German Ambs, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

By: Our Reporter

The Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, and the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, unveiled two projects executed by the administration of Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in Monguno town.

While the German Ambassador unveiled resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s UNDP Country Representative conducted the commissioning of a 100-person capacity ICT centre to facilitate digital education.

The housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom semi-detached low-cost houses and another 900 semi-permanent shelters with basic amenities such as a health centre and a borehole for water provision.

About 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from the housing project. Each of them received food and non-food items, N50,000 cash for the household heads and another N20,000 for each housewife.

In her goodwill message, Madam Annet Gunther commended Governor Zulum for the laudable projects that helped people affected by insurgency pick up the pieces of their lives.

She said: “This housing project is also a great example of collaboration between the government of Borno State and international partners. Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international partners.”

Elsie Attafuah corroborated Gunther’s commendation of Zulum’s administration, noting that the housing project aligns with UNDP’s regional stabilisation effort which is working towards peace restoration in communities in Lake Chad area.

Governor Zulum, in his address, explained that while the German Government funded the construction of 500 permanent and another 900 semi-permanent shelters, Borno State Government constructed the remaining 500 houses and provided amenities such as a health centre and potable water among others.

“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between Borno State Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to start the construction of 500 housing units. In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds aimed at completing the 500 permanent housing units, providing an additional 900 semi-permanent shelters, and installing 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.

He added that in addition to these efforts, Borno State Government had also constructed 500 permanent housing units and provided toilets for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of houses constructed to 1,900.

According to Zulum, these accommodations will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt and the European Union, among other donors for supporting Borno State.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Germany for their generous contribution and to UNDP for their unwavering partnership. 

“Additionally, we thank all other donors and contributors to the RSF, UN OFFER, and other funding initiatives dedicated to promoting peace, stability, reintegration and development in Borno State,” Zulum stated.

Dignitaries, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko, the head of UNDP office, Maiduguri, Mathew Alao, community leaders and citizens, gathered to witness the commissioning ceremony.

German Ambs, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

Budget Defence: NHRC Promises to Tackle Emerging Human Rights Challenges

By: Michael
Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has presented its 2024 budget performance and defended its proposed 2025 budget before the Joint Committees on Human Rights of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The budget presentation which held at the National Assembly Complex, highlighted the Commission’s efforts to address pressing human rights issues amidst growing economic challenges and human rights concerns in the country

Speaking during the session Chaired and Co-Chaired by Senator Adegbomire Adeniyi, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Hon Peter Makinde, Chair House of Representative Committee on Human Rights, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, provided a comprehensive breakdown of the Commission’s ₦5 billion allocation for 2024.

Ojukwu, who stated that the budget achieved an unprecedented 99.9% implementation rate, including the construction and completion of eight state offices across the country, emphasized that this achievement was remarkable given the Commission’s limited resources.

The Executive Secretary justified what the proposed N8 billion appraisal for the Commission for 2025 fiscal year, which represents an increase from the previous year, would be used on.

He said the proposed budget aims to address emerging human rights challenges such as terrorism, communal conflicts, insurgency, natural disasters like floods, and the rising cost of operations due to inflation and an increased payroll.

Ojukwu said: “The proposed budget will strengthen the Commission’s capacity to address pressing human rights issues in Nigeria.”

He revealed that “the proposal includes funding for the establishment of more human rights offices across the country to improve access to the services of the Commission, especially in states where our services are not felt,” insisting that these efforts are essential for enhancing the Commission’s independence and effectiveness.

“This proposed budget reflects our determination to create a more inclusive and just society,” Ojukwu said, adding that: “It will enable us to expand our reach, respond swiftly to human rights violations, and engage effectively with communities to promote awareness and accountability.”

He however appealed to lawmakers to consider increasing the proposed budget from ₦8 billion to ₦19.55 billion, explaining that the growing volume of complaints, which stood at over 2 million annually and the cost of investigating each case is straining the Commission’s resources.

He said: “For instance, investigating a single case costs approximately ₦8,000. To investigate 2 million cases effectively, the Commission would require ₦16 billion. The current allocation of ₦8 billion is grossly inadequate to meet this demand.”

Members of the Joint Committees commended the NHRC for its strategic focus and commitment to its mandate. While some lawmakers sought clarifications on specific aspects of the proposal, which the Executive Secretary addressed, some consequently raised their concerns.

If approved, the proposed allocation would represent a critical step towards addressing persistent human rights challenges in Nigeria, including gender-based violence, child rights violations, and police brutality, public inquiries on various investigative panels, etc.

The National Assembly is expected to conclude deliberations on the budget proposal in the coming weeks.

Budget Defence: NHRC Promises to Tackle Emerging Human Rights Challenges

VP Shettima Decorates Newly Promoted Police Officers in His Office

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday decorated five police officers from his security detail with their new ranks following their recent promotion by the Police Service Commission.

The officers promoted included Idowu Olatunji who moved to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) from Superintendent of Police. Adamu Barma was elevated to Superintendent of Police (SP), while three officers – Rufai Mohammed Bello, Usman Abubakar, and Yanas Zidon – were all promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

At a brief decoration event at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Shettima praised the officers’ dedication to duty while reminding them of the increased responsibilities that come with their new positions, just as he assured them of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the development and welfare of all security agencies.

He said, “Today’s event is a recognition of your dedication and hard work but with promotion comes greater responsibility as the President is proud of the work and sacrifice you make for all Nigerians.”

The Vice President emphasised the importance of maintaining professional standards, urging the officers to remain above reproach and stay committed to the core values of the Nigeria Police Force.

He also expressed gratitude to the Police Service Commission for their swift approval of the promotions.

VP Shettima Decorates Newly Promoted Police Officers in His Office