News
Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
By: Michael Mike
The call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council was once again on the front burner of discussions in the context of preventing genocide as witnessed against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, held at Covenant University, Ota Ogun State at the weekend, the former Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, UN Headquarters New York, Prof Ibrahim Gambari called on the UN to reform not only in terms of the use or misuse of veto power but in the expansion of its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
Gambari, who was a former Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs) and at a time the Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari,
emphasized in his keynote speech at the commemorative public lecture organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria, Rwandan High Commission in Nigeria and Covenant University, that the membership of the UN Security Council should be reformed and democratized to reflect today’s economic demographic and political realities, and Africa should be fully represented and taken into consideration.
He said: “The genocide in Rwanda had the additional and perhaps unintended consequence of reawakening governments in Africa to an appreciation of their own Responsibility to Protect regarding civilian populations beyond their territorial borders.”
He added that: “Rwanda taught Africans not to rely purely on the goodwill of the larger international community to police and resolve conflicts on their continent. The need for Pax Africana, for Africa to develop its own resources and mechanisms to initiate effective and robust engagements to resolve the problems of the continent, was becoming increasingly apparent.”
On his part, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his statement to the gathering, urged everyone to shun hatred and discrimination and stand as one. He said: “On this solemn day of remembrance, let’s pledge to stand as one against all forms of hatred and discrimination. Let’s ensure that the acts that began on April 7 1994, are never forgotten — and never repeated anywhere.”
Guterres, whose statement was read by the UNIC National Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun, assured that “We will never forget the victims of this genocide. Nor will we ever forget the bravery and resilience of those who survived, whose courage and willingness to forgive remain a burst of light and hope amidst this dark chapter in human history.”
The Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo noted that: “The path to lasting peace demands constant vigilance. As we renew, we restate our unbreakable pledge to fight intolerance, discrimination, ethnic hatred, hate speech, genocide revisionism, and denial in all their forms.”
He said on this occasion of Kwibuka 30, “Let’s together ensure that the memory of the victims becomes a powerful force for good, inspiring future generations to choose peace over hate, unity over division, and hope over despair.”
According to him, this could be achieved in different ways including putting course lessons about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in schools to educate the young and the next generation on the need to fight hate ideologies and stand against any form of discrimination and divisionism.
He charged everyone to work together to build a world where such atrocities never happen again. “Let us renew our commitment to the values of tolerance, compassion, human dignity in our transformative journey, continuously building a better future for all.”
The Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof Abiodun Adebayo acknowledged that in all the conflicts leading to devastating loss of civilian life, massive displacement, capital flights, destruction of infrastructure and economic institutions, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, the United Nations has always played a pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development, and uphold international law.
He said: “Today’s reflection is critical because those who do not remember the past or mind history are predestined to repeat history. We remember, therefore, the heinous crime of inhumane treatment meted out not only to the Tutsi but the entire humanity that took place in Rwanda in 1994.”
The Chancellor of the university, Bishop David Oyedepo charged African leaders to be sensitive to injustice to ensure peace and stability of the region. He spoke on ‘It’s time to awake and take responsibility.’
Gambari Calls for Reform of UN Security Council to Meet Today’s Economic Demographic, Political Realities
Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River
By; Zagazola Makama
Two suspected child traffickers have been arrested by the Police in Oboho Ito community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River, following a foiled attempt to allegedly sell a one-month-old baby.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on March 2 after youths of the community intercepted them based on a tip-off.
According to the source, the mother of the baby, Favour Effiong, reported that on March 1, one Happiness Etim Udoh, allegedly persuaded her to bring her one-month-old child under the pretext of taking her to receive financial assistance for the upkeep of the baby.
“On suspicion, the mother informed her landlord, and community youths laid ambush for the suspect,” the source said.
Udoh was subsequently arrested alongside an alleged accomplice, Ekpo Inyang, said to have no fixed address.
Police say preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly planned to snatch and sell the baby to a woman in Abuja.
The source further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to previously selling a child for N200,000 to a buyer in Abuja.
It was also alleged that arrangements had been made to hand over the one-month-old baby to a relative of one of the suspects in Abuja, who was reportedly pretending to be pregnant.
The baby was safely recovered and handed back to the mother.
Police said investigation into the matter had commenced, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network.
They reiterated commitment to tackling child trafficking and protecting vulnerable children across the state.
Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Damasak, three residents shot
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters Group, successfully repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists in Damasak town, Nganzai Local Government Area.
According to sources, the assailants invaded the town around 10:30 p.m., opening sporadic gunfire that sent residents fleeing in panic.
“Three civilians, Goni Dauda, 25, of Zanna Umarti Ward; Modu Ya’asham, 32, of Gajiram Town; and Asinamai David, 25, of Bula Kara, Gubio Town, were fatally hit by stray bullets, while Kellu Bukar, 40, an IDP camp resident, sustained a chest wound and is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Damasak.
The troops stormed the scene and engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle forcing them to flee with bullets wounds.
The troops later visited the scene and evacuated the victims.
The corpses of Goni Dauda and Modu Ya’asham were released to their families for burial according to Islamic rites, while Asinamai David was buried according to Christian rites.
Security forces confirmed that normalcy has returned to the town, and monitoring continues to prevent further incidents.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Damasak, three residents shot
News
Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission
Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa and Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers.
Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa is a former member of the Borno State House of Assembly who represented Kukawa Constituency during the Third Republic. He also served as Special Adviser on Education to the Governor from 2020 to 2023.
In addition, he has held several public service roles, including member of the Governing Council of Ramat Polytechnic and member of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
A seasoned civil servant, Hon. Kukawa rose through the ranks from Agricultural Extension Officer to Acting Permanent Secretary.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maiduguri and is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria.
Also appointed as Special Adviser is Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi, the immediate past Executive Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
Hon. Mazhinyi holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from the University of Maiduguri and is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies at the same institution.
He is a grassroots politician and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, and a recipient of several awards.
Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum has appointed Hon. Maina Bukar Gajiram as Permanent Commissioner of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission, with effect from 17 February 2026, following his confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly during its sitting on the same day.
The appointment is in accordance with the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 5 of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission Law, 2005
(as amended).
Governor Zulum congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with dedication, integrity, and commitment to the development of Borno State.
Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission
Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Damasak, three residents shot
Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission
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