The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Prof Uwaoma Uche, has noted that law enforcement agencies in the country take advantage of the fact that most Nigerians do not know their rights.
The Professor spoke on the topic, ”the Nexus between Political Leadership and Human Rights at the 2024 National Human Rights Lecture of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA on Thursday.
He said many citizens view the Constitution as a mere document rather than a binding or implemented law, largely because of the challenges in the implementation of the Constitution, especially on certain persons who are seen as the political class in Nigeria.
Prof. Uche pointed out that under international law, the political class are primarily responsible for ensuring the protection of human rights within their jurisdictions.
According to him, the political class has three levels of obligations towards Nigerians with regard to their fundamental rights which include respect, refraining from interfering with the enjoyment of the rights, protecting the right from intrusion or interference by third parties and to fulfil, provide resources to facilitate the enjoyment of the rights.
He said, however, that the “question that begs for answers is – how far has the Nigerian Political class fared in undertaking these three obligations with respect to the Nigerian Fundamental Rights?”
“Using the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, one of the 10 most important wetland and coastal marine ecosystems in the world and home to some 31 million people, the IDP camps littered in some states in Nigeria and the actions of the Nigerian Police force in their dealing with Nigerians as indices, one would be right to say that the Nigerian political class has failed woefully in undertaking these obligations.
“In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, oil pollution has ravaged the environment for the last 50 years.
“The majority of the people of the Niger Delta do not have adequate access to clean water or health care.
“Their poverty, and its contrast with the wealth generated by oil, has become one of the world’s starkest and most disturbing examples of the “resource curse”.
The human rights implications are serious, under-reported and have received little attention from the political class or the oil companies.
However, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) and the UN Human Rights Committee have expressed serious concern about this state of affairs and have called on the Nigerian government to take urgent action to deal with the human rights impacts of oil pollution and the consequent environmental degradation.
The professor added that ”The level of human rights abuse in the IDP campus is worrisome. Ranging from physical, sexual and economic abuse of the rights of the displaced persons.”
Speaking further on incessant brutality by securing agencies, he said the level of alleged brutality of the citizenry by the security agencies is quite abysmal.
“It is either on the road with multiple roadblocks, dehumanization, attack on communities and even razing down communities based on not defined causes. There is a need to improve the level of civil-military, police relationship…”
Politicians, security agencies take advantage of Nigerians’ ignorance of law – Prof Uwaoma
Politicians, security agencies take advantage of Nigerians’ ignorance of law – Prof Uwaoma
‘Today is a bad day for Ndigbo,’ Ohanaeze mourns Iwuanyanwu
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has mourned the loss of its President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died on Thursday.
The Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, confirmed the death to journalists on Thursday in Enugu.
“Today is a bad day for Ndigbo. It’s true! Ahaeji aga Mba is gone.
“Ohanaeze is yet to issue an official statement on the demise of our President General, Chief Iwuanyanwu, but he is gone,” he said.
Aged 82, Iwuanyanwu was elected the President General of the apex Igbo cultural organisation on April 20, 2023, following the death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor.
NAN reports that Iwuanyanwu is the second President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after Obiozor, who also died in office.
Iwuanyanwu was a prominent Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors.
NAN
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PRP condemns Bauchi govt’s ‘unconstitutional’ attempt to stop protest
The Bauchi State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has condemned what it describes as the unconstitutional attempt to intimidate people of the state by the state government.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Secretary in the state, Hon. Abdulazeez Haruna, the party expressed shock at the recent statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ibrahim Kashim, advising those planning a peaceful protest in the state to “think twice” before embarking on the adventure.
The PRP noted that the statement was an attempts to stop the people from exercising their fundamental rights as entrenched in the 1999 Constitution.
Haruna said: “This response is nothing but a clear attempt to stifle freedom of expression and suppress the rights of citizens to demand good governance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts as Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
“It is outrageous that the government would resort to intimidation and threats rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with those who have genuine concerns about the well-being of our nation.
READ ALSO: Buhari’s ex-aide, Ahmad opts out of #EndBadGovernance protest over Nnamdi Kanu
“The people of Bauchi State have every right to express their opinions and grievances, and it is the duty of their elected representatives to listen and respond to their needs.
“We view this statement as a clear indication that the government is afraid of the people’s voice and is willing to use coercive measures to silence them. This is a betrayal of trust and a violation of the fundamental human rights of our citizens.
“We call on all citizens of Bauchi State who are concerned about the direction our nation is headed to continue planning and preparing for their peaceful protests.
“We urge them not to be deterred by the threats and intimidation from government officials, but rather to stand firm in their resolve to demand better representation and accountability from their leaders.
“The PRP, Bauchi State Chapter, will continue to support and stand with these patriotic individuals who are willing to speak truth to power. We will not be cowed by attempts to silence us, and we will continue to advocate for democracy, transparency, and good governance in our state.
“Let us stand together and demand a better Bauchi State and Nigeria at large!”
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Oshola benched as Ajibade leads Super Falcons against Brazil in Olympics opener
25th July 2024
The Super Falcons at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja. Credit:
X @NGSuper_Falcons
The lineup for the highly anticipated match between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Brazil has been announced.
The Super Falcons will face Brazil in their first Women’s Olympic Football Tournament game at 6 pm Nigerian time at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France.
Rasheedat Ajibade is leading the team as captain while Asisat Oshoala is on the bench.
Here is the official lineup:
NIGERIA: Goalkeeper
Manager
Manager
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CAC to delist Chisco Transport, Zenon, Eko paragon refinery, 100k others for inactivity (Full List)
No fewer than 100,00 companies will soon be deleted by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for not filing their annual reports in 10 years from its register.
The companies were given a 90 days window to file in their reports.
The commission disclosed this in a recently published notice on its website.
Some of the companies listed for deletion include Chisco Transport (Nigeria) Limited, Zenon petroleum, Eko Paragon Refinery, Free Range Farms Plc, Atlantic Solutions Nigeria Limited, Intertek Industry Services Nig. Ltd,5. Med Mak Construction Company Limited, Intertek (Holdings) Nig Ltd, Marquis Hotel & Apartment Ltd, Chysom Industries and Marketing Company Limited and BP Consulars Limited.
Others are K & K Energy And Logistics Co Ltd, Dastops Alternative Therapy, Zenon Petroleum And Gas Limited, Ndotiten Global Services Limited, CN Aguluono Ventures Limited, Ola-Seg Investments Limited, Salako Adewale And Co (Delete) Uncle Jublee Ais Ltd, ICT Resource Partners Ltd, QSM Integrated Services Limited, Naval Officers Wives Association Of Nigeria, Clover Nigeria Limited, Discount Dry Cleaners Ltd, Rewaj Corporate Limited and Integrated Gas Services Co. Ltd.
The notice read: “This is to inform the general public that the commission pursuant to its powers contained in Section 692 (3) (4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 3 of 2020, intends to strike off from the Register, names of defunct or dormant companies that have not filed Annual Returns for a period of 10 years.
“These companies are given a period of 90 days from the date of this publication to file all outstanding annual returns and send an email of this fact to activation@cac.gov.ng. so as to remove their names from the list.”
The commission warned that it was illegal to carry on business with the name of a company that has been delisted from the register as such an organisation was deemed to be dissolved.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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Rivers: Nationwide protest will cause more hardship – CSO coalition pulls out
A coalition of 140 civil society groups and non-governmental organisations, with members across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, has pulled out from the planned nationwide protests.
The groups under the aegis of the Rivers Good Governance Coalition said on Thursday that the protest scheduled for August 1 to 10 would cause more chaos in the state and other parts of the nation.
In a statement signed by its president, Nwogu Moses, the coalition declared that protest should not be seen as a solution to the country’s challenges, stating that it would potentially lead to more hardship.
While admitting the economic crisis bedevilling the nation, Moses urged Nigerian youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government, stressing that dialogue would have more positive impacts than the planned protest.
Part of the statement reads, “We believe that protest will only lead to more chaos and destruction, rather than solving the problems facing the country.
“We believe that dialogue and engagement are better than ignoring the concerns of the people.
“We also urge Nigerians not to protest, but rather to engage in constructive dialogue with the government and other stakeholders. We believe that this is the best way to address the issues facing the country.
“We are dedicated to working through lawful and democratic channels to bring about positive change.
“Furthermore, we are concerned about the safety of our members and the general public, and we do not want to put anyone in harm’s way”.
Rivers: Nationwide protest will cause more hardship – CSO coalition pulls out
Don’t protest, give Tinubu time, Kalu begs Nigerians
The senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, Orji Kalu, has urged Nigerians to shelve the proposed nationwide protest.
Kalu urged Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu time to restore the country to prosperity.
He made this appeal on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia.
It read, “Going on protest now might be beneficial for democracy, but it will not be expedient for our economic development.
“It is not the time for Nigerians to go on protest. I appeal to all Civil Society Organisations, youths, and all people who think what happened in Kenya can happen in Nigeria to shelve those plans.
“Please, give President Tinubu a little more time as it is too early to judge him on his actions.”
Kalu noted that no elected president in any country would be happy to see his citizens suffer.
“I know that President Tinubu himself knows that we are hungry; he knows that we are suffering and that things are not the way they should be. I am sure and convinced that he is working on it.
“This is 2024. The oil money is no longer coming in as it used to. When you wanted to go on strike sometime in 2020/2021, I repeatedly told you that Buhari is not the owner of this country.
“Today, Buhari is in Daura. Likewise, Tinubu is not the owner of this country. At most, in eight years, Tinubu will also be back in Lagos, while the country remains my country, your country, and our country.
“Please, let’s give him some time. In a press conference I held sometime in the past, I urged Nigerians to give him two to three years. It is difficult for what has gone wrong with this economy to be resolved in a few days,” he added.
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Court to hear motions challenging Shaibu’s reinstatement as Edo deputy governor September 24
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday fixed September 24 for hearing the two separate suits challenging the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as Edo State deputy governor.
The motions were filed by the Edo Government and the State House of Assembly respectively.
The judge fixed the date following two motions on notice filed by the state’s Attorney General and Assembly by their lawyers, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), and Ken Mozia (SAN).
In the motion filed on July 18 by Iyamu, the AG sought two orders.
He urged the court to order the stay of execution of the judgment in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 between Shaibu, the Inspector-General of Police, and five others delivered on July 17 pending the determination of the appeal against the judgment.
In the motion filed on July 18 by Mozia, the lawmakers sought an order suspending the judgment and restraining Shaibu from parading himself or attending any official function as deputy governor pending the hearing and determination of their appeal.
“The said notice of appeal raises serious and arguable grounds.
“It raises the issue of the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to entertain the subject matter of this suit,” they said.
They argued that their right of appeal would be stifled if the application was not granted.
Justice Omotosho had on July 17 voided the impeachment of Shuaibu by the Assembly.
The judge also ordered his reinstatement as Edo deputy governor because the Assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.
He held that the allegation on which the Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.
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Cut govt spending, sack NNPCL management – Group tells Tinubu
A group under the aegis of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria, IBBN has called on President Bola Tinubu to cut down spending starting from the presidency to governors and ministers.
The group also called on the president to sack underperforming ministers and bring on board a team passionate about moving the country forward.
It further called for the sack of the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, alleging they are responsible for the rot in the system.
The call was made through the Convener of the group, Prophet Isa El-Buba while briefing journalists in Jos the Plateau State Capital, urging the president to urgently act before the upcoming protest.
He said, “We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to cut down on presidential, governors and ministers spending on all allowances and stop the spending on the purchases of jets and vehicles.
“The president should immediately prove to Nigerians his vision of a renewed hope.
“The president should immediately relieve non-performing ministers and bring
onboard a crack team that is passionate about moving Nigeria forward.
“We call on the President to reverse the electricity tariff and allow Nigerians a breeding ground until the economy improves.
The group further urged the President, “To get the Ministry of Petroleum to immediately deploy all CNG convertible kits to all NNPCL filling stations nationwide for interested Nigerians to switch to CNG to reduce cost of transportation.
“We call on the President to as a matter of urgency remove all the management team of NNPCL, who have wrecked the system.
“Government should also subsidise diesel for the short term, to crash transportation of goods”, he maintained.
Cut govt spending, sack NNPCL management – Group tells Tinubu
Two Tiv farmers die in Nasarawa community land dispute
Two Tiv farmers have been reportedly killed in a recent attack in the Obosidima community over a land dispute in the Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The According had reported that a crisis broke out around the Nasarawa-Benue border communities housing the indigenous Alago and Tiv farmers in the area, leaving four dead and several others injured.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Thursday, the President of the Tiv Youths Organisation in the state, Isaiah Audu, decried the consistent attacks on his kinsmen and called on the state government to urgently intervene in the matter.
He narrated that the recent weeks had seen the Keana LGA on the brink of collapse as a result of unending disagreements between the Tiv and Alago communities which has shattered the tranquillity that once characterized their coexistence.
Audu lamented that at a time when collective efforts were supposed to be channelled on farming to combat the hunger and starvation currently ravaging the country, precious lives of farmers were being lost regularly due to the violence in the area.
He said, “We address the press today with profound sorrow, as we bear witness to the devastating erosion of peace in a community that had long enjoyed harmony.
“You would recall that on the 24th of June 2024, there was an attack at Bakin Kotar, a community at the border between Keana LGA of Nasarawa State and Guma LGA of Benue State. Some Alago persons were said to have been attacked on their farm. Numerous media organisations provided thorough and timely coverage of this reprehensible incident, bringing attention to the severity of the situation.”
He noted that the incident spilled into Keana town and more lives were lost.
He added, “In what was described as a reprisal, innocent, law-abiding Tiv persons in Keana were attacked by persons suspected to be Alago. At the last count, at least four persons lost their lives in this attack. The corpses are still at the mortuary to this moment and two of the bodies are yet to be identified.
“That incident was widely condemned by all well-meaning citizens of the state. Security agents were also mobilised to the location to prevent any further degeneration of the situation.
“Predictably, the youth were outraged and infuriated by the unwarranted and unjustified assaults, which sparked a strong reaction from them. On our part as an organisation, we were able to calm the angry nerves of the Tiv people, especially the youths, in the hope that the government, security agencies and traditional institutions will swing into action to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice.”
He expressed disappointment that, up until the point of addressing the press, their desire for justice had not been met, and instead, the situation had worsened with additional attacks on innocent Tiv people who merely wanted to go about their daily lives and businesses without fear of harm or loss.
“On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Adaga a Tiv village was attacked and lots of valuable properties were destroyed.
“Also, Obosidoma, another Tiv village in Keana was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, July 20, 2024. Two Tiv persons needlessly lost their lives in this attack with many more valuable properties lost,” he disclosed.
He, however, called on the Tiv people across the state especially the youths to remain calm despite the undue provocations, adding that the organisation was committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to collectively work towards achieving sustainable and enduring peace in the area.
The youth president therefore, made a passionate appeal to the Nasarawa State government to, as a matter of urgency, bring to an end to the wanton killing of his kinsmen in Keana LGA of the state.
Meanwhile, the President of the Alago Ikweyi Ggayi Development Union, Mohammed Oshafu, has denied that his kinsmen were behind the violence which recently sparked off in the area.
Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Thursday, the AIGDU President alleged that the Tiv farmers in the area had planned to forcefully take over their ancestral lands across their communities.
He said, “Before the farming season in Keana, the Alago people usually go to clear their farmlands in preparation for the farming season. But this time around, surprisingly, the Tiv farmers emerged from nowhere, stopping and threatening our people and claiming that the Tivs have decided to start farming in the area because it is not part of Nasarawa State.
“Our people suffered several intimidation and molestation throughout this period from the Tiv people, and at various times, forcefully taken to Daudu in Benue State and illegally locked and tortured in local cells, claiming that the land belongs to Benue and not Nasarawa State,” he said.
He, however, appealed to the Nasarawa State government to make more efforts towards proffering a lasting solution to the unwarranted killings and unending crisis in the area.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule, who spoke through his Commissioner for Humanitarian, Special Duties, and NGOs, Margaret Elayo, expressed concern over the unfortunate incident during a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons camps in the area.
While promising to investigate the remote cause of the crisis, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to adequately secure the lives and property of the residents across the 13 LGAs of the state.