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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
US Says Latest Visa Decision Against Nigeria Unconnected to BRICS, Venezuelan Refugees
By: Michael Mike
The United States Mission has explained that recent reduction in visa validity for Nigerian nonimmigrant travellers is not tied to Nigeria’s position on BRICS nor the Venezuelan deportees.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on “Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS”
Trump made the statement few days ago while BRICS leaders and associates
met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2025 summit.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar had on Thursday on one of the National Televisions during his reaction to recent stringent visa regime to Nigerian travellers by the American government noted that it may be as a result of non acceptance of Venezuelan deportees, insisting that the country has trouble of its own
Tuggar said: “We already have over 230 million people,” and cannot add to our headache.
The US Mission in Abuja while clarifying the latest visa validity decision on Friday noted that the decision was rather based on a global security and technical review.
The mission in a statement on Facebook also reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral cooperation with Nigeria and expressed willingness to work with Nigerian authorities to meet the necessary criteria.
The statement read: “The U.S. Mission Nigeria wishes to address misconceptions about the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas in Nigeria and other countries. This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet those criteria and benchmarks, thereby ensuring safe, lawful, and mutually beneficial travel between our nations.”
US Says Latest Visa Decision Against Nigeria Unconnected to BRICS, Venezuelan Refugees
Six community guards killed, others feared abducted in Zamfara bandit attack
By: Zagazola Makama
At least six members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG) in Zamfara State have been killed and others feared abducted following a deadly ambush by armed bandits in Bungudu Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday as the CPG members were travelling from Bungudu to Yar Katsina in Kekun Waje District to condole with the family of one of their colleagues who was killed by suspected bandits a day earlier.
According to sources, the group was ambushed along the route by heavily armed attackers who opened fire on them, killing six CPG personnel on the spot.
The assailants also reportedly made away with several pump-action rifles belonging to the victims and one motorcycle.
Shortly after the incident troops of Operation FANSAR, were deployed to the scene. However, the attackers had already fled into the bush before their arrival.
The remains of the slain guards have been transported to Bungudu Town for burial rites, while efforts are underway to trace and rescue other victims suspected to have been abducted during the attack.
Six community guards killed, others feared abducted in Zamfara bandit attack
Suspected gunman dies after clash with police in Kogi, officer injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspect linked to unlawful possession of firearms has died following a violent clash between his gang and police operatives in Idah, Kogi State.
The incident began on July 8, when detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lokoja visited Aija area in Idah to arrest the suspect, simply identified as Enemi. Upon sighting the police, the suspect reportedly fled by jumping over the fence of his residence and had remained at large.
However, on July 10, fresh intelligence on his whereabouts prompted the Divisional Police Officer in Idah to mobilize a team of operatives, led by Inspector Ojumu Rokan, to effect his arrest.
While attempting to apprehend him, the team came under sudden attack from members of the suspect’s gang, who allegedly tried to disarm and mob the officers.
In the process, the suspect was shot in the leg while trying to escape, but was quickly whisked away from the scene by his accomplices.
During the confrontation, a police officer, PC Usman Kebiru of the Area Command, Idah, sustained multiple injuries after being attacked with machetes, cutlasses, and stones.
He was rushed to the General Hospital in Idah for treatment.
Subsequent reports reaching the division later confirmed that the injured suspect died at his family residence in Idah.
Security across the area has since been heightened, with all formations placed on red alert. Intensive patrols are ongoing to prevent further unrest and track down members of the fleeing gang.
Suspected gunman dies after clash with police in Kogi, officer injured
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