The Naija Times Journalism Foundation (NTJF), the nonprofit branch of Naija Times, an online newspaper, has emphasised the need for robust media oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the N5 billion per state and the FCT palliative fund, which was recently introduced by the federal government.
The prominent journalism foundation, dedicated to fostering a vibrant media landscape capable of holding the government accountable within a democratic framework, has highlighted that prior attempts by the government to directly impact the lives of impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians were hindered due to inadequate media oversight.
Ehi Braimah, Chairman of the Foundation and also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Naija Times, conveyed this message in Lagos while assessing the potential impact of the palliative on the lives of ordinary citizens. Braimah underscored that previous initiatives like the Paris Club Refund, along with other government efforts carried out through state governors, had experienced significant failures.
He emphasised that these past interventions, which did not achieve the intended positive effects on the well-being of ordinary Nigerians, should serve as important lessons for both the federal government and citizens across the states.
Braimah stated, “For this released palliative to have any meaningful impact, there must be comprehensive planning and rigorous monitoring of how the funds are utilised. In terms of oversight, the media and journalists should exhibit greater interest in reporting whether these funds are genuinely benefiting ordinary citizens. Absent such media vigilance, the disbursements we’re discussing could easily meet the same fate as previous interventions.”
The NTJF boss highlighted that given the current widespread poverty and destitution affecting Nigerians, governors and other political leaders cannot afford to mishandle ongoing efforts to provide relief to the populace.
“With the prevailing circumstances, the level of hunger in the nation has reached deeply concerning levels, while the hardships have become insufferable. To prevent hunger-driven protests, the prevailing deprivation across the country needs immediate and focused attention,” advised Braimah.
The media plays a crucial role in ensuring that the pursuit of transparent and accountable governance becomes a reality across all levels of government. The recently announced palliatives ought to be closely monitored by the media and reported regularly in the public interest.