International
Australia, France, Others Call for Abolition of Death Penalty
Australia, France, Others Call for Abolition of Death Penalty
By: Michael Mike
A call has gone for the erasure of death penalty from Nigeria’s law
Among those making the call include Australia, France and Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), among others.
The call was made at a ceremony commemorating the World Day Against Death Penalty, 2023 in Abuja on Tuesday.
The call came almost 24 hours after a High Court in Lagos sentenced to death by hanging a policeman, Drambi Vandi that killed a Lawyer, Raheem Bolanle in Lagos.
Speaking at the occasion, the Charge D’ affairs, Australia High Commission in Nigeria, Lean Johnston said Australia has abolished capital punishment since 1967, insisting that death penalty is violence against humanity.
She further described death penalty “state violence against its citizens. The death penalty diminishes human dignity. When you take the life of someone else, whether it’s done as a criminal act or whether the state does it, it diminishes human dignity.”
She added that: “There is a huge evidence that the retention of the death penalty does not act as a deterrent for any form of crime. And traditionally, people have said an eye for an eye does not end the cycle of violence. And so, this is not an effective deterrent. Moreover, there is always the chance that people can be rehabilitated and contribute to society.”
On her part, the French Envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Emmanuelle Blatmann in her speech also condemned death penalty in all ramifications, She said there is nothing good in the practice.
She noted that shedding a fellow human blood cannot correct the crime been committed in any society. France considered the death penalty unfair and inhuman, adding that it was also irreparable.
Blatmann said: “I can’t speak for Nigeria, but I can speak for France. France considers the death penalty as something unfair, inhuman, and irreparable. Unfortunately, we all know that in the legal system throughout the world, miscarriages of justice can happen. So, we consider this as a fundamental human rights issue. And since this day was established 20 years ago, we call for the states who have not abolished the death penalty to adopt moratoriums so that this capital punishment is not used anymore.
“This is because by shedding the blood of another human being, we cannot repair whatever crime has been committed. Today, we have heard about a man who was innocent but spent nine years and a half in prison for a crime he hadn’t committed. That is why we lobby worldwide and at all international fora that we consider the death penalty a violation of human rights.”
In the same vein, the Country Director, ASF France Nigeria, Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers without Borders), Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu strongly opposes the death penalty under all circumstances without exception. The death penalty should be completely abolished from all justice systems as it flagrantly violates the the fundamental right to life.
She said: “Nigeria, just like all other countries in the world, is being reminded of the need to review its laws concerning the death penalty. And this is because the death penalty simply doesn’t work. It doesn’t deter crimes. It is an absolute form of punishment that is cruel, inhuman and degrading. And we believe that there are alternatives to this sort of punishment that can be used in the country.
“This is an opportunity that we’re calling on the Nigerian government to reflect on his use of the death penalty and consider putting in place an official moratorium on executions while they work towards the abolition of the death penalty. We know that there is a growing trend for abolition in the African continent.
“We have seen other countries in Africa who have done away with this with Ghana being the latest country in Africa that has abolished the death penalty from its laws. We’re calling on the Nigerian government to also follow suit and at least as a first step to address issues around the mandatory nature of the death penalty is lost.
“Death penalty should have no place in our justice system. It is against the very principle of reformative and restorative justice. No state should have the power to take someone’s life.”
Australia, France, Others Call for Abolition of Death Penalty
Pakistani Armed Forces Remain largest contributors to UN peace keeping –Envoy
By: Michael Mike
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Sohail Khan has said the Pakistani Armed Forces remain the largest contributors to the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations across the globe, a position that has been maintained since 1960.
Khan, who is a retired Major General in the Pakistani military, made this known at the Pakistani High Commission in Abuja on Friday during Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs Day celebration, which is held annually on September 6 since 1965.
He noted that the commemoration day was to pay homage to the armed forces of Pakistan who protected the motherland from internal and external aggression with bravery.
He disclosed that 23,900 officers and five Generals had sacrificed their lives in the Global War against Terrorism, with Pakistan losing over US$152 billion in the process.
The High Commissioner said Pakistan has kept responsible nuclear state status and the armed forces’ management of the command and control system has been distinguished.
He emphasised that one major significance of the occasion is honouring martyrs and members of the armed forces for their dedication and sacrifices.
On his part, the Defence Advisor at the High Commission, Col. Mushtag Kamran stated that September 6 signified the unflinching resolve, unity, and sense of sacrifice to defend the motherland at all costs.
He praised the sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to protect freedom and sovereignty, urging others to strive for a better tomorrow.
The event was attended by senior Nigerian Armed Forces officers, ambassadors, attachés, and diplomatic corps, and featured traditional Pakistani cuisine, with a pledge from Pakistani officers to continue to defend the motherland following the footsteps of martyr.
Pakistani Armed Forces Remain largest contributors to UN peace keeping –Envoy
US Provides $6.5 million for Flood Related Humanitarian Needs in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $6.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address flood-related humanitarian needs across Nigeria.
According to a statement on Thursday by
the Development Outreach and Communications Team of USAID, the funding is part of USAID’s Fiscal Year 2024 support and will enable local partners to respond to flooding and other disasters.
The statement revealed that IOM is allocating $3 million to address flood-related humanitarian needs across the country.
Flooding has affected over 619,000 people in 29 Nigerian states since mid-August, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency. The floods have claimed 210 lives, displaced nearly 228,700 people, and damaged more than 84,800 homes.
According to the statement, this response is part of a larger humanitarian assistance effort. In Fiscal Year 2024, USAID has provided nearly $100 million in previously announced funding to Nigeria to respond to the urgent needs of those impacted by disasters, including floods.
USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones said:
“The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Nigeria as they face the challenges posed by climate change and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Our enduring partnership is rooted in a long history of delivering humanitarian aid across the nation.”
US Provides $6.5 million for Flood Related Humanitarian Needs in Nigeria
U.S. Donates 10,000 Doses of Mpox Vaccines
By: Michael Mike
United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 10,000 doses of the mpox (formerly referred to as “Monkeypox”) vaccine to its Nigerian counterpart to support the nation’s ongoing efforts to respond to the current mpox outbreak.
Mpox is an infectious viral disease that occurs in humans and animals. It can be transmitted through close contact including sexual interactions. The prevention of mpox is through vaccination. Individuals of 18 years of age and older are determined to be at high risk for mpox infection and highly recommended to take the vaccine.
The vaccine is a two-dose primary series for use in persons who have never received smallpox vaccine and a single booster for individuals previously vaccinated with a smallpox vaccine
The U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, speaking at the event to hand over the vaccines to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said: “We are pleased to know that this is a timely donation that will reach the affected areas across the country and those who are most vulnerable to mpox infection.”
He added that: “We encourage the Government of Nigeria to continue to mobilize domestic resources to secure more vaccines to combat mpox.”
It has been reported that the federal government has prioritized five states (Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-River, Lagos, and Rivers) with the highest burden of mpox cases. The vaccines are expected to be given to those most at risk of mpox including close contacts of mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers with a provision for reactive vaccination in other states as the need arises.
When questioned on the safety of the vaccine, Mills said: “Yes, the vaccine is safe. Safety tests have been conducted during clinical trials, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control reviewed the results of these trials before granting approval for the use of the vaccines in Nigeria.”
USAID in a statement on Tuesday promised to continue to provide technical support and collaborate with the Government of Nigeria to improve prevention, preparedness, detection, response, and resilience to infectious disease outbreaks.
It said it is also supporting the Government of Nigeria with strengthening primary health care and routine immunization systems as well as supporting overall systems strengthening including health, education, nutrition, governance systems, and the rule of law.
U.S. Donates 10,000 Doses of Mpox Vaccines
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