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2023 General Election: NHRC Tasks Political Parties on Hate Speech
2023 General Election: NHRC Tasks Political Parties on Hate Speech
By Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the various political parties in Nigeria to ensure that human rights protection is made a critical component of their campaign promises rather than indulging in hate speech to tarnish the image of their opponents.
A statement signed by the spokesperson of the commission, Fatimah Mohammed
noted that It is a common knowledge that countries are globally rated in terms of their accomplishments in human rights protection of citizens, insisting that therefore it will be unthinkable for our political parties to neglect human rights issues and belabour the polity with name calling and hate speech before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The statement quoted the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu to have the call on the parties during the official launch of a project tagged “MOVE”, meaning Mobilizing Voters for Election. The project is supported by Ford Foundation and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to Ojukwu, political parties could choose to focus on education, health care, food security etc, which are critical human rights issues confronting the county.
He therefore urged Nigerians particularly those directly or indirectly involved in the 2023 general elections to desist from hate speech and conduct capable of frustrating human rights focused and credible polls.
He warned that the Commission will ensure that any person, group or institution; be it politician, political party, Independent Electoral Elections Commission or law enforcement agency found wanting in any of the processes before, during and after the elections will account for his actions or inactions as the case may be, he stated.
The Executive Secretary also expressed concern over “The retrogressive pattern of voter participation in 2011, 2015 and 2019 general elections reaching to a historical low of 35% in the 2019 elections, which is not in the interest of democracy and human rights.
According to him , the above scenario has reflected voter apathy, which is obviously antithetical to the whole essence of democracy which is promoted and reinforced by periodic and credible elections.
Similarly, he recalled how the three elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007 were trailed with complaints of irregularities ranging from logistical failures, disenfranchisement to electoral fraud of all kinds, saying that such challenges had over the years occasioned the unfortunate voter apathy which is being witnessed in recent elections in the country.
He said in order to ensure that errant persons and institutions during the general elections are brought to book, the Commission has opened a Hate Speech Register across its 36 state offices and that the register is manned by Members of staff of the Commission designated as Hate Speech Registrars in the states.
He revealed that the Registrars will track hate speech in print, electronic and social media platforms preparatory to inviting culprits to a panel of inquiry that will be set up in due course to interrogate such hate speech and related cases.
Ojukwu, however, clarified that the Commission does not have prosecutorial powers and as such will leverage on the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Offices of Honourable Attorneys General of the states to handover reports and findings of the Commission on hate speech for further action.
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with key stakeholders in the education sector to review current challenges and outline fresh directives for improving learning outcomes, infrastructure, and coordination across the state.
The meeting, chaired by the Governor at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and heads of education boards, agencies, and institutions.
Zulum emphasised the synergy among all agencies in the education sector noting that with proper collaboration effective service delivery would be provided for the people of Borno.
Governor Zulum outlined a multifaceted plan to rejuvenate the education sector, which includes building houses for teachers, renovating dilapidated schools, providing professional development opportunities, and improving teachers’ access to resources.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, among other senior officials.
… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries
Meanwhile, as part of his policy direction for the education sector, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the establishment of additional High Islamic Colleges in some local government areas.
The High Islamic Colleges are designed to offer a wide range of programmes, including traditional Islamic studies, literacy and numeracy, modern sciences, and vocational training.
According to Zulum, the High Islamic Colleges were to ensure the integration of the non-formal education sector with formal education. He also affirmed that the colleges will teach basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to Almajiri pupils and will provide a second chance for out-of-school children who have exceeded the enrollment age.
In addition, the governor directed the establishment of additional state libraries in Biu, southern Borno, and Monguno, in the northern part of the state.
“Deliberately, I upgraded the Maiduguri library, with the aim of establishing another one in Biu and one in Monguno in order to promote reading culture, which is fast eroding. I want you to rejuvenate the reading culture by ensuring the library is effective. But most importantly, apart from the physical books, let’s put a mechanism for e-books in place,” Zulum said.
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a cache of locally made weapons.
According to sources, the detectives acting on credible intelligence stormed Kurmin Kogi Village and apprehended the suspects Isah Bello, and Sa’idu Haruna, both of Damdami Village, Richifa Ward, Soba LGA.
The sources said the suspects confessed to being in possession of firearms and led investigators to their hideout, where four locally made guns and four locally made pistols were recovered.
The sources added that the suspects are in custody as discreet investigations continue.
Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security personnel in Gombe have arrested a man for allegedly attacking another with a hoe over claims of adultery.
Sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:30 p.m. in Shongo Kagadama Village, Kwami Local Government Area, when one Musa Usman allegedly confronted Abdulmumini Misa, 38, accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
The suspect struck the victim on the head and injured his fingers on both hands, leaving him with serious wounds.
The victim was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where he is receiving treatment.
The sources say the suspect has been arrested and is under investigation.
Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe
Zulum Approves Establishment of Equipment Maintenance Unit
Separating facts from propaganda on alleged civilian casualties in Yankuzo, Zamfara
Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare
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