STATE OF AFFAIRS IN NIGERIA: CACOL, CDHR Boss Debo Adeniran Commend FG, Raise Concern in 9 Critical Areas

MAZI UZOMA EMMANUEL ODUIGWE, Reporting

 

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN NIGERIA:

CACOL, CDHR Boss Debo Adeniran Commend FG, Raise Concern in 9 Critical Areas

By Uzoma Oduigwe, Publisher / Group Managing Editor

08166720469; lagoscitynews98@yahoo.co.uk

Amidst the myriads of internal challenges facing the Nigerian nation, and the sincere, pragmatic efforts by the government of the day especially at the national level, to face the challenges headlong, with a view to finding lasting solutions to them, two very cardinal civil society and societal watch-dog organizations in Nigeria have come out with sincere commendations for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in three (3) important areas: - Infrastructural Development, Economic Diversification and Security Gains in Certain areas.

The organizations - Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) and the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) also went ahead in their submissions to itemize nine (9) other areas which they described as areas of "critical concerns" for the federal government to urgently look into so as to make Nigeria and Nigerians heave a sigh of relief in the days and years ahead.

Making these known recently at their  January, 2025 edition of their monthly Press Briefing on the "State of the Nation," which held at Rights House, in the Adeniji Jones, Ikeja area of Lagos State, south-west Nigeria, Comrade Debo Adeniran who doubles as Chairman of CACOL, and President of CDHR respectively, itemized the nine (9) other areas of critical concerns as Insecurity, Economic Hardships, Healthcare and Education, Environmental Challenges, Corruption, Increase in Tariffs, Freedom of Expression and Media, The New Tax Reform and the Nigerian Political Scene.

In the areas of commendable progresses achieves in Infrastructural Development and Economic Diversification, the civil society group chieftain pointed particularly to government's dogged efforts at completing some major national road projects, rail lines and bridges such as the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Abeokuta expressways, and the second Niger Bridge, saying that the efforts have since paid-off as they have eased and enhanced connectivity and thereby improving the nation's potentials to stimulate economic growth. He however said the East-West Road which is yet to be completed ought to have been prioritized and completed before embarking on the Lagos-Calabar highway project.

On government’s Economic Diversification efforts, he said: "government's efforts on diversifying the economy through investments in agriculture and technology deserves recognition," because they are all positive initiatives aimed at boosting local production and supporting tech startups, which have also helped to create jobs and diverted some attention from the nation's years of over reliance on our oil revenue.

The third area of Comrade Adeniran's pat on the back for the government dwells on what he described as "Security gains" in some areas such as curtailing the activities of insurgents, especially based security briefs from the information provided by the nation's Defense Headquarters (DHQ), to the effect that “...troops decimated 86 terrorists in various theatres of operation across the country...neutralized 86 of them and arrested a total of 101.... Troops also arrested 30 oil theft perpetrators and rescued 21 kidnapped hostages."

Their observed nine (9) "areas of concern," touched on Insecurity, which Comrade Adeniran said remains a major challenge in Nigeria, pointing to banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes particularly in the northwest and central regions of the nation, not forgetting the recent killing of 20 soldiers, violence between animal herders of both Christian and Muslim persuasions in the North Central region of Nigeria.

On "Economic Hardships, " he said the removal of fuel subsidies, though necessary, has led to increased living cost for the average Nigerian "....rising inflation  coupled with stagnant wages has pushed many families into deeper poverty," he lamented.

Other areas touched by him during the media parley and their position include: Healthcare and Education -the sector  have continued to suffer from underfunding and poor management...exodus of doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have left many hospitals understaffed. Environmental Challenges - the devastating impact of flooding in many parts of the country has revealed the government's inadequate disaster preparedness and response protocols. Corruption - this has remained a significant challenge in Nigeria, permeating various sectors including the executive, legislative, judiciary as well as in the private sector. Tariff Increase - the brunt will have to be borne by the consumers who will have to pay more for services such as phones calls, data and SMS, which may ultimately lead to a reduction in usage of such services. Freedom of Expression and Media - it is lamentable that authorities have intensified a crackdown on critics and journalists marked by instances of abductions, unlawful arrests and detentions.

The New Tax Reform - "we would like to align with Nigeria's recent tax reforms aimed at stimulating economic growth, support small businesses and enhance fairness in the tax system in Nigeria, and lastly,  Nigeria Political Scene - among other issues raised, especially on the recent impeachment of Rt. Hon. Dr.  Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, as the sitting Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Comrade Debo said: "we believe that Lagos being a model for other states of the federation should portray high level of democratic uprightness.... To uphold democratic uprightness and prevent potential abuse of power, it is imperative to establish clear, consistent guidelines that delineate the procedures and grounds for such impeachments across all states," he suggested.