John Peters Odimmegwa

News2 years ago
NYSC threatens legal action on any unauthorized advert
The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has threatened to prosecute unscrupulous persons that are impersonating the Scheme through fraudulent means on the...
News2 years ago
Chief of Army Staff challenges reuters to bring up evidence Over Alleged 10000 Abortions claim
The claim of abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, massacre of children and other Sexual and Gender Based Violations against the Nigerian Armed forces by the international...
Aviation2 years ago
National Carrier: Nigeria Air will contribute to the GDP, facilitate hospitality and tourism – Sirika
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has stated that, the National carrier will contribute to the GDP; facilitate hospitality and tourism; facilitate growth and development...
Crime2 years ago
Anti-Terror Campaign: Troops neutralize several terrorists, destroys N277.3m worth of illegally refined petroleum products – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has stated that 1,506 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families have again surrendered to...
$REUTERS’ REPORT: NHRC SEEKS STAKEHOLDERS SUPPORT TO INVESTIGATIVE PANEL Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on all relevant stakeholders to lend their support to the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP NORTH EAST) to enable it to determine the veracity or otherwise of Reuters’ report of human rights infractions against the military. The Commission recalls that in December 2022, the international news agency, Reuters published a three-part report alleging abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, infanticide and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence against the Nigeria military. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN who made this call during his opening statement at the Stakeholders briefing on the activities of the (SIIP North East) noted that the Panel and the Commission need the support of all relevant stakeholders both at International, National and state levels. “All arms of the UN Systems, International NGOS, Civil society Organizations, and interest groups such as Nigerian Bar Associations, FIDA, NMA and others are needed to enable this panel to record huge success in its investigation and fact finding. And we are calling on all the stakeholders to avail the panel of this much needed support”, Ojukwu added. According to the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria, this inquiry into the alleged human rights violations is critical despite denial by the Nigerian military which has openly submitted to an independent investigation of the report amidst increasing concerns raised by the international community. The gravity of the allegation, the Executive Secretary noted, necessitated the National Human Rights Commission to establish and inaugurate this investigative panel in line with her mandate under the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995(As amended). “We can all recall that the Commission had previously setup various investigative panels such as the panel of enquiry on the Apo killings, the Baga killings, the first and second independent investigative panels on human rights violations by SARS and other arms of the Nigeria Police Force, the Special Investigative panel on SGBV, Investigative panel on oil spillage in the Niger Delta, just to mention a few”, he stated.. These panels, the NHRC Boss said, executed their mandate without bias by carrying out investigations into all the allegations that were brought before them. “They came up with their findings and made recommendations which were forwarded to the Federal Government on various punishments to be meted out on those violators who were found culpable, recommendations for compensation from the Government and in some cases paid compensations Suo motto to victims who had legitimate cases. This panel will not be any different from that”, he stated. In his speech at the occasion, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) said the consultation will afford the panel an opportunity to brief stakeholders on the progress of the investigation so far as well as the challenges the panel has experienced while embarking on this important fact-finding mission. According to the former Justice of the Supreme Court this consultation is also an occasion to give a progress report on the investigation to our partners in the media, who are no doubt very eager to get to the bottom of the allegations made by Reuters. The eminent Jurist said the panel would need the support and cooperation of the stakeholders gathered, “Especially those of you who have been extensively involved in humanitarian efforts in the North-East part of Nigeria”. “It is well known that the success or otherwise of similar fact-finding undertakings in other parts of the World are hugely determinant on the co-operation received by relevant stakeholders, parties and partners. It is our sincere hope that your attendance at this briefing is evidence of your desire to support the important work of this panel”, he added. Thereafter, the Secretary of the Panel, Mr Hilary Ogbonna in his “general briefing note”, listed the various military formations and Borno state government institutions already visited by the panel, which include 7 Division of the Nigeria Army Hospital, Maimalari Barracks, Medical Centres of the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC), Giwa Barracks, State Specialist Hospital and Umaru Shehu Hospital. Besides, he mentioned some of the challenges of the panel which included finance, need for extensive investigations, operational logistics, security situation and travel restrictions, availability of military witnesses considering the length and coverage of Reuters’ report, access to direct victims and non-cooperation by some international agencies etc. On the next step, he revealed that there will be holding public hearing in Yobe and Adamawa states, and continuation of public hearing in Maiduguri for field offices of UN Agencies and International organisations and visits to civilian camps among others.$ $REUTERS’ REPORT: NHRC SEEKS STAKEHOLDERS SUPPORT TO INVESTIGATIVE PANEL Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on all relevant stakeholders to lend their support to the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP NORTH EAST) to enable it to determine the veracity or otherwise of Reuters’ report of human rights infractions against the military. The Commission recalls that in December 2022, the international news agency, Reuters published a three-part report alleging abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, infanticide and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence against the Nigeria military. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN who made this call during his opening statement at the Stakeholders briefing on the activities of the (SIIP North East) noted that the Panel and the Commission need the support of all relevant stakeholders both at International, National and state levels. “All arms of the UN Systems, International NGOS, Civil society Organizations, and interest groups such as Nigerian Bar Associations, FIDA, NMA and others are needed to enable this panel to record huge success in its investigation and fact finding. And we are calling on all the stakeholders to avail the panel of this much needed support”, Ojukwu added. According to the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria, this inquiry into the alleged human rights violations is critical despite denial by the Nigerian military which has openly submitted to an independent investigation of the report amidst increasing concerns raised by the international community. The gravity of the allegation, the Executive Secretary noted, necessitated the National Human Rights Commission to establish and inaugurate this investigative panel in line with her mandate under the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995(As amended). “We can all recall that the Commission had previously setup various investigative panels such as the panel of enquiry on the Apo killings, the Baga killings, the first and second independent investigative panels on human rights violations by SARS and other arms of the Nigeria Police Force, the Special Investigative panel on SGBV, Investigative panel on oil spillage in the Niger Delta, just to mention a few”, he stated.. These panels, the NHRC Boss said, executed their mandate without bias by carrying out investigations into all the allegations that were brought before them. “They came up with their findings and made recommendations which were forwarded to the Federal Government on various punishments to be meted out on those violators who were found culpable, recommendations for compensation from the Government and in some cases paid compensations Suo motto to victims who had legitimate cases. This panel will not be any different from that”, he stated. In his speech at the occasion, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) said the consultation will afford the panel an opportunity to brief stakeholders on the progress of the investigation so far as well as the challenges the panel has experienced while embarking on this important fact-finding mission. According to the former Justice of the Supreme Court this consultation is also an occasion to give a progress report on the investigation to our partners in the media, who are no doubt very eager to get to the bottom of the allegations made by Reuters. The eminent Jurist said the panel would need the support and cooperation of the stakeholders gathered, “Especially those of you who have been extensively involved in humanitarian efforts in the North-East part of Nigeria”. “It is well known that the success or otherwise of similar fact-finding undertakings in other parts of the World are hugely determinant on the co-operation received by relevant stakeholders, parties and partners. It is our sincere hope that your attendance at this briefing is evidence of your desire to support the important work of this panel”, he added. Thereafter, the Secretary of the Panel, Mr Hilary Ogbonna in his “general briefing note”, listed the various military formations and Borno state government institutions already visited by the panel, which include 7 Division of the Nigeria Army Hospital, Maimalari Barracks, Medical Centres of the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC), Giwa Barracks, State Specialist Hospital and Umaru Shehu Hospital. Besides, he mentioned some of the challenges of the panel which included finance, need for extensive investigations, operational logistics, security situation and travel restrictions, availability of military witnesses considering the length and coverage of Reuters’ report, access to direct victims and non-cooperation by some international agencies etc. On the next step, he revealed that there will be holding public hearing in Yobe and Adamawa states, and continuation of public hearing in Maiduguri for field offices of UN Agencies and International organisations and visits to civilian camps among others.$
News2 years ago
Reuters’ report: NHRC seeks stakeholders support to investigative panel
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on all relevant stakeholders to lend their support to the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human...
NCC2 years ago
Data Depletion: NCC engages stakeholders
As part of activities to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) met with telecommunications companies and other relevant stakeholders on...
NCC2 years ago
Consumer Rights Day: We will ensure transition to renewable energy to protect the environment – NCC
The Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, has expressed its commitment to the responsible use of the world’s resources, including protecting the environment by supporting the industry...
News2 years ago
Government committed to bilateral air service agreement – Hadi Sirika
Honorable Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika today Tuesday 14th March met with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Foreign airlines operators to discuss...
News2 years ago
Bilateral Relations: Nigeria and China pledge to render mutual support to each other
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zubairu Dada has assured China of Nigeria ‘s reciprocal support at bilateral and multilateral levels....
News2 years ago
Umar Farouq Commiserates with Train/BRT crash victims
The BRT staff bus and train collusion which occurred Thursday morning at PWD railway intersection has been described as unfortunate and unavoidable by the Minister...

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