Politics
2023 Elections: UN Advises Nigerians on Hate Speech
2023 Elections: UN Advises Nigerians on Hate Speech
By Michael Mike
The United Nations has urged Nigerian politicians to shun hate speech as they are currently involved in electioneering campaigns.
The advice was given on Thursday in Abuja by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale during a press conference on the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
Schmale said: “In Nigeria, with national elections imminent, we must be watchful for any upsurge in hate speech and disinformation, particularly if tensions were to rise between political, regional, or ethnic groups.
“We must be vigilant because words can be weaponised and lead to physical harm. From historical experience, we know that
atrocities have been preceded by hate speech. The Holocaust is, of course, the starkest example of this. But the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica also serve as warnings to us.”
He stressed that: “Hate speech is a threat to our cherished values, to the cohesion of our societies, and to the lives of our most vulnerable, especially women and girls. Undoubtedly, the internet and social media have supercharged such risks. We need to strengthen the resilience of our young people against the ideologies of hatred and educate them on the dangers of disinformation.”
He said: “I call on all stakeholders in Nigerian society to stand up and speak out against instances of hate speech and discrimination. Each of us can play a role in countering this scourge and ensuring that all people enjoy the protections and rights for which the United Nations stands.”
He added that: “On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, let us honour the memory of its victims by heeding the lessons of history and pledging to
always be vigilant in upholding human rights and dignity for all.”
Schmale while lamenting that today, we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of xenophobia and hate and that no society is immune to irrationality or intolerance, said: “Today, we pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
We remember the six million Jewish men, women and children, as well as the Sinti and Roma, the people with disabilities, and the countless others, who were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators.
“We mourn the loss of so many and so much during the horrors of World War Two. We reflect on man’s inhumanity to man and renew our promise of ‘Never Again’.”
He noted that these principles remain essential today and that they are reflected in the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was a
commendable initiative of the state of Israel, established through the UN General Assembly resolution 60/7 eighteen years ago, noting that the resolution is dual purpose, firstly to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and secondly because we must go beyond remembrance and ensure that younger generations know the history and apply the lessons of the Holocaust to the world of today.
He said with this in mind, the theme for this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is celebrated on every January 27 is an apt and important one: “It started with words: How hate speech can cause real harm.’’
In his message on the day, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres
said: “As we mourn the loss of so many and so much, we also recognize that the Holocaust was not inevitable. No genocide ever is.
“It was the culmination of millennia of antisemitic hate. The Nazis could only move with calculated cruelty from the discrimination of Europe’s Jews to their annihilation because so few stood up, and so many stood by.
“It was the deafening silence – both at home and abroad – that emboldened them. The alarm bells were ringing from the very beginning. Hate speech and disinformation. Contempt for human rights and the rule of law. The glorification of violence and tales of racial supremacy. Disdain for democracy and diversity.”
He added that: “In remembering the Holocaust, we recognize threats to freedom, dignity, and humanity – including in our own time. We must never forget – nor allow others to ever forget, distort or deny the Holocaust. Today and every day, let us resolve to never again remain silent in the face of evil – and to always defend the dignity and rights of all.
“Today – in the face of growing economic discontent and political instability,
escalating white supremacist terrorism, and surging hate and religious bigotry – we must be more outspoken than ever.”
Also speaking on the day, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman said it is quite unfortunate that many on the globe today believed that perhaps the Holocaust never happened or perhaps it was exaggerated.
Freeman said the best way to ensure that the sad history of Holocaust is never repeated is by ensuring that the story is told by survivors to the rest of the world.
He said it is sad that 20 percent of those in Europe where the event happened believed it never happened and about 70 percent felt it was perhaps exaggerated.
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
By: Michael Mike
The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024
According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.
The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.
According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.
It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.
“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
By: Bodunrin Kayode
A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.
In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.
“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.
“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.
“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.
“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.
“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.
“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.
“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
Politics
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
By: Jabiru Hassan
The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.
In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.
”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.
Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.
Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
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