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Tag: Ban Ki-moon

  • Ban Ki-Moon demands unconditional release of Chibok girls

    Ban Ki-Moon demands unconditional release of Chibok girls

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has on Monday demanded the unconditional release of abducted the over 200 Chibok girls.

    Ki-Moon made the call during a press remark at the end of a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    According to United Nations chief, the UN is poised to work with Nigeria to counter terrorism in the country and the continent.

    He declared that a change being championed by the current administration in Nigeria will also bring about positive change in the continent.

    He said: “This week will witness the 500 day of the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls. I want to reiterate my support for the Chibok girls and so many other innocent abducted girls and boys whose names and fate remain unknown.

    “It is intolerable that their lives and schooling have been disrupted in this way. The whole world has been moved by their fate. I once again call, on the strongest possible terms, of those responsible to unconditionally release these girls and many other abducted children. I will have more to say this afternoon in my speech.”

    He said that he discussed with President Buhari a full range of issues covering development, human rights, peace and security including the cause of troubling levels of violence and terror perpetuated by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria and beyond.

    Expressing solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria and the affected families and victims, he said: “I expressed my solidarity again with the Nigerian people. The UN will work together to address and counter extremism and terrorism.

    “Terrorism knows no boundaries and no bounds. Today, I laid a wreath in memory of the Nigerian and other victims. Now, more than ever, collaboration is indispensable in addressing these crimes.

    “The President has made regional engagement efforts and I am hopeful for the rapid operationalisation of the regional task force.”

     

  • Buhari, Ban Ki-moon meet on Monday

    Buhari, Ban Ki-moon meet on Monday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will receive the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

    The meeting is billed to hold at noon.

    According to a media advisory signed by Mr. Oche Egwa on behalf of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the two leaders will address a joint press conference at the end of the meeting.

    The UN chief will be hosted to a dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa at 7:00pm.

     

     

  • Ban Ki-moon arrives Nigeria Sunday

    Ban Ki-moon arrives Nigeria Sunday

    The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    A statement on Wednesday said the UN chief would meet President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday and would subsequently engage in a few field activities.

  • Ban Ki-moon urges fight against corruption

    Ban Ki-moon urges fight against corruption

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon has called on all countries of the world to fight money laundering, sign and ratify the UN Conventions against corruption and transnational organised crime and  human trafficking. He stated that criminal trafficking networks thrive in countries where the rule of law is weak and international cooperation is difficult.

    In a message to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Ki-moon charged every nation to also provide meaningful assistance to those in need, including the protection and access to justice and remedies.

    He said: “I applaud the donors who have enabled the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons Fund to assist thousands of people. At the same time, I urge greater contributions to help the many million other victims of this crime move forward with their lives.

    “Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals. On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all,” he said.

    Ki-moon observed that around the world, criminals sell people for profit while vulnerable women and girls form the bulk of human trafficking victims, including those driven into degrading sexual exploitation.

    According to him, “trafficked persons are often tricked into servitude with the false promise of  well-paid jobs. Migrants, crossing deadly seas and burning deserts to escape conflict, poverty and persecution are also at risk of being trafficked.  Individuals can find themselves alone in a foreign land where they have been stripped of their passports, forced into debt and exploited for labour. “Children and young people can find their lives stolen, their education blocked and their dreams dashed. It is an assault on their most basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    “We must also provide meaningful assistance to those in need, including protection and access to justice and remedies.  I applaud the donors who have enabled the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons Fund to assist thousands of people. At the same time, I urge greater contributions to help the many million other victims of this crime move forward with their lives.”

    United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Yury Fedotov said no place in the world is safe as the latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime found that the trafficking victims identified in 124 states were citizens of 152 different countries.

    Fedotov noted that more detected victims of trafficking are children, especially girls under the age of 18.

    “Over the past decade, there has been no significant improvement in the overall criminal justice response to this crime. In the period covered by the Global Report, some 40 per cent of countries reported less than ten convictions per year. Some 15 per cent did not record a single conviction. This illustrates a level of impunity which is unacceptable and highlights the fact that at the moment, the traffickers are getting away with their crimes,” he said in a statement.

  • Ban Ki-moon condemns Boko Haram attacks

    The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has condemns the terrorist attacks that killed over 60 people in the towns of Gombe and Damaturu in northeast Nigeria in recent times. 

    These heinous crimes came as the victims, along with Nigerians nationwide, were conducting Eid prayers, a sacred time for families and communities to come together. As such, the attacks constitute an assault on the beliefs of all people. 

    The Secretary-General offers his condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

    The Secretary-General reaffirms his solidarity with the people of Nigeria and reiterates the UN’s support for the Nigerian government in its fight against terrorism, while upholding human rights. 

  • FG to partner UN on development goals

    FG to partner UN on development goals

    The Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja, has presented to the United Nation Country Team (UNCT) an update on activities so far in Nigeria and proposed events for the rest of the year, in consultation with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and in continuation of its commitment to promoting the UN 70th anniversary as a one-UN event in Nigeria.

    He noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had responded to the letter on UN@70, written by the Resident Coordinator, Mr Daouda Toure, on joint activities with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    Mr Kayanja proposed a formal launch of UN@70 with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will be succeeded by monthly events until December 2015.

    However, according to him, there would be one week of activities which would climax on 24th October 2015 when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is expected to be Chief Guest of Honour.

    Other proposed activities include an international conference organised in partnership with the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA); Peacekeeping Command of the Nigerian Military to honor fallen combatants during Peacekeeping operations; Public lectures on the UN and Nigeria organized in collaboration with Covenant University, Ota Ogun State.

    Others are School Arts Exhibitions and essay competitions on the work of the UN by a School in Abuja and another one in Ogun State; and a Photo exhibition which would probably be the world’s longest photo exhibition organized with Femi Arts Warehouse and planned to be staged at the Bar Beach, Lagos, among others.

    In his contribution, the Resident Coordinator observed that the 70th anniversary provided a platform for the UN system to highlight its works in the country. He, therefore, called on all Head of Agencies to communicate UN@70 during their activities.

  • Men, use your wife as next of Kin – Abike Dabiri

    Men, use your wife as next of Kin – Abike Dabiri

    Honourable Abike Dabiri has urged Nigerian men to ensure that they legally wrote a will and testament in case of eventualities.

    Honourable Dabiri said this on Tuesday while speaking at the celebration of the International Widows’ Day held at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos.

    According to the lawmaker, it is important that men have a legal declaration which covers their wives to manage properties and ensure the distribution of such properties at death.

    “Men should use their wives as next of kin instead of brothers or sisters who often neglect the wife and children in times of needs. Painfully, it is even women who often harass their dead siblings widows the most.

    “You widows should be bold to report molestation or any form of abuse or harassment and be ready to take legal actions. Especially when your dead husband’s family talk about surrogate, that is for your dead husband’s older or younger brother to marry you at widowhood,” Dabiri stated.

    She further maintained that widows should be outspoken about their challenges assuring that the First-Lady, Hajiya Aishat Buhari is committed to empowering every Nigerian woman.

    “First Lady, Hajiya Buhari is concerned that every women in Nigeria must have a means of livelihood so don’t keep your problems to yourself. Speak out and help will come,” she charged.

    The lawmaker, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, maintained that it is punishable under Session 15(1), Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (As reviewed) for anyone to harass, maltreat or abuse a widow.

    According to her, the law which was passed and signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 28 May, 2015, states that such offender is liable to a 2-year jail term or pay a fine of N500,000 or be subjected to both forms of punishment depending on the gravity of offence.

  • UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has advocated for measures to erase the social stigmatisation and economic deprivation that confronts widows.

    The Secretary-General, represented by Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, made the statement in his message during the International Widows’ Day celebration on Tuesday.

    He stressed the need for creating a world with greater equality for generations to come which according to him ‘is the defining challenge of our time’.

    “International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.

    “Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities,’ Mr Ki-moon noted.

    He further said that age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice saying: “These human rights violations stem from the unjust view that women have diminished value. On International Widows’ Day, we reassert the equality of men and women.”

    Similarly, Honourble Abike Dabiri, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who lamented various inhuman treatment which widows often suffer, assured the widows on the position of the law regarding violence against persons – widows inclusive.

    Dabiri maintained that it is punishable under Session 15(1), Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (As reviewed) for anyone to harass, maltreat or abuse a widow.

    According to her, the law which was passed and signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 28 May, 2015, states that such offender is liable to a 2-year jail term or pay a fine of N500,000 or be subjected to both forms of punishment depending on the gravity of offence.

    She therefore urged the widows to seek education at all cost stressing that: “If you are educated, you cannot be maltreated or abused.”

    In her speech, Professor Grace Alele Williams advised the widows to endeavour to explore all means available to them including writing to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    According to her, widows could write letters to the ministry requesting for assistance adding that: “You can also ask the ministry what they have been doing for widows.

    “You can write through agencies like Hope For Life Initiative or any other NGOs around who can help forward and follow up on your case.”

    Prof. Alele warned that there are some widows who often abscond with the money in order not to repay the loan. To this she said: “Those who do such should desist from such act. You can also expose dubious NGOs when you come across them.”

    She also noted that one of the reasons help hardly get to those who needed it most is because some widows prefer to fill in family members who are not widows to benefit from widows-targetted-projects.

    “The United Nations is working on specific measures that can help widows, and I urge other partners to join these efforts,” Mr Ki-moon summed.

  • United Nations condemn Chad bombing

    United Nations condemn Chad bombing

    The United nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the bombings in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad, which reportedly killed more than 25 people and injured dozens of others.

    The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Chad. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. 

    Mr Ban Ki-moon commends Chad for its courageous role in the fight against Boko Haram, while stressing the importance of enhanced collaboration among countries in West and Central Africa to effectively combat the threat of Boko Haram.

    In that regard, he welcomes positive developments on the operationalization of the Multi-National Joint Task Force. 

    The Secretary-General reiterates that States must ensure that all measures taken to address the terrorist threat of Boko Haram comply with all their obligations under international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

  • Insurgency: UN expresses displease

    Insurgency: UN expresses displease

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon has expressed a deep concern over the continuous attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on civilians.

    The Secretary-General was troubled by the continuing indiscriminate and horrific attacks by Boko Haram against civilian populations in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

    He regrets that in spite of the military gains made by the affected countries, Boko Haram continues its wanton destruction and killing of civilians.

    The UN boss is appalled by the continued abductions and use of children as ‘human bombs’, as well as the testimony that many of the girls and women held by Boko Haram were repeatedly raped while in captivity.

    He also expressed displease over the fact that these girls and women were compelled to marry their captors as part of a campaign of forced imprisonment and sexual violence.

    “The perpetrators of these despicable acts must be brought to justice,” he said, calling on the Government of Nigeria to scale up the provision of medical and psychosocial support to the survivors.

    The Secretary-General is also deeply concerned over the further displacement of some 40,000 civilians in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria in the last three weeks.

    He therefore urged members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin to advance the operationalization of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and create a secure environment for the safe and voluntary return, resettlement or integration of displaced persons and refugees.

    In addition, he urged concerned states to ensure that all measures taken to address the terrorist threat of Boko Haram are conducted in line with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

    “To be remotely effective, the response to this threat has to go beyond a purely military one.  Legitimate grievances, past and current human rights violations, and the root causes of the conflict must also be addressed,” he summed.