Amid the refusal of the coup plotters in Niger Republic to cede power to President Mohamed Bazoum, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) conveyed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that resolving the Niger Republic crisis necessitates the employment of dialogue and diplomacy.
Imoni Amarere, the Vice Chair of AAN, emphasized this perspective during a press conference hosted by the General Assembly of ActionAid Nigeria as part of their Annual General Meeting held in Abuja.
Amarere underscored that Nigeria should view the coup in Niger Republic with concern due to its status as a neighboring country. Nigeria shares borders with Niger Republic, serving as a gateway to the Sahel region and a potential conduit for terrorists to infiltrate Nigeria’s northern regions, thereby exacerbating insecurity within Nigeria.
In a statement delivered by Prof Patricia Donli, the former Board Chair of AAN, during the General Assembly, several concerns and recommendations were put forth for the consideration and action of the administration led by Tinubu.
He said: “First and foremost, is that as a democratic and pro-poor organization, ActionAid is opposed to any undemocratic practices.
“And the military coup in Niger Republic is our undemocratic act, it is a violation of constitution of Niger Republic by the military boys in overthrowing a democratically elected government.
“The response of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to that coup, which of course becomes the sixth in the region within a period of two years before it we had Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and there was also Guinea.
“We are afraid that the gains made by democracy in the last couple of years have been eroded.
“For as far as ECOWAS is concerned, dialogue and diplomacy rather than they result to military intervention instead of the use of force. Dialogue and diplomacy are the right way to go.
“That is why we are saying very clearly that ECOWAS prioritize diplomacy and dialogue in its approach to the situation.
Our assertion is that the African Union and ECOWAS need to adopt a more strategic approach when addressing the military leadership in Niger Republic. Failing to do so could lead to a scenario where Niger Republic becomes a theater for the involvement of major powers within the subregion.
“We already aware, for instance, that countries like the US, France and a few other Western countries that get supply of their uranium from Niger have been badly affected by the developments there.
“We also know that Russia and some other countries in Eastern Europe are seeing the developments in Niger Republic as an opportunity to have a foothold in the subregion, which is what brings the dangerous international dimension to the coup in Niger Republic.
“We think that the Nigerian government and the ECOWAS authorities should continue to explore dialogue and diplomacy. Even as the new government in Niger Republic has continued to show a lot of recalcitrance, but we must show that the bigger brother and ECOWAS is a much wiser organization than it is doing at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Prof Donli called.on the Tinubu-led administration to look beyond palliatives rather on programmes that are sustainable and outlives various governments as a solution to poverty and unemployment.
“That the government go beyond a monthly or one-off disbursement to families so that there should be a programme that makes it sustainable, a programme that targets families, vulnerable, people living with disabilities, and families living in poverty.
“There should be programmes that will take care of those people and the palliative should not just be a one-off something that should continue and sustained.
“And we call on both the federal and the state governments to put in place those programmes, something that will alleviate the challenges that they face. The prices prices of foodstuff has gone up, transport fare has gone up and what we’re saying is that there is a need to actually put in place programmes that would alleviate those challenges.
“Salaries or minimum wage has not increased and there is the need to increase the minimum wage. Public transportation has now been put in place.
“There is a need to put that in place, something that will help the poor man to be able to face the economic crisis and crunch that Nigeria is facing right now. Not just in one-off application of disbursement but a programme.
“Last, we need a system in place and that system needs to go beyond a particular government”, she said.
Meanwhile, Country Director, AAN, Ene Obi, called on the federal, state and local government to critically pay attention to the plight of young people in the country on the heels of the International Day of Youth 2023 with the theme ‘Green Skills for Youth towards Sustainable World’
“And so we are working on that day and we are hoping that we can use this opportunity to call on the federal government to pay attention to the young population that Nigeria has, over 60 per cent of the population are young people, and so we are focusing on these”, Ene said.
Nonetheless, the General Assembly of AAN highlighted the following points: In light of the ongoing economic crisis, it is crucial for both Federal and State governments to give precedence to the establishment of credible and sustainable social welfare programs that extend beyond mere monthly fund disbursements for short-term relief. The Nigerian Student Loan Act signifies a significant stride towards promoting social justice in education.
To maximize its efficacy, the Nigerian government should ensure equitable and fair distribution of education loans, with particular attention directed towards students from marginalized communities and those with disabilities. Moreover, the act’s implementation should be complemented by robust support systems, encompassing financial literacy initiatives, career counseling, and job creation schemes to enhance the employability of loan beneficiaries after their graduation.
In order to ensure enduring food security, Federal and State Governments must give priority to sustainable solutions through strategic investments. By concentrating on agriculture promotion, rural development, and empowerment of local communities, the government can elevate food production and self-reliance.
These endeavors will not only bolster the nation’s capacity to feed its populace but also forge resilient and independent agricultural systems. Additionally, collaborative efforts among governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders are imperative to formulate comprehensive and cohesive strategies that tackle the fundamental causes of food insecurity.
Considering the recurrent menace of flooding in Nigeria, all tiers of government must give precedence to urban planning and environmental infrastructure development. Substantial investments in flood control measures, drainage systems, and sustainable urban development practices can alleviate the impact of floods on communities. By proactively addressing flood risks, the government can safeguard lives, properties, and essential infrastructure, as well as promote sustainable growth in flood-prone regions.
The Nigerian government ought to strategically channel investments into pivotal economic sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology. By directing resources into these domains, the government can generate employment, enhance public services, and elevate the overall quality of life for its citizens. Prioritizing investments in these crucial areas will propel economic advancement, attract foreign investments, and position Nigeria for enduring growth and resilience.
As we approach the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, it is our recommendation that INEC proactively collaborates with pertinent stakeholders, including security agencies, to guarantee a secure environment for the peaceful conduct of elections.
Addressing issues such as targeted assaults on INEC offices across the nation and insecurity in certain regions will be pivotal to ensure smooth deployment of personnel and resources, thereby fostering transparent and credible electoral processes.
Nevertheless, AAN urges Tinubu to reconsider the ministerial nominees. The absence of representation for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and the mere 18.8% inclusion of women in the ministerial nominee list is profoundly disheartening.
“It is essential for the government to urgently address the lack of representation for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and significantly improve the meager 18.8 per cent inclusion of women in the ministerial nominee list”, it added.
