Nation
Red Cross Boss Advocates Ministry Of Reconciliation
The Chairman of Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Anambra State, Prof. Peter Kathy, has called for the establishment of Ministry of Reconciliation at the State and Federal levels of governance in Nigeria.
The Ministry, according to Prof. Kathy, will be mandated to ensure peace and national cohesion in the country.
Prof. Kathy, a humanitarian, made the call recently while speaking with news men in Enugu on the importance of International Day of Charity.
According to him, when established, the Ministry “is expected to cause peace and national cohesion to be enshrined in the Nigerian psychy.
This, he said, is better than tough talks and military deployments in situations, which, he explained, exacerbate the militating situations.
“Sequel to internal conflicts/restiveness that have bedeviled Nigeria recently, including political bitterness, Boko Haram insurgency, agitations for different republics, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, wanton exhibition of hatred, hateful songs, speeches, acerbic insinuations and glaring marginalisation, it has become very pertinent to call on Federal and State Governments to embark on the Reconciliation of the entire Nigeria.
“This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation,” he said.
Prof. Kachy stated that deeper approaches that give special attention and protection to the most vulnerable via reconciliation moves that would sustain peace and progress in all parts of the country need to be taken.
He said this required the participation of governments by creating enabling environment, embarking on advocacy, motivation, and partnership with donors, international agencies, civil societies, volunteers and the mass media to bring succor to all.
“Especially in this militating period of Boko Haram terrorism, herdsmen-farmers conflicts, self-determination agitations which results in extreme difficult situations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are in great need of food, water, shelter, healthcare and security to survive”, he said.
He, however, lauded international and local humanitarian charity organisations as well as philanthropists for their contributions to sustain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty reduction, which is central to world economic and social order.
“I must commend International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Rotary International, Medicine San Frontier, Bill Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rocky Fella Foundation, MTN, Globalcom, Dangote Foundation, Nestle, Guinness and lots of individual foundations/charities working in Nigeria.
“They are the lifelines of mankind with enormous power of charity which is the unflagging symbol of hope, vigour and amelioration in vulnerabilities.
“Most of the groups mentioned earlier have provided immediate interventions to create enabling situations towards massive push which is needed to boost access to essential services for most vulnerable children and families.
”All these charity works and activities have provided a vital kick-start to human development and poverty reduction, long term initiative that are rooted in human rights based approach to development”, he said.
It would be recalled that the International Day of Charity, celebrated globally on September 5, is meant to herald activities of charities all over the world that helped to save and improve people’s lives, fighting diseases, protecting children, and giving hope to millions of people.
The day is also celebrated to honour the important work that these charities do, that in 2012 the United Nations decided to nominate an annual International Day of Charity, as an official day of recognition and celebration.
It was further gathered that the reason the date was chosen is because it is the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
The Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
South East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu considering his commitment to achieving a practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly angered by the Senate’s rejection of the need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent 1993 elections stormed out of the Senate Chambers and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .
Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the Nigerian Military is committed to facilitating sustainable food security in the country through the establishment of farms.
Musa said this in Abuja yesterday during the unveiling of the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products Logo.
He noted that the agricultural sector played crucial role in guaranteeing food security which was requisite for sustainable national security.
He said that the adverse impact of climate change, environmental degradation and conflict across some parts of the country had continuously threatened food security with dire consequences on national security.
According to him, to address this, the Defence Headquarters in May 2023, conceptualised the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative.
“This is with the aim of keying into the federal government’s efforts at addressing food security challenges in the country.
“The initiative which aligns with the ‘People Centric’ policy thrust of my leadership concept is aimed at creating job opportunities and enhancing rural infrastructural development while significantly contributing to food security in the Country.
“Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation made by the committee thus far, I am optimistic that the Defence Farm and Agro-Allied Products initiative will have a positive transformative impact on host communities while enhancing national security.
“With similar initiatives replicated across the country, I envision a future characterised by modernised farming techniques in which the agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic growth and national development.”
The CDS enjoined all members of the Armed Forces and the general public to embrace the initiative and maximise its associated gains.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, for his sterling leadership and relentless pursuit of national peace, security and economic prosperity.
He also appreciated the efforts of members of the committee who worked assiduously to actualise the initiative.
Earlier, the Chairman, Defence Farms Committee,