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Re-echoing dangers of Holocaust to prevent reoccurrence

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Re-echoing dangers of Holocaust to prevent reoccurrence

Re-echoing dangers of Holocaust to prevent reoccurrence

By Fortune Abang

The 1933-1945 Holocaust era during the Nazi regime in World War II may have come and gone, but the international community, diplomats and academics believe such antisemitism still abounds.

Holocaust is the ideological-driven persecution and murder of six million Jews across Europe by the then Nazi Germany and other racist states.

The stakeholders alluded that such ideology was built on pre-existing prejudices against Jews and Roma that entails systematic mass murder and persecution of Jews by Nazis and their collaborators.

The world makes progress in the Holocaust era, stakeholder re-echoe the need to prevent a reoccurrence of that ugly part of human history.

At the 80th anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, stakeholders advocated multilateral efforts toward ending all forms of racism, prejudice, and religious bigotry.

The event which had as its theme: “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights” was organised by the UN Information Centre in collaboration with UNESCO, the German and Israeli embassies.

It was used to brief students on lessons of the Holocaust and fight against discrimination, religious intolerance, harassment, mass violence, and hate speech.

Experts say that all forms of such ideology can be fueled by the same lies and loathing that nurtured the Nazi genocide.

They pointed at the October 7, terror attacks by Hamas on Israel and Israel’s reaction, Russia and Ukraine war, Sudan conflict situation among others to have been based on anti-Semitism.

These conflicts and many more have resulte to loss of lives and property, including in Europe, Australia, Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere, particularly with Jewish communities facing increasing hostility and violence.

Also worthy to note is the Rwandan genocide, known as the genocide against the Tutsi that occurred from April 7 to July 19, 1994 during the Rwandan Civil war, resulting in not less than 800 000 people been slaughtered in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists.

It is estimated that no the death of thousands of Rwandans while fewer than 2, 000, 000 Rwandans reportedly fled the country during or after the genocide.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called on all citizens of the world to speak up and stand up against hate.

Guterres said: “To allow the Holocaust to fade from our memory would dishonour the past and betray the future; remembrance is a moral act and a call to action.

“To know the history of the Holocaust is to know the depths to which humanity can sink; to understand how the Nazis committed their heinous crimes with the complicity of others.

“We must hold fast to our common humanity. We must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice and religious bigotry, and renew our resolve to defend the dignity and human rights of all.”

The Israeli Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Inbar Garden, recounted the Jewish men, women, and children were murdered in the holocaust, alongside millions of others who suffered under the Nazi regime.

She said through collective efforts such occurrences would be prevented.

According to her, it has become necessary to honour their memory not only to mourn the loss of 6-million Jewish men, women, and children alongside millions of others, also to reaffirm commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again.

“The Holocaust is not just a chapter of Jewish history; it is a universal reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and indifference.

“It compels us to reflect on our shared responsibility to fight antisemitism, racism, and all forms of intolerance wherever they may arise,” Garden said.

In the same vein, Mr Mathias Dold, First Secretary of German Embassy, decried the 1933 to 1945 holocaust which he said marked the darkest period across Europe under Nazi Germany and other racist states.

“This is without a doubt Germany’s darkest hour and worst crime ever committed by the then national socialist Nazi government, since the history of the world.

“Beside Jews, other minors were murdered including half a million Roma and Sinti, Persons With Disabilities (PWD), communists, prisoners of war, political enemies and all those the Nazis considered unworthy,” Dold said.

Mr Mendy Albert, Officer -in-charge of UNESCO Country Office in Nigeria, urged people to reflect more on the consequences of hatred, discrimination and intolerance and embrace collective responsibility through peaceful co-existence and education.

He said that UNESCO, as the lead agency for education within the UN system, believes that education can the most powerful tool for re-echoing the dangers of Holocaust and building a just and peaceful world.

“Education for peace is not just about imparting knowledge; it is shaping attitudes, values and behaviours that promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation among individuals and societies,” Albert said.

Analysts agree that a multilateral approach toward raising awareness about ending racism, religious bigotry and all forms of hate is vital in bolstering lasting global peace.

They also believe that if Holocaust should serve as a powerful reminder that hatred, no matter how small it may seem, could grow into unimaginable consequences if left unchecked.

Hatred, often starts with seemingly minor acts of intolerance, hurtful words, exclusion, discrimination, and can quickly escalate into widespread harm and devastation.
Fortune Abang, is an Abuja-based journalist

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

“Don’t Allow Shame or Stigma Affect Your Confidence” – Senator Oluremi Tinubu to School Girls at the Launch of Flow With Confidence Program in Maiduguri, Borno State

By: Our Reporter

The Flow With Confidence program, a vital menstrual health intervention, is designed to empower schoolgirls with knowledge, build confidence, and promote improved menstrual hygiene. The initiative targets 370,000 beneficiaries, mostly from rural communities who struggle to access hygienic care while in school.

Launched simultaneously in seven states – Borno, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos – by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the program provides each beneficiary with a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.

At the official launch in Maiduguri, the First Lady was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima. She stressed that it is unacceptable for young girls to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, often forcing them to miss school days because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that many girls resort to unhygienic alternatives, hence the introduction of Flow With Confidence as a safe, hygienic option to enhance reproductive wellbeing. Each state under the initiative will have 10,000 beneficiaries.

Encouraging the girls, the First Lady urged them not to allow shame or stigma to affect their confidence but to boldly pursue their dreams as future leaders of the nation. She further called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the program, while charging traditional, religious, and community leaders to ensure transparent distribution in their localities.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed the government’s profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership continues to rekindle hope and restore dignity to countless families by prioritizing economic empowerment as a driver of national development.

The Governor also commended the First Lady for addressing an often-neglected aspect of girls’ and women’s dignity and reproductive health.

Similarly, the Borno State RHI Coordinator and Wife of the Governor, Dr. Falmata Umara Zulum, lauded the First Lady’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in society through her numerous interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the First Lady also handed over assorted food items to the Borno State RHI Coordinator, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, for onward distribution to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities. This places Borno among the beneficiaries of the monthly RHI Food Outreach Scheme, flagged off in March 2024 with support from two leading industrialists.

RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

…Insists Absence of Appellate Court at Regional Level Undermines Access to Justice

By: Michael Mike

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has called for the establishment of an appellate mechanism within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, stating that the absence of such mechanism continued to undermine access to justice in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 legal year of ECOWAS Court, Fagbemi said while the finality of judgments is crucial, fairness also demands that decisions be open to review in order to correct possible errors of law or procedure.

Fagbemi while noting that the absence of appellate court at the regional level is a letdown, said: “It is concerning that there is currently inadequate room for appeal against the judgments of the ECOWAS Court. While finality is important, justice must also be seen to be fair and revisable,” insisting that: “The absence of a separate appellate mechanism limits access to justice. As we expand the Court’s reach, we must also ensure that its decisions are subject to the same standards of review and accountability that underpin robust judicial systems.”

He urged the Court to draw lessons from other regional judicial institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which, according to him, offer valuable models of transparency, judicial independence and procedural innovation.

He however restated Nigeria’s support for the ECOWAS Court as host country, describing it as central to regional integration, human rights enforcement and stability. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice… I pledge to continue advocating for legal reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while respecting our constitutional order and national interests,” Fagbemi added.

Also speaking, the President of Cabo Verde, José Neves, said community justice remains vital for Africa’s credibility in global affairs. He stressed that strengthening institutions such as the ECOWAS Court was essential for peace, democracy and integration on the continent.

He said: “In a continent still marked by border disputes and recurring tensions, the existence of an independent and respected community tribunal is a civilisational triumph that we must preserve and enhance,” Neves said. He noted that access to the Court by individual citizens was one of the most significant gains of regional integration, as it brings justice closer to the people.

Neves also called for reforms within African sub-regional bodies to make them more effective in addressing contemporary challenges such as insecurity, institutional fragility, migration and climate change.

In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, disclosed that the Court handled 34 new cases in the past year, including matters relating to civil and political rights, economic freedoms, and disputes between member states.

He also revealed that the Court held 79 judicial sessions and issued 54 rulings, many of which reaffirmed key principles such as the justiciability of socio-economic rights and the supremacy of community law over conflicting national legislation. According to him, 112 cases are currently pending before the Court.

Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.
[10/2, 6:35 PM] Mike Olugbode: Maiduguri: For Over a Month, MSF Responds to High Numbers of Children Suffering from Malnutrition.

Since late August and early September, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have scaled up their medical response in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, following a sharp rise in malnutrition cases that overwhelmed MSF-supported facilities. Although admissions have slightly decreased now, the number of children receiving treatment remains very high.

“A month ago, we witnessed a worrying increase in admissions, compounded by a surge in measles cases,” said MSF Project Coordinator Daniela Batista. “Our isolation units for measles patients were quickly filled, and even the additional space we opened reached capacity. Now, those units remain around 70 percent full.”

Since 8 September, MSF’s Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) at Nilefa Kiji Hospital (NKH) has nearly doubled its bed capacity to accommodate the influx of malnourished children. By the third week of September, the emergency facility was recording an average of more than 85 new admissions daily.
In a context of reduced global humanitarian funding, some organizations in Maiduguri reduced their support for – or even left – nutritional outpatient nutrition programmes, causing a significant drop in access for first line care fir malnourished children.
 
At MSF’s extension facility in Shuwari, teams treated 3,265 children for malnutrition and referred 1,521 others for continued care between August and early September, when the upsurge began. More than 625 malnourished children have also been treated for measles — a disease which can contribute to malnutrition and whose complications can result from malnutrition.
 
The situation is further exacerbated by shortages of essential supplies. Therapeutic milk — critical for treating severe acute malnutrition — is in short supply, while access to ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) remains a chronic concern. Some partner ITFCs have indicated they can only accept referrals if MSF provides additional medical supplies such as antibiotics, admission kits, and therapeutic milk.
MSF teams also reported regular admissions of patients from Zabarmari — a community they are currently unable to access due to security and logistical challenges. MSF is engaging with the Borno State Ministry of Health to assess and potentially support the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure residents can access care.

Borno State continues to face the effects of a decade-long insurgency, with recent reports of violence in areas surrounding Maiduguri.

This surge in Maiduguri mirrors an alarming trend seen in all MSF nutrition facilities across Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi in recent months. According to UN estimates, 2.5 million children across northeast Nigeria are at risk of acute malnutrition.

MSF called on health authorities and humanitarian organizations to urgently address the shortages in medical supplies and staffing, and to strengthen community-level health systems to prevent further deterioration.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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