Nigerians to discuss state of the nation on EiE’s ThursdayTalks

Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), a civil society organisation (CSO), says its upcoming “ThursdayTalks” dialogue will engage citizens in conversation on the current state of the nation.

In a statement on Monday, the organisation said this month’s conversation would address the current economic hardship and security issues.

“ThursdayTalks” is a monthly discussion series on the X platform initiated to involve citizens and thought leaders in exploring avenues to enhance good governance in Nigeria.

The conversation is an initiative of EiE Nigeria in collaboration with BudgIT, and TheCable as its media partner.

This month’s conversation will be hybrid to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the organisation.

“Over the past 14 years, EiE has achieved significant milestones in advocacy and implemented meaningful programs aimed at promoting civic engagement, open government, transparency, and accountability,” the statement reads.

“Despite these efforts, the struggle to combat bad governance in Nigeria persists. The current landscape is marked by pervasive insecurity, socio-economic, and socio-political challenges, demanding urgent action in the face of inadequate leadership.”

The organisation raised concerns over the recent spate of attacks and kidnappings, noting that the high cost of living has forced residents to stage demonstrations in parts of the country.

“The first quarter of 2024 has been characterized by a confluence of alarming trends, including escalating insecurity marked by frequent kidnappings and banditry, alongside an unprecedented cost of living crisis,” the organisation said.

“In January alone, reports documented approximately 245 kidnappings, with the most recent incident involving the abduction of over 280 pupils and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State. Additionally, headline inflation and food inflation rates have soared to over 28% and 33% respectively, triggering protests in various states including Oyo, Niger, Sokoto, Kano, and Lagos.

“In light of these challenges, it is no surprise that citizen engagement is at an all time low. However, these circumstances also present an opportunity to galvanize citizens into action.”

The conversation will focus on the role of the government and citizens in addressing the situation and how the promise of hope can lead to action among the citizenry.