UN Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Nigeria’s Development

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations (UN) has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s aspirations for peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall gave the assurances while delivering his remarks at a youth event in Abuja, Thursday, being part of activities marking the 79th anniversary of the United Nations.

He highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in advancing multilateralism and international cooperation, describing her as a global “rising star”.

“Since joining the United Nations in 1960, Nigeria has continuously demonstrated a deep commitment to global peace, often by sending its sons and daughters to support UN peacekeeping efforts in some of the world’s most challenging environments.”

“Nigeria is a rising star and the giant of Africa, renowned for its brilliant, resilient, and innovative people. Your determination, courage, and resilience have established Nigeria as a vital intellectual, political, economic, and innovative force on the continent and beyond. Even amid challenges, Nigeria has consistently shown strength, unity, and a forward-looking vision.”

Emphasizing the UN’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s priorities, Fall highlighted areas of continued collaboration with Nigeria.

“Key areas include enhancing educational access, addressing hunger and malnutrition, combating climate change, and ensuring gender equality. The UN’s commitment also extends to tackling health challenges, fighting crime, and harnessing the digital economy to drive sustainable growth and youth empowerment in Nigeria.”
“As Nigeria aspires to achieve its Agenda 2030 goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN remains a steadfast partner. The UN is with Nigeria every step of the way.”
He used the occasion to urge youth of the country to seize opportunities in education, skills development, and innovation to lead Nigeria and the world into a better future, in line with the recently adopted “Pact for the Future” initiative.

It would be recalled that the UN, together with the Nigerian government and stakeholders, has committed to investing in young people’s social and economic development, promoting human rights, and amplifying youth participation in national and international arenas.

Earlier in her remarks, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Elsie Attafuah called on youth of Nigeria to take advantage of UN’s numerous initiatives and interventions to enhance their skills and contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackling youth unemployment, even as he highlighted ongoing efforts towards empowering youth of the country.

Adding his voice, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar poured encomiums on the United Nations for its support to the development of Nigeria, reiterating the country’s readiness to continue to partner with the global body.
Delivering the closing remarks, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo – WHO Rep expressed gratitude to the govt and partners for their continued support to the UN at a time when its founding purposes are challenged globally.

Highlights of the event were remarks by dignitaries, special displays by youth present, panel discussions, among others.
The event was attended by very important dignitaries, among whom are Nigeria’s Attorney general and Minister for Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and other top government officials, heads of UN agencies in Nigeria, civil society representatives, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps and young Nigerians.

UN Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Nigeria’s Development

NCoS Says No Minors in Adult Correctional Facilities

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted recent reports suggesting that minors arrested during the August 2024 “EndBadGovernance” protests were detained in adult custodial facilities in Abuja.

A statement issued on Saturday by the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar, stated that none of the juvenile suspects were admitted to any adult correctional centres, as claimed in some reports.

Abubakar said: “There are misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.

“The said report has no iota of truth as the Service operates based on best correctional and global practices. To set records straight, the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults. The Act also mandates the Service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.

“The Service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of the suspects was remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.

“The Service assures the public that the Nigerian Correctional Service would continue to emphasize professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.

“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to discountenance the said report as it is not the true position of things.”

NCoS Says No Minors in Adult Correctional Facilities

NSCDC ARRESTS NOTORIOUS STREET-LIGHT VANDAL IN ABUJA

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Corps (NSCDC) has arrested in Abuja a notorious street-lights vandal around the Ugandan embassy at the Central Business District of the capital city.

The suspect was arrested at about 2 30am after a tip off on recurring activities of vandals in that vicinity which led to 24 hours surveillance by men of the Command.

The operatives of the FCT Command who swooped in on them while they were digging out the armoured cables after disconnecting the street lights from the power source putting the whole area in the dark.

Mr Abubakar Abdulmumuni, 29 years old suspect from Hong LGA of Adamawa State is currently in custody and will be charged to court while his partner who escaped from the crime scene and have remained at large is presently being trailed.

The suspect who is a serial vandal had been arrested in the past, and was charged to the court, he somehow found his way to the streets to continue his criminal activities.

The FCT Commandant of NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu PhD, therefore reiterates the need to impose stiffer punishment on criminals.

“I want to reiterate once more the need to impose stiffer punishments on convicted vandals and other sundry crimes as this will serve as deterrent to other would be criminals.

“The Command under my leadership will continue to do everything within our ability to ensure that public facilities are protected from criminals, we will leave no stone unturned in our fight against vandalism,” He said.

Odumosu also calls on all residents of the FCT to give the Command credible information about suspected criminals in their environment. He assures the general public that the identy of such informants will be protected.

“The war against vandalism is a collective responsibility, we cannot do it alone as we cannot be everywhere at the same time, we therefore depend on credible intelligence to help in not just arresting vandals but ensuring that they cannot carry out their acts of criminality,”

NSCDC ARRESTS NOTORIOUS STREET-LIGHT VANDAL IN ABUJA