Cattle Readers Association moves to sensitize farmers, pastoralists in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello, together with some zonal and state officials of the association, has embarked on a house-to-house sensitization tour between farmers and pastoralists across Yobe State.

In continuation of the tour, the National President and his entourage stormed at Machina Emir’s palace to notify the royal father of the importance of the peace mission and seek emir support for the success of the exercise within the emirate.

Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello informs the emir that the association is a body purposely registered and formed to eradicate any form of misunderstanding and wanton conflict between farmers and pastoralists in Nigeria.

“It is in line with this that the association began the onerous task mission of sensitizing farmers and pastoralists in Yobe State on the importance of living in peace.” Bello said.

He commends His Royal Highness, the Emir of Machina, for his relentless efforts towards ensuring peace and harmony between the diverse ethnic groups of the emirate.

In his response, the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Dr. Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar Machinama, commends the National President of Kulen Allah for initiating the house-to-house sensitization of Yobe state farmers and pastoralists on the importance of peace.

“Peace is paramount in every human settlement, hence the need for all hands to be on deck towards propagating the peace” Bashir Machina said.

He assured that the emirate would continue to do its best to strengthen peace within his domain.

The emir urges the leadership of Kulen Allah to fully sensitize both farmers and pastoralists to the need to live in peace with one another, because nothing would be achieved without peace anywhere in the world.

The National President strongly commended Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, for encouraging and supporting the exercise under reference and called on federal and all northern governors to emulate Governor Buni towards promoting peace and unity between their state pastoralists and farmers.

Hon. Khalil Muhammed Bello presented a later appointment as State Patron to the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar Machinama.

Cattle Readers Association moves to sensitize farmers, pastoralists in Yobe

ECOWAS Court Dismisses NGO’s Claims of Rights Violations by the Nigerian Government

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed the claims of human rights violations brought by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that asked the Court to hold the Federal Republic of Nigeria liable for breaching its international obligation to protect human rights.

Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Judge Rapporteur who delivered the judgment on Thursday said the Court dismissed all claims of rights violations due to lack of facts and evidence in support of the allegations, and ordered the NGO to pay a nominal cost of N100,000 to the Nigerian government.

The initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/40/21 was filed on 22 July 2021 by The Registered Trustees of HEDA (Human and Environmental Development Agenda) Resource Centre, a registered NGO focused on anti-corruption, and non-partisan human rights and development in Nigeria.

The suit was premised on alleged failure of Nigeria to guarantee the rights to life, dignity of the human person, physical and mental health, and right to healthy environment for Nigerians particularly those residing in the oil producing areas of Nigeria.

Relying on Articles 1, 4, 5, 16 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the Counsel representing the NGO claimed that despite the prohibition of gas flaring by an Act of government “Association of Gas Reinjection Act of 1979, gas flaring persisted, thereby exposing the people living in the oil producing areas to hazards including cancer, lung damage, deformities in children and skin problems.

He further claimed that environmental pollution from gas flaring contributed to global warming and climate change, adding that Nigeria’s failure to tackle it, has resulted in damaging effects on lives, the environment and monetary loss.

The NGO asked the Court to declare the continuous gas flaring in Nigeria as illegal and a gross violation of fundamental rights, and that the Nigerian government is obliged to stop gas flaring in Nigeria. It also demanded orders of the Court compelling the government to enforce gas flaring regulations against defaulters, and direct it to collect fines from defaulters.

In response, the State of Nigeria denied all the claims made by the NGO. The Counsel for the Respondent averred that the claims lacked facts and evidence, and were baseless, and urged the Court to dismiss them.

In its findings, the Court noted that the Respondent adduced proof of updated laws on regulation of the petroleum industry and other implementation measures taken to improve the environment in oil producing area and decrease gas flaring. It also noted that the NGO did not counter the submissions of the Respondent concerning its efforts to protect host communities.

As a matter of fact, the Court observed the failure of the NGO to provide any evidence supporting its claim of loss of lives, breach of the right to dignity of the human person, breach of right to physical and mental health, and lack of provision of a healthy environment owing to gas flaring. The Court therefore dismissed the claims for lack of proof.

Also on the panel were Justice Dupe Atoki and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.

ECOWAS Court Dismisses NGO’s Claims of Rights Violations by the Nigerian Government

UNICEF , NEMA Task Northeast States on Risk Analysis and Emergency Preparedness

By Francis Okoye

The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ) and the National Emergency Management ( NEMA Agency has tasked the states of North East on risk analysis and emergency preparedness.

Speaking yesterday during the launching of a 3-day exercise to develop contingency planning for Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states against emergency responses and risk analysis, UNICEF’s Emergency Manager, Andrea Malatesta, said the goal of the exercise is to enhance disaster response and preparedness, alleviating suffering in crisis-affected populations and communities.

He said the exercise aims to identify major risks and develop planning for better response and preparedness, focusing on various disasters including outbreaks, natural hazards like flooding and heavy rainfall.

He noted that the expected outcomes include three contingency plans, one for each state, which will be integrated into national contingency planning.

He explained the importance of preparedness and contingency planning for effective and efficient response. “This exercise aims to support communities in becoming better prepared and more resilient.

“By developing integrated plans aligning with national contingency plans, UNICEF strengthens disaster response and enhances the ability to respond to emergencies in the region,” Malatesta said.

Also speaking, the North-East’s Acting Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Surajo Garba, said the purpose of the contingency plan is to prepare for and respond to potential disasters, such as flooding, which can lead to diseases like malaria and cholera.

He mentioned that the plan aims to reduce the impact of disasters by identifying risks, developing response techniques, and engaging with local communities.

“The program is supported by headquarters and includes sensitization programs, jingles, identification of higher grounds, and mapping of local government areas.

“The team has been working with traditional rulers, government officials, and other stakeholders to raise awareness and distribute educational materials translated into different languages.The goal is to empower communities to prepare for and respond to disasters effectively.”

In his remark, the Secretary of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammed Lawan Sheriff, said the workshop aims to enhance emergency response by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among ministries, departments, and agencies.

The SEMA’s Secretary encourages active participation, collaboration, and insight sharing among attendees to create a comprehensive and coordinated emergency response system.

He expresses gratitude to UNICEF and SEMA for their commitment to emergency preparedness and response, acknowledging their partnership and support in making the workshop possible.

UNICEF , NEMA Task Northeast States on Risk Analysis and Emergency Preparedness