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Presidential Panel on Human Rights: Yoruba Group to Sue Amnesty International

Published

7 years ago

04/11/2017

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Amnesty International has been warned to stop interfering in security situations in Nigeria or be ready to face a legal action.

The National Committee of Yoruba Youth and the Coalition of Civil Society against Terrorism in Nigeria accused the global body of deliberately trying to embark on espionage missions in the country.

The groups, in a statement issued this weekend and signed by its Convener, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, noted that this warning became necessary because of the appearance and submission of Amnesty International before the Justice George Biobele Presidential Panel set up to review the compliance of the armed forces, with human rights obligation and rules of engagement, during their operations in the country.

The youth group said it was amazed by the “audacity of the Amnesty International to tender classified security documents as evidences against the Nigerian military, particularly the Nigerian Army, during the sitting of the Presidential Panel.

Comrade Oladimeji said the group was vindicated by the latest action of the Amnesty International, having earlier accused the AI of consciously embarking on actions and making statements that clearly impugn on the integrity of the nation’s military, mostly based on “unsubstantiated accusations” and the tacit encouragements usually given to the dreaded Boko Haram sect, thereby sabotaging the war against terrorism in the country.

The pan Yoruba youth group further described as ‘shameful’ the petition by the AI to the Presidential Panel, describing it as uncharitable and a mere attempt to further blackmail the Nigerian Army into inaction in order to further entrench the activities of separatist groups and the Boko Haram at the detriment of the nation’s national security and collective well-being of innocent Nigerian.

The group therefore said it will use every legitimate means to resist further attempt by the Amnesty International (AI) to continually denigrate and assault the collective sensibility of Nigerians and in its ploy to continually encourage some anti-democratic forces and sympathizers of the dreaded Boko Haram group to undermine and compromise the country’s national security.

“We are deeply worried over the continued desperation of Amnesty International in using unconventional means to attack the institution of our military, thereby using illegitimate avenues to extort classified information and documents for its personal clandestine operations and that of its foreign collaborators without recognizing that the current threats that Nigeria and her citizens are facing under the Boko Haram insurgency is a global threat that requires global solidarity instead of the lies and campaign of calumny that has become the preoccupation of the Amnesty International,” the statement said.

The group urged members of the armed forces, particularly the Nigerian Army, not to be discouraged by the antics of Amnesty International, stating that it remains committed to his position as earlier submitted before the Presidential Panel and also reminded them that Nigerians were appreciative of their continued sacrifices towards the protection of our lives and properties and the territorial integrity of our country.

The group said it will explore every possible legal option to declare the activities of Amnesty International as illegal and a threat to national security in the country while also restating its support for the war against terrorism as presently being prosecuted by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the country.

General

British Council Hosts Going Global Africa Conference in Abuja

Published

1 hour ago

13/01/2025

Business Post Contributor

The British Council, a UK-based organization dedicated to fostering cultural relations and educational opportunities, hosted the Going Global Africa Conference 2024.

The event, which took place from November 26 to 28 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, was themed Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa.

It brought together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and youth advocates to address critical issues in tertiary education across the continent.

At the opening session, which spotlighted youth aspirations and actionable strategies to bridge the gap between tertiary education and workforce demands, the Minister of Education, Mr Olatunji Alausa, unveiled the Nigerian Educational Sector Renewal initiative, a six-pillar agenda aimed at modernising the education system.

The session, titled The Future is Now: Realising the Vision of Africa’s Youth, was used by him to emphasised the importance of STEM and vocational training.

According to him, one of his takeaways from the opening plenary session is starting up student-led ventures, a good initiative the government would take on.

Throughout the three-day event, critical sessions explored the role of partnerships and innovation in strengthening tertiary education.

Another session titled Maximising Impact through Tertiary Education Partnerships, chaired by Prof. Sir Steve Smith, examined frameworks for sustainable education partnerships.

Also, at another session, Transitioning to the World of Work, led by Femi Taiwo, Founding Partner of F.I.T. Africa, delved into career-readiness strategies and the systems required to prepare graduates for industry demands.

Contributors such as Prof. Colin Riordan from the Association of Commonwealth Universities and Ms. Nadia Waggie from the University of Cape Town enriched these discussions with their expertise.

The conference also included a variety of focused sessions and panels, such as Learning Labs on technology integration, employability, and international research partnerships. Discussions highlighted access to education for marginalized groups, including women and persons with disabilities, with sessions such as Disability Inclusion in Tertiary Education led by Prof. Tracy Bhamra and featuring disability rights advocates.

Business Post reports that the conference coincided with the British Council’s 80th anniversary in Nigeria, celebrating decades of impactful partnerships in education.

“Hosting this conference in Sub-Saharan Africa underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships and innovation in education,” the Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the British Council, Lucy Pearson, remarked.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to bridging the skills gap in Africa’s tertiary education.

The Acting Country Director for the council, Chilufya Besa, said, “By bringing together industry stakeholders, we have made significant progress in aligning education with workforce needs.”

General

Thailand Gifts Nigeria 32-Tonne Rice Shipment to Tackle Food Crisis

Published

5 hours ago

13/01/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has received a 32-tonne shipment of rice from Thailand as part of foreign relief to tackle escalating hunger and food insecurity.

The shipment, the first of its kind in a decade, has arrived in Lagos, according to DUCAT, the logistics company that facilitated its delivery.

The rice from Thailand was exported following Nigeria’s decision to implement a tariff moratorium on wheat, corn, rice, and other food crops last year, DUCAT revealed.

Although the duty waiver was introduced, purchases have largely been cautious, driven by concerns about its potentially harmful impact on local producers.

“Nigeria has been working hard to find solutions to broaden and strengthen its food supply accessibility,” DUCAT Chief Executive Officer, Mr Adrian Beciri said in a statement.

Several months ago, Nigeria unveiled a set of measures to combat soaring food inflation, which is rising at its fastest rate in three decades.

According to the last inflation update, food inflation reached 39.93 per cent year-on-year in November from 39.16 per cent the previous month in October 2024, caused by price rises for staples such as rice, maize, bread, potatoes and cooking oil.

Inflation quickened sharply in the second half of 2023 after President Bola Tinubu devalued the Naira and cut petrol and electricity subsidies to try to lift economic growth and shore up public finances.

Inflation has still not let up as it remained at 34 per cent as of November.

Many of the policies have failed to materialise including a 180-day window to allow duty-free imports of wheat, corn, and other critical food crops— a move promised would crash food prices.

A survey of market prices by Business Post indicates that food prices remained elevated during the last Christmas period.