Governance

Shettima Arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

By Web News 420

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which begins on Monday and runs until Sept. 28.

Shettima, who is representing President Bola Tinubu, will deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level general debates, announce the country’s new Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, and participate in a series of side events, bilateral meetings, and round tables.

According to reports, Tinubu was scheduled to address the 80th Session of the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

A revised provisional list of speakers showed that Tinubu was to speak on the second day of the event. He was scheduled to deliver his address during the afternoon session, around 8:30 p.m. local time (approximately 2:30 p.m. Nigerian time), and would have been the 17th world leader to speak on day two of the general debate.

On arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Vice President was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje.

Others on hand to welcome him included the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Nigeria’s Defence Attaché in New York, Brig.-Gen. Edward Koleoso, and Defence Attaché in Washington, Group Capt. Sani Kalgo.

Highlighting Nigeria’s priorities for UNGA 80, Tuggar said the country would continue to push for the adoption of a United Nations Global Convention on Taxation and for Africa’s representation on the UN Security Council.

“This is something that has put Nigeria in the position of leadership,” he said. “We also promote Nigeria’s push to become a permanent member of the Security Council, because Africa has a common position, the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, that calls for at least two permanent seats.”

He added that Nigeria would also reiterate its stance on peacekeeping contributions and global conflicts, including the crises in Gaza, Eastern Congo, and Sudan.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said Nigeria’s presence at the UNGA would further strengthen its image as a leading African economy and investment hub.

“We are looking at areas of strength such as solid minerals, agriculture, and skills-based education,” the governor said. “The Vice President’s presentation on Wednesday will further reposition Nigeria as Africa’s leading economy.”

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olajumoke Oduwole, noted that Nigeria would also use the platform to promote investment opportunities and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“On Monday, we are hosting Nigeria Investment Day, highlighting solid minerals, telecommunications, and technology,” she said. “It is to show the reforms the Nigerian economy has undergone in the last two years and to engage our partners on where we are headed.”

Shettima will also participate in the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting and meet with the Prime Minister of Sudan, among other high-level engagements.

NAN/Adebukola Aluko

News Analysis

Collaborating To Strenghtening Anti-Corruption Drive

By Web News 2301

Corruption remains a global phenomenon with no racial boundaries.

More often than not, print and electronic media are awashed with cases of sleaze, monetary or in kind.

And there is hardly any sphere of activities or profession that corruption is not found.

Corruption wreaks enormous damage on good governance, disrupts systemic administration, compromises the integrity, lay ground for avoidable deaths and other forms of dire consequences in societies. 

Aside these, it undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development, contributes to governmental instability, distortion of electoral processes and perversion of the rule of law.

In cognizance of the monumental effects of corruption, the United Nations general assembly designated 9 December as international anti-corruption day and has been observed annually since the passage of the United Nations Convention against corruption on 31 October 2003 to raise public awareness for anti-corruption. 

In Nigeria, efforts to tackle corruption saw the creation of anti-corruption agencies such as the economic and financial crimes commission and the independent corrupt practices commission.

The current administration has followed this up with the formal institution of the whistleblower policy in December 2016 to check endemic corruption.

A major challenge in this regard is the justice system which political office holders and other big-time looters exploit to drag cases on for years.

Besides, there is also the political angle to it as politicians alleged of financial impropriety while in office often find safe haven in the party in power.

The immunity clause in the Nigerian constitution, which protects sitting governors against litigation until after their tenure is also a factor as it delays justice and gives room for cover-up over time.

Since greed, poverty and unemployment fuel corruption, it is important that the government build upon current poverty eradication derive, job creation.

Nobody is above the law, anyone who acts contrary to it should be given the punishment that he or she deserves.

Anti-corruption agencies, should ensure transparency in handling cases of graft and avoid controversies that had trailed some of their personnel in the past.

To win the war against corruption, religious bodies should stress the importance of moral rectitude to their members while parents inculcate desired social values in their children for the good of the society as a saying goes “charity begins at home”.

With this year’s theme being your right, your role, say no to corruption, it is therefore pertinent as a citizen to say no to corruption irrespective of position in order for the country to attain its rightful leadership role in the comity of nations.

Olukemi Akintunde

News Analysis

Helping the Less Privileged amidst Covid-19

By Web News 734

Charity is the act of extending love and kindness to others unconditionally, a conscious decision from the heart without expecting a reward.

Charity begins with the inward recognition of a need to show compassion to others whether consciously or unconsciously.

Everyone has problems, troubles, and grieves of some sort in life but charity starts with those who learn to downplay their own problems.

In order to extend compassion, kindness, and love to help others, some people set aside their own pains and challenges to relieve others of theirs.

Charity is essential and therefore meant to be done for relief and to provide assistance to people in times of need especially victims of war, natural disaster, hunger, disease, poverty, orphans by supplying them food, shelter, medical aid and other basic needs of life.

It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural, natural heritage and promotes the rights of the marginalized, underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.

In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, especially Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who spent her life caring for the poorest of the poor, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 5th as International Day of Charity.

The day was established with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities.

These organizations often provide essential services to impact the lives of citizens such as building hospitals, schools, orphanages and religious centres.

Without mincing words, they partner government in many aspects including empowerment, training, fighting poverty, combating social diseases like drug abuse and attempting to narrow the deep divide between the rich and poor.

In the sustainable development goal, the United Nations recognizes that the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

It also acknowledges the role of the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises, cooperatives, multinationals, civil society organizations and philanthropic organizations in the implementation of the new agenda.

In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, some charitable organizations like the Nigeria Red Cross provided palliatives to some less privileged in the country, this is laudable.

It must however be pointed out that charity works should not be a periodical activity but a continuous one to make life bearable for the less privileged.

It also behoves philanthropists in the country to come to the aid of millions of the less privileged in the country as the pandemic lingers on.

Titilayo Kupoliyi