Day: May 1, 2023

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has called for the establishment of veterinary desks in emergency management institutions and other relevant agencies.

Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu. Chairman, FCT Chapter NVMA, who made the call during the commemoration of the World Veterinary Day (WVD), on Sunday in Abuja, listed the agencies as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The event was organised by the FCT Chapter of NVMA.

Ogbu said having veterinary desks or departments in those agencies, would ensure effective and holistic emergency response to both humans and animals.

According to him, whenever there is an emergency, NEMA and others will wage into the situation, but only to rescue humans and save properties, without taking into cognisance the plight of animals.

Citing example of the recent flood in Kogi State, which washed away more than a 1,000 cows, goats, dogs, the veterinarian said NEMA put its recue efforts on just humans and neglected the helpless animals.

“Those human beings rescued depended on the affected animals for survival, so there should be holistic rescue of everything in every emergency situation,” Ogbu said.

NAN reports that World Veterinary Day is commemorated every last Saturday of April, and the theme for 2023 is; “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the veterinary profession”.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

An Abuja Based Islamic Cleric, Yahya Al-Yolawi, has commended the Federal Government for the evacuation and rescuing of Nigerian students trapped by the Sudan crisis.

Al-Yolawi made the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Monday.

” I will like to thank and appreciate efforts made by the Federal Government for the evacuation of our students and youths trapped in Sudan due to the ongoing war.

” However, more needs to be done as it appears some are still stranded and even those carried by buses are still to reach their destination, based on the clips being circulating by the the students themselves.”

Al-Yolawi noted that islam considered life- time of persons as great valuable resources, thus believers were encouraged to be conscious of their action and inaction in life.

” To achieve maximum benefit out of this life, one needs to recognise its importance and organise it wisely.

” If human beings do not waste or abuse life but rather perceive it as a blessing from Allah, they would have every chance and hope for success both in this life and in the hereafter.

” Islam teaches us that your life passes quickly and can never return; it is irreversible. It is also the most precious gift that mankind possesses and can be taken from us at any given moment.”

He urged the youth to utilise their energy for the sake of Allah by seeking knowledge, obtaining halal means of sustenance, and worshipping Allah through acts that he or she might not be able to do later in life.

” When people lose their youth, they find it harder to do certain deeds which were easier to do at a younger age. Youth, here, does not mean the concept of youth where youthfulness finishes after the age of 13 or 19.”

The cleric also advised Muslims to take advantage of their good health before they being overcome with illness or disability.

” What we often don’t realise is that our health is a blessing from Allah. When we are in good health, we take it for granted and don’t always appreciate what we have.

” It is only when we fall sick that we realise what a great blessing we had and how we lost it by not doing as much as we could have done.”

Al-Yolawi also enjoined wealthy muslims to take advantage of their wealth before poverty.

” One day we might have much more than we need, and the next day, we might not have anything.

“One day, a person might have the best of jobs or the best of businesses; yet, the next day, something happens and he does not have the job or the business, and loses all his sources of income.

” So the wise person uses his wealth before he loses it. He invests for his future,” the cleric said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Centre for Legal Rights Advancement (CLRA), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for the abolition of the practice of all forms of corporal punishment in the country.

The founder of CLRA, Prof Ben Angwe, made the call in a statement in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 International Day Against Corporal Punishment of Children.

The International Day against Corporal Punishment of Children is observed April 30 of every year.

Angwe noted that the practice of all forms of corporal punishment in Nigeria was a serious violation of Child’s Rights Act 2003 and the International Convention on the Right of the Child, among other laws.

He said that relevant stakeholders should advocate the review of Section 295 of the Criminal Code, Section 55 of the Penal Code and other similar legislations that permit the use of force to correct children.

“These sections undermine the the relevant provisions of the Child’s Rights Act and other national laws, as well as related international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“Corporal punishment is against the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

“”This ugly practice constitutes an obstacle to the realisation of the right of the child to health, development, safe environment and education.

“Unfortunately, such acts are usually carried out by some parents, guardians, caregivers and teachers, in spite of legal provisions”.

Angwe who is a former Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regretted that Nigeria was not among the 65 countries out of about 199 that currently banned all forms of corporal punishment.

He commended the 36 states of the Federation for passing into Law the Violence Against Children Legislation and the majority of the states for adopting and passing into Law the Child’s Rights Act in their various jurisdictions, even as he urged them to ensure their smooth implementation.

He called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to double their collaboration to end corporal punishment in its entirety.

“I use this opportunity to condemn all forms of child rights violations including child trafficking, child labour and child abuse both at home and in school.

“Instead of indulging in such despicable practices, all decisions involving children should be taken in their best interest as enunciated in the Child’s Rights Act.

“There is a need to comply with the relevant national, regional and international laws prohibiting harsh or degrading treatment, and desist from spanking, hitting, punching, kicking, confinement in small spaces and subjecting any child to a fixed posture for long periods.

“Parents and other custodians of children should rather use verbal warning and make references to good moral conduct of persons of reputable character in the society, bearing in mind that an abused child is usually sad and could carry such a mood to adulthood with the attendant unpleasant consequences to the larger society”.

He, equally, commended the banning of corporal punishment in Europe, most parts of East Asia, South America and Zambia, urging Nigeria and other affected countries to adopt best practices in Child’s Rights Protection.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Community Ethics and Value Environmental Compliance Corps, a non- governmental organisation (NGO), has called for the establishment of a national agency to revive respect of ethics and values among Nigerians.

Mr Musa Kelvin, the organisation’s FCT Commandant, made this call at the end of a training on Promotion of Integrity and Attitudinal Change among Nigerians in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, which had about 70 participants, were trained on being change agents in their various communities.

Kelvin said that there was need to re-awaken the consciousness of integrity, accountability, discipline and morality among Nigerians, which had been on a decline for so long.

According to him, it is important to have integrity police at the grassroot level to consistently monitor and correct every act of misdemeanor among Nigerians.

“In line with bringing back the moral standards, we need agents who would inculcate it in people, remind and educate them about behavioural change.

“The essence of this training is to keep these agents abreast of the current realities that have devoid our ethics and respect for values.

“This is also in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of promoting ethical values among Nigerians,” he said.

Kelvin called also on the legislatures and the presidency to look into the bill for the establishment of a National Agency for Ethics and Values Compliance, adding that it would be a good legacy they would be giving Nigerians at the end of their tenure.

“It is necessary to bring back Nigerians to these moral values that we have lost and to also redeem our image to the outside world,” he said.

He added that the organisation was already working with various government agencies to ensure behavioural change among Nigerians.

“We are already working with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Security agencies, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others.

“At the FCT level for instance, we have approval of the Universal Basic Education Board to establish moral integrity clubs in schools to catch them young and inculcate in them respect for ethical values.

“With NEMSA, we are working with the organisation to correct wrong electrical connection that leads to fire outbreak in markets and houses in various communities, among others,” he said.

Speaking also, Mr Gana Yusuf, the organisation’s Commander-General, added that there was need for re-orientation on the importance of ethics and values of the Nigerian culture.

Yusuf, who spoke on the topic “Ethical Steps to Undertake During Field Activities” urged the participants to discharge their duties effectively, saying that ”they must be the change they want to see.

“It is important for Nigerians to know that whatever we do today will return back to us, either good or bad.

“So we expect Nigerians to embrace integrity and attitudinal change, because lack of respect for these had affected us for so long.

“The participants should also endeavour to inculcate behavioural change by ensuring that they correct any deviation from ethical norms”.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Rep Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has said that she was committed to legislative actions that would protect workers’ rights and guarantee appropriate reward for their labour.

Akande-Sadipe said this on Monday in Abuja in her goodwill message to Nigerian workers as they joined their colleagues worldwide to mark Workers Day.

“We remember the sacrifices made by Nigerian workers and advocate their welfare, we must recognise the importance of creating a conducive working environment that promotes productivity, job security, and fair compensation.

“We can build a more prosperous and equitable society for all… as we mark this day, it is essential to reflect on the challenges faced by the Nigerian workers.

“Despite their significant contributions to the country, workers often work under harsh and unfavorable conditions, with little or no job security, and inadequate compensation,” she said.

She said it was unfortunate that many Nigerian workers had lost their jobs due to the harsh economic realities.

“Some have lost their lives, some their mobility due to various job related disabilities and poor working conditions, resulting in increased hardship and suffering for families across the nation,” Akande-Sadipe said.

She said it was important for the incoming Sen. Bola Tinubu administration to partner the 10th National Assembly to provide the right atmosphere for Nigerian workers whom she described as being resilient.

“We celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of the Nigerian workers who have tirelessly, against all odds, had to develop the economy of Nigeria.

“This day is a time to appreciate the efforts of workers who have made countless unimaginable sacrifices through trials and toils to ensure that our society functions.

“With the incoming government of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the 10th Assembly, the welfare of the Nigerian workers will be a priority.

“Laws to encourage improved and adequate compensation, job security and better working conditions will be priority, ” the legislator said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

With air strikes in Khartoum, Darfur, and other cities of Sudan resuming just hours after the ceasefire, one would only wonder what next to expect in the conflict-torn country.

The current conflict in Sudan which started on April 15 is the result of the lingering rivalry between two Generals, Sudanese President, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his Deputy, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

The quarrel dates back to 2021 after al-Burhan overthrew the joint military-civilian government which ousted Sudanese long-serving President, Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

Since then, al-Burhan head of the Sudanese Armed Forces and former Chairman, Sudan Transition Sovereignty Council and Dagalo, popularly called ‘Hemedti’, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been are locked in a deadly fight over who will control of the country.

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) described the conflict as an unfortunate product of selfish leadership.

“What is happening in Sudan is that we have two Generals fighting and the African Union expects that under normal circumstances, there must be peaceful approach to it; using war to take over power is illegal.

“Why the war is most unfortunate is because those who are fighting were together in the same camp as at 2019.

“In this case, what brought them together initially, what is now separating them is because of selfishness and this is why I think it is most unfortunate.

“Many lives have been lost, many people have been displaced and rather than focusing their attention on the economic situation in Sudan they are fighting over who will be in charge of the country,” Akinterinwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Akinterinwa blamed the degeneration of the political situation of Sudan on the failure of all parties to adhere to agreements before the ousting of former President al-Bashir in 2019.

When two elephants fight, the grass suffers. The conflict in Sudan has forced many grasses, including Nigerians in Sudan and other foreigners to suffer unimaginable losses.

There are growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in Sudan as the Federal Government makes frantic efforts to evacuate them through neigbouring Egypt.

Also a source of worry is the impact of such an arms conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa which is also a theatre of terrorist activities fuelled by illegal arms deals by dubious elements from conflict-ravaged countries such as Libya.

The impact of the conflict in Sudan, experts say, could resonate in heightened insecurity, humanitarian crises, and economic difficulties, for Sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Nigeria which has had to contend with terrorist groups such Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Dr Kabiru Adamu, a security expert and Managing Director, Beacon Consulting Limited, told NAN that given the number of Nigerians in Sudan there is the likelihood of some criminal elements infiltrating the group as evacuation goes on.

“In a recent interview, the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria claimed that there were about five million Sudanese of Nigerian descent currently living in different parts of Sudan.

“Some of them are fourth generation, fifth generation or even longer than that; there is a strong business link, especially the north Eastern part of Nigeria.

“Given these huge numbers it is only normal that there would be concerns. Another area of concern is the possibility of a prolonged conflict reinforcing or institutionalising the spread of weapons.

“Already, Nigeria has that challenge. There are so many weapons within the region including Nigeria, small arms and light weapons”, he said.

He said the security implication for Nigeria is worsened by the age-long gun running channels that goes through Sudan which could expose Nigeria to the activities of gun runner due to its potential large market for illegal arms.

“ The entire Sahel region is almost being dominated by Jihadists, Burkina Faso is an example, Mali, Niger to an extent, and Sudan and Chad used to be the only countries that presented some sort of hope.

“So, if there is a degeneration of the security situation in Sudan you could see the infiltration of these jihadists into other regions including Nigeria,” Adamu said.

The international community said it would do everything possible to end the Sudan conflict.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said the UN would use all its instruments, institutions and structures to ensure that all the parties in the conflict appreciated the need to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

“The United Nations is not leaving Sudan. Our commitment is to the Sudanese people in support of their wishes for a peaceful and secured future. We stand with them at this terrible time.

“I call on all council members to exert maximum leverage with the parties to end the violence, restore order and return to the best of democratic transition.

“We must do everything within our power to pursue them from the edge of the abyss,” Guterres told a recent Security Council meeting on maintaining international peace.

Experts say the intervention of world leaders, especially African leaders is critical to resolving the conflict in Sudan.

The brawling Generals must accept that no country thrives under war and conflicts. Peace cannot be kept by force; it is always a product of compromise.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria