The Nation Newspaper

Category: Online Special

  • Rome was built by men and women

    Nigerians acknowledge October 11 for girl child who is deeply in pains and agony. However, we need to act and not acknowledge alone this day. Girl child right is the equal right and privilege a young female child should have as the male. The female child is subjected to cases of sexual abuses, less health care, less educational support from the parent and government, more house chores compared to the male child.

    Scientifically, there is no report that genetic makeup of boys is stronger than girls. Hence, why subject our girls to an inferior state of mind? Why do we make them a second class citizen in the community where they have equal legal right as boys? To win this battle for our girls we need to fight this barbaric menace from the base. Our parent or guardian should treat them equally. House chores should not be attached to a specific gender. Let the girls grow to know that they have equal right and access to education, medical support, marital commitment e.t.c.

    Dear government, your powers, your success, your democracy are nothing and vain if our girls are not having equal right as boys. The government and NGOs should create awareness in schools via curricular and co-curricular activities. They should also practice what they preach by engaging women in governance. Our women who are helm of affairs should endeavor to take the bull by the horn because each story of a successful woman encourages a lot of girls to be at par with boys. Our pastors, imams, elders, chiefs, kings should remember that ‘’Rome that was not built in a day wasn’t built by men alone’’

    You’re a girl, you’re strong, you’re immaculate, you’re smart. Have you ever been told that you couldn’t do something because you are a girl? Oprah winfrey was molested by her cousin, uncle and family friend, but yet she made it.

    A yoruba adage says ‘’Omode gbon, Agba gbon lafi da ile ife ‘’ not Okunrin gbon. Let us build a world where males and females have equal right, this will make the world the best place to live.

     

  • TheNationChat with Upright4Nigeria: Citizen’s roles in curbing corruption

    The Nation Newspaper on Wednesday engaged Upright4Nigeria, a media campaign aimed at strengthening citizens resistance against corruption on Twitter.

    The chat focused on corruption with the theme “Citizen’s role in curbing corruption.”

    Bellow are responses from with #Upright4Nigeria

  • Five health benefits of ginger

    Ginger is among the the healthiest spice on earth and its loaded with nutrients and bio-active compounds that have powerful benefits to our body.

    The most important bio active compound in ginger is the GINGEROL

    Gingerol is the main bio-active compound that have powerful benefits to our body and is the isometric compounds responsible for the heat of ginger

    Ginger can be used fresh, dried or as a juice. Although ginger is considered safe,it is advisable to talk to your doctor before taking large amount especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

    Below are five health benefits of ginger:

    1. IMPROVES DIGESTION
    Ginger contains volatile oils that can help awaken your taste buds and gets the juice flowing.It purifies the mouth and stimulates the production of saliva which aids the digestion process.Having a combination of ginger juice,salt and lime before or after a meal makes it easier to digest your food

    2. HELPS CURE DYSMENORRHEA
    Dysmenorrhea also known as painful periods or menstrual cramps,refers to pain felt during a woman’s menstrual cycle and one of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief during menstrual pain. A ginger juice is made and taken before and after menstruation.

    3. FIGHTS CANCER AND ACTS AS ANTI-AGEING
    Ginger is also packed with antioxidants that help protect the body from cancer,particularly ovarian cancer .Antioxidants also protect the skin from free-radical damage that affects collagen production,helping you look younger.

    Read Also: One in three Nigerian adult population hypertensive

    4. ANTI-NAUSEA
    Many people have been told to drink ginger tea when they feel nauseous.This is because ginger has been shown to reduce nausea connected with everything from motion sickness to pregnancy to chemotherapy. The rapid absorption of ginger helps it to regulate a person’s bodily functions without the side effects of many modern anti-nausea medications.

    5. HELPS MANAGE BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL
    Research suggests that ginger can help keep blood glucose levels in check.This is important because these levels have a direct impact on weight loss and weight gain. If you’ve noticed that you are feeling a mid-day crash its likely due to your blood sugar levels. Adding ginger to your lunch might help you stay focused and on task. Think of ginger as an all-natural alternative.

    Apart from all these medicinal benefits of ginger, ginger is a spice that adds flavor and aroma to our cooking, so the next time you are cooking you can as well add some ginger powder to your food for that amazing aroma.

  • Why Africa has just one profitable airline

    It took several years of negotiations for Fastjet, a low-cost private airline based in Tanzania, to get the traffic rights to fly between Harare and Bulawayo this July. The flying distance between these two major cities in Zimbabwe is about 228 miles—a 45-minute trip. Worse still, it had originally taken three years for fastjet to begin its operations in Zimbabwe, let alone dare to expand its domestic flights in the country.

    This is not unique to Zimbabwe, either. Many African countries restrict their airspaces to prop up state-owned air carriers. That is why it is notoriously difficult for private airlines to succeed in Africa. They are quite literally de-winged before they even has a chance to explore the skies due to protectionism, high taxes, and restrictive regulations. New airlines are prevented from entering the market, existing companies are unable to offer flights of their choice, routes are predetermined, and prices are inflated. These restrictive policies originated in the early 1960s when many newly-independent African states created national airlines to assert their status as nations.

    But these national airlines offer little to be proud of. The majority of state-owned airlines have failed, not being able to make enough revenue to cover their costs. Today, there are only three major sub-Saharan intercontinental airlines: Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways. The only profitable one is Ethiopian Airlines (it’s not managed by the government), but the others incur hundreds of millions in losses every year, and survive on government bailouts.

    Besides the overwhelming evidence that state-owned airlines waste resources, costing the continent millions of jobs and billions in revenue, the dream just won’t die. There are initiatives to re-boost defunct carriers across the continent, including Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia. The worst part of the disastrous state of African skies is that for the last 50years, there have been multilateral agreements in place that could transform aviation on the continent. They only need implementation.

    Fifty years ago, the newly-independent African nations founded the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Created to facilitate the integration of African skies and make African airlines more globally competitive, AFRAA is no closer to that goal today than it was in 1968. African governments just can’t seem to be able to stop getting in their own way.

    “How can we liberalise airlines when we are overtaxing them?” asked Elijah Chingosho, then-Secretary General of AFRAA, at the Aviation Africa summit in Kigali, Rwanda in 2017.

    Indeed, African politicians are particularly skilled at attending summits on the urgent need for freedom in aviation, while having no will to implement them.

    In 1988, 20years after the creation of AAFRA, African states signed the Yamoussoukro Decision, a multilateral agreement with 44 signatories, to liberate African skies. In 2018, this agreement has not yet been implemented. In fact, earlier this year, the Yamoussoukro Decision was replaced by yet another agreement that will likely not be implemented, the so-called Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched in January 2018, SAATM has the same noble goals of opening up Africa’s skies. Except this time, instead of the 44 signatories from 30 years ago, only 23 states bothered to make the commitment.

    While generations upon generations of African leaders continue to shake hands, sign agreements and smile for the cameras, the continent pays dearly for it.

    Air transport plays a critical role in facilitating business, international trade and tourism. When governments regulate airline industries to buttress national carriers, private sector innovation is hampered. In African skies, safety is subpar, sometimes deadly, routes are circuitous—one often has to fly through Europe or the Middle East just to get from one African city to the next, fares are expensive, and airport landing costs are incredibly high. Africa as a whole only has about two percent of global passenger traffic. Regulations might prop up national carriers and buttress some misguided sense of national pride, but they tear down African economies.

    The lack of freedom in African aviation costs the continent millions of jobs and billions of dollars are lost in investment every year. With deregulation, there would be increased competition and improved connectivity leading to lower transport costs and encouraging smoother trade flows. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air cargo represents more than 35 per cent of global trade by value. Africa only captures 1.9 percent of air freight market.

    It doesn’t have to be this way.

    Africa already has the policies written out. If nations would only implement them, it would be a transformative experience for passengers and businesses, as it was for Europe and the United States (US).

    In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Airline Deregulation Act, which somewhat freed the American airline industry, hitherto regulated like a public utility. Through deregulation, Southwest, which had been forbidden from flying outside Texas, was free to offer its then-unique shorthaul, low-priced service on an interstate basis, paving the way for the development of low cost carriers. In Europe, Ryanair was only able to compete freely and inspire new carriers to enter the market, because the EU completed the “open skies” deregulation in 1997.

    Today, a typical European or American traveler, has a range of options for air travel. They could choose the low-cost, no-frills service of carriers like Southwest, JetBlue or Ryanair, or the more luxurious services of a Virgin Atlantic or Delta Airline. Air travel is no longer confined to the wealthy because deregulation helped create affordable and efficient options for everyone.

    If African states want to be competitive in a modern economy, they’d do well to let go of such vanity projects as national airlines, and implement 50years worth of liberalisation accords.

    After that, they’d have nothing to do besides step back and let entrepreneurs finally do the work that states have been blocking.

     

    • Stacy is a senior fellow at AfricanLiberty.org, a platform for advancing individual freedom, peace, and prosperity in Africa

  • Nathaniel Bassey: A blessing in our time

    Popular gospel artiste, Nathaniel Bassey, widely known for his song “Onise Iyanu”, is a blessing to our generation today. His song is known to heal the broken-hearted, touch lives and give strength to the weak.

    Looking at the song, “Onise Iyanu”, Bassey described God as “a God of awesome wonders”, who also shows much mercies to his children. It follows that anyone who is need of a miracle in his life can call on God, and he will be answered. It also means that if anyone sins against God, He is faithful and just to forgive, because he shows so much mercy.

    Born in Lagos in 1978, Nathaniel Bassey had his higher education at the University of Lagos, where he studied international relations and politics for two years, before moving to London to study Politics.

    The singer studied music at Middlesex Summer School, and started his career with a group of friends. They formed a group called ‘Spectrum 4 Jazz Group”.

    At a point in his life, Nathaniel Bassey was travelling all over the world, making money from music, but his orientation remained the same, that gospel music is an avenue to minister to God, and not just for  profit making.

    Read Also: Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, Cobhams, others for Excel

    Bassey, who grew up in the church, joined the Rhodes Orchestra where he played the trumpet for two years. He had wanted to be an ordinary trumpeter, but every changed for him when he composed a song during the visit of the late wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    His songs glorify God and edify men. A look at the “Alagbada Ina” song describes this fact. In the song, God is described as clothed with fire, and shines brighter than the moon and stars.

    Comparing Nathaniel Bassey songs to other secular songs today, it is clear that the lyrics of his songs contain good words. From observations, they are just songs that reign for a short while, and then it loses its value. This is not so for Nathaniel Bassey, and other spiritual songs, as they are always ever-green.

    We have experienced many secular songs that have been banned.  “Science Student” by Olamide is an example.

    Secular songs corrupt the mind, and lead youths and young ones astray.  They are songs that focus on the pleasure of sex, drugs and alcoholism, which end up destroying the life of youths.

  • Full text: Muhammadu Buhari’s 58th Independence Day address

    NATIONAL BROADCAST BY H.E MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE 58TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, 1ST OCTOBER, 2018

    Fellow Nigerians,

    Today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. It is the anniversary of the day Nigerians realised one of the most cherished of human desires – the desire for freedom. We, therefore, give thanks to and remember our founding fathers who laboured so hard and sacrificed so much to build and bequeath to us this wonderful nation. It is our duty to consolidate this great legacy.

    2.     On this first October date and on the eve of the start of the general  election cycle, we should do well to reflect on what binds us together and the great strength our diversity bestows on us. Ours is an ambitious nation, and, as citizens we have every right to look forward to the future with confidence and optimism which are well founded, considering where we find ourselves today.

    3.     There has been a steady improvement in the security situation in the North East.  We remain committed  to ending the crisis and make the North East safe for all.

    4.     Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims of the Boko Haram’s atrocities and their families. Beyond that, we know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed.

    5.     I want at this point to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies, who have been working under the most difficult conditions to keep the country safe.  In the process, many have made the supreme sacrifice.

    6.     As their Commander -In- Chief, I assure these our gallant men and women that I will continue to empower them by deepening their professionalism and providing all the necessary force multipliers and enablers required for them to prevail on the field. I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their entitlements, their welfare and those of their families.

    7.     We are diversifying away from reliance on oil to increased manufacturing capacity, solid minerals development, and agriculture.

    8.     Efforts are on course  in the Niger Delta to clean up polluted lands, restore hopes of the youths in the region and re-establish livelihoods, and strengthen their capacity to guarantee for themselves and for our country a brighter future.

    9.     The age-long  conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst our people, is being addressed decisively. We will sustain and continue to support the commendable efforts by all including civil society organisations, local and states governments and our traditional and religious leaders in finding durable solution to this problem.

    10.     This being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts. In this context I must warn that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law.  Meanwhile, we urge all peace loving Nigerians to reject any simplistic portrayal, at home or abroad, of this conflict as either religious or ethnic based.

    11.   We are one of the countries in the world most affected by environmental degradation,  as a consequence of climate change.   We are signatories to almost all conventions and agreements aimed at slowing down the effect of climate change and mitigating its now evident consequences.

    12.     The consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on us to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment. We will continue to mobilise international support for our efforts in this regard.

    13.     We are making progress in the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance. The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more. Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.

    14.   Consequently, and this is very evident across the country, we have done more with less in infrastructural developments. Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.

    15.     There is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria.  We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries. This is the cornerstone to help genuine investors and honest consumers, and the platform that will allow for the real reforms that we intend to deliver over the coming years.

    16.     We are gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate. We are building an economy that is moving away from over reliance on oil. Consequently we have witnessed massive return to farms and seen bumper harvest, despite recurrent floods across the country.

    17.     These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through  hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999.

    18.     At the forefront, have always been our youths. They have been at the vanguard of the struggle for independence.  They fought in the war to keep the country united.  And it was they who kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights in our country at times when these were at risk, especially following the June 12th 1993 election and the historic 2015 election process.

    19.     Even today, our  youths play a central role   in Nigeria’s continuing progress and developments in all fields of our national endeavour –technology, agriculture, mining, engineering and especially the creative arts. Together we are building a more diverse, inclusive and self-reliant economy.

    20.     In the past three years we have introduced many policies and programmes targeted at youth development and youth empowerment. We support the ‘not too young to run’ legislation aimed at giving the youths greater say in our national politics and governance.

    21.   The school feeding program in primary schools is aimed at encouraging enrolment and attendance. We are building on what we have already introduced to support schools and universities to which funds have recently been released for upgrade of facilities, training programs for our entrepreneurs, and rehabilitation schemes for victims of terrorism and human trafficking.

    Fellow Nigerians,

    22.     Now we have in our hands technology that is a powerful tool that we can and should use for knowledge and understanding. As with other countries, we must also learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions.

    23.     Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s  world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts.  Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake.

    24.     I have committed myself many times to ensure  that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly  INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box  is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name.

    Fellow Nigerians,

    25.     Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be  no quick fixes or short cuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.

    26.     At the international level, we remain a responsible and respected member of the international community, playing active positive roles within ECOWAS, the African Union  and the United Nations as well as all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members.

    27.     We will continue to support initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of our times: global and regional crises and conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime, climate change, human rights, gender equality, development, poverty and inequality within and between nations, etc.  In this context, we are working hard to achieve both the AU 2063 Agenda for socio-economic transformation of our continent; and the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which together aim at addressing these challenges

    Fellow Nigerians,

    28.     As we celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our independence, we know we are on the right path. Although we have our differences, they count for far less than the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite us as a nation.  We have so much for which we should be grateful, and in which we should rightly take pride.  Our journey is not finished but we have come a long way.

    29.     I want to assure you that as President, I will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve what really matters: a united,  peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of  background, can aspire to succeed.

    Thank you. I wish you a memorable independence  celebration.

  • Breaking: NLC suspends strike over minimum wage

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the nationwide strike over minimum wage.

  • Why is family planning a taboo for Nigeria youths?

    In my first year at university, my roommate and close friend Kathy inadvertently became pregnant. She was only 18. The daughter of a religious leader and a promising student, she had her whole life ahead of her. But she was unready to be a mother and feared the stigma of an unplanned pregnancy. So she tried to end the pregnancy herself.

    She lost her life in the process.

    It’s been more than eight years since the day I lost Kathy. And yet after all this time, not enough has changed for Nigeria’s youth when it comes to taboos, shame, contraceptives and unplanned pregnancies.

    The truth is young women across Nigeria are still regularly denied the basic tools and information they need to plan their lives and protect their health.

    I’ve seen the consequences first-hand in my work as a reproductive health advocate. Young women who become pregnant by mistake drop out of school, lose job prospects, and can be coerced into teenage marriages. Thousands more like Kathy die each year as they attempt to hide their shame by seeking unsafe abortions. Left and right, futures are stolen by the burden of teenage pregnancy.

    The young women of Nigeria stand at over 10 million strong, and yet…

    At home, the topic of reproductive health is shrouded in taboo.

    At clinics, they are told they are too young to need contraceptives, or that the services they want are not available.

    Even at school, our girls are not taught about safe sex or the basics of fertility.

    And in adulthood, the situation doesn’t improve much. Across our country, only 14.7% of women who want to delay or prevent pregnancy are using a modern contraceptive method. Last year alone, over 1.1 million pregnancies in were unintended.

    I know our government officials are trying. Just two weeks ago, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the country must take urgent steps to avoid a ‘time bomb scenario’ of unchecked population growth, highlighting the low rates of contraceptive use. But we need to be doing more to address the unique needs of youth. Unplanned pregnancies among young people undermine opportunities for education and employment, exacerbate poverty and perpetuate gender inequities. For the sake of Nigeria’s future, this needs to change.

    Over 900,000 teenagers give birth in Nigeria each year, the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa. Imagine what our communities and our economy would look like if they had the chance to finish school and join the workforce instead?

    We need to give our young women the chance to choose to have smaller families, later in life, that they’re better able to support. We need to give them a chance to contribute to the social and economic development of our country. Because it is small changes like these that have the potential to shift the demographics of our country.

    We can give our youth a chance to make an impact. So many young women that I meet want to be a part of the movement that brings Nigeria toward the demographic dividend and helps our economy grow. And with a population of over 10 million young women, changing the trajectory of their lives can affect the entire nation.

    Our youth are not the only ones with unmet family planning needs. Around the world, thousands of advocates are gathering, calling for greater youth access to family planning as I write these words. Some are hosting events in their home countries today in recognition of World Contraception Day, while others are preparing to travel to Kigali, Rwanda in November for the 2018 International Conference on Family Planning. Together, they are starting a global movement I ardently support.

    But nothing will change if we relegate these conversations to isolated events and conferences held at a safe distance. We need you to join us now, here in Nigeria, in making an investment in our shared future.

    If you are a parent, consider the life opportunities your daughter, who is sexually active (or who is in an intimate relationship) might have if you give her your blessings by ensuring that she receives comprehensive information on contraception and preventing unintended pregnancy.

    If you are a health care provider, consider how many lives you can change if you offer counseling and services to youth.

    And if you are a politician or leader, consider what young people can do for our country if you support their access to a range of family planning options. Nigerian policies do a good job of acknowledging the importance providing services to youth, but on the ground, significant gaps remain. For family planning services to be truly youth-friendly, they need to ensure young people have access to a variety of contraceptive options, without judgement, that they are able to afford. To help our young people succeed, we must commit to these efforts 100%, no less.

    My friend Kathy didn’t finish school. She didn’t start a career or get married or chase her dreams. Beyond the emotional loss her loved ones faced, the country lost something wonderful: the potential of a Nigerian girl poised to enter the world and give back to her country.

    Kathy’s story doesn’t have to be a common one. We can make it rare. We just need to ask ourselves: How will we support Nigeria’s youth in planning their families and their futures?

    I ask that you carefully consider your role and response. Your answer and your actions will determine the future for Nigeria’s girls, and for all of us.

    Jennifer Amadi is the Co-Founder and Program Advisor for Knit Together Initiative (KTI) and a 120 under 40 winner – new family planning leaders. She is the host of a World Contraception Day event taking place in Port Harcourt today. The event is one of 15+ satellite events happening around the world in the lead-up to the International Conference on Family Planning. For more information go to www.fpconference.com/2018.

  • Terrorism in Sahel, Lake Chad Basin fueled by International Jihadi Movement – Buhari

    President Buhari’s Statement at 73rd Session of UNGA

    behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I congratulate you, Madam President, on your well-deserved election as President of the 73rd General Assembly. As you embark on your assignment, I would like to assure you of Nigeria’s support in no less measure than that which we extended to your illustrious predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák.

    2.       We appreciate the effective leadership he gave the 72nd Assembly with such dedication, commitment, and fairness to all member states. I also salute our distinguished Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, who steered the affairs of the Secretariat with focused commitment to the collective United Nations pursuit of global peace and security, equity and justice, inclusiveness, women’s empowerment and human rights.

    3.       It is appropriate at this point to remember with deep sadness our late 7th Secretary- General Mr. Kofi Annan who passed away on the eve of his 82nd birthday. Kofi’s significant contributions to the work of our Organisation have been acknowledged in the well deserved tributes that poured in from around the world following his death.

    4.      We in Africa, while mourning the loss of this great son of ours and citizen of the world, take pride in the way he served humanity in a truly exemplary manner. He demonstrated, in his calm but determined manner, the virtues of compassion, dedication to the cause of justice, fairness and human rights.  He was a visionary leader who inspired hope even in the face of the most daunting challenges. He devoted his entire life’s career to the UN and the pursuit of its ideals and goals. The world is indeed a better place thanks to his exemplary service.

    Madam President,

    5.       During the past year, the world saw some positive results and encouraging signs from the bilateral and multilateral efforts of the international community to address conflicts, crises and threats to world peace. We particularly commend the efforts of the leaders of the United States, North Korea, and South Korea, to realise our shared goal of a nuclear free Korean Peninsula.

    6.      In this connection, we acknowledge the commitment to peace shown by President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-Un by initiating a historic Summit. We urge that they continue this positive engagement.

    7.       Regrettably, many of the crises and threats to peace and security around the world which we debated last year as we did over several previous years remain unresolved. In some cases, matters got worse. The continuing plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, the protracted Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the wars in Yemen, and Syria, and the fight against international and local terrorism such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab come to mind.

    8.      The terrorist insurgencies we face, particularly in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, are partly fueled by local factors and dynamics, but now increasingly by the international Jihadi Movement, runaway fighters from Iraq and Syria and arms from the disintegration of Libya.

    9.  In Myanmar, the carnage appears to have thankfully abated somewhat. We commend the United Nations for staying focussed on the situation of the Rohingya people, to bring their suffering to an end, and hold to account the perpetrators of the atrocious crimes committed against innocent and vulnerable members of this community, including women, children and the old.

    10.     The international community should strengthen its resolve to combat ethnic and religious cleansing everywhere.  We support the UN’s efforts in ensuring that the Rohingya refugees are allowed to return to their homes in Myanmar with security, protection, and guarantee of citizenship. We note the indication by the Government of Myanmar of its willingness to address these issues and we encourage them to do so expeditiously.

    11.      In this context, Nigeria commends the Government and people of Bangladesh in particular and all other countries and organizations that have contributed to shouldering the burden of providing shelter and other vital assistance to the Rohingya Refugees.

    12.  The carnage and the worsening humanitarian situations in Syria and Yemen continue unabated. But the international community cannot afford to give up on the Syrian and Yemeni people. We must pursue all efforts to find peaceful negotiated political solutions to these wars which cannot be won by force of arms alone. Regarding Syria, we hope that the UN sponsored Geneva process and the Sochi initiative, led by Russia, Iran, and Turkey advance this objective.

    13.     The International community must keep up the pressure to encourage the parties to pursue the path of dialogue, negotiations and inclusiveness in resolving their sectarian divides and bringing to an end the immense human suffering in Syria as well as Yemen. We commend Turkey, Jordan, Greece, Germany, Italy and France for hosting the millions of the refugees fleeing these brutal conflicts.

    14.     The situation in the Middle East, grave as it has always been, is now worsened by developments since our last meeting. Nigeria continues to call on the Israelis and the Palestinians to make the necessary compromises in the interest of justice, peace and security, in line with our numerous UN resolutions and applicable international laws.

    15.     Unilateral, arbitrary and insensitive actions only prolong the conflict and undermine world peace and security. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is an appalling result of unrestrained use of power. We urge both parties to re-engage in dialogue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Quartet Roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative, among others.

    16.     Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering support for a just two-state solution, negotiated without intimidation and with Israel and Palestine existing side-by-side in peace and security.

    17.     The crises in the Middle East have deep roots and have remained unresolved for too long. Yet, we should not fall into self-defeating despair and conclude that they are not amenable to solution.

    18.     We should draw inspiration from the remarkable leadership that got Ethiopia and Eritrea to restore long-lost hope for peace between them, a remarkable show of statesmanship which has now galvanised neighbouring countries, including Djibouti and Somalia to push for peace in the sub-region. I believe that with hard work, commitment, and a disposition to compromise and necessary sacrifices, peace is achievable in the Middle East as well.

    19.     Most crises usually have a variety of festering causes and effects. It is the failure to address them early and effectively that lead to out- of- control conflicts. Addressing them includes national and international collective actions which positively impact on peoples and communities. Hence, ‘Making the United Nations relevant to all people: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and sustainable Societies’ which is the theme for this year’s General Assembly, is very apt indeed.

    Madam President,

    20.    A topical consequence of the current conflicts around the world is the irregular migration of affected people from the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa to Europe. Irregular migration entails huge avoidable loss of human lives, puts strains on services in host countries and communities, and fuels anti- immigrant and racist sentiments in Europe. That is why we welcome the successful conclusion of the negotiations on the first-ever Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and we look forward to its adoption in Marrakech later this year.  The aim is to protect the rights of migrants worldwide, while addressing the concerns of countries of ‘origin’, ‘transit’, or ‘destination’ alike.

    21.     Migration is a constant in human affairs. We in Africa are grateful to countries who treat migrants with compassion and humanity-notably Germany, Italy and France.

    22.     Irregular migration is not a consequence of conflicts alone, but of the effects of climate change and lack of opportunities at home. Climate Change remains one of the greatest challenges of our time. Very close to us at home, it is our lot in Nigeria, together with our neighbours around the Chad Basin, to live with the Climate change consequences of a drastically shrunk Lake Chad and the parching up of otherwise fertile arable lands.

    23.     The Lake was a major source of livelihood to more than 45 million inhabitants of the region. Its shrinking meant loss of livelihoods and they are now rendered poor and vulnerable to the activities of extremists and terrorist groups. The instability thus caused in the sub-region intensified internal displacements leading, among other consequences, to intense economic competition especially between farmers and herdsmen.

    24.    This is why we continue to call for a rededicated international engagement to accelerate the recovery efforts in the Lake Chad Basin to address the root causes of the conflicts in the region. What is required is continuous and robust UN cooperation with national Governments and sub-regional and regional organisations such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, to enhance capacity in conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building.

    25.     With regard to the Lake Chad Basin plight, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to the United Nations, the Governments of Germany, Norway, the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and a host of other development partners for their laudable support in assisting us to address both the humanitarian challenges and the on-going stabilisation drive in the region.

    Madam President,

    26.    Corruption within countries and illicit flow of funds across national boundaries have huge negative impact on the stability, peace, and economic prospects of millions in developing countries. Corruption significantly deprives national Governments of resources to provide meaningful livelihoods to their populations who are predominantly youths, thus giving rise to more irregular migration.

    27.     The fight against corruption, therefore, involves us all. It is in our collective interest to cooperate in tracking illicit financial flows, investigate and prosecute corrupt individuals and entities and repatriate such funds to their countries of origin.

    28.    Fighting corruption or resolving international conflicts, crises and wars; defeating terrorism and piracy; curbing arms trafficking and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which fuel these conflicts, particularly in Africa; stemming irregular migration by addressing its root causes; and the many other global challenges we are faced with today can only be effectively addressed through multilateral cooperation and concerted action.

    29.    The only global institutional framework we have to address these challenges is the United Nations System. That is why we continue to call for the strengthening of the Organisation and making it more effective by speeding up the pace of progress towards its reform, including that of its principal organ, the Security Council. The reconstitution of the Council to make it more equitable and more representative of our global community is both a political and moral imperative.

    30.    We believe that a reformed Security Council with expanded membership in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, is in accord with prevailing international consensus and it is in our collective interest to do so. It is high time we stopped skirting round the issue and establish achievable benchmarks and time frames for these reforms.

    31.     I assure you all that in this advocacy, I am only reflecting Nigeria’s deep and abiding commitment to our Organisation and its founding principles and goals. From the date we joined in 1960, we have contributed our quota to the fulfilment of the mandate of the UN. We have been active participants in many Security Council and African Union authorised Peace Keeping operations around the world, beginning with the Democratic Republic of Congo operations in 1960.

    32.     Furthermore, Nigeria has always mobilised the required human and material resources to achieve set United Nations goals, including the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are resolute in complementing the efforts and examples of the United Nations to promote gender equality and youth empowerment as necessary pillars for sustainable development.

    33.     Without these, there can be neither enduring peace nor security. As we set and implement our national policies to achieve these goals, we, in the spirit of international solidarity, will readily cooperate with other nations seeking to achieve similar goals for their own populations to help ensure that no one is left behind.

    34.    I thank you all for your attention.

  • Government urged to include sign language in school curriculum

    September 23 is a historical day as it is the first ever International Day of Sign Languages celebration under the cross-cutting theme of “with sign language, everybody is included”.

    The celebration which is part of the International Week of the Deaf was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 19,2017.

    The UN General Assembly decided to commemorate this day as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf.

    In commemorating this day, Jewel Ibeabuchi joined Wesley Schools for the hearing impaired children with special needs in celebrating.

    Wesley school is a state owned institution located in Surulere, Lagos which aims at providing education to hearing impaired children, creating awareness about their special needs, creating an enabling environment for their total development and also to empower them for the full realisation of their potentials.

    Inside the buildings of 30 Ajao road Surulere Lagos, were kids looking as bright and beautiful as ever.

    Primary four students of Wesley schools of hearing impaired children reading what was on the board

    It was discovered that the teachers and pupils of the school were not aware of the significance of the day.

    One of the instructors in the school, Mrs Nzeh Mabel said “Although this International day is not known to us, we however set aside December 3 which is the World disability day to celebrate these beautiful kids here.

    “We gather the disabled people and give them the opportunities to showcase their talents and gifts.”

    According to her, allowing them showcase their talents is done in order to let the society know that there is ability in every disability and also to make the disabled feel special, needed and involved in the society.

    Pointing out some challenges experienced by the deaf, Mabel stated that the community at large find it difficult understanding them.

    According to her, sign language is very important and every Nigerian should know it.

    “sign language is an international language that every Nigerians should know in order to break the barrier of isolation and misunderstanding which leads to aggressive acts.”

    “As the international day of sign language has been introduced, the government should train people even in banks and include it as a subject in school curriculum.

    “ Inclusion and equal participation in society require sign languages to be accessible, respected and supported, all of which are subsequently required to achieve any of the sustainable development goals and objectives established by United Nations.” Mabel stated