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
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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