Agency Reporter

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, commended the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Mohammed Adamu for banning the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

Mr. Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, gave the commendation in Abuja while reacting to the recent ban on SARS and other special teams of the Nigerian Police from routine patrol duties

” His order is in line with the Commission’s recommendations following a report on the Presidential Investigation Panel on allegations of human rights violations against SARS.

” This is not the first time such a proclamation is made by the Police hierarchy and that compliance to such orders has remained a problem.

“It is hoped that this time the directive which is expected to preserve and protect the rights to privacy and dignity of the human person from atrocious acts of some bad eggs in the Nigeria Police will be enforced to the fullest” Ojukwu stated.

He lamented that reported cases of human rights violations against the police were assuming an alarming proportion.

Ojukwu recalled that in an effort to mitigate such violations, the Vice President in 2018 gave a directive for the setting up of a Special Investigation Panel to look into the activities of the SARS.

He restated the shocking revelations that came out during the panel sitting’s which the report already submitted to the government, contained far-reaching recommendations.

Ojukwu added that the recommendations included the establishment of state and local government Police structure and banning FSARS from embarking on routine patrol, stop and search duties, etc.

He expressed optimism that the recent ban of SARS and other similar Police teams from routine operations will afford the force the opportunity to rejig its operations and re-focus it in line with human rights best practices.

READ ALSO: Fed Govt to probe FSARS

He also expressed regrets in the manner in which some of the officials of SARS operate is inimical to the image of the Police and that of the country in general.

“This is due to the fact that such officials often operate contrary to the rules of engagement and standard of procedures of the force.

” Most times they do not wear Police uniforms, making it difficult for one to identify them as Policemen.

” The commission has continued to record cases of extra-judicial killings, series of extortion, harassment, and intimidation of innocent citizens by FSARS without much being done to change the status quo, thereby tarnishing the image of the country among the global community” he lamented.

Ojukwu emphasised that accountability was key in dealing with such cases as nobody should be above the law.

He expressed the readiness of the Commission to continue to work with the police especially in the area of training and retraining all FSARS officers.

 

(NAN )

Agency Reporter

Egypt announced the discovery of a large collection of intact and well-preserved coffins at a major necropolis near Cairo that dates back 2,600 years.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said Egyptian archaeologists found three shafts containing 59 sealed sarcophagi at the Saqqara necropolis near the famed pyramid of King Djoser.

“I have witnessed the opening of one of the coffins … the mummy seems as if it was mummified yesterday,” al-Anani said on Saturday.

He added that there were other layers of coffins at the necropolis that would be unearthed.

READ ALSO: Egypt discovers 3,000-year-old tomb of nobleman

The discovered coffins are in very good condition and retain their original colours, the minister stated.

He said that they belonged to a group of priests and top officials from ancient Egypt’s Late Period.

Scores of statuettes, including a bronze one for god Nefertum, and amulets were also dug up at the site.

According to the minister, the collection will be put on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum, being built next to the Giza Pyramids, together with three other 3,500-year-old wooden coffins unearthed from the al-Asasif necropolis in the southern city of Luxor.

Egypt has in recent years stepped up the search for ancient artefacts in an attempt to revive its battered tourism industry, which is the main source of national income.

Tourism has been hard hit since the 2011 uprising against long-time dictator Hosny Mubarak.

(dpa/NAN)

By Samson Oti

The Nigerian community in Duala, Cameroon commemorated the 60th Independence Anniversary by putting the nation under God’s protection.

A Holy Mass service held in marking the event at the Holy Trinity parish in Duala where priests prayed for a better Nigeria and confirmed the smooth relationship between Cameroon and Nigeria.

President Nigeria Community in Littoral, Hon. Bic Okwujaku said: “We thought it’s wise to hand over Nigeria to the hand of God, we believe that anything that is planted unto the lord will have everlasting ground.”

READ ALSO: Nigerians support COVID-19 fight in Cameroon

One of the priests, Rev Fr Emmanuel Patrick Adinye said: “God will continue to keep us together; Cameroon and Nigeria, that brotherly unity should continue to exist among ourselves and we continue to pray for Nigerians in Diaspora wherever they are.”

 

By Babatunde Ayankunle

The Chinese community in Lagos has organised a cultural show to celebrate the 60th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.

The celebration on October 1 coincides with the commemoration of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

The cultural show is designed to celebrate the rich diversities of the two countries as well as donate cheques to local communities.

Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, who received the cheques on behalf of the communities, described the gesture as important in building the relationship between Nigeria and China.

READ ALSO: Nigeria @ 60: Full text of Buhari’s Independence Day speech

Some Chinese cultural dance such as The Lion Dance, The Dragon Dance, The Street Dance, The Flower Drum Lamp, and Nigeria Traditional Dance were on a display by the Huaxing Art Troupe in Nigeria.

A Chinese community leader in Lagos, who also is the leader of the Nigeria Huaxing Art Troupe, Eric Ni, said: “China and Nigeria share a lot in common, this is not the first time we will be giving financial support to students in Nigeria, we chose to do this to appreciate the good relationship between both countries”.

The events, which held behind closed doors due to the COVID- 19 protocols in the country, will be streamed on national televisions in Nigeria and China.

Our Reporter

Burial restrictions for victims of COVID-19 in Kenya have been relaxed after protocols introduced to stop the spread of the virus prevented family members from carrying out the process.

For the last six months, public health wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) has buried those who have succumbed to the coronavirus.

Now, these strict measures have been revised, permitting bereaved families to handle the bodies of the relatives and conduct burials and last rites.

Public health officials will continue to maintain a presence at burials.

The move brings the country’s burial practices in line with World Health Organization guidelines.

The WHO has said that the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19 when handling the remains of someone who had the virus is low, but has encouraged the use of PPE when handling bodies if there is a risk of splashes from the body fluids or secretions.

READ ALSO: Misinformation, xenophobia-baiting by Kenyan professor – A rejoinder

WHO guidelines issued earlier this month state: “Those tasked with placing the body in the grave, on the funeral pyre, et cetera, should wear gloves and wash their hands with soap and water after removal of the gloves once the burial is complete.” They do not call for family members and friends to be excluded from the burial process but encourage the observance of local protocols on the number of people that can attend the ceremony.

“The families will take the centre stage in the ceremonies, with health officials only guiding the process. They will also allow safe burial rites dictated by religion or culture of the deceased person,” Nation reported health secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said.

As of Tuesday, Kenya had 659 COVID-19 deaths, according to figures released by the ministry of health. The country has had 37, 218 confirmed cases of the virus, and 24, 147 people have recovered from COVID-19.

(newnow.co.uk)

Agency Reporter

Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, appeared in a Rwandan court amid tight security on Monday, where prosecutors are expected to formally charge him and hear his plea.

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau had previously said he would face several charges including “terrorism, financing terrorism, arson, kidnap and murder”.

Rwandan police have said that Rusesabagina, who called for armed resistance to the government in a YouTube video, was arrested on an international warrant.

READ ALSO: Genocide: Never again in Rwanda

The former hotel manager was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ using his job and his connections with the Hutu elite to protect Tutsis fleeing the slaughter.

He later acquired Belgian citizenship and became a resident in the U.S.

Rusesabagina has lived in exile since 1996 and is a strong critic of President Paul Kagame’s government.

Kagame enjoys widespread credit for returning Rwanda to stability after the genocide and boosting economic growth; however, his rule has been tainted by accusations of widespread repression.

(Reuters/NAN)

Our Reporter

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has joined the nation in mourning the death of a fish that lived in a pond at the country’s second-biggest university.

Students at Copperbelt University (CBU) lit candles and marched around campus to mourn the big bream.

The hashtag Mafishi, as the fish was affectionately known, is trending on Twitter in the southern African state.

For the last two decades, CBU students have believed the fish would bring them good luck in exams.

Mafishi, meaning “Big Fish” in the local Bemba language, was thought to be at least 22 years old and had lived in the university’s pond for more than 20 years, student leader Lawrence Kasonde said.

His death was still being investigated, added the president of the Copperbelt University Student’s Union.

“It is yet to be buried, we are planning on embalming it,” Mr. Kasonde told the BBC.

READ ALSO: Access seeks to acquire Zambian bank

Some students used to pay homage to the fish before exams, believing it brought them good luck while others saw it as a stress-reliever, says BBC Zambia reporter Kennedy Gondwe.

President Lungu quoted Indian anti-colonial campaigner Mahatma Gandhi in his message of mourning, saying on Facebook that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.

“I’m glad you received a befitting send-off. We’ll all miss you,” he said.

Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema said: “We stand with the CBU student community, past and present, over the death of their iconic pet Mafishi.”

In other comments on Twitter, @MoffatSamora said: “May his fins rest in peace we have sent the best lawyers and accountants to come and aid the family in the preparation of his will.”

(www.newsnow.co.uk)

Agency Reporter

Protesters gathered outside several pharmacy chain stores in South Africa on Monday after the company ran a shampoo advertisement that critics slammed as racist.

The AD showed two black women describing their hair as “dry and damaged” and “frizzy and dull,” as well as two white women whose locks were labelled “fine and flat” and “normal,” local media reported.

While the store, Clicks, has issued an apology, a radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), called for protests. , saying on their Twitter feed.

“We will not permit the unrepentant and perverse racism of Clicks to go on in South Africa. #clicksmustfall”, they said on their Twitter feed.

Local website TimesLive reported that one store had been petrol-bombed early in the morning, though only minimal damage was caused.

READ ALSO: South Africa actress, Thandeka Mdeliswa shot dead

Footage on the EFF’s social media feeds showed small groups of protesters clad in the party’s red berets dancing and singing protest songs in several malls.

On Friday, after the furore over the ad started, Clicks issued an apology.

“We have removed the images which go against everything we believe in. We do not condone racism and we are strong advocates of natural hair,” it said.

Hair is a sensitive issue in many parts of Africa, and in South Africa several years ago, schoolgirls campaigned to be allowed to wear natural hairstyles like dreadlocks, afros and cornrows at school.

The EFF has targeted brands over advertisements they say are racist before.

In 2018, it trashed H&M stores in South African malls after the Swedish company ran an ad in which a black child modelled a shirt saying “the coolest monkey in the jungle.”

(dpa/NAN)