Enugu Tragedy: It’s Time To End Tanker Explosion In Nigeria, Says VP Shettima

** Commiserates with state govt, families of victims

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commiserated with the people and government of Enugu over the fuel tanker fire, which claimed lives following an accident in the state, saying it’s time to put an end to avoidable tanker accidents and explosions.

The fuel tanker had on Saturday veered off course and burst into flames along the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

In a condolence message to families of those who lost their lives and the injured, the Vice President noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned and disturbed by the incident and other tanker explosions in recent times.

“It was with a heart full of sadness that I received news of the fuel tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Ugwu Onyeama local government area of Enugu State. I am deeply saddened that another tanker accident would lead to the loss of lives of Nigerians, leaving others injured in the gory incident.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequency of these tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas, which are ordinarily avoidable. Just as he has directed the relevant agencies in his message of condolence on Sunday, I want to reassure Nigerians that the government will stop at nothing to put an end to tanker accidents on our roads,” he said.

VP Shettima promised that following Mr. President’s directive, the government will engage relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on possible ways the road traffic authorities, as well as federal and state Transportation Ministries can cooperate to urgently forestall further tanker accidents and explosions across the country.”

Commiserating with families of the victims, Senator Shettima said, “I express my profound condolences to the government and people of Enugu State, particularly the families that lost their loved ones and those that are undergoing treatment for various degrees of injuries in the hospitals.

“While my thoughts and prayers are with you, I pray Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed and quick return to health for the injured.”

Enugu Tragedy: It’s Time To End Tanker Explosion In Nigeria, Says VP Shettima

NHRC Says Over 350,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Reported in Dec. 2024

By: Michael Mike

Over 350,000 complaints of human rights violations were reported in December 2024 alone, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.

This disclosure was made on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu during the Commission’s December 2024 Human Rights Situation Dashboard and 2024 Year Overview.

Ojukwu said: “In December 2024 alone, the NHRC received a staggering 355,726 complaints of human rights violations. This marks an overwhelming increase from the 1,147 complaints reported in January of the same year.”

He insisted that: “This dramatic surge is a testament to the growing awareness among Nigerians of their rights, and the trust they have placed in the Commission as a crucial avenue for seeking justice and redress. It is a clear indication that Nigerians are increasingly aware of their human rights and are turning to the Commission as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.”

He added that: “The violations documented in 2024 paint a sobering picture of the challenges we face. Among the most prevalent issues were the violation of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association; abandonment of children, attacks on law enforcement, discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence, the suppression of civic space, as well as the escalating violence of banditry and mass killings. These issues, though varied, underscore the complexity of the human rights landscape in Nigeria.

“While this dashboard highlights the extent of the violations, it also serves as an urgent call to action. These findings should not just be a point of reflection—they must be a facilitator for change. The protection of human rights cannot, and must not, rest solely on the shoulders of the National Human Rights Commission alone. We call on all stakeholders—our government, civil society organisations, international partners, and all Nigerians—to come together to reinforce our collective efforts to combat systemic injustices.

“We must strengthen mechanisms of accountability and justice. We must advance policies and interventions that safeguard the freedom of expression and combat discrimination in all its forms. It is essential that we invest in the welfare and training of law enforcement officers to ensure that they act in accordance with human rights standards. And we must commit to protecting the most vulnerable in our society, particularly the children who are often neglected and abused.”

“Dear partners, colleagues and gentlemen of the media, the year 2025 is a milestone for the NHRC as it marks it 30th anniversary of its establishment. From military dictatorships to democratic governments, the NHRC has come a history of resilience, innovation and commitment to the Nigerian people. We will be making this year one for not just the NHRC but for all Nigerians and recommit ourselves and the entire nations to realizing Nigeria’s obligations in international human rights,” Ojukwu promised.

He expressed appreciate to partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for their continued and unwavering support.

He said: “To the Nigerian people, we thank you for your courage in bringing forward your complaints. Your voices fuel our commitment to safeguard your rights, and we assure you that the Commission remains resolute in its mission to safeguard your rights and uphold your dignity.”

He insisted that: “Today’s presentation is not the end, but the beginning of renewed efforts. The data we present demands innovative solutions, strengthened partnerships, and a collective resolve to address the human rights challenges in our country. Working together and pririotising human rights in government policies and programmes, we can make 2025 a major turning point in our quest to becoming a leading nation where no man or woman is oppressed or left behind. Together, let us continue to champion the values of dignity, justice, and equality for all Nigerians.”

NHRC Says Over 350,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Reported in Dec. 2024

UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has called on all citizens of the world to speak-up against hate and stand-up for human rights.

Guterres in his speech to commemorate this year’s International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, said this year marks the eightieth anniversary of the Holocaust’s end.

He said: “We mourn the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, as they sought to destroy an entire people.

“We grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and all others enslaved, persecuted, tortured, and killed.

“We stand alongside victims, survivors and their families.

“And we renew our resolve never to forget.

“To allow the Holocaust to fade from memory would dishonour the past and betray the future.

“Remembrance is a moral act. And a call to action.

“To know the history of the Holocaust is to know the depths to which humanity can sink…

“To understand how the Nazis were able to commit their heinous crimes, with the complicity of others…

“And to comprehend that each of us has a solemn duty – to speak-up against hate, and to stand-up for the human rights of all.

He added that: “Following the hell of the Holocaust, countries came together. And they enshrined the dignity of every person in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In dark times, that document remains a shining light.

“Eighty years since the Holocaust’s end, antisemitism is still with us – fuelled by the same lies and loathing that made the Nazi genocide possible.

“And it is rising. Discrimination is rife… Hate is being whipped-up the world over…
Indisputable historical facts are being distorted, diminished, and denied… And efforts are being made to recast and rehabilitate Nazis and their collaborators.
We must stand up to these outrages.

“In these days of division – and more than a year since the appalling 7th October terror attacks by Hamas – we must hold fast to our common humanity. We must condemn antisemitism – just as we must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice and religious bigotry. And we must renew our resolve to defend the dignity and human rights of all.

“Those causes go to the very core of the United Nations. We will never forget – and we will never waver in that fight.”

Speaking at the commemoration of the day at the United Nations House in Abuja, the Israeli Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Inbar Lipman Garden said: “On this solemn day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered in the Holocaust- alongside millions of others who suffered under the Nazi regime. We honour their memory not only to mourn their loss but to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. The Holocaust is not just a chapter of Jewish history; it is a universal reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and indifference. It compels us to reflect on our shared responsibility to fight antisemitism, racism, and all forms of intolerance wherever they may arise.

“Today, we must acknowledge the troubling rise of antisemitism around the world, including in Europe, Australia, Canada, the US and elsewhere. Jewish communities face increasing hostility and violence.

“Synagogues have been firebombed, schools have been shot at. Jewish community centers have been vandalized – images that remind us of the dark days of the past. And today, just 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz there are those who deny that the Holocaust happened. Dangerous narratives of Holocaust denial propagated by regimes and groups such as lran, Hizballah, and Hamas. These entities not only distort history but also openly call for the annihilation of the Jewish state and Jews entirely.”

On his part, the Officer in Charge of UNESCO Abuja Office, Albert Mendy said: “This commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and intolerance, and reinforces our collective responsibility to foster a culture of peace, mutual respect, and human dignity.”

Mendy, who was represented by the Organisation’s Education Programme Officer, Anthony Ogunniyi said: “UNESCO, as the lead agency for education within the United Nations system, believes that education is the most powerful tool for building a just and peaceful world.

“Education for peace is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about shaping attitudes, values, and behaviors that promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among individuals and societies.”

He added that: “The Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder that hatred, even within your classrooms, no matter how small it may seem at first, can grow into unimaginable consequences if left unchecked. It often starts with seemingly minor acts of intolerance—hurtful words, exclusion, and discrimination—but can quickly escalate into widespread harm and devastation. What you do about it matters.

“Choosing to remain silent in the face of injustice—whether it is bullying, discrimination, or any form of intolerance—allows such negative behaviors to persist and grow. This is why tolerance, respect, and empathy are not just ideals but essential values that must guide our daily interactions. Let us learn from history and understand that taking a stand against hatred in all its forms is the first step toward preventing future atrocities and building a world where dignity and human rights are upheld for all.”

UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate