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Nigerian Author Releases Book On How To Achieve Global Security

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2025

…Calls for urgent UN reform as panacea for world peace

Global peace advocates and experts have called for urgent reforms of the United Nations and the enthronement of a more democratic global order as a panacea for attaining global peace and security.

The experts, who spoke at the unveiling of a book: “Towards Effective World Security” written by a Nigerian scholar and international affairs analyst, Mr. Uche Nwankwo in Abuja at the weekend, warned that that the current global system remains dangerously skewed in a favour of a few powerful nations and is susceptible to conflict.

In his keynote address titled ‘Nigeria: Flying Blindly in the Global Space’, Chairman of the occasion and veteran columnist, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, warned that the world is moving toward a dangerous tilt that must be checked to avoid further escalation of conflicts.

He noted the growing intolerance in international politics and the labeling of those who question dominant narratives as defiants

He said, “Just a few weeks ago, the world tilted towards a global conflagration. We all could have been endangered; indeed, we all are endangered.

“We are tilted towards a unipolar world where all countries are told there is just one superpower at whose shrine we must bow and worship.

“Foreign relations is being reduced to a religion in which non-believers are treated as devils, and believers who raise eyebrows are pronounced heretics.” Lekemfa said

Lakemfa warned that global conflict affects everyone and called for the democratization of the United Nations.

He said, “If humanity were to believe in democracy, it would have started with the democratization of the UN. Did the UN Charter not state that all Member countries are equal?

“Specifically, the veto is a violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter which states that: ‘The Organisation is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.’”

He lamented Nigeria’s diplomatic gaps, saying, “As for my dear country, Nigeria, without ambassadors in other countries, it is like a bird flying with one wing. Indeed, under this government, we might be flying blindly in the global space.”

The Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka, who was represented by Vanguard’s Northern Regional Editor, Soni Daniel, identified peace and security as prerequisites for development and described the book as a vital tool for global transformation.

He commended the author for his foresight in proposing ideas that could influence world leaders and international behaviours.

He said, “Peace and security form the bedrock of development. And if peace and security are jeopardised, there will be no development. We may continue to grope in the dark, believing that we can use weapons or politics, but we’ll just be moving in circles.

“Until we have peace in Gaza, in Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine and so on, even the big powers won’t sleep. They need the resources in those small countries. The world needs to be in a more conducive state for everyone to be happy and safe.

“So thank you for bringing all of us together to think and reflect. Some ideas will flow from this book to the powers that be, the United Nations, ECOWAS, and so on.”

In his welcome remarks, the Author, Uchenna Nwankwo said he was inspired by a lifelong passion for global peace, dating back to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, which he heard about as a child in his remote village in Southeast Nigeria.

He said global issues captivated him even before he became aware of colonial Britain.

Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Nwankwo said, “They were like twin brothers. But today, they are at each other’s throat. The great achievements these two had made in the past, working together as a country, are now like a great mistake that has turned around to mock their disunity.

“It is high time Russia gave up on its war with Ukraine, which is a big distraction to the whole world, and re-join the progressive movement for world peace.”

Nwankwo added that his book is not about Russia alone, but a clarion call for global reforms.

“This book is about the safeguard of nations and the achievement of peace and unity in the world at large as the United Nations totters to the point of going the way of the League of Nations,” Nwankwo noted.

Book reviewer and literary critic, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, in a speech titled ‘Workable Ways to World Peace’, hailed Nwankwo’s work as a bold charge toward democratizing the UN and averting future global conflicts.

He traced the historical roots of international peace efforts, from Pierre Dubois’ call for arbitration in 1305 to Immanuel Kant’s 1795 Perpetual Peace, and drew parallels to Nwankwo’s proposals.

Uzoatu praised Nwankwo’s clarity and visionary thinking, likening his ideas to those once dismissed as absurd but later embraced as transformative.

He said, “A measure of joy comes from the knowledge that there are thinkers like Uchenna Nwankwo, who are committed to offering the world pathways to global peace and sustainable security.

“Nwankwo proposes that a World Assembly be established to replace the General Assembly, with power-sharing among nations based on three factors: population, economic power, and the equality of states.

“This is the classical march of democracy that will empower the UN and give it leverage to hold every nation accountable, big or small.”

“Galileo had his idea about the earth moving around the sun denounced by the Church, only for the Church to apologize much later. Nigeria, and indeed the world, needs optimistic thinkers like Nwankwo.”

Delivering his remarks, Ambassador, Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria, Mersole Mellejor said the book launch was timely and deeply significant.

He likened the event to the Philippines’ 127th anniversary of independence, reflecting on how today’s struggles are less violent but more economic in nature.

Ambassador Mellejor also disclosed that the Philippines had submitted its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council and intends to propose structural reforms.

He said, “The subject of this work is very relevant at this time in this world. It’s not just about physical presence anymore; what matters is that these ideas are heard and circulated widely.

“We are a big diaspora country, and global security is very important to us. Wherever there is conflict , whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, or Africa, we are affected because our nationals live there.

“The UN has brought 75 years of general peace. But it must be made more representative of its member states. Every country deserves the security to pursue its development and protect its people,” the envoy added.
(VANGUARD)

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VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.

The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.

He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.

He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.

He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.

“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.

“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.

“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.

“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”

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UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack

Published

7 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.

Three men and three women are in custody.

The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.

Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.

The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.

A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.

London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.

However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.

A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.

– Accidental shooting –

Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.

“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.

During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.

“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.

A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.

The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.

“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.

“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”

IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

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Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living

Published

10 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

L-R: ACGN, NDLEA, Fidelis Cocodia, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani during the Inauguration

Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.

On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.

Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.

He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.