The United States has responded to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) and persistent human rights abuses by implementing a series of actions aimed at promoting accountability and safeguarding the rights of marginalized populations. The White House issued a statement on December 11, 2023, outlining the measures taken in light of the deteriorating human rights situation in Uganda. President Biden, condemning the AHA as a tragic violation of universal human rights, called for the immediate repeal of the act and urged the Ugandan government to respect the rights of all its citizens. The statement highlighted the concerning trend of democratic erosion in…
Author: Editor Francis
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, representing the United States Mission to the United Nations, commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted on December 10, 1948, the UDHR established a global standard for human dignity, emphasizing the inherent, equal, and inalienable rights of every individual worldwide. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the enduring significance of the UDHR, which continues to embody foundational principles in international human rights law. The declaration reflects shared aspirations for equality and dignity, irrespective of location or identity, and underscores the responsibility of governments worldwide to promote and protect human rights. In her statement, Ambassador…
The Nigerian Senate has urged the executive to ensure the allocation of at least 10 per cent of total annual budget revenue to agricultural production. NAN reports Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services, and Rural Development, Salihu Mustapha, made the call in Abuja on Monday, at the joint budget defence session of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Mustapha said the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development were concerned about the challenges facing the agricultural sector. He, however, said that despite the challenges, the non-oil sector remained the largest contributor to…
In a brewing confrontation between organized labor and the Federal Government, discontent is growing among workers who claim the government has failed to sustain the payment of the N35,000 wage award promised to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. Federal Civil Service employees revealed in separate interviews on Monday that they only received the N35,000 wage award for the month of September. The agreement for the payment, initiated by President Bola Tinubu following the fuel subsidy removal, was set to commence from September 1, 2023, according to a memo signed by Ekpo Nta, the Chairman of the National…
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of Nigeria, pledging to provide continuous support to the military in its efforts to address the nation’s security challenges. President Tinubu made this statement at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2023 in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday. Emphasizing his determination, he stated that the battle to keep Nigeria secure is one he will not lose, vowing to work diligently towards achieving this goal. Acknowledging the dedication of the Nigerian Army to national security, President Tinubu urged the military to maintain a non-partisan stance while remaining…
The Lagos State Government has taken decisive action by serving contravention notices to property owners along the corridor of Shoreline Estate, Onikoyi Estate, Park View, and Banana Island. The notices were issued to those whose properties encroach upon channel setbacks, specifically on drainage channels. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, addressed the media over the weekend after inspecting areas in Ikoyi, including the State House and Dodan Barracks. Wahab revealed that many structures in these upscale areas did not comply with the standard three-meter setback required by law for secondary collector drains. During the inspection, it was noted…
In a public-private sector food security partnership event held in Namibia, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield underscored the importance of collaboration to address the pressing issue of food insecurity. The event, also attended by Ambassador Berry and other dignitaries, aimed to highlight a new program that addresses the challenges faced by Namibians, particularly in the context of a growing food crisis exacerbated by COVID, climate issues, and conflicts. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed her delight at being part of the program, commending the collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. She extended her gratitude to Dr. McDonald Homer and Channa Kurukulasuriya from…
The African Union plans to launch a new African credit rating agency next year to address the group’s concerns that ratings given to countries on the continent are unfair, an official told Reuters. The agency, which would craft its own assessment of the risks in lending to African countries, would be based on the continent, said Misheck Mutize, lead expert for country support on rating agencies with the African Union. It will also add context to the information investors consider when deciding whether to buy African bonds or lend privately to countries. “We already have quite a huge interest in…
Voting for the Russian presidential election, which is likely to see Vladimir Putin re-elected, will be held in four Ukrainian regions the Kremlin claimed to have annexed last year, Moscow said on Monday. The Central Elections Commission said voting in March would go ahead in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — regions of Ukraine over which Russia still does not have full military control. “The decision was adopted unanimously,” commission vice-president Nikolay Bulayev said, according to the state-run news agency TASS. The election will be held over a three-day period from March 15 to 17, a move that Kremlin critics…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has temporarily halted the processing fees associated with large cash deposits, according to a release by Dr. Adetona Adedeji, the Acting Director of Supervision. The suspension, effective immediately, applies to individual accounts with deposits exceeding N500,000 and corporate accounts with deposits surpassing N3,000,000. This development falls under the guidelines outlined in the “Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions, and Non-Bank Financial Institutions,” issued on December 20, 2019, with reference number (FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/07/042). The CBN has stated that this suspension will remain in effect until April 30, 2024. This move comes as a departure…
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Secretary of State issued a press statement emphasizing the enduring importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which marks its 75th anniversary today. The foundational principle that all individuals are born free and equal with inherent human rights was solemnly recognized by the UN General Assembly three-quarters of a century ago when it adopted the UDHR. The UDHR, endorsed by nearly every nation worldwide, outlines the essential human rights that must be universally protected, establishing a shared standard of liberty and dignity for people across all nations. The Secretary of…
In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has praised the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the African Union and other global and regional partners, for its efforts to bring an immediate halt to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan was emphasized during the 41st Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of States and Government, held from December 9 in Djibouti. Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, in a press statement, expressed gratitude to President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh…