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Commonwealth Day 2024 Theme is One Resilient Common Future, says Scotland
Commonwealth Day 2024 Theme is One Resilient Common Future, says Scotland
By: Michael Mike
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has announced the theme for Commonwealth Day 2024 as ‘One Resilient Common Future’.
Commonwealth Day will be observed on Monday 11, March and will start with a series of events and activities, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
Commonwealth Day is celebrated by people across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said:
“Each year, we observe Commonwealth Day to recognise, celebrate and invigorate our 56 member states, all of whom are committed to the Commonwealth Charter. This year’s theme underscores the collective strength that enables us to confront and overcome present challenges, emerging with resilience. This paves the way for a future where wealth isn’t just widespread but genuinely equitable.
“We have countries which are amongst both the smallest and largest in the world. What binds us together is our shared values, and those include a commitment to ensuring stronger and stable governance, a more sustainable environment, robust economies, and societies that empower Commonwealth citizens.”
Secretary-General Scotland also took the opportunity, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to wish His Majesty King Charles III, the Head of the Commonwealth, a complete and fast recovery.
This year’s Commonwealth Day theme reflects the focus of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Samoa, in October 2024.
When announcing the CHOGM theme in 2023, Samoa’s Prime Minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa said: “We look forward to sharing our unique Samoan communal culture and traditions as we come together to transform our one resilient family into a common wealth.”
During Commonwealth Week in March, world leaders, foreign ministers, young advocates and other delegates from across the Commonwealth will come together for wide-ranging conversations.
Together, they will deliberate and decide on collective actions to solve shared challenges while suggesting initiatives that empower people, encourage growth and bring transformative change.
One of these initiatives is the declaration of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, which has put a focus on increasing projects to support the 1.5 billion young people of the Commonwealth.
Countries will observe the day through readings of the Commonwealth Proclamation, hosting celebratory events, or dedicating the week to enlightening citizens about the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s website will serve as a central hub, providing free and accessible resources to support these diverse activities.
In London, where the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters are located, a reception will be held welcoming invited representatives from across the Commonwealth.
Additionally, a vibrant multicultural, multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey on 11 March will celebrate the rich tapestry of the Commonwealth’s people, history, and culture. The event promises reflections, performances, and readings by individuals spanning the diverse nations of the Commonwealth. Each year, one of the highlights of Commonwealth Day is the procession of Commonwealth flags at Westminster Abbey, with young flag bearers representing each of the 56 member states.
This year, Commonwealth Day events will also include a contingent of Speakers and Presiding Officers from the Commonwealth countries, UK Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies and the UK nations, specially invited by the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK.
Each year, Commonwealth Day is commemorated to inspire and foster a dynamic and united community of 56 member states. This year the Commonwealth will celebrate even more milestones. On 26 April 2024, the 75th Anniversary of the modern Commonwealth will be celebrated.
Commonwealth Day 2024 Theme is One Resilient Common Future, says Scotland
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
By: Our Reporter
Borno State has emerged as the overall best in the implementation of Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), surpassing other participating states across the country.
IMPACT is a World Bank-supported community driven project aimed at reducing by half the mortality of chidren under five by 2030, through strengthening the primary healthcare centers.
The project delivers integrated immunisation-plus and malaria sevices to vulnerable population across 235 primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the state.
Receiving the award at the Government House in Maiduguri, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commended the effort of the Ministry of Health for achieving the milestone.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing its investment in the health sector to improve the wellbeing of people of the state.
“I would like to commend the Health Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, the IMPACT project coordinator, and the rest of the team for their efforts in achieving this feat of becoming the best-performing state. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our sincere gratitude,” Governor Zulum stated.
“Healthcare is one of the priorities of this admnistration, therefore, I willl like to assure you that more investment will be made in the entire value-chain of the health sector to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery system for people of the state,” he added.
Presenting the award to the governor, Communissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, said the state achieved this feat owing to the high perfomance in the implementation of the project in a holistic and coordinated approach, deployment of digital monitoring tools as well as data quality.
He remarked that more than two million anti-malaria drugs, two million test kits and other essential consumables have been distributed in the last one year.
“In the last one year more than 2 million anti-malaria, 359,596 long-lasting Insecticide treated nets and 2 million test kits and other essential non-malaria drugs and medical consumables have been distributed across 235 health facilities across the state,” Malum Gana said.
The commissioner emphasized that despite the security challenges and 2024 flood disaster, the state was able to achieve immunization coverage in vulnerable areas.
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa
By: Michael Olugbode
Nigeria has sympathized with the governments of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica over the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged the countries.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have received with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.
“The images and reports emerging from the countries, detailing widespread destruction, severe flooding, and the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods, are truly heart-wrenching. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction.
“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives.
“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”
Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa
News
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) does not degenerate into religious tension or undermine peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern region.
Reacting to the public response that followed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, NCYP called for calm and constructive dialogue, warning that while international engagement is important, neglecting domestic dialogue would be a costly mistake.
The group noted that public reactions on social media already underscore the urgent need for local engagement in order to prevent the situation from escalating into inter-religious misunderstanding or violence.
The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said: “We recalled that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and NCYP had earlier appealed to the U.S. Government not to list Nigeria as a CPC, warning that such a move could “undermine the delicate interfaith dialogue and reconciliation efforts built over the years.” Unfortunately President Trump has still gone ahead and listed Nigeria, as such we must not allow this fear to turn into reality.
“While we commend President Tinubu for his inclusive approach to governance and his ongoing efforts to address insecurity, the NCYP stresses that more must be done to protect innocent lives—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—and to strengthen national unity.
“NCYP must also express our concern that many northern governors have remained silent on this matter, as this is ia clarion call to the Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, to work closely with the President and stakeholders in preserving the budding peace between the two faiths, particularly in flashpoint areas.
“Finally, NCYP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and peace across Nigeria.”
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
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