Editorial
Monday, 16 September 2024 04:31
Editorial: The fairy tale of the adventures of BAT and RAT
In the heart of Nigeria, where multidimensional poverty tightens its grip on the bellies of over 130 million souls, two creatures have made Aso Rock their lavish haven. The Bat and the Rat—the power couple—perch high above the suffering masses, oblivious to the devastation their extravagance leaves in its wake. The symbolism couldn’t be more apt: the Bat, a sneaky, nocturnal creature with an eye for mischief, and the Rat, a notorious destroyer of things at homes, gnawing away at what little remains of the nation's wealth. Nigeria is in a state of misery. Hunger stalks the streets like an…
Wednesday, 11 September 2024 04:31
Editorial: Tinubu's assault on democracy and Nigeria’s descent into tyranny
In a chilling echo of Nigeria's darkest days under military rule, President Bola Tinubu's administration has unleashed a wave of repression that threatens to strangle the very democracy he once fought to establish. The recent spate of arrests, detentions, and intimidation of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations paints a grim picture of a government spiraling towards authoritarianism. The arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the brazen raid on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of governmental overreach. These actions, coupled…
Tuesday, 10 September 2024 04:51
Editorial: Verification Portal shutdown is a misstep in addressing healthcare worker migration
The decision by the Nigerian government to shut down the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria's (NMCN) verification portal has caused significant disruption for Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad, forcing many to return home under distressing circumstances. This policy, ostensibly aimed at curbing the mass migration of healthcare workers, is a flawed and short-sighted approach to a complex issue that demands a more nuanced solution. Rather than stemming the tide of migration, the government has infringed on the rights of nurses to offer their services freely, punishing those who have sought better opportunities abroad due to poor pay and…
Monday, 09 September 2024 04:50
Editorial: Criminalizing protest is the real treason
In a shocking display of authoritarian overreach, the federal government has initiated mass trials of #EndBadGovernance protesters, marking a dark chapter in the nation's democratic history. This egregious act not only tramples on the fundamental rights of citizens but also exposes the government's blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The charges of treason leveled against these protesters for their alleged attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government are nothing short of farcical. Let us be clear: peaceful protest is not treason; it is a cornerstone of democracy. By criminalizing dissent, the government is committing…
Thursday, 05 September 2024 04:59
Editorial: How can the average Nigerian survive this relentless assault on their livelihood?
Once again, Nigeria’s struggling masses are forced to bear the brunt of yet another petrol price hike, a staggering increase that has seen fuel prices skyrocket to as much as N897 per litre in Abuja. This latest act of economic cruelty comes as Nigerians are already buckling under immense pressure from inflation, joblessness, and the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. How, we ask, is the average Nigerian supposed to survive? The reality is grim: transportation costs have risen by over 50%, meaning that basic necessities—food, medicine, utilities—are further out of reach for millions. What was once a…
Tuesday, 03 September 2024 04:57
Editorial: Stop the sleaze, privatize NNPCL as the law mandates
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has long been a symbol of mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency, despite being the custodian of one of the world’s largest oil reserves. The persistent fuel shortages, mounting debts, and inability to fulfill its basic mandate of ensuring energy security have underscored the need for urgent reforms. The recent admission by NNPCL that it is struggling financially—owing international oil traders over $6 billion—highlights the severe crisis facing the company and, by extension, the Nigerian economy. The NNPCL, now existing under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a limited liability company, was intended to operate…
Monday, 02 September 2024 04:42
Editorial: FCCPC unveils groundbreaking economic strategy - ‘cut your price or else…’
In a stunning display of economic genius that has left Nobel laureates scratching their heads, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has unveiled its revolutionary strategy to combat Nigeria's skyrocketing inflation: simply telling businesses to charge less money. Who knew it could be so easy? Led by the visionary Tunji Bello, the FCCPC has boldly declared war on the true villains of Nigeria's economic crisis: small business owners and market traders. These nefarious individuals, with their dastardly plots to "stay in business" and "feed their families," have been put on notice. Their reign of terror, characterized by the…
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 05:01
Editorial: Nigeria’s teaching hospitals—on life support
The state of Nigeria's teaching hospitals is a dire reflection of the broader challenges plaguing the nation's healthcare system. Established to serve as centers of medical excellence, these institutions are now themselves in critical condition, grappling with issues that threaten not only the lives of patients but also the economic stability of the nation. The problems are multifaceted. Hospitals like the University College Hospital in Ibadan and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital face severe shortages in medical equipment and staff. The absence of functioning MRI machines, outdated mammography equipment, and unreliable power supply are not just inconveniences—they are…
Tuesday, 27 August 2024 04:49
Editorial: The great NNPC heist: A mockery of corporate governance and national interest
In a bewildering turn of events that defies logic and business sense, Nigeria's national oil company, NNPC, has managed to orchestrate what can only be described as the most absurd corporate acquisition in modern history. The saga of NNPC Retail's purchase of OVH Energy Marketing Limited has morphed into a Kafkaesque nightmare where the acquired entity now controls the acquirer, raising serious questions about the competence, integrity, and motives of those at the helm of Nigeria’s national oil company. This farcical transaction, shrouded in secrecy and mired in controversy, represents a gross betrayal of public trust and a blatant disregard…
Monday, 26 August 2024 04:35
Editorial: Kekere-Ekun’s antecedents and the task of rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s judiciary
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun's ascent to the position of acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) comes at a time when the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary are grappling with an unprecedented crisis of public confidence. Her appointment, shrouded in controversy due to her involvement in the widely criticized Imo State governorship decision of 2020, only deepens the skepticism of a public already weary of a judiciary perceived as corrupt, inconsistent, and subservient to political powers. The task before Kekere-Ekun is monumental: to restore the integrity of an institution that has, over the past years, become synonymous with compromised verdicts and…
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Thursday, 22 August 2024 04:40
Editorial: Tinubu’s $150m jet: An in-your-face, ‘hug-the-transformer’ extravagance
In a country where over 130 million people are trapped in multidimensional poverty, where hunger gnaws at the bellies of millions, and where the echoes of protests against bad governance are still fresh, President Bola Tinubu has committed an unforgivable act of extravagance. His administration’s decision to spend $150 million on a new presidential jet is not just tone-deaf; it is a brazen act of contempt for the very people he was elected to serve. This move is particularly galling when juxtaposed with the actions of leaders in other parts of the world. U.S. President Joe Biden continues to use…
Wednesday, 21 August 2024 04:29
Editorial: Spare us the false narratives, Mr. Vice President
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s many attempts to paint President Bola Tinubu as a paragon of modesty are not only disingenuous but an insult to the intelligence of the long-suffering people of Nigeria. While modesty in personal life may be a virtue, history has shown us that it does not guarantee good governance or a beneficial impact on the nation. Take Mao Zedong, who lived simply and wore plain clothes, yet his policies, like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, caused millions of deaths. Pol Pot, who promoted an agrarian lifestyle and eschewed luxury, led the Khmer Rouge regime,…
Friday, 16 August 2024 04:53
Editorial: The N21m salary and brazen plunder by Nigeria’s legislators
The recent revelation that each Nigerian senator earns a staggering N21 million monthly is not just another story of excessive greed; it is a scandalous indictment of the country's political class. In a nation where millions of citizens struggle to survive on a minimum wage of N30,000 per month, the fact that these so-called public servants are siphoning off resources at such a grotesque scale is nothing short of robbery. This shocking figure, disclosed by Senator Kawu Sumaila, lays bare the extent of the rot within Nigeria's political elite. Each senator, according to Sumaila, pockets N21 million monthly in running…
Wednesday, 14 August 2024 04:47
Editorial: Urgent action needed to combat antibiotic resistance in Nigerian newborns
The recent study revealing that babies in Nigeria are being born with antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a alarming wake-up call that demands immediate and decisive action from the Nigerian government. This crisis not only threatens the lives of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens but also poses a significant risk to public health and the future of medical treatment in the country. To address this critical issue, the government must take the following steps: 1. Ban agricultural use of critical antibiotics: The government must immediately prohibit the use of colistin and other critically important antibiotics in livestock farming. This ban should be strictly…