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Envoy Says Palestinians Awaits CJ ruling in few days
Envoy Says Palestinians Awaits CJ ruling in few days
……..Enjoins International Community to Call Israel to Order
By: Michael Mike
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abu Shawesh has said that his country is awaiting the pronouncement of the International Court of Justice on the Israeli continous bombardment of Gaza in few days.
Shawesh also appealed to international community to join in calling for a halt to Israeli military action on Palestinians which has led to over 25,000 death since 7th October 2023 retaliation attack.
Shawesh said: “South Africa (SA) has brought the matter to the court as a matter of extreme urgency and with a priority and stipulation to order Israel to halt and suspend its onslaught campaign in order to protect the Palestinian people and preserve the evidence.
“We expect to hear the decision in the coming days. We must wait until then to know whether the court is convinced by the evidence that SA presented.”
The envoy while also commending South Africa for instituting the case at The Hague, explained that “in its application to the ICJ, South Africa based its accusation both on actions taken by Israel throughout the war and controversial comments made by Israeli officials regarding Palestinians in Gaza and how they should be treated.”
He argued that Israel is a signatory to the Genocide Convention adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and is therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the ICJ, a UN organ, and its rulings. Under the terms of the convention, Israel is obligated to send representatives to the court following the submission of a filing against it.
Shawesh said: “At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the political leaders and people of South Africa for their strong moral stance and for standing steadfastly in support of international law and justice by suing Israel for its genocide of the Palestinian people, the occupying power, before the United Nations International Court of Justice. In this regard, we also urge all countries that side with Israel’s acts of genocide and are neglecting to condemn Israel’s war crimes to acknowledge what is actually happening and to review their moral and legal position.
“Three things cannot be hidden for long: the sun, the moon, and the truth. The truth is that the behavior of the Israeli government is in fact forms of genocide against the Palestinian people.
“South Africa submitted an 84 page document crammed with devastating evidence that Israel is breaching its legal obligation under the 1948 international Genocide Convention. The Convention defines genocide as the “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”
He noted that: “This definition is wholly applicable to the Israeli political and military leaders’ declared positions, and which prove the intent and their military acts on the ground prove the Israeli government is violating and breaching the Convention. The declaration of the Israeli Prime Minister reminded the Israeli population about the Old Testament and of the carnage of Amalek and to “spare no one, but kill alike men and women, infants and suckling.”
He said the Israeli war minister Gallant has vowed that “Gaza won’t return to what it was before – we will eliminate everything,” adding that Israel’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure has also pledged “they will not receive a drop of water or a single battery until they leave this world.”
He explained that: “On January 11th, the ICJ court listened first to South Africa and the following day to the lawyers representing the Israeli Occupation. We all know that discussing this case and issuing a final verdict may take many years to come, all with a lot of investigation.”
He however lamented that: “On the 103rd day of the Israeli frenzied genocide campaign against the Palestinian people, the casualty numbers are growing and growing and many respected international governmental organisations issued countless reports that we can all refer to for the accurate statistical information.
“Between 7 October 2023 .. 12 January 2024, at least 23,708 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 60,005 Palestinians were injured.” “Since 11 October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been under an electricity blackout, after the Israeli authorities cut off the electricity supply and fuel reserves for Gaza’s sole power plant were depleted.” “Since 7 October 2023 …and as of 12 January 2024, 333 Palestinians have been killed, including 84 children, across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem…. Of those killed in the West Bank (333); 324 were killed by Israeli forces, eight by Israeli settlers and one by either Israeli forces or settlers .… The number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2023 (507) marks the highest number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank since OCHA started recording casualties in 2005”. “Since 7 October 2023 …and as of 12 January 2024, 4,176 Palestinians, including 631 children, were injured in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Of them, 4,046 have been injured by Israeli forces, 109 by settlers and 21 by either Israeli forces or settlers.”
Shawesh decried that: “Israel is waging a war of starvation and pushing the Palestinian economy faster towards the already clearly ravaging disaster. For the third month in a row, Israel refuses to transfer the Palestinian clearance funds to the Palestinian government, leaving it unable to pay its employees’ salaries and other financial obligations.
“The lack of drinking water in the Strip has become a matter of life and death.
“Residents are currently forced to drink unclean well water, which is contributing to the spread of transmitted and infectious diseases, especially amid the power outage and overall water supply shortage”.
“It is absolutely inhumane to see countries with the largest military naval forces in the world moving to protect shipping and trade lines in the Red Sea, but we do not see them moving or even raising their voices to stop the acts of genocide taking place in the occupied Palestinian territories that we are seeing on the news. What makes matters worse, is that many of these countries are fully complicit in the ongoing genocide in Palestine by providing Israel with military means and ammunition, in addition to unconditional and unlimited political support.
“More than 90 per cent of the population is now suffering from acute food insecurity, and many are on the brink of avoidable human-made famine. We recall that starvation of the civilian population
as a method of war is prohibited.”
Envoy Says Palestinians Awaits CJ ruling in few days
NSCDC Nabs Three Suspected Infrastructure Vandals in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested three young men suspected of vandalising public infrastructure in Abuja.
The suspects were intercepted near the National Stadium area close to the National Hospital along Constitution Avenue during intensified patrols carried out as part of yuletide security operations.
According to the NSCDC, the men were allegedly caught in possession of damaged road safety installations, which they were believed to be preparing to transport from the area. Recovered items included several road crash barriers and a heavy-duty hammer.
The suspects were identified as Abdulsalam Aminu, 25, Mustapha Sale, 26, and Suleiman Sani, 19, and they are currently in custody while investigations is said to continue.
Speaking on the development, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, said the arrests were part of deliberate efforts by the command to protect critical public assets, particularly during festive periods when vandalism and theft often spike.
He lamented that public infrastructure provided to enhance safety and improve living conditions is frequently targeted by criminals for personal gain, describing such acts as a major threat to public welfare.
Odumosu stressed that the corps would remain relentless in safeguarding government facilities including roads, bridges, crash barriers, power installations and other vital infrastructure across the territory.
The commandant warned individuals involved in vandalism to desist or risk prosecution, noting that the agency would enforce the law without compromise. He also urged residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities to help curb the destruction of public assets in the FCT.
NSCDC Nabs Three Suspected Infrastructure Vandals in Abuja
Education Gets Highest Share as Zulum Presents N890.33bn 2026 Budget to Borno Assembly
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has presented an N890.33 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, with the education sector receiving the largest allocation.
The budget, titled “Budget of Sustained Recovery and Growth,” places strong emphasis on capital development, with over 61 per cent of the total expenditure devoted to capital projects, while recurrent spending accounts for about 39 per cent.p
Addressing members of the House of Assembly, Zulum disclosed that the proposal comprises N353.77 billion for recurrent expenditure and N536.56 billion for capital expenditure, stressing that the spending plan is designed to deepen recovery efforts and accelerate development in the state.
According to the governor, the budget reflects the administration’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure, revitalising the economy and improving the quality of life for residents following years of insurgency.
The sectoral breakdown of allocations showed that education tops the list with N135.43 billion. The funds are expected to support the construction and rehabilitation of schools, teacher recruitment, and scholarship programmes across the state.
The works and housing sector received N94.27 billion to fund road construction, bridge projects and housing development, while the health sector was allocated N66.41 billion for the completion of hospitals, procurement of medical equipment and supply of essential drugs.
Other key allocations include N58.71 billion for the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to facilitate the return and resettlement of displaced persons, N44.95 billion for agriculture to boost food production, and N21.35 billion for water resources projects. Funds were also set aside for information and internal security to strengthen peace and stability.
On the revenue side, the state expects N317.69 billion from the Federation Account, N44.30 billion from internally generated revenue, and N417.23 billion from capital receipts, including grants and development funds.
In his response, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, assured the governor that the legislature would give the budget proposal prompt and thorough consideration to ensure it aligns with the state’s development priorities before passage.
Education Gets Highest Share as Zulum Presents N890.33bn 2026 Budget to Borno Assembly
VP Kashim Shettima Expected at Second Kanem Borno cultural summit in Maiduguri
By: Bodunrin Kayode
VP, Kashim Shettima is expected to flag off the second Bi-annual Kanem–Borno Cultural Summit 2026 taking place in Maiduguri from 1st–2nd January, 2026.
Announcing this recently, chairman of the Borno Emirate concerned citizens forum Zanna Boguma said that about 1000 other visitors from all over the world will join the VP in gracing the occasion.
He said the 1000 delegates are also expected from across the country and the world especially from several countries where kanuri people reside are coming for the summit.
“Ministers, top political figures and National Assembly members of Borno in other states will be coming including our kiths and kins in lafia and Kanam on the plateau.
” Lots of traditional stuffs will be showcased to announce that kanem Borno never fell in the hands of its enemies as is being portrayed in some quarters.
“There will be displays of cultural artifacts to entertain the visitors. Prayers will be held on Friday of that week for the success of the occasion. However, consistent prayers must continue to ensure that there is stability during the period.
In a recent world new conference, the chairman of the committee Zanna Hassan Buguma maintained that the theme for this year’s summit is ” Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability”
“We are pleased to formally announce the 2nd edition of the Bi-annual Kanem–Bornu Cultural Summit 2026, scheduled to hold on 1st and 2nd January, in Maiduguri, Borno State, under the theme “Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability.
“This Summit will serve as a global homecoming, bringing together sons and daughters of Kanem–Bornu from across Nigeria and around the world, including members of the diaspora, scholars, professionals, traditional leaders, cultural custodians, youth and women. It is a deliberate effort to reconnect our people to their shared heritage and mobilize collective wisdom, resources, and networks for the peace and stability of our region.
“Building on the success of the maiden edition, the 2nd Bi-annual Kanem–Bornu Cultural Summit seeks to deepen conversations around identity, resilience, and responsibility. At a time when the Lake Chad Basin continues to face security, humanitarian, and socio-economic challenges, this Summit positions culture as a unifying force and a strategic tool for peacebuilding, reconciliation, and regional cooperation and integration.
“The Kanem–Bornu civilization remains one of Africa’s most enduring legacies, renowned for governance, scholarship, trade, diplomacy, and coexistence across ethnic and cultural lines. For centuries, it nurtured systems that emphasized justice, tolerance, consultation, and social harmony. The Summit draws inspiration from this legacy to address contemporary challenges, reminding us that solutions to today’s crises can be found in the wisdom of our past.
” The Summit will explore how traditional institutions, indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, cultural education, arts, language, and heritage preservation can be harnessed to counter violence, promote healing, and strengthen regional stability.
“Over the two days, the Summit will feature keynote addresses, high-level panel discussions, diaspora dialogues, youth and women forums, cultural and religious exhibitions, traditional performances, and policy-oriented sessions. Special attention will be given to diaspora engagement, knowledge exchange, investment in cultural industries, and pathways for youth participation in peace and development initiatives.
“Maiduguri, our host city, is both symbolic and strategic. It stands as a historic centre of Kanem–Bornu civilization and a contemporary symbol of courage and resilience. Hosting this Summit in Maiduguri underscores a powerful message: that the people of Kanem–Bornu, wherever they reside, remain united in purpose and committed to rebuilding, healing, and progress.” Said Dr Hassan.
VP Kashim Shettima Expected at Second Kanem Borno cultural summit in Maiduguri
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NSCDC Nabs Three Suspected Infrastructure Vandals in Abuja
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