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Tag: UN Secretary General

  • Ozone Layer: UN Scribe calls for healthier environment

    Ozone Layer: UN Scribe calls for healthier environment

    The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, has called for a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all people while protecting the planet.

    The Secretary-general made this call in his speech at the occasion commemorating the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed Sept. 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

    The theme of this year’s celebration is “Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united.”

    NAN also reports that the ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

    “By working together, we can build a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all people while protecting our planet, our only home”, Ban said.

    He said the total production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in EEA member countries has decreased significantly since the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 – nowadays it is practically zero.

    “Globally, the implementation of the Montreal Protocol has led to a decrease in the atmospheric burden of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) in the lower atmosphere and in the stratosphere, he added.

    Meanwhile, an environmental expert, Mr Taiwo Adewole, has called on Nigerians to take issues of depletion of ozone layer seriously and take precaution and act fast.

    Adewole told NAN in Lagos that Nigeria should tap into joining the force to protect the ozone layer by ending the use of agent and substances that affects the ozone layer

    “In Nigeria we can tap into this by joining the call for the protection of the ozone layer by phasing out of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions that have not only helped protect the ozone layer

    “If the government can join hand with experts among others to support the campaign, it will protect human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth.

    “The theme for this year’s International Ozone Day recognizes the collective efforts of the parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol towards the restoration of the ozone layer,” he said.

  • Six minors, five women impregnated by UN peacekeepers

    Six minors, five women impregnated by UN peacekeepers

    Six minors were among 11 victims of alleged sexual abuse by Tanzanian United Nations {UN} peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that resulted in pregnancies, a UN spokesman has said.

    The allegations from the DRC came to light during the weekend as the UN had been embroiled in numerous reports of sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeepers over the last year.

    The sexual abuse and exploitation mainly involved troops in the Central African Republic.

    Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, confirmed the allegation.

    “We can confirm that out of the 11 allegedly abused women, six were minors.

    “Seven of the alleged victims have already given birth and four women are still pregnant,’’ Haq said.

    He said that Tanzania, which had the primary responsibility to respond to the allegations as the troop-contributing country, had appointed a team of investigators that would travel to DRC “in the coming days”.

  • UN remember Nazi Holocaust victims, survivors

    UN remember Nazi Holocaust victims, survivors

    The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday remembered victims of the World War l and ll between 1933 and 1945 and the courage of the survivors.

    The UN through its Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, educated attendees on the need to avoid the repeat of the Holocaust that claimed the lives of over six million Jews, who were systematically rounded up and exterminated.

    To this effect, UNIC on Tuesday organised a lecture for students, Non-Governmental Organisations and screened the documentary of the film: “The Path to Nazi Genocide” and Poster exhibitions as part of efforts to prevent a reoccurrence.

    History records that the Nazi (German National Socialism) also murdered Sinti and Roma, Political prisoners, homosexuals, persons with disabilities, Jehovah witnesses and Soviet prisoners of war.

    In his message, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon described the Holocaust as a colossal crime adding that no one can deny that it happened.

    United Nations Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun taking Students through the photo exhibition on the Nazi Holocaust
    United Nations Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun conducting Students through the photos exhibition on the Nazi Holocaust.

    “By remembering the victims and honouring the courage of the survivors, and those who assisted and liberated them, we annually renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities and reject the hateful mentality that allows that,” Ki-Moon said.

    Delivered by UNIC Lagos Director, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, the message emphasised the need to educate the younger generation on the cause of such atrocities being undue discrimination among human being who consider fellow humans inferior to them and by implications, have no right to life, social interactions etcetera.

    “The principles remain essential today. People worldwide, including millions fleeing was, persecution and deprivation, continue to suffer discrimination and attacks. We have a duty to remember the past and to help those who need is now.

    “For more than a decade, the Holocaust and the United Nations outreach programme has worked to educate young people about the Holocaust.

    “Many partners, including Holocaust survivors, continue to contribute to this essential work.

    “The memory of the Holocaust is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we stop seeing our common humanity.

    “On this day of the Holocaust remembrance, I urge everyone to denounce political and religious ideologies that set people against people.

    Let us all speak or against anti-Semitism and attacks against religious, ethnics or other groups.

    “Let us create a world where dignity is respected diversity is celebrated and peace is permanent,” he maintained.

    Schools present include Falomo Junior and Senior High School, Ireti Senior and Junior Grammar School, Holy Child’s College, all in Ikoyi, Lagos as well as Southfield College, Bariga, Lagos mainland.

    Also at the lecture were representatives of different NGOs and partners of UNIC Lagos.

    They are: Ms Edna Dafe from Women’s Board, Ms Nnena Ukoha of All Nigerian United Nations Students Association (ANUNSA), Mr Niyi Adekunle from Yes I Believe.

    Others are Ms Mary Nwadike – Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) and Mr Ganiu Owolabi.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”United Nations” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Photos: International youth day 2015

    Photos: International youth day 2015

    Mr. Ronald Kayanja, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, delivering the message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
    Mr. Ronald Kayanja, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, delivering the message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. Photo by UNIC Lagos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Group photography of guests and organisers
    Group photography of guests and organisers. Photo by UNIC Lagos

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, President of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE) delivering the closing remarks. Photo by UNIC Lagos
    Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, President of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE) delivering the closing remarks. Photo by UNIC Lagos