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NGO Trains Edo Journalists On Human Rights Advocacy

Published

3 years ago

August 2, 2021

Editor

A human rights advocacy group, ‘Advocats Sans Frontiers, France’ also known as (Lawyers Without Borders) during the weekend trained journalists in Benin, Edo state on Human Right Advocacy and “promoting the United Nations Convention Against Torture”(ProCAT)

The two days event, which drew journalists across media houses in Edo State was titled ‘Fundamental Human Rights; Promoting Human Dignity-Salient Provisions of the United Nations Convention against Torture; Accountability of Perpetrators of Human Rights Abuses under the Anti-Torture Acts 2017’ among others.

Speaking, the facilitator, Mrs. Edugie Amihere, Esq, said the training was designed for media workers, first to understand their rights with a view to becoming human rights advocates.

She argued that the Anti-torture Act (2017) is an important step in ensuring justice for victims of torture and curbing the practice of torture in Nigeria.

She stated that since 2009, ASF has been providing free legal services to victims of torture in Nigeria through their ProCAT project and that the organization believes that producing copies of the Anti-torture Act 2017 will create awareness amongst security agencies and the general public In the existence of this important legislation and to encourage its implementation. She also urged other states to follow the steps of Lagos State which have domesticated the Act

“Since,2009, ASF has been providing free legal services to victims of torture in Nigeria through the ProCAT project and, the organization believes that by producing copies of the Anti-torture Act 2017, awareness will be created amongst security agencies and the general public of the existence of this important legislation and to encourage its implementation.

“I am, urging other states to follow the steps of Lagos State which have domesticated the Act. It is only when it has been domesticated that it can be enforced by every court in the State,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Patricia Iyomon, Esq. said Nigeria is never in want of good laws but lacks the will to Implement such laws.

She said everybody should stand up and speak against torture and human rights violations by security agents.

“Human rights are those rights inherent in us as human and which cannot be taken away”, she maintained that the Nigerian constitution has guaranteed the fundamental rights of its citizens.

Also, highlighted was the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (Adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984) which states that the “recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of members of the human family is the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace in the world and that those rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person.”

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Man, 38 Escapes Assassination Attempt In Benin

Published

10 months ago

July 22, 2023

Editor

Innocent Omoruyi

By Omokha Andrew

A 38-year-old activist, Innocent Omoruyi, narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as his residence at Obe Community,Sapele Road in Benin city was attacked by yet to be identified gun men.

The attack which eye witnesses say was viciously executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 bore the markings of a dreaded cult group terrorizing Benin City, the state capital.

The Obe, Sapale Road incident, it was learnt, happened soon after Omoruyi left the house to attend to matters of interest some few metres away from his home.

The assailants were said to have shot sporadically in their frustration as residents scampered for safety.

However, Omoruyi escaped unharmed.

One of the eye witnesses who craved anonymity said: “The felons apparently went for the kill, weilding guns and other dangerous weapons. “We are shocked that they didn’t see Innocent Omoruyi who was just some few metres away from home when they arrived”.

“How that happened, only God knows and it was obvious that it wasn’t his time to die yet and just before that not long ago his business place on Lagos Street, Benin City was burnt down in the middle of the night by unknown arsonists.

“This sequence of events is not ordinary. We know it’s politically motivated due to the role he played in the last general elections. He has been advised to go into hiding at the moment for his personal safety”, he concluded.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to get any information as regards the latest incident. He promised to feed our correspondent with relevant details as soon as they become handy.

Our information source however revealed that the matter has already been incidented at the Love World Police station on Sapele Road, Benin city.

Business

Nigeria To Earn Over $4bn Revenue As FEC Okays Concession Of Abuja, Kano Airports

Published

12 months ago

May 18, 2023

Editor

Nigeria will earn over $4 billion in nominal revenue as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday okayed the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, a Luxembourg-based company.

James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Council also approved that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would be renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

The statement noted that the company would make combined upfront payments of $8.5 million for the concession of NAIA and MAKIA.

He added that the development would spur evidential growth within the Nigerian aviation industry.

“In alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr President on 18th October 2016, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is delighted to inform all stakeholders, both local and international, and the media, that the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano has been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” the statement said.

In December 2022 and January 2023, Corporacion American Airport Consortium was announced as the preferred bidder for the airport’s concession after scaling through a series of evaluations of technical and financial bids.

Nominal revenues mean income not adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.

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Russia Expelled From Council Of Europe Amid War With Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2022

Editor

The Council of Europe says it has expelled Russia with immediate effect after 26 years of membership because of the Ukraine war.

The Committee of Ministers took the decision in a special session, the rights body announced in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had already declared its withdrawal from the Council of Europe after it had taken steps to exclude it.

On Tuesday evening, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted unanimously in favour of Russia’s exclusion.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on Feb. 28, 1996.

Together with the formal notification of the withdrawal, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe also received information from the Russian Federation on Tuesday about its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the leaders of the Council of Europe once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They expressed their solidarity with the Russian people, who continue to belong to the European family and share its values.

The body said it would continue to stand by Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The Council of Europe monitors the observance of human rights in its 46 member states and is not part of the European Union.

The body reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago by suspending Russia’s membership, this decision was considered historic.