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NHRC Tells Youth, “Don’t Allow Yourselves Used As Canon Fodders to Deepen Hatred in Nigeria”
NHRC Tells Youth, “Don’t Allow Yourselves Used As Canon Fodders to Deepen Hatred in Nigeria”
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Director of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has called on young people not to allow themselves to be used as ‘cannon fodders’ to incite and deepen hatred in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja at the special event to mark the 2024 International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Ojukwu said: “Sensitising and mobilising young people to combat hate speech is crucial in today’s world, where they are not only the target but also influential voices in their communities.”
He noted that young people who are more in Nigeria should guard against breaking the bond of the country and as such “should not allow themselves to be used as ‘cannon fodders’ to incite and deepen hatred in Nigeria.”
He added that: “Coincidentally, youths form the bedrock of our nation, and this demographic divide should at all times be mobilised for the social and economic development of our dear nation.”
He revealed that the NHRC working with the UN System in Nigeria, youth leaders and other stakeholders will use this commemorative event to create awareness, foster partnerships, and promote strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.
He noted that: “This event which is jointly organised by the National Human Rights Commission and the United Nations in Nigeria in pursuance of their unique mandates to promote and protect human and in recognition of the roles of youth in nation building as well as serving as natural agents in the promotion of values etched in human rights in the spirit of Chapters 2 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
Ojukwu said: “Hate speech is intricately related to human rights, either in its form or outcome. From the purveyor, it is about right to freedom of expression, opinion, speech or belief. To the recipient, 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.
“Hate speeches promote discrimination, divisions, incites violence, all of which impedes voters’ participation and access in the elections.”
On his part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Fall said the United Nations considers hate speech as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.
Fall who was represented the Culture Programme Specialist, UNESCO Abuja Office, Mr. Philippe Delanghe said: “Hate speech contradicts all the values and principles enshrined in international human rights law. It also undermines efforts to achieve the aim of 2030 Agenda and its SDGs to leave no one behind, as it often targets the most vulnerable in our societies and minorities.”
He warned that: “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 added that: “The devastating effect of hatred is not new. However, new technologies of communication has amplified the scale and impact of hate speech. Social media and the internet are now the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale.
“This brings me to the theme of this year, the power of youth to address and combat hate speech. Young people are often most affected by hate speech, particularly online as such young people must be part of the solution, your role in creating public and online spaces that are free from hate speech cannot be underestimated.
“The world must not tramp on freedom of speech and expression, but when speech is used to violate the rights of others it must not be met with silence. Silence implies apathy and even acceptance.”
He revealed that: “At the UN in Nigeria, we are working with multiple stakeholders to promote tolerance. UNESCO is leading the way through its efforts to promote Media and Information Literacy (MIL). 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 stated that: “As we celebrate a culture of tolerance today, I urge all of us including the government, traditional and faith leaders, civil society, young people, individuals, toincrease our efforts to counter hate speech in line with international human rights law.
“As the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has said: “Hatred is a danger to everyone – and so fighting it must be a job for everyone.”
NHRC Tells Youth, “Don’t Allow Yourselves Used As Canon Fodders to Deepen Hatred in Nigeria”
News
We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund
We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund
By: Our Reporter
The flood disaster which occurred in Sabon Pegi, Shagari Phase 2, Lakare, and other settlements in Yola South affected one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) households and claimed twenty-nine (29) lives. Sources of livelihood were also destroyed by the disaster.
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, disclosed that the loss suffered by the people of Adamawa State is shared by the nation.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Nana Shettima, who visited Yola, the Adamawa State capital, to sympathize with Governor Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, the Government, and the people of Adamawa, she offered her deepest condolences over the tragedy.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said:
“I pray that Almighty God comforts the bereaved families, heals the injured, and strengthens all those affected. May God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed.”
The First Lady added:
“I wish to announce that the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has approved the donation of ₦500 million to flood victims in the state to help them rebuild and heal. We are also donating 100 bales of Ankara fabrics.”
In addition to this support during the flood relief effort, the RHI Women Economic Empowerment Programme, in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is distributing ₦50,000 each to fifty thousand (50,000) women entrepreneurs in Adamawa, as well as in the other thirty-six (36) states, to help recapitalize their businesses.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative for the generous assistance, which she said had given the state confidence in overcoming the challenges caused by the flood disaster. The Deputy Governor stated that the quick intervention of the Adamawa State Government had cushioned the effect on affected communities and that, with this donation from RHI, the healing process would be fast-tracked.
Food items under the Social Investment Scheme of RHI were presented to the Government of Adamawa State for distribution. The RHI Food Outreach Programme, which addresses the immediate needs of beneficiaries, mostly persons living with disabilities, is aimed at ensuring that the vulnerable have access to nutritious food and that their dignity is preserved.
Dr. Ubon Udoh of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), one of the industrialists supporting the programme, said they share the same ideology with RHI of giving succour to the less privileged, hence their partnership.
We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund
Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Two farmers have been killed and two others injured following an attack by suspected armed men at Luse-Janje bush, located within the Bauchi State grazing reserve, police in Gombe have confirmed.
Sources confirmed the attack to Zagazola noting that the incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 4. around 3:10 p.m.
The sources said four farmers, Ali Jauro, 50, Isah Garba, and two others, all of the same address, were cultivating their farmland when about 20 armed men surrounded and attacked them with machetes, bows and arrows, and sticks.
“Ali Jauro and Isah Garba sustained multiple cuts to the head and were later confirmed dead, while the other two sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the sources said.
The victims were rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Malala, and the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the public mortuary.
The surviving victims named Adamu Sankace, Adamu Maidawa, and one Oshe all of Garin Alhaji Wada village via Darazo LGA, Bauchi State as being among the attackers.
Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the suspects by the authorities.#
Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack
Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the police, vigilantes and Community Watch Corps (C-Watch), repelled a bandit attack on Tashar Gemu and Unguwar Gambo villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday. During the confrontation, six residents sustained varying degrees of injuries, while one later died at the hospital, police authorities said.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the hoodlums, who invaded the villages in large numbers, were engaged in a fierce gun battle by a combined team of security operatives under Operation FANSAN YANMA.
He said the assailants were subdued and forced to retreat into the surrounding bush.
“The injured victims include Sani Umar, Shamsu Isah, Usman Rabiu, Adamu Amadu, and Isah Abdullahi, the sources said.
“All six victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Malumfashi for medical attention, where Sani Umar was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.” He added
He said security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks and to apprehend the fleeing assailants.
Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina
We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund
Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack
Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina
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