The Nation Newspaper

Tag: United Nations (UN)

  • UN seeks more investment in women, peace in Nigeria 

    UN seeks more investment in women, peace in Nigeria 

    The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to double its investment on the development of women and promotion of peace in the country.

    Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina Mohammed made the call after closed doors meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to her, the UN team led by herself was at the Villa to discuss the implementation of the agenda 2030 and 2063 and see how Nigeria could be supported especially in regards to development of women.

    The UN deputy scribe who served as minister of Environment before her current position t the world organization explained that in achieving the desire of promoting women development, the Federal Government needs to begin to put women at the center of it affairs.

    She said “I am honoured to be leading a delegation with the focus on peace and development of women.

    “With me we the chief executive of the UN women, we also have our special representative on women and conflict, we also have with us, our partner the AU, the special adviser also on peace, women and development.

    “All our regional heads partnering together with the ministry of women affairs and the support of the minister of for national planning,” Amina said.

    “It’s an exciting time to be here because really we are talking about the implementation of the agenda 2030 but also 2063 and for us, it’s about how do we support Nigeria and it’s a very difficult context to do more and to do scale so everybody feels it.

    “We know that there many lessons that have learnt and there challenges that we have but we have some successes from the North East all the way to the South.

    “We want to make sure that we do more so that we can see the scale of this, particularly from the women at the center.

    “In our discussion with the acting President, it’s been about how to increase investments in women, peace and development to ensure that women are a central part of what we do.

    “And we will see the difference, as he said, it’s not just the question of the morals or rights but it’s an economic one as well,” the UN deputy scribe added.

     

  • Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria says it is optimistic of clinching a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

    Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, who disclosed this to newsmen on the sidelines of the 31st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the 29th AU Summit in Addis Asaba, said the country also had the backing of the AU.

    Speaking on the highlights of the Executive council meeting, he said; “we hope to get a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights; we do have the AU’s support.’’

    The Minister, who also spoke of the country’s chances of occupying positions in other global institutions, said that Nigeria’s chance was very bright.

    “For ECOWAS, we are hopeful of getting the positions that we want and for the United Nations (UN), we are pushing for a candidate in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

    “Though, there is a Zimbabwean candidate who is also going for the same position, we are trying to find a workable way forward on that because we want AU to support a candidate.

    “It can sometimes be tricky, but the process is ongoing.”

    Onyeama, who spoke further on the highlights of the meeting, said that the AU Committee on ECOWAS on Statutory Positions will on Sunday take decisions on allocations to member states.

    “We took part in the meeting and indicated interests in some of the positions that we feel would be of best interest to Nigeria.

    He said that the meeting also discussed the reforms of ECOWAS and various options regarding going forward on the reforms.

    “These past two years, a team was put in place and that team it was understood, will come in for two years and completely reform the organisation and then leave.

    “So, we have to implement that reform and then allocate positions for the new ECOWAS that would emerge after these two years transition period dedicated to reforming the organisation,’’ the minister said.

    On Nigeria’s assumption of the post of Chairman of AU Peace and Security Council, Onyeama said the country would push for peace in all the conflict areas in Africa.

    He said Nigeria would also be looking at the issue of rapid deployment of Africa Standby Force (ASF) to conflict areas and robust engagement in the conflict zones.

    ASF is an international, continental African, and multidisciplinary peacekeeping force with military, police and civilian contingents that acts under the direction of the African Union (AU).

    The ASF is to be deployed in times of crisis in Africa.

  • South Africa pulls out of  ICC

    South Africa pulls out of  ICC

    South Africa Friday served notice of its withdrawal from the  International Criminal Court  (ICC),the second African nation after Burundi to do so.

    Justice Minister Tshililo Michael Masutha said the notice had been submitted to the United Nations (UN) Secretary General.

    The pull out will become effective a year from now.

    Masutha told reporters that the ICC’s obligations are incompatible with laws giving sitting  leaders  diplomatic immunity.

    “The Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, 2002, is  in conflict and inconsistent with the provisions of the Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges Act,2001,” he told reporters.

    He said a bill on the matter would soon go to the parliament.

    International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said separately  that South Africa’s  laws are  incompatible with obligations under the ICC,pointing out  that government “found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflict at times are incompatible with the interpretation given by the International Criminal Court.”

    Created by the Rome Statute,the  Hague,Netherlands-based ICC comprises 124 states from around the world.

    It is the “court of last resort” and tries four types of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes.

    The country’s department of justice said via Twitter that South Africa was “hindered” by certain parts of the Rome Statute, primarily the one that “compels South Africa to arrest persons who may enjoy diplomatic immunity under customary international law, who are wanted by the ICC for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, to surrender such persons to the International Criminal Court.”

    It said the rule forced South Africa to turn over such persons even when the country was “actively involved in promoting peace, stability and dialogue in those countries.”

    During a 2015 visit to South Africa by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the ICC had requested his arrest on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide stemming from the conflict in the Darfur region in western Sudan.

    Al-Bashir departed the country without getting arrested.

    The ICC has come under criticism by African leaders for what they say unfairly targets them.

  • UN seeks urgent help for Nigerian IDPs

    UN seeks urgent help for Nigerian IDPs

    The United Nations (UN) has called on the Nigerian government and the international community to take urgent humanitarian measures to save lives and ensure the protection of the multitude of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the north-east of the country.

    UN expert on internally displaced persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani described the situation resulting from the Boko Haram terror campaign and government’s counter-insurgency measures as “displaying all the hallmarks of the highest category crises.”

    Beyani, who spoke after a four-day visit to Nigeria, said the fighting in the north east has created more than 2.5 million IDPs in the region.

    He noted that the extend of the crisis and the resultant damages to lives and property in the north east was just being appreciated.

    Beyani said the civilians, including children, leaving newly liberated areas, bear the signs of advanced malnutrition, and of deep trauma, having been caught in a conflict that has cost them their homes, their livelihoods and often their family members.

    “The situation must no longer be downplayed and it is not too late to save many lives. But to do this, the Government must act urgently to ensure that food, shelter, medical care, water, sanitation and other essential services reach IDPs without delay.

    “Due to a gross under estimation of the crisis, the existing supplies will only cover needs for a very short period of time and will be soon outstripped by demands in the weeks or months ahead.

    “The vast majority of IDPs live outside camps and receive little or no assistance. Urgent steps are required to identify those people and assess their needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable, as well as the needs of host communities who are supporting them with their own resources,” Beyani said.

    The UN office in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said Beyani, who visited IDP camps in the Maiduguri area, highlighted that many people within camps in newly liberated areas may be faring little better.

    “Food is scarce and many survive on one basic meal per day while medical care is insufficient. Civilians also require urgent protection, psychosocial support and counseling.

    “Humanitarian agencies have little access to some areas due to security concerns and have been targeted by Boko Haram, whose terror activities have been contained by the Nigerian military but still pose a significant threat and danger,” he stated.

    “Camps should offer protection. Yet I am alarmed to learn that many are in fact the settings for exploitation and abuse of the most vulnerable. Reports indicate that women and girls face demands for sex to access food or to leave the camps.

    “Early pregnancy and marriage are commonplace while many do not report abuse due to stigmatization, cultural factors and the knowledge that perpetrators can abuse with impunity. Protection measures must be stepped-up and camps must quickly come under trained civilian management to prevent abuses,” Beyani said.

     

  • Buhari backs UN on Nigeria/Cameroon border demarcation

    Buhari backs UN on Nigeria/Cameroon border demarcation

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his administration will abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice on the Nigeria – Cameroon border.

    Speaking on Monday while receiving a United Nations (UN) Mission led by a Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, President Buhari said that Nigeria will not do anything to hamper the work of the various UN committees on the border.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said: “We will abide by the law.  Having accepted the judgment of the ICJ, we are ready to support the security and logistics requirements of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) to carry out the border demarcation,”

    He expressed total support for the exercise, recalling that as Military Head of State between 1984 and 1985, his administration instituted the demarcation of the Nigeria land borders from Benin to Bakassi and urged that all committees be allowed to carry out their functions in line with the ICJ decision.

    Speaking earlier, Chairman of CNMC, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, had informed President Buhari that 2,001 kilometers out of 2,100 kilometers separating Nigeria and Cameroon had been marked, leaving a balance of 99 kilometers to conclude the demarcation.

    He expressed hope that the remaining area will be completed latest by the first quarter of next year following the relative calm that has returned to border areas earlier inhabited by Boko Haram terrorists.

  • Ban Ki-moon condemns Borno suicide attack

    Ban Ki-moon condemns Borno suicide attack

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has on Thursday condemned the double suicide attacks on 16 March in Maiduguri in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram elements, which left 20 people dead and many injured.

    The Secretary-General, who extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, wished those injured in the attack a speedy recovery.

    Ki-moon also reiterated the UN’s support to the Nigerian Government in its fight against terrorism, which should be grounded in international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

  • 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.

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