National News
Africans Rising gives awards for Activism in Africa
Africans Rising gives awards for Activism in Africa
By: Michael Mike, Abuja
Three Africans have been given awards by the Africans Rising, a Pan-African movement for their selfless contributions towards the attainment of democracy, justice, human rights, and good governance on the African continent.
The awards, which were presented to the winners in Abuja, were given in three categories; Activist of the Year, Movement of the Year, and Artistic Activist of the Year.
Co-Chair of the Movement, Wangui wa Ngoro said the award is aimed at encouraging young African activists pushing for the desired change on the African continent and to spur others to join the cause.
Ngoro said the movement is not an enemy of the government but one whose vision is in line with the African Union Vision 2063 that spells out politically what Africans want in line with constitutions of countries.
She said the goal of the Movement is also geared towards ensuring that African can speak their minds against any form of injustice, inhumanity and brutality without getting
“The AU has vision 2063, which spells out the Africa politically that we want so we are just pushing that agenda alongside the constitutions of our countries. This is a political framework of Africa itself.
“We are not anybody’s enemy, we are hoping for our governments and supporting them.
“We are excited at this event where in the past year young African activists raised their voices and brought positive changes to their communities despite the mounting challenges of global health and political crises.”
She however added that: “We are inspired by their selfless activism and African Rising for justice, peace and dignity comes together each year to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments through Africans rising activism awards,” Goro said.
Also speaking on the award, Ms Coumba Toure, a Coordinating Collective of the Movement, said the award was not limited to celebrating only the winner but to recognize the efforts of everyone listed in the categories for their efforts.
Toure said Africans Rising is built on the foundation that wherever there is injustice, there are people, organisations and movements fighting for justice and we want them to be seen, and their voices heard.
She said: “What we are doing with these awards is to show that they are there. We have criterias and our members vote to decide who is the winner.
“But the truth is, every activist, every movement, every artist that has been in this contest is who we want to be seen.”
She added: “So, whether or not they are chosen, our work is to show who they are, our work is to amplify their voices and what we want is that what they fight for, and those who can see them or hear them through us support them.
“We in Africa need to move past the time where speaking your opinion becomes a threat to your life so that is a big challenge.”
Also speaking, Muhammed Lamin, another Coordinating Collective of the Novement said Africans Rising is a movement which supports and shows solidarity with movements across the continents to achieve their cause.
Lamin lamented the high rate of brutality against activists and journalists on the continent, noting that it will not make them relent in their effort.
Also Read: Boko Haram: 7 killed, several abducted in Borno
He however noted that through African Rising’s Freedom Campaign over 80,000 journalists and activists have been released from prisons across Africa during the pandemic
“We have lost a lot of our compatriots through bullets, through detentions, through torture and all forms of human brutality put on them by our governments.
“In the name of raising their voices against injustice, corruption and the brutal nature of governance on the continents.
“A lot of our activists are in jail in Nigeria who raised their voices against police brutality during the courageous #EndSARS protest.
“The brutality will only give us hope that no one can come from another continent to give us that change that we desire, it has to be us,” Lamin said.
Mr Deji Adeyanju, another Co-Chair of the Movement and Nigerian Activist said the Movement made solidarity interventions to Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, amongst other countries to ensure restoration of democratic rule.
The winners were awarded $1000 each, the First Runner-up were awarded $500 each while the Second Runner-up got $300 dollars each.
For the Activist of the Year, the winner is Wilson Atumeyi – Nigeria (1, 467 votes) – 1st Runner-Up: Maulline Gragau – Ethiopia (1, 320 votes) – 2nd Runner-Up: Christine Khabuya – Kenya (668 votes)
For the Movement of the Year, the winner is Youth4Parliament – Zambia (722 votes) – 1st Runner-Up: Ondjango Feminista – Angola (682 votes) and 2nd Runner-Up: Black Lives Matter-Leeds – United Kingdom (531 votes).
And for the Artistic Activist of the Year, the winner is Joice Zau – Angola (1,112 votes), 1st Runner-Up: Odelia Koroma – Sierra Leone (1,080 votes) and 2nd Runner-Up: Sister LB – Senegal (781 votes)
Africans Rising gives awards for Activism in Africa
National News
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.
In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.
Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.
The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.
He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.
The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.
Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
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