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Guterres’s Aide Raises Grave Concern On Ethiopia
Guterres’s Aide Raises Grave Concern On Ethiopia
By: Michael Mike, Abuja
The Special Adviser of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (António Guterres) on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu has raised grave concern over the deterioration situation of Ethiopia, warning that the situation poses a great threat to the unity of the country and the East Africa sub region.
Nderitu, in a statement on Tuesday on the situation in Ethiopia, said she is gravely concerned at the deterioration of the situation of Ethiopia, where escalation of violence, increased incidence of ethnically and religiously motivated hate speech, displacement of populations and destruction of property display serious indicators of risk of commission of atrocity crimes.
She echoed calls for de-escalation and dialogue to address the current crises, including by the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union.
She said: “It is essential that all parties take serious and urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and take active measures to mitigate the risk of commission of wide-spread and systematic violence, including along ethnic lines. This risk is real and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
She noted that the decentralized nature of the country and the strengthening of ethnic-based allegiances, especially at the community level, enhances the possibility of such violence.
She said “further deterioration can have very serious consequences not only for the future of the country but for the overall region, including cross-border conflicts. It is therefore vital that regional actors take any possible initiative to strengthen dialogue and put an end to the armed conflict, including by supporting ongoing regional mediation efforts, and that the international community remains engaged in supporting such efforts and in contributing to open further options for peace.
“This includes the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) both of which have a key role to play.”
She noted that only through genuine and inclusive dialogue can Ethiopians address the root causes of their divergences and preserve their country’s unity and stability, which includes at the community level, where strategies to reduce conflict, division, distrust and hostility are especially paramount.
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She noted that: “Unfortunately, dynamics conducive to legitimizing violence for political and ethnic nationalism purposes precede the current conflict, and the current conflict is likely to build upon this negative legacy. This cycle needs to be broken for sustainable peace to emerge. Through dialogue, Ethiopians can find solutions based on shared needs and interests and build a common sense of belonging through constant interaction and shared experiences. In short, they can see once more that they have more commonalities than differences, as their kinship ties across ethnicities go back centuries.”
The Special Adviser reiterates concerns expressed in her 5 February and 30 July statements on the situation in this country, and notes that current developments occur in a context of history of inter-ethnic conflict; ongoing human rights violations and absence of accountability; increased politicization of identity and past grievances; increased inflammatory rhetoric, propaganda campaigns or hate speech; sexual and gender-based violence and creation of, or increased support to, militia or paramilitary groups.
The Special Adviser also noted that the country continues witnessing inter-group tensions and patterns of discrimination against specific groups, including ethnic profiling, incitement to violence and allegations of systematic attacks against specific populations.
She said: “These all constitute risk factors for atrocity crimes. Given their potential impact in triggering large-scale violence, allegations of hate speech by ethnic and religious leaders are particularly concerning.”
She however acknowledged the serious violations by all parties between November 2020 and August 2021 documented in the Joint Investigation into Alleged Violations of International Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Law Committed by all Parties, issued by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights this week.
The Special Adviser joined the High Commissioner for Human Rights in urging national and international national actors to take steps for accountability for the serious violations documented in the period covered by the report, as well as for the alleged violations committed since. In this direction.
She welcomed the establishment of a high level inter-ministerial task force in response to the Joint Investigation and encouraged this body to take urgent steps, stressing that: “Accountability constitutes an essential prerequisite for prevention and must be prioritized as such.”
The Special Adviser also called on all non-State actors in a position of leverage to do their utmost to contribute to mitigating risks of further deterioration, noting that: “This includes tech and social media companies, to which I am grateful for their efforts to limit the reach of inflammatory statements by political actors,” while also calling on religious leaders and actors “to contribute to counter the seeds of division and to bring communities together.”
Guterres’s Aide Raises Grave Concern On Ethiopia
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
By: Michael Mike
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai has called on developed countries to mop up climatic challenges they caused in developing countries, insisting that there is urgent need for them to take responsibility of international injustices especially regarding climate change.
He stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a “Seminar on Taking New Opportunities for China – Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in the New Era.”
Yu said it was unfair for developed nations to transfer the burden of developments on developing countries especially climate change and other challenges caused as a result of industrialisation.
The government envoy said China became among the top economies by adopting people centered approach and lifting 800 million people out of poverty over the past 70 years.
He further explained that his country achieved it development goals because it was open to all countries for exchange of ideas and that has been one of the major strengths the country had displayed to the world.
Yu said his country had adopted people centered approach to become relevant among the committee of nations by advocating stability among nations and in the last 70 years, it had never been to war with anyone.
He described China and Nigeria as strong partners that have been working towards the development of one another.
On his part, the head of department, political science and international relations, University of Abuja, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, while giving a historical background on China’s development, recommended that Nigeria must be deliberate in its pursuit of development.
He noted that Nigeria has alot of good policies that require self decipline among leaders and followers to implement.
Another professor from the University of Abuja, Bibi Farouk decried that Nigeria has not grown to its commensurate capability because its leaders refused to develop the country’s infrastructure.
He said Nigeria and China need to look at technological development in its partnership agreement to help each other grow.
He advised that Nigeria should open its markets for China to enable it benefit from Chinese technology.
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
UN Says Barrier to Women’s Economic Emancipation Must be Crunched
By: Michael Mike
UN Women has called for economic empowerment of women in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa, insisting that systemic inequality and other barriers standing in the path of women’s economic emancipation need to be crunched.
Speaking at Women’s Economic Empowerment Learning Week in Abuja, with the theme: “Accelerating the progress of Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst changing contexts,” UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong told the gathering of stakeholders from countries in West Africa, that deliberations should be on Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in Africa, the challenges identified, the key achievements highlighted by country offices, the policy environment needed to stimulate women’s access to public procurement opportunities, and the role of the private sector in transforming economies and pioneering change.
She said: “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the importance of addressing systemic inequality, opportunity inequality, and outcomes that have inhibited women’s economic empowerment. Though progress has been made, much remains to be done in accelerating progress and institutionalizing transformation to ensure women’s economic autonomy.”
Eyong said: “I am confident that through the conversations and deliberations that would ensue today, challenges would be addressed, solutions proffered, and a pathway tendered to women’s and girls’economic well-being building a society where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to national development.”
She noted that UN Women works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy; All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action
Eyong while stating that significant progress has been made in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria, which has resulted in the development of a National Women’s economic empowerment policy, the first of its kind in Nigeria, applauding the approval of an affirmative procurement policy in Kaduna State, and the development of a private sector GBV fund.
UN Says Barrier to Women’s Economic Emancipation Must be Crunched
UK Awards Chevening, Commonwealth scholarships to 82 Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
The British Government has awarded 82 Nigerians, the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2024.
This year, 32 scholars received the Chevening scholarships, and 50 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far.
A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Thursday for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will hold in Lagos next week, and will be hosted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Abby Bernard, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities.
At the Abuja pre-departure reception, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.
The British Government has awarded 82 Nigerians, the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2024.
This year, 32 scholars received the Chevening scholarships, and 50 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far. A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja yesterday for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will hold in Lagos next week, and will be hosted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Abby Bernard, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities.
At the Abuja pre-departure reception yesterday, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lever said:
“The UK continues to support the educational development of Nigerians and remain transparent and inclusive in the selection process across board.
“I challenge each of you to aim for excellence in your studies, to be great ambassadors for Nigeria in the UK, and to take advantage of every opportunity during your scholarship – through growing your knowledge, enriching cultural exchange, and confident networking – and then bringing those experiences back to Nigeria and doing great things for your country while creating a positive change in this country and the world.”
Also speaking at the reception, Director Operations, British Council Nigeria, Idowu Akintade, said: “We hope the skills and knowledge you gain from this scholarship opportunity prepares you to make positive impact in the development priorities of Nigeria.
“I encourage you all to build a strong network and continue to be great ambassadors of the prestigious Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships.”
Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to individuals who demonstrate intellectual ability, leadership potential and a commitment to development of their home country.
Nigeria has a huge alumni base with over 4500 (3000 Commonwealth and 1500 Chevening) alumni across both scholarships with very prestigious people impacting and contributing to Nigeria’s development.
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