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NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK

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NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK

By: Obinna Nwakonye

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has again reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protect and promote the rights of older persons, with a particular focus on accessibility, infrastructure, and habitat, including transport and housing.
This statement was made by the Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN at the 14th session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Representatives from all countries, alongside about 35 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and 70 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from around the globe, participated in this crucial meeting.

The NHRC has recommended taking further steps towards an internationally binding document for the protection of the rights of older persons, urging that this recommendation be forwarded to the UN General Assembly for prompt consideration.

DR. Ojukwu told the gathering that Nigeria has established robust mechanisms for addressing and remedying violations of older persons’ rights.

According to him, Under Section 6 of the its mandate, the NHRC is empowered to handle all matters related to the promotion and protection of human rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international and regional human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

Specifically, he said subsection 6(j) authorizes the Commission to receive and investigate complaints regarding human rights violations and make necessary determinations.

To support older persons in seeking redress, the Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria further told participants at the OEWGA that the NHRC has created a dedicated department for vulnerable groups, which includes older persons. He said the department which is staffed by specially trained personnel, is tasked with receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints from older persons and other vulnerable populations.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further stated that Nigeria’s judicial system, with courts across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is equipped to hear civil, criminal, and human rights cases, including those related to the rights of older persons.

He said significant progress has been made in gathering data and statistics at the national level on the rights of older persons to accessibility, infrastructure, and habitat. “While the Nigeria Living Standards Survey (NLSS) 2019, conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), included general indicators on accessibility and infrastructure, the National Senior Citizens Centre (established by the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2017) is working towards a more focused approach” he revealed.

He stressed the plan to implement a multi-indicator survey specifically for older persons to better address their needs in collaboration with the NBS and National Population Commission.

The Executive Secretary concluded his statement by strongly urging for the immediate commencement of drafting a UN Convention dedicated to the rights of older persons.

“We urge the Open-Ended Working Group to recommend that the General Assembly request the Human Rights Council to act on the recommendations contained in decision 14/1” he stressed.

“These recommendations should be presented to the General Assembly as a matter of urgency. Any further actions must ensure the full, effective, and meaningful participation of older persons, their representative organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and National Human Rights Institutions” he added.

NHRC ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER FOR OLDER PERSONS AT THE 14TH UN-OEWGA IN NEW YORK

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DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

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DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

By: Michael Mike

Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France with the support from the European Union (EU) in conjunction with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), through it e- RIGHTS Protect has called for more strength to fight against cyberbulling and digital rights violation in Nigeria.

This was made known at the grand finale of the national inter-school digital rights competition organized by ASF under it E-RIGHTS platform last Tuesday in Abuja.
After a thorough engagement by various schools across the country, four schools from different States and zone were qualified to the final, namely Kano State, Lagos, Imo and FCT.

In the keenly contested competition, the Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos State emerged as the winner, followed by FCT, Imo and Kano respectfully. The winner takes home the sum of one million Naira with support also from the eRights project to empower what they are doing in terms of digital literacy.

ASF France, Nigeria County Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma, explained that, the competitions is more than celebration of talents, but celebration of courage, consciousness and commitment. She said, the occasion is not just to shaping conversation of the students, but to shaping their future.
She further said “The eRights project aims at promoting digital rights, not just for the adults, but also for the children, ensuring that the children are not left behind in this conversation. So children are themselves today participating in putting out empowering videos, messaging to discourage cyberbullying, to say no to cyberbullying because of the attendant effects and the harms that it can cause”

“The Cybercrimes Act, which was recently revised, amended particularly with Section 24, which was amended in 2024, to ensure that the government addresses some of these issues
“The government needs to do more. And we’re seeing that this Act, which ordinarily should protect citizens, to empower them to create a safe space for engagement, ensure that people are able to express themselves freely as guaranteed by the Constitution, including children” she added.

Also, the EU representative at the event, Program Manager, CSO, Human Rights and Youth, Mrs. Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, believed that, the competition will bring to the understanding of Yong people that they have a responsibility towards not only protecting their rights but also protect the rights of other people who use the digital space.
She further said, the issues surrounding digital rights in Nigeria and other developed countries of the West is dynamic. Therefore, the issues of legislations and regulation towards digital rights is developing, the situation is dynamic and ever changing

DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

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One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger

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One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

At least one person killed and several others injured following a clash between Fulani herders and Gwari farmers in Kpowi village, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred on June 2 at about 4:30 p.m., was reportedly triggered by a dispute over alleged farm trespass and destruction of crops.

The altercation led to violent confrontations between members of the Fulani and Gwari communities.

Security sources confirmed that six Fulani residents identified as Ahmadu Bature, Dauda Bello, Haruna Umaru, Shuaibu Bature, Bature Bello, and Safiya Auta sustained various degrees of injuries.

Similarly, four Gwari individuals Yusuf Pada, Pius Pada, Dantala Yusuf, and Joshua Mai’anguwa were also injured during the clash.

All the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaffin-Koro for medical attention. However, Ahmadu Bature was confirmed dead on admission.

The situation has been brought under control following swift intervention by operatives, and leaders of both communities have been invited for a peace dialogue.

One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger

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VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State

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VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State for an on-the-spot assessment of the flooding that has affected the area.

The Vice President’s visit is aimed at conducting a firsthand evaluation of the flood damage and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence messages and assurances to families affected by the natural disaster.

Earlier, President Tinubu had issued a statement expressing deep concern over the severe flooding, which has resulted in tragic loss of lives and displacement of families. The President extended heartfelt condolences to affected families and the people of Niger State.

In his statement, President Tinubu announced the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre and confirmed that he had been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster. He assured that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, with all relevant federal agencies mobilised to support the state government’s efforts.

VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State

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