NEWS
UNGA 76: World Leaders Discuss Equality for People of African Descent
Heads of states and governments on Wednesday gathered in New York as part of UN General Assembly to discuss reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level meeting at UN headquarters that two decades after a landmark Declaration was adopted to eradicate racism, it had continued to permeate the society.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), he said two decades after its adoption, racism, discrimination had continued to permeate institutions, social structures and everyday life in every society.
“People of African descent, minority communities, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, displaced persons, and so many others – all continue to confront hatred, stigmatisation, scapegoating, discrimination, and violence.
“Xenophobia, misogyny, hateful conspiracies, white supremacy and Neo-Nazi ideologies are spreading – amplified in echo chambers of hate,” Guterres said.
According to him, from glaring infringements to creeping transgressions, human rights were under assault.
”Structural racism and systematic injustice still deny people their fundamental human rights, and linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable”, he said.
Some of the worst impacts in the “overlaps and intersections of discrimination” are suffered by women. And the world is witnessing “a troubling rise” in antisemitism, growing anti-Muslim bigotry and the mistreatment of minority Christians, he pointed out.
The UN correspondent quoted the secretary-general as urging everyone to condemn discrimination, hateful speech, and baseless assertions, as those pushing that ideology today, denigrate “our essential fight against racism”.
Guterres highlighted a “transformative agenda” launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to try and dismantle systemic racism, ensure accountability and deliver reparatory justice.
“This new awakening, often led by women and young people, has created momentum we must seize upon”, he said, also recognising the “meaningful progress” made by the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent in confronting systemic racism.
The UN chief called on Member States to “take concrete actions” to support these efforts on national and global levels.
“Also, to “recognise the contemporary resonance of past crimes that continue to haunt our present”, such as transgenerational suffering and structural inequalities “deeply rooted in centuries of enslavement and colonial exploitation”.
“We must reverse the consequences of generations of exclusion and discrimination – including their obvious social and economic dimensions, through reparatory justice frameworks”.
The UN chief urged everyone to “recognise diversity as richness” and understand that fighting racism was a universal and “concrete struggle in every society”.
“No country can claim to be free from it”, he said, underscoring the need to redress political, economic and structural imbalances; ensure that everyone feels respected as a valued member of society; and “stand together as one human family, rich in diversity, equal in dignity and rights, united in solidarity”.
At a time when the world feels more divided than ever, the secretary-general encouraged everyone to “unite around our common humanity…and re-commit ourselves to this essential purpose”.
General Assembly President, Abdulla Shahid, upheld that the world had not done enough to “tackle the pervasiveness” of racial discrimination, intolerance and xenophobia.
“Racism begets violence, displacement, and inequity. It lives on because we allow it to. It penetrates society because we fail to acknowledge diversity,” he said.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic further exemplified how far the world was from righting past wrongs.
Shahid urged world leaders to turn the tide on racism and intolerance by recognising these failings and seeking racial equality to “close that divide” and build resilience for those left behind.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet said it was vital to address the lasting consequences of racism, as millions continued to bear its burden, past and present; the legacy of colonial exploitation; and the inhuman and criminal enslavement of Africans.
Reparations must go “beyond symbolism” to include measures of restitution, rehabilitation and guarantees that it will never happen again, she said.
And they will require “political, human and financial capital”, which, the UN rights chief added, “should be seen alongside the enrichment of many economies through enslavement and exploitation”. (NAN)
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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