come to prioritise development over politics. President Tinubu’s administration must shift focus from headline economic figures to tangible improvements in people’s lives. While paying off parts of our national debt is commendable, it is difficult to reconcile with the government’s continued accumulation of multi-million-dollar loans. How is any of this easing the daily struggles of the market woman, the out-of-school child, or the unemployed youth in reality?”
He said: “Nigerians are calling for a clear and resolute stance from President Tinubu in the fight against corruption. High-profile cases like that of Betta Edu, accused of misappropriating social investment funds intended for vulnerable citizens, have sparked widespread outrage, yet no convictions or meaningful resolutions have emerged. Likewise, prolonged cases involving former EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu and ex-pension boss Abdulrasheed Maina remain unresolved, deepening public distrust in the fight against corruption, due to perceptions of selective enforcement and delays. Without a genuine, transparent, and sustained anti-corruption campaign led by the President, efforts to enhance governance and drive development will continue to fall short.’’
AAN also reiterated that Nigeria cannot afford to overlook the stark disparities within its borders. As banks declare trillions in profits, millions of Nigerians struggle to afford daily meals. This economic imbalance is not just unsustainable, it is unjust. The absence of robust social protection systems further deepens this vulnerability, leaving the poorest without safety nets in times of crisis. President Tinubu’s administration must act decisively to bridge inequality, ensure that growth is inclusive, and build a social protection framework that reaches those most in need.
Mamedu emphasised the importance of protecting civic space, noting that democracy thrives when citizens are free to express themselves, organise, and hold leaders accountable. The continued shrinking of civic space only serves to alienate the very people that governance is meant to serve.
He added that ‘‘While there have been some gains against Boko Haram in the Northeast, insurgent activity has resurged, as seen in recent communal attacks on communities in Benue, Enugu, Borno, and Yobe States, including the deadly assault on Gubio town in March 2025. In the Northwest and North-Central regions, banditry and kidnapping have become daily nightmares. In 2024 alone, over 3,000 Nigerians were reportedly kidnapped, including the mass abduction of more than 280 schoolchildren in Kuriga, Kaduna State in March, and repeated abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway. These incidents have not only left families shattered but have also drained them financially through ransom payments, with many victims still unaccounted for. This escalating insecurity demands urgent, strategic intervention grounded in justice, community resilience, and protection for the most vulnerable.
Additionally, with Nigeria’s budget at a historic high, the increasing reliance on borrowing poses long-term risks. Instead of piling on debt, we urge the government to explore sustainable alternatives: curb budget padding, cut the cost of governance, and embrace transparency and accountability. These steps would not only improve fiscal stability but also restore public trust.’’
Moving forward, ActionAid Nigeria called on the Tinubu administration to marry policy with empathy, numbers with narratives, and growth with justice. Let this new year in office mark a turning point, a time when governance truly reflects the voice and needs of the Nigerian people.
Tinubu @2: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Prioritization of Needs, Voices of Ordinary Citizens
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
By: Michael Mike
Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France with the support from the European Union (EU) in conjunction with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), through it e- RIGHTS Protect has called for more strength to fight against cyberbulling and digital rights violation in Nigeria.
This was made known at the grand finale of the national inter-school digital rights competition organized by ASF under it E-RIGHTS platform last Tuesday in Abuja.
After a thorough engagement by various schools across the country, four schools from different States and zone were qualified to the final, namely Kano State, Lagos, Imo and FCT.
In the keenly contested competition, the Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos State emerged as the winner, followed by FCT, Imo and Kano respectfully. The winner takes home the sum of one million Naira with support also from the eRights project to empower what they are doing in terms of digital literacy.
ASF France, Nigeria County Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma, explained that, the competitions is more than celebration of talents, but celebration of courage, consciousness and commitment. She said, the occasion is not just to shaping conversation of the students, but to shaping their future.
She further said “The eRights project aims at promoting digital rights, not just for the adults, but also for the children, ensuring that the children are not left behind in this conversation. So children are themselves today participating in putting out empowering videos, messaging to discourage cyberbullying, to say no to cyberbullying because of the attendant effects and the harms that it can cause”
“The Cybercrimes Act, which was recently revised, amended particularly with Section 24, which was amended in 2024, to ensure that the government addresses some of these issues
“The government needs to do more. And we’re seeing that this Act, which ordinarily should protect citizens, to empower them to create a safe space for engagement, ensure that people are able to express themselves freely as guaranteed by the Constitution, including children” she added.
Also, the EU representative at the event, Program Manager, CSO, Human Rights and Youth, Mrs. Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, believed that, the competition will bring to the understanding of Yong people that they have a responsibility towards not only protecting their rights but also protect the rights of other people who use the digital space.
She further said, the issues surrounding digital rights in Nigeria and other developed countries of the West is dynamic. Therefore, the issues of legislations and regulation towards digital rights is developing, the situation is dynamic and ever changing
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least one person killed and several others injured following a clash between Fulani herders and Gwari farmers in Kpowi village, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred on June 2 at about 4:30 p.m., was reportedly triggered by a dispute over alleged farm trespass and destruction of crops.
The altercation led to violent confrontations between members of the Fulani and Gwari communities.
Security sources confirmed that six Fulani residents identified as Ahmadu Bature, Dauda Bello, Haruna Umaru, Shuaibu Bature, Bature Bello, and Safiya Auta sustained various degrees of injuries.
Similarly, four Gwari individuals Yusuf Pada, Pius Pada, Dantala Yusuf, and Joshua Mai’anguwa were also injured during the clash.
All the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaffin-Koro for medical attention. However, Ahmadu Bature was confirmed dead on admission.
The situation has been brought under control following swift intervention by operatives, and leaders of both communities have been invited for a peace dialogue.
One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger
VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State for an on-the-spot assessment of the flooding that has affected the area.
The Vice President’s visit is aimed at conducting a firsthand evaluation of the flood damage and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence messages and assurances to families affected by the natural disaster.
Earlier, President Tinubu had issued a statement expressing deep concern over the severe flooding, which has resulted in tragic loss of lives and displacement of families. The President extended heartfelt condolences to affected families and the people of Niger State.
In his statement, President Tinubu announced the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre and confirmed that he had been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster. He assured that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, with all relevant federal agencies mobilised to support the state government’s efforts.
VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State
Eid-el-Kabir Celebration: NSCDC Deploys 4,500 Personnel in Abuja
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
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