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#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests: A Civil Call To Save Nigeria From Extinction
BY COMRADE PHILS
Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent and a once-promising beacon of hope in the region, now teeters on the brink of collapse. The malaise affecting this vibrant nation isn’t due to a lack of resources or potential but rather a crisis of governance. As corruption, mismanagement, and systemic inefficiencies continue to plague the country, it becomes increasingly clear that Nigeria’s survival hinges on an urgent and uncompromising call for reform. The people, tired of the increasing hardship and the terrible inflation, are reacting with protests tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
Nigeria’s Dilemma: The Cost of Corruption and Mismanagement
Nigeria’s troubles are not merely as a result of the offset of global economic downturns or external pressures. At the heart of its woes is a deep-seated corruption, what I often term “endemic corruption” that has seen the nation’s resources siphoned off into personal purses and stifled national progress. The oil wealth that should have been a blessing has instead become a curse, with billions of dollars disappearing into the pockets of corrupt officials. This mismanagement has crippled the infrastructure, crippled the health sector, left the education system in disrepair and is now biting hard on food prices, leaving the bulk of the people in starvation.
Public services have deteriorated dramatically. Roads are in disrepair, electricity supply is erratic yet quite expensive, and basic healthcare is often out of reach for many Nigerians, irrespective of class. The ripple effect of these failures is felt in every facet of society, from the rising unemployment rates to the ever-expanding gaps between the rich and the poor. The stark reality is that Nigeria’s governance issues are not just a political problem; they are an existential threat.
The Security Crisis
The security situation in Nigeria has reached alarming levels. Armed insurgencies, banditry, and ethnic violence have become commonplace. The government’s inability to provide safety and security has created an environment where lawlessness thrives. Citizens are left to fend for themselves, and the state’s inability to protect its people only exacerbates the crisis.
The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the Fulani herdsmen clashes in the middle belt, and the various armed groups in the Niger Delta are just symptoms of a larger governance failure. Not forgetting the Unknown Gunmen siege of the South Eastern part of the nation, where criminals taking cover under the cloak of self-determination agents often sack police stations and military units. When the state loses control over its territory, it not only jeopardizes immediate security but also undermines the very foundation of the nation.
Economic Despair
Nigeria’s economic landscape is equally grim. The economy, once buoyed by oil revenues, now struggles under the weight of poor governance and economic mismanagement. Inflation rates soar, and the naira has depreciated significantly. The business climate is hostile to both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors due to unpredictable policies, the baseless value of the naira against the dollar and rampant corruption.
Unemployment rates continue to climb, particularly among the youth, leading to increased social unrest. Without a significant overhaul in governance, the economic prospects for Nigeria look bleak. The potential for economic growth is stifled by a lack of infrastructure, corruption, and an inefficient bureaucracy that discourages investment and innovation.
*A Government of Elitocracy*
The troubles of Nigeria got multiplied in days following the inauguration of the administration of the current president, Ahmed Bola Tinubu in May, 2023. Largely accused of forcing his way to power, his policies have been squarely elitist without recourse to the majority of the poor citizens in the nation.
He announced his entrance in 2023, by removing fuel subsidy, thereby causing a tripled hike in the cost of petroleum products, in his first day in office without providing cushioning steps for the suffering masses.
The United States has significantly reduced its aid to Africa, with a proposed $49.1 billion cut in foreign aid for 2026, targeting global health, education, and agriculture.
The African Development Fund faces a $555 million cut, while UN peacekeeping missions have been defunded.
This move comes as the Trump administration pushes for “burden sharing” with African armies, asking them to take on more defence responsibilities.
The cuts will severely impact humanitarian efforts, particularly in countries struggling with conflict, hunger, and natural disasters.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the US spent $910 million on food, water, sanitation, and shelter for over seven million displaced persons. Without this aid, 7.8 million people may lose food aid, and 2.3 million children risk facing deadly malnutrition.
The Sahel region, described as the “epicentre of terrorism” by US Africa Command chief Gen Michael Langley, faces significant security threats from jihadist groups.
These groups aim to gain access to West African coasts, finance operations through smuggling and human trafficking, and pose a risk to both African nations and US shores.
Langley has admitted that the current upsurge in militant attacks is “deeply concerning”.
The US is reining in its sub-Saharan military operations, with plans to reduce its 6,500-strong personnel deployment in Africa.
Some military installations, including the drone base in Agadez, Niger, have already been shut down.
Gen Langley emphasizes building African nations’ self-reliance to confront terrorism and insurgencies independently.
Data modelling suggests that the USAID cuts could push 5.7 million Africans into extreme poverty next year and reduce economic growth by $4.6 billion by 2030.
The cuts may also drive African nations closer to rival powers like China and Russia.
….
Investigators probing the deadly Air India crash that killed at least 270 people have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), a crucial step in determining the cause of the accident.
The CVR, along with the flight data recorder (FDR), forms the “black box” of the plane, which is designed to survive crashes and provide vital information for air crash investigations.
The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed soon after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport last week, killing most of the 242 passengers and crew members on board.
The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from teams from the US and the UK, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The recovery of the CVR and FDR is a significant development in the investigation, as these devices capture crucial data and audio from the cockpit, including pilot conversations, alarms, and ambient sounds.
The analysis of these recorders will help experts reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the cause of the incident.
A high-level committee set up by the Indian government to examine the reasons behind the crash is expected to hold its first meeting soon.
The committee will submit a preliminary report within three months and propose new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims are still grappling with the trauma and pain of their loss.
The process of identifying the victims has been slow and painstaking, with many bodies badly burned in the crash.
Over 90 victims have been identified through DNA matching, and 47 of the identified bodies have been sent to their families.
The former chief minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was among the identified victims. His funeral will be held with full state honors in Rajkot city.
The investigation into the Air India crash is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the cause of the accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Jamaica will host the Forty-ninth (49th) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from July 6-8 in Montego Bay.
The Meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Media partners interested in covering the Meeting are invited to apply for accreditation through the CARICOM registration link: https://register.caricom.org/view.php?id=46900.
The deadline for accreditation is Monday, June 23, 2025.
The Meeting will bring together regional leaders to discuss key issues affecting the Caribbean Community.
The Conference provides a platform for CARICOM Member States to share ideas, collaborate, and make decisions that promote the region’s development and prosperity.
The 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future for the Caribbean Community.
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