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UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate
UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has called on all citizens of the world to speak-up against hate and stand-up for human rights.
Guterres in his speech to commemorate this year’s International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, said this year marks the eightieth anniversary of the Holocaust’s end.
He said: “We mourn the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, as they sought to destroy an entire people.
“We grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and all others enslaved, persecuted, tortured, and killed.
“We stand alongside victims, survivors and their families.
“And we renew our resolve never to forget.
“To allow the Holocaust to fade from 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 were able to commit their heinous crimes, with the complicity of others…
“And to comprehend that each of us has a solemn duty – to speak-up against hate, and to stand-up for the human rights of all.
He added that: “Following the hell of the Holocaust, countries came together. And they enshrined the dignity of every person in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In dark times, that document remains a shining light.
“Eighty years since the Holocaust’s end, antisemitism is still with us – fuelled by the same lies and loathing that made the Nazi genocide possible.
“And it is rising. Discrimination is rife… Hate is being whipped-up the world over…
Indisputable historical facts are being distorted, diminished, and denied… And efforts are being made to recast and rehabilitate Nazis and their collaborators.
We must stand up to these outrages.
“In these days of division – and more than a year since the appalling 7th October terror attacks by Hamas – we must hold fast to our common humanity. We must condemn antisemitism – just as we must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice and religious bigotry. And we must renew our resolve to defend the dignity and human rights of all.
“Those causes go to the very core of the United Nations. We will never forget – and we will never waver in that fight.”
Speaking at the commemoration of the day at the United Nations House in Abuja, the Israeli Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Inbar Lipman Garden said: “On this solemn day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered in the Holocaust- alongside millions of others who suffered under the Nazi regime. We honour their memory not only to mourn their loss but to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that 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.
“Today, we must acknowledge the troubling rise of antisemitism around the world, including in Europe, Australia, Canada, the US and elsewhere. Jewish communities face increasing hostility and violence.
“Synagogues have been firebombed, schools have been shot at. Jewish community centers have been vandalized – images that remind us of the dark days of the past. And today, just 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz there are those who deny that the Holocaust happened. Dangerous narratives of Holocaust denial propagated by regimes and groups such as lran, Hizballah, and Hamas. These entities not only distort history but also openly call for the annihilation of the Jewish state and Jews entirely.”
On his part, the Officer in Charge of UNESCO Abuja Office, Albert Mendy said: “This commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and intolerance, and reinforces our collective responsibility to foster a culture of peace, mutual respect, and human dignity.”
Mendy, who was represented by the Organisation’s Education Programme Officer, Anthony Ogunniyi said: “UNESCO, as the lead agency for education within the United Nations system, believes that education is the most powerful tool for building a just and peaceful world.
“Education for peace is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about shaping attitudes, values, and behaviors that promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among individuals and societies.”
He added that: “The Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder that hatred, even within your classrooms, no matter how small it may seem at first, can grow into unimaginable consequences if left unchecked. It often starts with seemingly minor acts of intolerance—hurtful words, exclusion, and discrimination—but can quickly escalate into widespread harm and devastation. What you do about it matters.
“Choosing to remain silent in the face of injustice—whether it is bullying, discrimination, or any form of intolerance—allows such negative behaviors to persist and grow. This is why tolerance, respect, and empathy are not just ideals but essential values that must guide our daily interactions. Let us learn from history and understand that taking a stand against hatred in all its forms is the first step toward preventing future atrocities and building a world where dignity and human rights are upheld for all.”
UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.
On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.
The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.
No military equipment was lost during the operation.
Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.
Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
News
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
The high-profile terrorism trial in Charge No. FHC/ASB/18C/2024 took a dramatic and gripping turn this week at the Federal High Court, Asaba, as explosive evidence and powerful witness testimonies continue to unfold against Mike Nwaukoni (aka “Supu”) and his alleged accomplices.
Standing trial alongside him are prominent figures including Barrister Francis Okolie, Secretary of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), and Mazi Elue Adigwe, the association’s Secretary-General, among others accused in connection with the violent October 12, 2023 attack on the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
🔴 Doctor’s Testimony Leaves Court in Silence
In what court observers have described as one of the most chilling moments of the trial so far, Dr. Ezeike Ugochukwu Godwin took the witness stand and delivered a clinical yet deeply emotional account of the injuries sustained by a vigilante operative assigned to protect the Palace.
The doctor confirmed that the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to the head and upper limbs, describing in precise medical terms the severity of the trauma.
According to his testimony, the victim was brought into the emergency unit in a state of intense pain and critical distress, alongside several others wounded during the attack.
Dr. Ezeike further told the court that the patient was referred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogwashi-Uku, reinforcing the official chain of response following the violent incident.
🔴 Police Investigator Details Chaos and Destruction
A day earlier, on April 21, 2026, the court heard from Inspector Ijeoma Ovat, the initial Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who painted a harrowing picture of the aftermath of the attack.
She testified about the widespread chaos, multiple casualties, and destruction that followed the invasion of the Palace during the controversial Ineh Festival. Crucially, she tendered photographic evidence showing heavily damaged police and vigilante vehicles, corroborating claims of a coordinated and violent assault.
Sources within the prosecution confirm that the damage to the vehicles was extensive and consistent with armed aggression.
🔴 Witnesses Tie Defendants to Armed
AssaultEarlier testimonies in the trial have reportedly identified the defendants as active participants, alleging they were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons during the attack. Witnesses have also pointed to Mike Nwaukoni as a central figure who allegedly instigated and coordinated the operation.
🔴 Passport Request Sparks Legal Firestorm
In a fresh development that has further intensified proceedings, lead prosecutors in the case including CSP Samuel Mallum Esq and A.I Aminu Esq from the Police Legal Directorate in Abuja have strongly opposed an application by Nwaukoni’s legal team seeking the temporary release of his international passport for overseas travel.
According to sources, the prosecution argued that granting such a request poses a serious flight risk, warning that the defendant could attempt to evade justice, seek asylum, or acquire foreign citizenship.
The prosecution also suggested that the move may be a deliberate tactic to delay the trial, particularly as significant portions of the case have already been established.
The matter has been adjourned for further consideration, with hearings expected to resume in late May, continuing into early June 2026.
🔴 Calm Returns to Ogwashi-Uku Amid Trial
Meanwhile, community sources in Ogwashi-Uku report a notable return of peace and stability since the commencement of the trial. Residents have expressed hope that the judicial process will be seen through to a swift and just conclusion, bringing lasting closure to one of the most serious security incidents in the Kingdom’s recent history.
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics supplier and intercepted a large quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in a tricycle in Borno State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 9:10 a.m. on April 21 by troops of 159 Battalion at a checkpoint within Sector 2 Area of Responsibility.
The suspect was reportedly conveying PMS concealed in 15 sacks, disguised with bags of sachet water in an attempt to evade detection.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the consignment was being transported to Kanama town and neighbouring communities around Dikwa and Bultuwa, areas believed to be within terrorist influence.
Items recovered from the suspect include a mobile phone and the sum of ₦34,950.
The sources said the suspect and recovered exhibits are in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
They added that the interception forms part of ongoing operations aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics networks and denying them access to critical supplies across the North-East theatre.
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
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