The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UN

  • UN expects Nigeria to do more in Boko Haram fight

    The United Nations expects the Nigerian military to do more to combat Boko Haram and urged Nigeria and its neighbors – Chad, Niger and Cameroon to allow hot pursuit of the militants across borders as this was key to a regional offensive.

    Boko Haram is the main security threat facing Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer, and increasingly threatens neighboring states.

    Nigeria has postponed a February 14 presidential election until March 28 due to security concerns, Reuters says.

    Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin agreed on Saturday to create an 8,700-strong force to tackle Boko Haram. Once they have agreed how the force will operate, the African Union plans to seek United Nations Security Council support.

    Mohamed Ibn Chambas, UN Special Representative for West Africa, said on Friday that Nigeria needed “to demonstrate greater resolve than it has previously done in this fight against a serious enemy, Boko Haram.”

    “We all expect more from the Nigerian military,” Reuters quoted Chambas as saying to reporters in New York via a video link from Abuja.

    “They have been contributing to peacekeeping around the world for years and demonstrated robustness, now we want to see that same robustness in the fight against Boko Haram.”

    He suggested that the presidential elections “might be a little bit of a distraction at this point.”

  • UN names Edo monarch Peace Ambassador

    THE United Nations (UN)-POLAC has appointed the Okumagbe of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom, Edo State, His Royal Majesty, Dr. George O Egabor, as an Ambassador of Peace.

    The honour is in recognition of the monarch’s leading role in ensuring lasting peace in Nigeria and globally,

    His Excellency, Dr. Egabor, who is the Pro –Chancellor of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, and also the Chairman of Pharchem Industries Limited, Lagos, is a recipient of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Justice of Peace(JP)for over two decades.

    Speaking on the UN honour, the monarch said “The UN award is a huge challenge given the rising cases of insurgency and insecurity in Nigeria which is threatening peace in the country. “I will work more conscientiously with individuals and corporate organisations charged with the duties of ensuring enduring peace in Nigeria, which is necessary for unity and progress’’

    In a statement by Mr. Michael Martin Nkemakolam the General Manager / Chief Operating Officer of Pharchem Industries Limited Ilupeju who is also a senior aide to Dr. Egabor, said the appointment was made pursuant to the declaration of the United Nations Resolution 53/15 of November 20, 1997.

  • May & Baker Nigeria, UN partner on national healthcare

    May & Baker Nigeria Plc and United Nations are seeking to establish a partnership that will enhance domestic provision of quality and affordable medicines for treatment of Nigerians.

    The United Nations, through the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) is seeking to partner with  May & Baker Nigeria as part of efforts to establish a private sector-driven partnership for the provision of quality and affordable medicines for the treatment of persons infected with the Human Imuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV). This indication was given recently by the country director of UNAIDS Dr. Bilali Camara, when he visited May & Baker Nigeria Plc in Lagos.

    According to Camara, UNAIDS seeks to partner with the premier pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, May & Baker because of her quality standards that has received international recognition such as that of the World Health Organization.

    He said the World’s AID control body has recognised the imperative of local production in the efforts towards making HIV drugs available to over six million people infected with the virus in Nigeria, West and Central Africa.

    He said UNAIDS is working with multinationals in Africa to bring reduction in the spread of the virus. Currently, the coverage level in Nigeria is about 42 per cent, meaning that about 60 per cent of the infected persons do not receive treatment, resulting to over 230,000 deaths annually.

    The UNAIDS chief said the new focus of the organisation is awareness creation, by making people know their HIV status.  To this end , UNAIDS has introduced what he called the 90-90-90 Initiative in which 90 per cent of those living with the virus should know their status, 90 per cent of those tested will be put on treatment and  90 per cent of cases will be brought under control.  This he said will reduce transmission by 96 per cent.

    To achieve this, Camara said UNAIDS is seeking to make more test kits available especially for pregnant women and children.

    In his response, Managing Director,  May & Baker Nigeria, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor said May & Baker is delighted to be invited as a   pioneer partner in the  UNAIDS 90, 90, 90 Initiative.

    He assured the visiting UNAIDS team of the readiness of the company to  put her knowledge, experience and expertise  on any worthy cause that promotes the good health of  people.

    He said May & Baker has gone beyond getting the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)  declaration by the  WHO to the level of presenting dossiers for the prequalification of her products, which include a basket of anti-retroviral drugs.

    He expressed optimism about the eventual  prequalification of these ARV drugs which he said will be made available for the treatment of People Living with HIV in Nigeria and beyond. He also said that May & Baker has expertise to work with UNAIDS in the area of HIV kits being one of the first companies in Nigeria to market and distribute these products.

  • African states to seek UN mandate on Boko Haram

    African nations threatened by the Boko Haram sect will seek the United Nations’ Security Council authorisation for a multinational force to take on the militants, Niger’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

    Mohamed Bazoum said the countries of the Lake Chad region had agreed during a meeting in Niger’s capital Niamey on Tuesday that the resolution would be presented to the UN by the African Union.

    He did not specify when this would be done.

    Boko Haram, which is fighting to create an Islamic emirate in northern Nigeria, has increasingly made incursions into neighbouring Cameroon and is also threatening the stability of the region that includes Niger and Chad, Reuters says.

    Mistrust and disagreements between the states has however hampered attempts to pool military resources. The countries had agreed to create a multinational force to tackle the insurgents by last November but failed to contribute the troops.

    “Contrary to what happened in the past, we agreed with our partners that a resolution should passed by the Security Council that will allow the establishment of the Joint Multinational Force,” Reuters quoted Bazoum as saying to a television channel in Niamey.

    The countries also agreed to move the headquarters of the proposed multinational force from the Nigerian town of Baga to the Chadian capital N’Djamena after Baga was seized and ransacked by Boko Haram fighters, he said.

     

  • UN to Boko Haram: Release Chibok girls immediately

    UN to Boko Haram: Release Chibok girls immediately

    … Reaffirms sect’s inclusion in sanction list

    … Condemns rising attacks

    The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday asked the Boko Haram sect to release immediately and unconditionally the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April last year and other unknown persons currently in the sect’s captivity.

    The Council also reaffirmed its decision to place Boko Haram on the Al-Qaeda sanctions list.

    The Security Council, according to a statement issued by the National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre in Lagos, Oluseyi Soremekun, condemned the recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno and Yobe States.

    It also frowned at the increasing attacks in the Lake Chad Basin region along Nigeria’s borders with Chad and Cameroon and in the northern provinces of Cameroon.

    There had been escalation in attacks by Boko Haram, in Maiduguri, Baga (Borno State) and Potiskum, Yobe State, involving children coerced by the sect to act as suicide bombers.

    The attacks had resulted in the massive destruction of civilian homes and significant civilian casualties.

    The Council, according to the statement, reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

    It insisted that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

    The statement reads:

    “The Security Council expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its sympathy to all those injured in these attacks, and to the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the people and Governments of other affected countries.

    “The Security Council strongly condemns and deplores all abuses of human rights and where applicable, violations of international humanitarian law by the terrorist group Boko Haram, since 2009, including those involving violence against civilian populations, notably women and children, kidnappings, killings, hostage-taking, pillaging, rape, sexual slavery and other sexual violence, recruitment of children and destruction of civilian property.

    “The Security Council expresses serious concern over the reported violations and abuses of human rights and large-scale displacements of civilian population, including into Nigeria’s neighbouring countries. The Council recalls its decision to place Boko Haram on the A1-Qaida sanctions list.

    “The Security Council demands that Boko Haram immediately and unequivocally cease all hostilities and all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and disarm and demobilise.

    “The Security Council demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted who remain in captivity, including the 276 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Bomo State in April 2014. The Security Council recognizes that some of such acts may amount to crimes against humanity and stresses that those responsible for all abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

    “The Security Council reiterates the primary responsibility of Member States to protect civilian populations on their territories, in accordance with their obligations under international law.

    “The Security Council expresses its concern at the scale of the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of Boko Haram, which has resulted in the large-scale displacement of Nigerians within the country and into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The Security Council, in this regard, commends the support provided to the refugees by the Governments of the said countries, including with the assistance of humanitarian actors and relevant United Nations entities, and calls on the international community to provide its support in areas which require urgent attention.”

     

  • UN urges Nigeria to restore law and order, probe mass killings

    UN urges Nigeria to restore law and order, probe mass killings

    The United Nations called Nigeria on Tuesday to restore law and order in the northeast and investigate “mass killings” of civilians by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The military said on Monday that at least 150 people had been killed in clashes with insurgents in Baga, Borno State, but the UN human rights office noted that there were “wildly differing” accounts with some reports putting the toll this year at 2,000.

    “While the exact details remain unclear, what appears fairly certain is that mass killings and mass forced displacement have occurred,” Reuters quoted UN human rights spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, as saying at a news briefing in Geneva.

    “We urge the government to act swiftly to restore law and order while ensuring that security operations are conducted in line with international law and full respect for human rights.”

    The military is battling to reclaim Baga from insurgents, who want to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria.

    Boko Haram has killed thousands in a five-year rebellion which is seen as the biggest security threat to Africa’s top oil producer and is a headache for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of what is likely to be a closely fought vote on February 14.

    Opening his re-election campaign this month, he defended his record on fighting the insurgency.

    Some 11,320 Nigerian refugees have fled the violence by crossing into neighbouring Chad since the start of the year, the UN refugee agency said.

    “Some of them are stranded on an island on Lake Chad, called Kangala Island, there are about 2,000 of them there,” UNHCR spokesman, William Spindler, said, adding that the agency was transferring them to the Chad mainland.

  • UN expresses concern over threat to peaceful polls

    UN expresses concern over threat to peaceful polls

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern that insecurity in Northeast may have dire consequences on next month’s elections.

    He said the prevailing attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect pose threat to peaceful conduct of the elections on February 14 and 28.

    The UN secretary said he will continue to rally UN member nations to discuss how to tackle the problem.

    Ki-Moon observed that not only was the activities of sect escalating the insurgents now pose threat to peace in neighbouring countries, particularly Cameroon.

    In a statement at the UN headquarters, New York, but made available by the National Information Officer at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun, the UN secretary urged the insurgents to embrace peace in the interest of humanity.

    It reads: “We face another grave test as Nigeria readies for its election next month.  Boko Haram has continued its violence, killing Christians and Muslims, kidnapping even more women and children, and destroying churches and mosques.

    “Mayhem has spread across the region, and is now having a direct impact on Cameroon and other countries.

  • UN appoints Nigerian General  head of Liberia mission

    UN appoints Nigerian General  head of Liberia mission

    United Nation Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, yesterday named  Major General Salihu Uba of the Nigerian Army, as the Force Commander, UN Mission in Liberia, UNMIL.

    UN Spokesman, Stephane DuJarric, said in a statement   in New York that Major General Uba would succeed Major General Leonard Ngondi of Kenya, who would complete his tour of duty on February 25.

    Before his appointment, Uba served as the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre from 2013 to 2014.

    He also served as Sector Commander with the UN Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, from 2010 to 2012 and Company Commander with UN Protection Force, UNPROFOR, from 1992 to 1993.

     Uba has Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies, Business Administration and Peace and Conflict from University of Ibadan, Imo State University, and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) respectively.

    He is married and has three children.

  • UN may seek clemency for 54 convicted soldiers

    The United Nations (UN) may intervene to stop the execution of 54 soldiers sentenced to death for mutiny by a military court martiaL.

    The Office of the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions, Mr. Christof Heyns, stated at the weekend that “appropriate action including communication to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is being considered regarding the imminent execution of 54 soldiers in Nigeria.”

    The move to intercede and save the lives of the convicted soldiers was in response to a petition sent to the body by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in December 2014.

    In the petition, SERAP had requested from Mr Heyns, five UN human rights independent experts to individually and jointly use their “good offices and positions to urgently request the Nigerian government and its military authorities not to carry out the mass death sentences imposed on 54 Nigerian soldiers for what the government claimed was disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer.”

    Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni who disclosed this in a statement dated 4 January 2015 said the organization, “SERAP “has been in discussion with Johel Dominique at the Office of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions both on the telephone and via email.

    “Johel Dominique has confirmed that the Special Rapporteur is considering appropriate action to avert the imminent execution of 54 soldiers on death row in the country. We have also confirmed to the Special Rapporteur that SERAP has the consent of Mr Femi Falana, SAN, the legal counsel to the 54 soldiers to file the petition.”

    “SERAP welcomes the decision by Mr. Christof Heyns to intervene in the matter. Given his longstanding human rights commitment and achievements, we have absolutely no doubt that Mr Heyns will work assiduously to ensure that justice is done in this matter and we wish him well as he strives to do that,” Mumuni stated.

    It would be recalled that SERAP had in a petition dated 23 December 2014 and addressed to five special rapporteurs stated that, “It is not right or fair to try everyone in mass proceedings, and that such unfair trial should not send someone to the gallows. Imposition of mass death sentences is in breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a party. This Covenant limits the circumstances in which a state can impose the death sentence.”

    The five special rapporteurs include Christof Heyns, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Juan Méndez, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Pablo de Greiff, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; Mads Andenas, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Ben Emmerson, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

    SERAP had described  the courts-martial held in secret were “a mockery of justice” and ignored issues raised by the condemned men that “suggest lack of transparency, accountability and general deficiencies” in the handling of the security budget and arms purchases.

  • SERAP asks UN rights experts to halt 54 soldiers’ execution

    Five United Nations (UN) human rights independent experts have been urged to request the Federal Government and the military authorities not to execute 54 soldiers sentenced to death by a court martial.

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made the plea in a petition dated December 23, 2014 by its Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni.

    On Wednesday, December 17, 2014, the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division General Court Martial convicted the 54 soldiers for conspiracy to commit mutiny and sentenced them to death by firing squad.

    The five UN experts, who are also special rapporteurs, are: Christof Heyns, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Juan Méndez, special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and Pablo de Greiff, special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.

    Others are: Mads Andenas, chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Ben Emmerson, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

    The organisation said: “You have consistently and jointly taken similar actions in the past, including with respect to Egypt, and we respectfully urge you to follow this path in the instance case to continue your record of working to end the death penalty in all countries.

    “It is not right or fair to try everyone in mass proceedings, and that such unfair trial should not send someone to the gallows. Imposition of mass death sentences is in breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a party. This covenant limits the circumstances in which a state can impose the death sentence.”

    The petition, which was copied to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, also stated: “Under international law, cases involving capital punishment such as the present one require the full and scrupulous respect of the guarantees of highest standards of fairness, due process and justice.

    “All human rights depend for their enjoyment the right to life, which is the most fundamental of all rights.  The right to life symbolises everything that the United Nations (UN) works and stands for, be it in the area of peace and security, development or human rights.  To reject the act of irreversibly taking someone’s life is to embrace belief in human progress and dignity.”