The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UN

  • Celebrating the elderly

    Celebrating the elderly

    The world today marks the International Day of Older Persons. The day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness on the issues of aged persons in the country.
    The theme for this year’s celebration is: “The future we want: what older persons are saying”.
    The theme was chosen “to draw attention to the efforts of older persons and a call to civil society organizations, United Nations organizations and States to place the issue of ageing on the international development agenda.”
    The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991 and since then; it has become a yearly event.
    The United Nations recognizes the importance of older citizens of the world. Even the good book emphasized the importance of this age grade and puts in succinctly: “They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green.”
    Like in some climes, older persons have a specified day or week set out to celebrate them. For instance, in United States of America and Canada, National Grandparents Day is a day set out to recognize the older citizens of the country. In Japan, Respect for the aged day is a day set to honour elderly citizens. Every third Monday in September is the day for elderly citizens.
    For Amy Chavez, a columnist for The Japan Times, Respect for the Aged Day is also a way to honor longevity, and Japanese people have always been some of the longest living in the world.
    In his address to mark this year’s event, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for the removal of barriers to older persons’ full participation in society, protection of their rights, dignity.
    His words: “The global community has reached a critical moment in our collective efforts to address poverty and usher in a better future.  The 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals is fast approaching while discussions on shaping a vision for development beyond that date are intensifying.  In this effort, we must address shifting demographics, especially the needs and concerns of the world’s increasing number of older persons.
    “By 2050, the number of older persons will be twice the number of children in developed countries, and the number of older persons in developing countries is expected to double.  This trend will have profound effects on countries and individuals.
    “There is broad recognition that population ageing presents both a significant opportunity and a challenge.  The opportunity is to benefit from the many contributions older persons make to society.  The challenge is to act on this understanding now through the adoption of policies that promote social inclusion and intergenerational solidarity.
    “We often hear people talk about revering older persons for their wisdom, but older persons also want to have a voice.  In our consultation process for the post-2015 development agenda, the United Nations has heard from more than a million people, including many older persons.  They are calling for a world where all have food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, and access to basic health services and education.  I have included these messages in my vision for a transformative post-2015 development agenda, which is set out in my report, “A Life of Dignity for All.
    “On this International Day of Older Persons, I call on countries and people to commit to removing barriers to older persons’ full participation in society while protecting their rights and dignity.”
    United Nations has put in place a number of events to mark the day, including a key note address by Ms. Shireen Said, Policy Advisor, Human Rights, Democratic Government Group, Bureau of Development Policy, UN Development Programme, on the topic:  “The Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda and what it means to Older Persons.
    Since December 14, 1990, when UN General Assembly made October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons the event has continued to be marked.
  • Nigeria seeks UN Security Council seat

    Nigeria seeks UN Security Council seat

    President Goodluck Jonathan insisted yesterday that Nigeria deserves a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2014-2015 session.

    He told world leaders and other delegates at the opening of the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, United States, that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) had already endorsed Nigeria for the position.

    According to him, the global community should also be assured of Nigeria’s commendable performance when it held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

    Jonathan, in the statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering.”

    “We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key Council responsibilities.

    “I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

    We, therefore, urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council,” he added.

    Stressing that Nigeria and other developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the reformation of the United Nations, Jonathan called for quick action towards the democratisation of the Security Council.

    He said: “I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the United Nations.”

    “That is why we call for the democratisation of the Security Council.

    This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world,” Jonathan said.

    On various global challenges, Jonathan called for a renewed and concerted effort by the international community to effectively resolve all issues that currently impede global peace, stability and progress.

    “Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.”

    “We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.”

    “We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail”,” he stated

    Jonathan also restated his called for the international community to confront the menace of global terrorism with greater resolve and determination.

    He said: “Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to national stability. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.”

    “The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together,” President Jonathan said.

    Commending Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development, he said: “The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s more endowed members.”

    He congratulated UN member-states on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty.

    “Our hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations,” the President said.

    While condemning the reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, he welcomed current diplomatic efforts to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country.

    He also urged world leaders to adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.

  • Promoting global peace

    Promoting global peace

    ‘Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal’’ – Martin Luther King

    Today marks the United Nations International Day of Peace. A day set aside to provide an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to promote peace.

    The International Day of Peace is marked on September 21st every year and has been celebrated for the past eleven years as officially declared by the UN General Assembly.

    According to United Nations, the day of peace offers an opportunity for the world to pause, reflect and consider how best to break the vicious cycle of violence that conflict creates.

    The theme for this year: “Education for Peace.”

    But as the world marks the International Day of Peace- Peace Day, what level of peace can we say we enjoy as Nigerians? Do we live in harmony? Are there threats of disintegration rather than togetherness?

    Some Nigerians who spoke to the Nation believe that the country is yet to experience peace. This is blamed on those at the helm of affairs. They believe that the absence of true leadership in the country has given rise to incessant kidnapping, oil bunkering, wanton killings and many more that is currently bedeviling the Nigeria.

    One of such is Mr. Chris Obodo, a lecturer of Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba who said he will continually preach peace just like other Nigerians in his class room but believes the gospel of peace can be solely preached when the leaders have seek and promote peace.

    Obodo said: “I will teach peace but the fact remains that the National Assembly, Executive and other arms of government are to learn peace and its effects. Peace when practiced by leaders will make meaning for followers to abide.”

    He believes that education for peace is highly preached in the class rooms, churches, mosques and social gatherings, insisting that the government must lead by example, “If the young ones are taught peace but everywhere they go is war the message is meaningless. Government therefore needs to be peacemakers for the message to thrive and have meaning.’’

    He therefore called on leaders to live by example. This he said is a sure way in making United Nations theme for this year: ‘Education for Peace” a reality.

    On his part, Mr. Dele Omojuyigbe, Head of Department, General Studies, Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ)  believes the moment government stops laying bad examples for her followers, there will be peace, “One way through which peace can reign is by government at-local, state and federal levels to avoid  laying bad examples.”

    Omojuyigbe calls on the leadership to be sincere and avoid any corrupt tendencies. This he says will go a long way in reducing strife among the youths who aspire to get rich no matter the consequences.

    He also sees individuals as change agents for peace and therefore called on individuals from across the country to create enabling environment for peace. “As individuals, peace can be achieved when we create enabling environment for peace to reign through fair play in whatever assignment we carry out.”

    In commemorating the day and in the spirit of peace Omojuyigbe urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government to reach a truce and end this lingering ASUU Strike.

    Speaking on this event, the United Nations Secretary- General, Ban Ki Moon said; “The International Day of Peace is a time for reflection – a day when we reiterate our belief in non-violence and call for a global ceasefire.  We ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence, at noon local time, to honour those killed in conflict and the survivors who live with daily trauma and pain. This year we are highlighting Education for Peace.  Education is vital for fostering global citizenship and building peaceful societies.

    “In June, Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl targeted for assassination by the Taliban for campaigning for the right to education, came to the United Nations.  Malala said: “One teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world.”  These are our most powerful weapons.

    “That is why, last year, I launched the Global Education First Initiative.  Every girl and every boy deserves to receive a quality education and learn the values that will help them to see themselves as part of a global community.

    “Governments and development partners are working to get every child in school and learning well to equip them for life in the 21st century.  There is new momentum in countries with the greatest needs, such as those affected by conflict, which are home to half of all children lacking education.

    “But we must do more – much more.  Fifty-seven million children are still denied an education.  Millions more need better schooling. Educating the poorest and most marginalized children will require bold political leadership and increased financial commitment.  Yet aid for education has dropped for the first time in a decade.  We must reverse this decline, forge new partnerships, and bring much greater attention to the quality of education.

    “On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our children the value of tolerance and mutual respect.  Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity.  Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might.”

    In the last six years, United Nations has had the under listed themes to mark the day of peace:

    2012: Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future
    2011: Peace and Democracy: Make Your Voice Heard
    2010: Youth and Development
    2009: Disarmament and Non-proliferation
    2008: Human Rights and Peacekeeping
    2007: Peace Is the United Nations’ Highest Calling
    In Nigeria, a National Peace building Convocation will take place today at the Merit Award House in Abuja.

    The keynote speech on “The Role of Education in Building a Culture of Peace and Fostering Global Citizenship” will be presented by Mr. Charles Chibo, an educator, scholar, and international human resources management trainer.

     

  • First Lady to address UN forum

    First Lady to address UN forum

    The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, will participate at the High Level Forum for First Ladies at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, with the theme “Building Bridges for Peace on Health Disability: Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda Initiative”, is scheduled for Sept. 24.

    She is expected to deliver a speech for the opening of the workshop session, while Senior Advisor, RAND Corporation on the African First Ladies Fellowship Programme, Nicole Brzeski, will chair the workshop.

    The session will address various creative strategies in addressing and overcoming peace challenges on various forms of women’s health and wellbeing.

    Dr Ada Okika, the Secretary-General, U.S. Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations New York State Chapter, told NAN that the time had come for realistic understanding of the significance of a transformative agenda to build peace among nations.

    “Peace is directly related to poverty eradication, health care and improvement, good governance, leadership, social and economic emancipation and sustainability.

    “Throughout its history, there have been global experiences on a wide range of conflicts, violence and other numerous challenges.

    “These challenges must be addressed in order to promote human development, revitalise infrastructure and establish sustainable peace in working towards the future that the world want,’’ Okika said.

    She noted that people throughout the world desired peace and good health, adding that women in particular had unique capacities to promote the peace and achieve positive health.

    “For this reason, we propose to convene First Ladies Forum from all UN Member States.

    “The forum can serve as active agent for peace, building bridges on women’s health disability and child marriage, and meeting the challenges for sustainable peace and development of nations,’’ Okika added. (NAN)

  • U.S to drop Syria ‘military threat’

    The United States will drop its insistence that a United Nations resolution on Syria must be backed by military force, officials say, after strong objections from Russia.

    U.S and Russian diplomats say the two sides are edging closer to a deal on Syria’s chemical arsenal, as talks in Geneva enter a third day.

    BBC reports they are thrashing out the technical details of the disarmament process.

    UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said a UN report will “overwhelmingly” confirm that poison gas was used last month.

    He made no comment on who was to blame for the August 21 attack in eastern Damascus.

    But he said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had committed “many crimes against humanity,” in comments at the UN Women’s International Forum that were shown on television.

     

     

     

     

  • Nigeria, Finland to chair UN inter-governmental experts committee

    Nigeria and Finland were yesterday elected as co-chairs of the UN inter-governmental experts committee on sustainable development financing.
    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, both countries were elected by acclamation as co-chairs of the 30-member committee, during the first session of the committee’s meeting
    at the UN Headquarters in New York.

    With this development, Nigeria’s nominee, Dr Mansur Muhtar, a former Minister of Finance and now an Executive Director of the World Bank
    Group, will be co-chairing the committee.He will do so alongside Mr Pertti Majanen, a former Finnish Ambassador to Ireland.

    The committee has the mandate of Rio +20, the UN conference on sustainable development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the outcome “the future we want’’.
    The conference was held between June 20 and June 22, 2012. It was established by the UN General Assembly through its decision 67/559 RES.66/288.
    The committee’s deliberations will focus on the mobilisation of resources from a variety of sources.

    It will also focus on the utilisation of effective financing to provide support to developing countries in their efforts to promote sustainable development.

    The UN Correspondent of NAN reports that the committee would assess financing needs, effectiveness, consistency and synergies of
    existing instruments and frameworks as well as the evaluation of additional initiatives.

    Reacting to the election, Dr Amina Smaila, a staff of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to UN, said Nigeria’s leadership of the committee was important.
    She said this was in view of the critical role of the means of implementation to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    Smaila added that the mission would continue to provide updates on the committee’s work which was expected to terminate in 2014.

  • UN, others want PHCs developed

    The United Nations (UN) and the World Family Physicians (WONCA) have urged African governments to develop the Primary HealthCare system (PHC).

    They said less than five per cent of their countries’ budgets go to health care.

    Experts say in Nigeria, this means the government has failed to produce the results envisioned by PHC’s founder, the late Prof Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, the former health minister.

    The main goal of a PHC is to serve as the closest health facility at the grassroots. But this has not been fully realised.

    According to WONCA, the establishment of the National PHC Development Agency (NPHCDA) has not transformed the PHC system, noting that most of the centres are either lacking in manpower or drugs.

    NPHCDA, which formulates policies and perform oversight functions on PHCs implementation, has failed. This made health care delivery at that level challenging.

    President, Association of General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGMPN), Dr Anthony Omolola, said doctors in the community could be encouraged to do more if they get funds from the government.

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said allowance should be paid to motivate doctors to work in remote villages.

    It also said health care funding should be increased based on the agreement by African’s Head of States and Government in Abuja.

    The body said the allocation to health care was small, stressing that health is wealth.

    Chairman, Amuwo Odofin, Local Government Area Mr Ayodele Adewale, said the high maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rate was because of a poor PHC system.

    He said it was for this that his council prioritises PHC, stressing that this was no serious government would take the health of its people for granted.

    He said there was only one medical doctor at the council, adding that four others have engaged, including five National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) doctors and other medical workers.

    He pleaded with leaders, especially at the grassroots, to allocate more funds to to the PHC.

    ”A strong PHC system is central to improving the health of all and reduces health inequalities among various groups,” he added.

    The council, he said, refurbished FESTAC PHC and that the Mile Two to carry out 24- hour service as flagship centres.

    He said the council had supported the National Immunisation Plus Day (NIPD), procured and distributed freely essential drugs and other basic medical needs to residents of the area in the upland and riverine areas.

    “We purchased medical equipment such as oxygen concentrator, ultra sound scan machine, sterilising units, among others to aid adequate health care,” he said.

    The local government, he added free screening for hypertension, diabetes and distributes hundreds free eye glasses

  • UN lauds Nigeria, Cameroon over ‘Bakassi transition’

    UN lauds Nigeria, Cameroon over ‘Bakassi transition’

    The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the peaceful conclusion of a special transitional regime established by an agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon concerning the Bakassi Peninsula.

    The 15-member body in a statement commended the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon “for their commitment in honouring the obligations to comply with the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and for the responsible and peaceful way in which they resolved their differences on this matter.”

    In June 2006, the two countries signed the UN-backed Greentree Agreement setting the terms and timeframe for the implementation of the 2002 ruling of the ICJ, which transferred the Bakassi Peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Nigeria formally ceded the territory in 2008 and since then a transitional phase has been in place to give full sovereignty of the territory to Cameroon.

    The council, however, commended the role played by the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) in chairing the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission and the Follow-up Committee established to monitor the implementation of the Greentree Agreement.

    “The members of the Security Council commend the efforts of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission in facilitating the performance of the obligations under the judgment of the International Court of Justice and the demarcating of the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon,” it said.

     

  • UN, U.S call for political solution to end Syrian crisis

    UN scribe Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have restated that a political solution was the only solution to end the ongoing crisis in Syria.

    The duo who spoke with reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, noted that they would step up efforts to facilitate dialogue among all parties in the Syrian conflict.

    “More than 100,000 people have been killed, and millions of people have either been displaced or have become refugees in neighbouring countries.

    “We have to bring this to an end. Military and violent actions must be stopped by all the parties and it is thus, imperative to have a peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible, as initiated by Mr. Kerry and Mr. Lavrov,” the secretary-general said.

    He added that he and Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi would spare no effort to convene the meeting as soon as possible.

    The UN chief commended Kerry’s leadership and consistent engagement to revive the peace process for a two-State solution.

    He urged the leaders of Palestine and Israel to “seize this opportunity and respond positively and courageously so that the two-State solution could be realised as soon as possible.”

    In May, following talks in Moscow between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kerry, the two countries announced they would work together to find a political solution to the Syria crisis, and agreed to convene an international conference aimed at achieving this goal.

    However, a date for the conference has not yet been set and talks are continuing on the best time for it to be held, who should participate, how it should be structured and some of the questions to be discussed.

    “There is no military solution to the crisis in Syria, there is only a political solution and that will require the leadership to bring people to the negotiating table,” Kerry said, adding that he and Lavrov remain committed to make the Geneva meeting happen.

    On the Great Lakes and the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), both Mr Ban and Mr Kerry underlined the need to follow the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, and reiterated the commitment of their Special Envoys in the region to work together.

    The Framework was signed in February by 11 African leaders, and aims to end the cycles of conflict and violence in eastern DRC and to build peace in the wider region.

    Ban also thanked Kerry for the U.S. government’s support for initiatives that seek to advance sustainable development and combat climate change.

     

  • UN centre graduates 282

    No fewer than 282 people have graduated from the United Nations Development Programme Vocational Skill Acquisition Centre at Oshodi, Lagos.

    The centre, situated inside Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, is being maintained by the council.

    Speaking during the 10th graduation ceremony, the council Chairman, Hon Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh emphasised the need to promote vocational training among Nigerian youths.

    On the benefits of skill acquisition, Muse-Ariyoh said it will keep the youth away from the street.

    “Our goal is to assist unemployed youths who are yet to gain admission into university with basic skills that are required in the economy, and most importantly instill in them the sense of creativity and self employment. It is also designed to stimulate self-reliance and improve leadership,” he said.

    He said he has subsidised some courses to enable more youths access the training opportunity. “It is in the process of achieving this that our administration has decided to subsidised the expected amount to be paid for some courses. We have also gone the extra mile by sponsoring some youths to acquire various skills at the centre instead of lying idle on the streets which of course we know the danger inherent in it,” he said.

    The graduates were trained in various courses at the centre among which are, computer studies and engineering, catering and hotel management, hairdressing and cosmetology, fashion designing and training, bead and hat making, photo and cinematography, building technology and performing arts.

    Muse-Ariyoh thanked the instructors for their efforts on the graduates

    He urged them to make good use of the skills they have acquired.

    “Please use this privilege to eke out a living for yourself. All of us cannot be opportuned to secure white collar jobs. I will like to thank the instructors for their perseverance and endurance, it has been a job well done,” he said.