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Caribbean called to support SOAD Food assistance to Flood Victims of Kaduna, Nigeria

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#TheCaribbean, September 18, 2020 – An overflowing Kaduna River has again dealt a harsh blow to the villagers, which live along its banks.  At least four were killed and 15,000 people displaced following the deluge which fell for hours on August 10. And the rains came again, with intensity at the start of September.

Flooding September 3, Kaduna north. Photo from the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency

The report of the devastation in this North West territory of Nigeria has resonated with Pan Africanists around the world and has activated the State of the African Diaspora, SOAD that is mobilising immediate and long term help.

“The gesture is molded as the normal distress assistance offered all over the world. To this end we have decided to carry this out under SOAD’s Food Security Program. The efforts of the forerunners of this program, especially those of Nina Womack and brother, Melvin Brown motivated this new effort,” said Tijjani Zubairu Onuvajor, an educator and engineer.

Caribbean citizens know and appreciate their connection to the countries which comprise Africa.  In recent months, Caribbean citizens have also been electrified and awakened by the Black Lives Matter movement which has rocked the planet and re-exposed to new generations, the disparaging treatment of black people.  A bi-product of the BLM protests is heightened sensitivity and renewed interest in Africa, and her people. 

Photo from Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency; two women observe the damages of September 3 flooding

Deandrea Hamilton, a Caribbean region journalist is the SOAD MP for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.  Ms. Hamilton says, “Caribbean people understand what it means to have a natural disaster move in and overwhelmingly turn your world upside down.  The gravity of the loss of the flood victims at Kaduna River can become an opportunity for Caribbean residents to build bridges back to the ‘Motherland’ by being our brothers’ keeper.  It is just a question of whether or not the millions of African descendants who populate the islands of the Caribbean are ready, willing and able to support welfare initiatives like the SOAD Food Security program.”

The goal is to provide a month’s supply of food and toiletries, which SOAD Food Security Program managers explain will buy these otherwise enterprising villagers some time, giving them a good chance to get back on their feet quickly.

On a normal day, like any other community, the people are usually up and about fending for themselves in their personal businesses ranging from small to large-scale types.

Flooding of Kaduna, August 10. Six people were rescued, four others died. Photo by Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency

Appointed Ambassadors in countries and cities around the world represent SOAD.  In Nigeria, Bldr. Tijjani Zubairu Onuvajor, who is a SOAD MP, will manage the distribution.

“It is our desire to show to the victims that people of the diaspora care about them. It is the focus of SOAD Food Security program to achieve the following objectives:

  • Assist the needy with immediate essentials to cushion the effect of the flood
  • To prepare for both medium and long-term assistance of communities that suffers such fate in Nigeria and its environs.
  • To introduce SOAD as a provider of alternative help or solutions to people’s problems in our communities Thereby paving ways for more extensive engagements to improve the quality of life of our people.

Putting this gesture into context it is right to explain that the floods are a part of life in Kaduna, which is the capital of Kaduna State.”

Nigerian Red Cross joins the assessment effort of the recent flooding along the Kaduna River. Photo by the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency

There is a robust existence for the 1.3 million people who call the capital home.  It is a center for learning which is cradle to the Kaduna State University, the Nigerian Defense Academy, the Kaduna Business School, the Institute of Ophthalmology and the National Board for Islamic and National Studies.

The families impacted by the flooding are mainly traders and farmers, as Kaduna is also an agriculture and transportation gateway to the Northern region of the country.

Melvin Brown reports on SOAD Food Security program, which is moving into its eighth month. So far, 2,702 people were fed by SOAD.

The government, as a matter of responsibility, does issue flood alert warnings. In this particular case it had been issued by the Kaduna Emergency Disaster Management Agency; it called for the residents to evacuate the area.  News agencies reported however, that many did not leave because of apathy or largely because they underestimated the enormity of the devastation.

Senator Uba Sani, representative for Kaduna Central (APC) had ordered an assessment of the district, which listed Abubakar Kigo road in Kaduna North; Barnawa in Kaduna South; Karatudu, Romi, Narayi and Sabon Tasha in Chikun as the areas worse hit.

SOAD will raise, $10,000 USD; which will bring immediate relief to the thousands hardest hit in Kaduna.

Kaduna River overflows on September 3. Photo by the Kaduna State Emergency Agency

“Caribbean citizens interested in supporting should contact Ms. Hamilton,  (Deandrea@MagneticMediaTV.com) for onward delivery to the MP in charge of the distribution of items in Nigeria. We have put structures in place to ensure these gifts will make the right impact,” said Bldr. Onuvajor, SOAD MP for Nigeria.

And the need along the Kaduna river has increased. 

Devastating floods have continued in Kaduna State; on September 3, hundreds of residents were again displaced by the downpour which caused the river to breach its banks.  In the August floods, four people died.  In the September flood, the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency reported that thankfully, no lives were lost.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Africa

Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Zanzibar calls for justice to become a reality for all 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens

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March 9, 2024 – In her remarks to the opening ceremony on 4 March 2024, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, told more than 400 ministers, senior government officials, and other dignitaries from across the world’s six regions:

“It is our responsibility to drive forward the paradigm shift agreed at our last meeting in Mauritius to deliver on the Commonwealth Access to Justice Declaration and ensure that people of the Commonwealth know they have access to justice because they can taste it, see it and feel it.”

In light of escalating crises around the world, she commended the work of Commonwealth law ministers while calling for even greater emphasis to be placed on justice as an “essential strength” in overcoming the current challenges.

The Secretary-General urged ministers ahead of their deliberations to dig deeper with rigour and courage to ensure that the commitments are not just words on paper but the lived experience of all.

A timely opportunity

The meeting was inaugurated by H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who underscored the crucial role of law in addressing unprecedented global challenges and described the meeting as a timely opportunity to cooperate on strengthening legal systems.

She said:

“This forum will open doors for further collaboration, innovation, and collective action as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our societies.

“Together, we can build a better future where justice prevails, and the rights of every individual are protected to sustain sustainable development across Commonwealth nations.”

Reflecting on the meeting’s theme, ‘How digitalisation paves the way for the development of people-centred access to justice’, the President highlighted her government’s use of technology to enhance legal services, including through the rollout of time-saving e-courts.

She also spoke about the ‘Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign’, which offers legal aid and information to citizens on various issues, including gender-based violence and dispute resolution.

Hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania, the biennial meeting is the principal decision-making body for law ministers from the 56 Commonwealth countries.

Over the next four days, ministers will deliberate on the policy and strategic actions required to address access to justice challenges, especially for women, people with disabilities and those living in poverty.

Ministers will also exchange innovative practices on evidence-based policymaking and the effective use of digital resources to bridge gaps and enhance the delivery of justice services.

Justice gap

More than 5.1 billion people – two-thirds of the world’s population – lack meaningful access to justice. Lost income and stress-related illness due to seeking legal redress can cost countries up to 3 per cent of their gross domestic product every year.

Hon Ambassador Dr Pindi H. Chana, the meeting’s Chair and the United Republic of Tanzania’s Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, said the gathering would facilitate a meaningful dialogue to overcome legal hurdles facing countries.

She added:

“From promoting access to justice to strengthening legal frameworks, our discussions over the coming days will contribute to shaping the future of law and governance within the Commonwealth countries.

“Together, we can build a Commonwealth where justice and equality reign supreme.”

A moment of silence was observed during the ceremony to honour the late President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who passed away on 29 February 2024.

Alongside the meeting, a series of side events are being organised to ensure diverse perspectives, from disability inclusion to digital trade law, contribute to ministerial discussions.

A statement summarising the meeting outcomes will be issued on 8 March 2024, which will support countries in realising the mandates set out in the Commonwealth Access to Justice Declaration – a commitment by all 56 member countries to ensure universal access to justice.

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Africa

Kenya multinational force to arrive in February in Haiti 

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

 

#Kenya, December 21, 2023 – Saving Haiti from the current crisis is becoming less of just spoken word and more of real action as Kenya is scheduled to send more than one hundred soldiers to the republic come February 2024.

This is according to reports on Sunday by Kenyan authorities, following Haiti’s visit to Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday December 13th.  The Haitian delegation was led by Mr. Frantz Elbé, Director General of the Police National D’Haiti (PNH) or Haitian National Police in English, and it included members of the High Command and Senior Officers from the Ministry of Justice.

Elbé, according to the PNH, met with the Director General of the Kenyan Police and his Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Administrative Police.

This meeting was to discuss technical details related to the deployment of the Multinational Support Mission to Security (MMAS).

Reports say that regarding the mission, Kenya is demanding the disbursement of a first portion of $230 million. Also, it is important that the potential cost of the mission is noted, that is USD$600 million, reports say.

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Africa

DRC to get Worse for Women and Children says UN report

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#Africa, November 25, 2023 – As the country prepares for general elections in December women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo are experiencing some of the worst human rights abuses in the world according to UN reports.

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is on track to have record levels of verified grave violations against children for a third consecutive year in 2023 – In both 2021 and 2022, DRC had the world’s highest levels of verified cases of sexual violence against children committed by armed forces and armed groups,” UNESCO explained. The 2023 levels of ‘grave abuses’ against children has risen 41 percent this year.

It’s years of armed conflict between over 100 different rebel groups both foreign and local that has precipitated the foreboding increase. The UN is describing the resulting humanitarian crises in DRC as an epidemic of gender based violence.

Armed groups have been struggling for control of the DRC ever since rebels ousted from Rwanda captured the capital of then Zaire and renamed it the DRC.

Increased tensions have followed the planned departure of UN peace keepers under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

MONUSCO, established by the UN in 2010 had been authorized to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate to ‘protect of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.’

It’s another UN intervention which has been labeled a failure.

More than five million people have been displaced because of the ongoing clashes.  The situation is expected to worsen in 2024.

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