House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill

By: Michael Mike

The House of Representatives has revealed that it is interested in the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law, saying that the bill has already passed the first reading and will soon be subjected to second reading.

The House also promised to take the necessary steps to ensure an improvement in the 2025 budget of the NHRC, pointing out that the N5 billion approved for it in the 2024 budget is inadequate considering the myriad of human rights violations in the country.

The Chairman House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Makinde made this disclosure during the oversight visit of Committee to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The Chairman, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman assured the NHRC that the Committee would continue to advance the course of human rights in Nigeria by ensuring that the House of Representatives passes critical bills on human rights issues as well as makes adequate budgetary provisions to ease the work of the Commission.

Makinde also stated that in a bid to improve some aspects of Civil and Political Rights, the House of Representatives had ensured the establishment of human rights desks in all police formations and Headquarters across the 36 States of the Federation.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu who received the lawmakers with his management staff told the Human Rights Committee that the Commission relies heavily on them for the enactment of human rights friendly laws and enhanced budgetary provisions to discharge it broad mandate of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.

He used the opportunity to commend the legislators for their role in the amendment of the NHRC Act 2010 as well as the support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in the payment of compensation to victims of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

He equally informed the legislators who were on oversight visit about the recent report released by the Commission following the findings of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East Nigeria , which he noted has saved the country from possible invitation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He noted that the aforementioned wide spread allegations of human rights infractions against some government institutions could result in the ICC extending invitations to some of the leaders to respond to the allegations, but the Commission has done the needful in compliance with the international principles of omplementarity.

He thanked the Committee for promising to improve the budgetary allocation of the Commission in the 2025 fiscal year.

House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill

FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa

By: Michael Mike

The arrest of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland has been confirmed by the federal government.

A statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday.

According to the statement, Ekpa was
charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence.

The Finnish District Court of
Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.

The Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread
separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused
significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria. Finnish investigators had also linked
him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to had been fueled by his
online activities.

The statement said “the arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic
pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities,
which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. The request
for action featured during high level engagements between countries.”

The Ministry stated that the arrest of Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and “their impact on our national security.”

The Ministry promised to continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.

FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa

Hawul: Zulum Allocates Space, N465m, for take-off of National Orthopaedic Hospital

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has approved the allocation of N465 million and a designated space for establishing a National Orthopedic Hospital in the state.

Designated for the project is Azare, headquarters of Hawul local government area in southern Borno.

The hospital is aimed at addressing the pressing need for specialised orthopaedic care in the northeast region when established.

Zulum stated this on Thursday evening when he received members of the accreditation team from the Federal Ministry of Health led by the Director of Hospital Services in the ministry, Dr Jimoh Saludeen.

Zulum explained that the state government would cede ownership of the General Hospital in Azare to establish the national orthopaedic hospital. While about N465m he approved will also be used to rehabilitate the facility completely.

Zulum also stated that: “We have General Hospital, Azare, belonging to Borno State Government. We will move them to another location and I have approved the sum of N465m for the rehabilitation of the hospital. We are not only giving the hospital but including the staff quarters.”

Zulum added: “In addition to this, if there is any need, the state government can support you in realising the dream of establishing the national orthopaedic hospital. The federal government might own the hospital, but who are the beneficiaries? Who will use the hospital? The greatest beneficiaries are the people of Borno State.”

Briefing the governor earlier, Dr Jimoh Saludeen stated that their visit was to assess the proposed site for establishing a National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare, Borno State, following the president’s approval.

Jimoh also commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for supporting his team and providing the needed leadership for the people of Borno State.

The delegation comprises the member representing Askira/Hauwal constituency at the House of representatives, Midala Balami, and his predecessor who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the hospital, Dr Haruna Mishelia.

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo and other senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani and the Chief Adviser to the Governor and cordinator sustainable development and humanitarian response, Dr Mairo Mandara were also part of the meeting.

Hawul: Zulum Allocates Space, N465m, for take-off of National Orthopaedic Hospital