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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”
Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Gombe State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers following a tip-off from credible intelligence, sources said on Friday.
Police sources said the suspects were apprehended on March 10 at about 10:00 p.m. by operatives working in conjunction with local hunters.
The arrested suspects were identified as Mohammed Abubakar, 29; Mohammed Bello, 23; and Mohammadu Ali, 25, all residents of Galda Village, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to the report, the suspects were planning to carry out a kidnapping in an unspecified location in Bauchi State. Upon interrogation, they allegedly confessed to the planned crime.
Police said investigations were ongoing to uncover further details and apprehend any other accomplices involved in the plot.
Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Gombe
Youths attack and kill two army officers while responding to dispute in Cross River
By: Zagazola Makama
Two army officers, including an intelligence officer, were reportedly killed during a violent clash between youths in a disputed crisis zone between Isabang and Alesi communities in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident followed a conflict on March 11 when Ibrahim Musa, a 25-year-old miner from Kusa, who deals in tin ore at Ekuri village, was allegedly beaten by youths at a village checkpoint and had his mined minerals seized.
The miner reportedly reported the attack to soldiers stationed at 245 Battalion, Edor Barracks, near Jenifer Etuh’s Hospital in Ochon. Troops responded by moving into the forest to arrest four youths allegedly involved in the attack.
Residents said other youths blocked the access road to prevent the arrest and attacked the soldiers. In response, they fired which resulted to the injuries of four persons, including Christopher Agara, 27, and Ogobi Egbe, 30, while two others were evacuated for native treatment.
The attack resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.
Additional troops have since deployed additional personnel to restore order in the area, and normalcy has reportedly returned.
Youths attack and kill two army officers while responding to dispute in Cross River
New Tax Regime to Ease Burden on Workers, Small Businesses — Tegbe
By: Michael Mike
Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC), Joseph Tegbe, has said Nigeria’s new tax regime is structured to reduce the financial burden on workers and small businesses while strengthening the country’s fiscal stability and economic competitiveness.
Speaking at the BusinessDay Tax Reform Conference 2026 themed “Navigating the New Tax Regime: What It Means for Your Wallet,” Tegbe described the reforms as the most far-reaching restructuring of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. He noted that the initiative is aimed at simplifying tax processes, promoting fairness, and creating an environment that supports economic expansion.
According to him, the reforms are anchored on four major legislations — the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 and the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025 — which collectively introduce a more coordinated and transparent tax administration framework.
Tegbe explained that the new structure provides targeted reliefs for individuals and small enterprises, ensuring that low-income earners and emerging businesses are not overburdened by taxation.
Under the new regime, individuals earning below ₦800,000 annually will be exempted from personal income tax. Workers will also benefit from a rent relief allowance of up to 20 per cent, capped at ₦500,000, among other incentives designed to ease financial pressure on households.
Small businesses are equally positioned to gain from the reforms. Companies with annual revenues below ₦100 million and assets not exceeding ₦250 million will be exempted from Company Income Tax, while nano-enterprises with annual earnings below ₦12 million will not be required to pay income tax.
Despite these relief measures, Tegbe stressed that individuals and businesses within the exempted thresholds must still maintain proper documentation of their earnings and comply with the requirement to file tax returns.
He noted that beyond the tax reliefs, the reforms will also strengthen institutional coordination among key agencies including the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud. He added that increased digitalisation of tax processes will improve transparency, efficiency and compliance across the system.
According to Tegbe, the broader objective of the reforms is to create a tax structure that supports enterprise development, encourages investment and enhances Nigeria’s ability to mobilise revenue for national development without placing excessive strain on citizens.
“The goal is to build a tax system that works for everyone — one that supports government in delivering development while also protecting the financial wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the conference included Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria, Olusegun Adesokan; Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Michael Ango; renowned economist Uche Uwaleke; and policy expert Sam Amadi, among others, who also contributed to discussions on the implications of the new tax framework for businesses and households.
New Tax Regime to Ease Burden on Workers, Small Businesses — Tegbe
Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Gombe
Youths attack and kill two army officers while responding to dispute in Cross River
New Tax Regime to Ease Burden on Workers, Small Businesses — Tegbe
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