NEWS
Group urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights
Group urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights
An Abuja-based NGO, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), on Wednesday, called for
renewed commitment toward protecting indigenous people and their rights.
The Chief Executive Officer of the group, Ms May Ikokwu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ikokwu spoke in commemoration of the 2023 edition of the International Day for Indigenous People (IDIP).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day is annually observed on Aug. 9 in countries around the globe
to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population.
It also recognises the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
The global observance has ”Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination” as the theme for the 2023 edition.
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The NGO boss, therefore, said that indigenous people as non dominant groups, are susceptible to undue deprivations and oppressions.
She expressed concern that some communities in Nasarawa, Zamfara and others parts of the country were being forced out of their land by activities of illegal miners.
She added that “this category of people are being dehumanised because of the resources in their own land; it is unfair.
‘“This has forced some people to leave their land, thereby losing their ancestral homes and sources of livelihood.”
The SOHI chief executive officer urged governments at all levels to rise to the defence of the rights of indigenous people in the country.
She said that indigenous people have suffered challenges such as lack of economic power, social protection and political representation.
Ikokwu said that although indigenous people make up less than five per cent of the world’s population, they represent 15 per cent of the world’s poorest people.
“They are more likely to have limited access to healthcare and education; they need total support and protection.
“Doing so will guarantee inclusivity and rebuild their confidence in the system,” she said.(NAN)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied the re-introduction of the controversial cyber security level it abandoned in May after public outcry.The apex bank clarified this in a circular on Friday, made available on Friday. The apex bank said the clarification was necessary due to certain instances of misinterpretation or misrepresentation of its biennial publication on Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines published on September 17, 2024.
On May 6, 2024, the apex bank directed banks and other financial institutions to start deducting a cybersecurity levy.The levy was set at 0.5 per cent of all electronic transactions introduced under the newly enacted 2024 Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act.In the Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines, the bank highlighted the levy which was widely reported.CBN said, “Some recent media publications referencing aspects of the Guidelines refer to policy positions of the Bank issued prior to 31st December 2023, which have changed in the light of revisions and updates in 2024.“One example is the Cyber Security Levy, which was suspended in May 2024, superseding the circular reported in the Guidelines.“Certain technical aspects of the Guidelines have been widely misreported and misrepresented. For example, reports have mistakenly sought to link the fuel subsidy removal to external reserves.”
The Mutawalle of Borno, Alhaji Kashim Imam, says he engages in feeding 10,000 victims of Maiduguri flood disaster daily based on the victims’ critical requirement for now.Imam in an interview while monitoring the feeding programme, said, he would sustain the feeding, which he scaled it up from 6,000 to 10,000 for the victims in camps to complement government’s efforts.
According to Imam, as the victims gradually move out of camps in few weeks, they will be supported with rice to start cooking for themselves as against the current practice of cooked food distribution. He commended his family members and volunteers for the daily cooking and distributing food to flood victims in various camps.“I want to particularly commend the military, who are not only actively engaged in search and rescue operations but also assist me in sharing the food to victims as well as ensuring orderliness and decorum during the exercise,” Imam said.The former Board Chairman of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), also lauded the concern and response from government, organisations, philanthropists, and all other individuals to the people of Borno over the sudden incident that took people unaware.“Nobody was prepared for this, people were caught unaware in the middle of the night.“Many escaped with the only clothes they were wearing, with some trapped for more than a week.“As the flood recedes, many cannot even go back to their homes because there’s no home to go back to,” Imam lamented.A cross section of the victims benefitting from Imam’s gesture, expressed gratitude for the support and urged other leaders and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the good gesture in complementing government efforts at all levels.“The most pressing issue now is saving lives and stabilising the survivors through feeding and shelter.“We want to sincerely thank the Mutawalle of Borno, other philanthropists and organisations doing similar exercise in various camps.“May God Almighty bless them and continue to touch their lives with joy and happiness as they touched our lives at this moment of need,” Habiba Idris, a displaced woman with two children prayed. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly.The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will, in the election scheduled for Sept.
21. In a statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, the President said he believed in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders. “President Tinubu emphasises that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game.“He notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process, said the statement.The President commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which he said had focused on issues that mattered most to the people of Edo.He noted that the candidates pledged to improve livelihoods, promote economic growth and contribute to national development. He urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process, and encouraged them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities. “In addition, President Tinubu expresses unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials.“He urges them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process,” said the statement. (NAN)
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