National News
NHRC, Stakeholders Express Concern Over Hate Speech
NHRC, Stakeholders Express Concern Over Hate Speech
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu has expressed worry over the frequent use of hate speech in the country, insisting that it has a devastating effect on sustainable peace, national cohesion, and development.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech (IDCHS) commemorated in Abuja at the weekend, Ojukwu said something should be urgently done to check against frequent use of hate speech in the country.
The IDCHS followed the 2021 UN Resolution 75/309 which proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, to be observed annually.
Ojukwu expressed delight that the commemoration could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria is gearing up for the 2023 general elections.
He however lamented that “the run-up to the general elections in Nigeria is usually characterized by the blatant use of provocative, strong, and derogatory hate speeches by political actors and persons who are inclined to their political interests”.
According to him, “these speeches have raised strong feelings of resentments typified by religious and ethnic/tribal negative labeling among the people.”
He warned that the menace of hate speech also occurs in places of worship where some religious leaders have joined the foray of spreading hate speeches, adding that “the uncontrolled use or misuse of the media especially the social media to spread hate messages is detrimental to the growth of any nation”.
Thr UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mattias Schmale, who apparently was in agreement with Ojukwu’s assertion, said “new technologies of communication have amplified the scale and impact of hate speech”.
He said: “Social media and the internet are now the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale”.
The UN envoy who was represented by Ajwawura Kufuer said “If left unchecked, hate speech can harm peace and development, lay the ground for conflicts and tensions, undermine social cohesion, and contribute to wide-scale human rights violations and atrocity crimes”.
He cautioned that “the world must not trample on freedom of speech and expression, but when speech is weaponized to violate the rights of others it must not be met with deafening silence”
While disclosing the effort of the UN to check the menace, Mr. Schmale said all hands must be on deck to address the devastating effect of hate speech. “We are also currently developing a UN-wide Hate Speech Strategy, we count on your support in ensuring the strategy will be translated into effective action,” he said.
In his presentation at the event, the Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary NHRC, Mr. Benedict Agu said in line with its mandate, the Commission has collaborated with the MacArthur Foundation in carrying out activities aimed at mitigating hate speech in 2015. According to him, these include treatment of Complaints and holding Public Hearings across the geopolitical zones in Nigeria, for the purpose of ensuring accountability for persons involved in hate speeches and election-related violence. Mr. Agu added that Public education and sensitization campaigns against hate speech and election-related violence were also carried out by the Commission.
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As for the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Ms. Ruth Olofin, hate speech is a global phenomenon. She stated that sometimes leaders are guilty of the crime of hate speech and that this can only disunite us rather than unite us as a country. She further advised against taking advantage of certain security situations as excuses to address people in a derogatory manner e.g Fulani herdsmen, and other similar derogatory statements about people and their ethnicity.
The Programme Manager, YIAGA ARICA Ibrahim Farouk said the best way for citizens to get rid of hate speech and fake news is by working together as a network to ensure national stability and peaceful coexistence. He said the diverse nature of the country has necessitated working together with relevant organizations including the legislature to address issues that would ensure the stability of the country.
The event which attracted personalities from all walks of life was organized by the National Human Rights Commission and supported by the UN office in Nigeria.
NHRC, Stakeholders Express Concern Over Hate Speech
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
- Tasks Nigerians on constructive criticism of government actions, policies
By: Our Reporter
Wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has scored the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high, saying the President is building a better Nigeria for Nigerians through his laudable economic policies, various empowerment initiatives and investments in key sectors of the economy.
And to help the President secure a better future for all Nigerians, the VP’s wife also encouraged the citizens not to relent in giving very useful advice to the government, urging them to be more constructive in their criticism of the administration instead of just attacking for political reasons.
Hajiya Nana Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the annual Ramadan feast, which had in attendance women groups and students
Emphasizing the determination of the Tinubu administration to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, she said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is baking a new cake for us that are alive today, and for the Nigerian children and grandchildren that are coming behind us. It is who he is ably supported by our lovely First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”
Hajiya Nana Shettima noted that the President means well for the people of Borno State as well as Nigerians in all parts of the country, even as she urged the citizens to always pray for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
“I can tell you that he (the President) means well, not only for Borno people but for the entire nation. We should not forget him and his subordinates in our prayers,” she added.
She further commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions towards actualizing the agenda of the administration, especially through the Renewed Hope Initiative which she said has impacted many lives, including women, children and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Dr Asabe Bashir, admonished women and the people of Borno State to imbibe the teachings of the just concluded Ramadan.
She also sought the people’s support and prayers for President Tinubu, thanking the President for picking his deputy from Borno State.
She said, “I always reiterate the importance of prayer because without prayers we can do nothing in life. We have just come out of Ramadan; let us imbibe that culture and lessons we received during the 29-day fast. We need to continue with the spiritual reflection.
“We should thank God and President Bola Tinubu for remembering the people of Borno State again by bringing the seat of the Vice President, not just to the North-East region but to Borno State after Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was elected along with the late Chief MKO Abiola so many years ago.
“We must continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu because if it succeeds, we succeed,” Dr Bashir added.
On his part, the Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Tijjani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his support to Nigerian youths through various youth empowerment initiatives.
Also, Dr Martins Ekunke, who spoke on behalf the South-South, Yoruba and Igbo communities residing in Borno State, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for galvanizing support for people living with HIV/AIDS through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Among those that attended the annual Sallah feast hosted by Hajiya Shettima, were the wife of the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Maryam Lawan; wife of the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Laure Musa-Askira; female Commissioners and political appointees.
Also in attendance were women groups, members of the Borno State chapter of the Nationals Association of Nigerian Students, as well as the leaders of South-South, Igbo and Yoruba communities residing in Borno State, among others.
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
By: Michael Mike
The National Headquarters of University of Ilorin Alumni Association has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing three of its members into various leadership positions in the country.
Those appointed were Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap,, whose tenure was elongated till December 2026, Non Executive Director of NNPC, representing North Central, Mr Babs Omotowa- and the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Prof. James A. Aribisala.
In a congratulatory message to the trio, the National President, Prof. AbdulRasaq Kilani, and the National Secretary, Dr Barakat Raji, said the Association received the news of the appointments with excitement.
The Alumni, who commended President Tinubu for selecting the best for their various positions, assured him that the three alumni would not disappoint him in attaining the goals set for them to achieve.
While felicitating with the appointed members on their well-deserved appointment, the Association charged them to always show the excellence in them in surpassing the targets set for them by Mr President.
The Association who extolled the pedigrees of the appointed members in their various fields, implored them to live up to the expectations of the slogan of the institutions “better by far” in all ramifications.
The Alumni then prayed for their successful tenure and tasked them not to hesitate to reach out to them whenever their services are needed in any capacity towards national development.
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
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