News
NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK
NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK
By: Obinna Nwakonye
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has again reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protect and promote the rights of older persons, with a particular focus on accessibility, infrastructure, and habitat, including transport and housing.
This statement was made by the Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN at the 14th session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Representatives from all countries, alongside about 35 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and 70 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from around the globe, participated in this crucial meeting.
The NHRC has recommended taking further steps towards an internationally binding document for the protection of the rights of older persons, urging that this recommendation be forwarded to the UN General Assembly for prompt consideration.
DR. Ojukwu told the gathering that Nigeria has established robust mechanisms for addressing and remedying violations of older persons’ rights.
According to him, Under Section 6 of the its mandate, the NHRC is empowered to handle all matters related to the promotion and protection of human rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international and regional human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
Specifically, he said subsection 6(j) authorizes the Commission to receive and investigate complaints regarding human rights violations and make necessary determinations.
To support older persons in seeking redress, the Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria further told participants at the OEWGA that the NHRC has created a dedicated department for vulnerable groups, which includes older persons. He said the department which is staffed by specially trained personnel, is tasked with receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints from older persons and other vulnerable populations.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further stated that Nigeria’s judicial system, with courts across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is equipped to hear civil, criminal, and human rights cases, including those related to the rights of older persons.
He said significant progress has been made in gathering data and statistics at the national level on the rights of older persons to accessibility, infrastructure, and habitat. “While the Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS) 2019, conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), included general indicators on accessibility and infrastructure, the National Senior Citizens Centre (established by the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2017) is working towards a more focused approach” he revealed.
He stressed the plan to implement a multi-indicator survey specifically for older persons to better address their needs in collaboration with the NBS and National Population Commission.
The Executive Secretary concluded his statement by strongly urging for the immediate commencement of drafting a UN Convention dedicated to the rights of older persons.
“We urge the Open-Ended Working Group to recommend that the General Assembly request the Human Rights Council to act on the recommendations contained in decision 14/1” he stressed.
“These recommendations should be presented to the General Assembly as a matter of urgency. Any further actions must ensure the full, effective, and meaningful participation of older persons, their representative organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and National Human Rights Institutions” he added.
NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK
Herdsman loses two cows in suspected attack in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected hoodlums from Bare community in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa have allegedly attacked a herdsman and killed two of his cows in the bush near Labau, Wuroyanka District of Shelleng LGA.
The victim, identified as Shehu Alhaji Yakubu Babare, was said to be rearing his cattle when the assailants struck on Wednesday afternoon.
His father, Alhaji Yakubu Babare, reported the incident, saying the attackers fled before help could arrive.
In response, security operatives and local hunters visited the scene, while reinforcements from nearby areas were deployed to prevent further violence.
A stakeholders’ meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 26 to address the incident, as discreet investigations continue.
Herdsman loses two cows in suspected attack in Adamawa
Troops neutralize armed criminal in Benue, arrest suspect in Nasarawa
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have neutralized an armed criminal during an ambush operation in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, and arrested another suspect in Nasarawa State.
The operation, conducted on Wednesday, took place east of Ayilamo in Tombo Council Ward, Logo LGA, where troops made contact with the criminal elements.
During the encounter, one of the suspects was neutralized, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The troops maintained domination of the general area after the operation and continued patrols to reassure residents and bolster public confidence.
In a separate operation, troops of Sub-Sector 2 deployed at Maraba Udege Community in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State arrested a suspect found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Ramanu Elizabeth, was apprehended at Maraba Market following a distress call from members of the community. The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in custody for further investigation.
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline and tactical proficiency during the operations.
He urged them to sustain the tempo of operations to ensure a safe environment for law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses without fear.
Gara reiterated the commitment of the joint task force to protect innocent lives, disrupt criminal networks and restore peace and stability across the joint operations area.
Troops neutralize armed criminal in Benue, arrest suspect in Nasarawa
Bandits abduct passengers, villagers in Niger, set vehicle ablaze
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have reportedly abducted several passengers and villagers during attacks on communities in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when a commercial Toyota Corolla vehicle conveying six passengers from Kontagora to Yauri, Kebbi State, ran into the assailants at Anaba village along the Kontagora–Yauri road.
All occupants of the vehicle were abducted, while the attackers moved on to raid Libale, Iteri and Isana villages, where they kidnapped two residents identified as Oro and Jamilu, set a vehicle ablaze, and rustled an unconfirmed number of cattle.
One person was said to have sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
A combined team of troops and local vigilantes has been deployed to the area and are currently on the trail of the bandits to rescue the victims.
Bandits abduct passengers, villagers in Niger, set vehicle ablaze
Herdsman loses two cows in suspected attack in Adamawa
Troops neutralize armed criminal in Benue, arrest suspect in Nasarawa
Bandits abduct passengers, villagers in Niger, set vehicle ablaze
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
