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Humanity First in the 21st Century

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Humanity First in the 21st Century

By: Omar Muhammad F.

At this 21st Century where developments as become a global project, what should be topmost on our mind is “Humanity First”.
In everything we do, humanity first. This is the motto of this association and believe. We however, encourage a peaceful resolution and diplomatic approach. In the 1990s a breakthrough agreement negotiated between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Oslo, Norway, set out a process for a mutually negotiated two-state solution to be gradually implemented by the end of the decade. Although the process showed initial promise and progress, a combination of dissatisfaction and distrust led to the breakdown and delay of the process. After frustration and provocation led to the outbreak of violence in 2000, the process proved difficult to restart before coming to a virtual halt after 2008.

On the other hand, by the time the Trump administration unveiled its peace plan, which it touted as the “Deal of the Century,” the Palestinians had determined that the United States could no longer play a fair role as mediator in the conflict. The first part of the plan, which proposed significant development in the economy and infrastructure of the Palestinian territories, was announced in June 2019. The second part of the plan, the political component, was released in January 2020 and envisioned predetermined solutions to final status issues: Israel would keep nearly all of its West Bank settlements, impose sovereignty over the Jordan Valley located along the West Bank’s eastern border, and retain an undivided Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians would receive demilitarized self-governance within a reduced West Bank territory and the Gaza Strip. The plan, which was received favorably by Israeli leaders but condemned by Palestinian leaders, did little to revitalize negotiations before the end of Trump’s presidency. In 2021 the administration of U.S. Pres. Joe Biden began restoring aid to the Palestinians and promised to reopen the PLO office in Washington, D.C.

Looking at a way forward, the two-state solution has long been proposed as the best hope for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict. It would see an independent Palestinian state established alongside the existing one of Israel – giving both people their own territory. It is the official position of the UK, US, United Nations – and even Israel itself – but many now say there is little hope of achieving it because the Palestinians don’t feel the judgement is just.
The world needs to work on this solution and bring in the Palestinians opinion once and for all in order to bring an end to this horror. We hope the world would act strongly towards bringing this conflict to an end. We hope all the parties especially the Israel government will respect the international law and bring an end to this war. The killing of innocent souls in Gaza region is becoming unbearable. The leadership in the world should please rise up and adopt strategies that will bring about peace in the world.

We see conflict all over the world, like in the case of the kidnapped pilot by the Papua Movement in Indonesia. The Kidnapping of the Susi Air Pilot in Papua is no uncall for at thie century where the aviation world has taken a new dimension especially from the advancement in Indonesia.
Indonesia recently flew its first commercial flight using palm oil-blended jet fuel, as the world’s biggest producer of the commodity pushes for wider use of biofuels to cut fuel imports.
Operated by flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, the Boeing 737-800NG aircraft carried more than 100 passengers from the capital Jakarta to Surakarta city about 550 kilometres (342 miles) away, Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra said.

What is expected is an environment where people around the world will be able to live freely without any fear, doing their duty without the fear of kidnap like the case of the Susi Air Pilot. For several weeks now we learnt of the kidnapping of Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens by the members of the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Papua Province, Indonesia.

The Captained has stayed for about nine months now since he was abducted in February of 2023. Since the kidnapping there have been series of negotiation to secure the release of the Pilot. Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Mathius Fakhiri said “Negotiation Process to free the Susi Air Pilot is on-going.”
I will like to condemn with strong terms any inhuman behavior around the globe, be it a war or kidnapping of any kind. Again, a subtle reminder that we are first humans before anything in this world. Whatever choices or decisions we take should always have a human face, that way we will have a society where peace and justice will reign. Humanity should be first above all.
I urge the armed separatist group particularly its leader Kogoyo to respect the rule of law and release the Pilot healthy and unharmed out of respect for humanity and international law, for his right to dignity inherent in a person. Our world accepts civil and diplomatic manner of solving any form of conflict. There are always other diplomatic ways of attaining freedom without infringing on the rights of individuals or even the society at large.

Omar Muhammad F is ……….( THIS PLACE WE INTRODUCE THE MAN)

Humanity First in the 21st Century

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2023 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

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2023 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

By: Michael Mike

As Nigeria gears up for season of electioneering, the United Nations has called on political parties to focus their campaigns on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetorics.

During a speech at the Roundtable on Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall said as we head to the 2027 elections. “Allow me to share some recommendations. First, political parties must lead by example. Campaigns should focus on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetoric.

“Second, parties should commit to codes of conduct that reject hate speech and promote information integrity. Third, cooperation with media and digital platforms is essential to ensure that harmful content is not amplified, while factual, reliable information reaches voters.

“Above all, we must remember that elections are about people, their dignity, their rights, their future. Hate speech strips people of their dignity and undermines the very foundation of democracy. As leaders, you have the power and the responsibility to set the tone, to show Nigerians that politics can be conducted with respect, truth, tolerance, and integrity.”

Fall added that: “On this International Day of Democracy, I call upon you today: let us work together to make democratic participation in Nigeria free from hate and grounded in information integrity and respect for human rights. Let us affirm that words matter and that in choosing our words carefully, we choose peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria. Let us act collectively to strengthen and protect democracy in and beyond Nigeria.”

He stated that this International Day of Democracy with theme “Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity” should remind us that democracy is not only about holding elections, but about ensuring inclusion, pluralism, and public participation of everyone in a respectful and inclusive manner.

He noted that: “When falsehoods spread unchecked, especially during elections, they weaken public trust, mislead citizens, and undermine democratic choices. Promoting information integrity means ensuring that Nigerians can access reliable information, that public debate is grounded in facts, and that voters are empowered to make informed choices free from manipulation.”

He insisted that: “In Nigeria, the stakes are high. Vibrant political discourse and engagement should be moments of ‘no gree for anybody’, unity, and pride. But they can be harmful if hateful language and hostile narratives are allowed and accepted; it can incite hostility and result in violence. We know from history that hate speech has been a precursor to some of the worst atrocities, including genocide.

“The Rabat Plan of Action, endorsed by the United Nations, reminds us that advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence must be prohibited by law and that these laws must comply with international human rights standards, including the right of association, expression, and assembly.

“This is a cornerstone of democracy. Restrictions must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, never a pretext to silence debate. The challenge before all of us here today is to strike the right balance: engaging in open political discourse while safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting Nigerians from the harms of hate speech.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu noted that since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has made notable progress in democratic development.

He said: “We have witnessed successive electoral cycles, the strengthening of civil society, and the expansion of political space. Yet, our democracy remains a work in progress. Challenges such as low voter turnout, weak internal democracy in political parties, electoral violence and malpractices, weak institutional accountability, and limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities and harsh political climates continue to undermine public trust and democratic consolidation. Above all of these, our democratic and political processes including communication have often come under immense challenges of poor values, deep-seated hate-filled and divisive rhetoric threatening the core foundation of our nationhood.”

He noted: “The National Human Rights Commission has been at the forefront of efforts to promote ethical and hate-free politicsin Nigeria. In the 2023 elections.”

Ojukwu stated that hate speech is intricately related to human rights, either in its form or outcome, adding that: “To the person spreading hate speech, it is about right to freedom of expression, opinion, speech or belief. To the recipient of hate speech, it is a violation of the rights to dignity of human person and the freedom from discrimination based on religious belief, political, ethnic, gender, cultural or other affiliations, amongst many other human rights.

“When applied to politics, hate speech and unethical communications breed political divisions that facilitate violence, weak voter electoral participation, stifles plurality and social cohesion.”

He said: “As we count down to the 2027 General Elections, the NHRC is alarmed at the high level of hateful politics and unethical practices that seemed to have taken the centre stage with some of our political actors. Achieving a culture of responsible and value-laden political process continues to remain a challenge for Nigeria. From the independence of the election management body to unethical actions of political parties, their candidates and agents to the inappropriate use of security and law enforcement agencies.

“Vote buying and inducements of various sorts during past and recent elections have become worrisome indicators of the fragility of the Nigerian electoral culture with severe consequences on the freedom of association and the right to participation.”

He noted that: “The Roundtable on Ethical and Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria which we are convening today in partnership with the United Nations is aimed at forging a shared understanding of the drivers, patterns, and impacts of hate speech and unethical political communications in Nigerian electoral and democratic processes and to secure practical, rights-based commitments from key actors to promote ethical politics, reduce hate speech and protect pluralism and inclusive participation—especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities in the electoral processes leading to the 2027 elections and beyond.”

2023 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

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Troops recover rifle, ammunition during a raid on the hideout of a notorious gunrunner in Plateau

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Troops recover rifle, ammunition during a raid on the hideout of a notorious gunrunner in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on the hideout of a notorious gunrunner in Plateau State.

Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday at Kurra Berom village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines and 38 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Sources said the operation was based on credible intelligence. However, the suspects fled the hideout before the troops arrived.

They assured that efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while reiterating their commitment to mopping up illicit arms and ammunition in the area.

Troops recover rifle, ammunition during a raid on the hideout of a notorious gunrunner in Plateau

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AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism

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AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism

By; Zagazola Makama

The African Union Commission and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.

The agreement was signed on Sept. 8 by Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

The MoU provides a framework to enhance cooperation and coordination between the AU and Nigeria on counterterrorism initiatives.

Adeoye said the partnership underscored the commitment of both parties to addressing the growing threat of terrorism through coordinated strategies, capacity building and information sharing.

The areas of collaboration include real-time information sharing, deployment of NCTC experts to the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), joint research, as well as support for victim recovery, deradicalisation and reintegration.

A Joint Working Group is to be established to monitor progress and oversee the implementation of the MoU.

The agreement reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria and the African Union to promote peace and security across Africa.

AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism

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