UNGA: China, Russia, other nations pay tribute at 9/11 museum

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks launched against the U.S. that changed the course of history.

UN Counter-Terrorism chief, Vladimir Voronkov, in his message to commemorate the anniversary on Monday, said the UN would continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism.

Speaking at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in downtown Manhattan where the twin towers once stood, Voronkov highlighted the significance of the commemoration.

“We have gathered from all over the world on this sacred ground in the host city of the United Nations to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the terrible attacks that occurred here just over 20 years ago,” he said.

The special ceremony brought together heads of state, ministers and delegates representing more than 120 member states and international organisations in New York for the opening of the 76th UN General Assembly.

Mr Voronkov stated that the UN was committed to continue placing victims at the heart of the global counter-terrorism effort, speaking for those who can no longer speak, and amplifying survivors’ voices.

“We will continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism. They will not be forgotten. No day shall erase them from the memory of time,” he added.

The commemoration demonstrated the UN commitment never to forget the 2,977 people from over 90 countries whose lives were taken when hijacked airliners brought terror to New York, Washington and beyond, and the thousands more that were injured or sickened.

Alice Greenwald, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, said, “Your presence here is a powerful demonstration of global solidarity with the victims of 9/11 and their families, indeed with all victims of terrorism. You recognise that the human impacts of terrorism and extreme violence are universal and collectively acknowledging the absolute illegitimacy of terrorism as a response to political grievance.”

Expressing sympathy and solidarity with grieving families, José Albares, Spain’s foreign affairs minister for the European Union and Cooperation, restated their commitment to fighting terrorism.

The ceremony included a minute of silence, following which Messrs Voronkov and Albares laid wreaths in memory of victims of the September 11 attacks and all victims of terrorism worldwide.

(NAN)/(Gazette)

How B/Haram Crisis Killed 300,000 Children In N/East

More than 300,000 children lost their lives in the last 12 years because of the insurgency ravaging the North East region, the latest statistics released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed.

This is just as the Nigerian military said the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), a rival terrorists’ organisation has started massive recruitment of jobless youths into its fold to continue wreaking havoc.

The latest statistics released by UNICEF also disclosed that over one million persons have been displaced within the period under review.It said no fewer than 5,129 out-of-school children were currently battling mental health challenges as a result of the conflict in the North.

When one of our correspondents attempted to get more information on the factors responsible for the death of 300,000 children, the UNICEF Media Contact in Maiduguri said that the deaths were a summation of direct and indirect attacks on children.

He said, “Children killed in crossfires, Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), children used as suicide bombers, children killed by malnutrition among others.”

Salihu Bakhari, who is a retired security officer, said he was not surprised by the figures released by UNICEF.

“We are just coming to terms with the reality because the attention in the past was on the frequency of attacks and destruction. We paid little attention to the humanitarian crises including how children were affected.

“I believe more figures would be reeled out in the coming months but the most important thing is for various stakeholders to start thinking on how to address the challenges.

“There are many children that are missing; some have been stolen and others are in the hands of terrorists. They are nurturing them to become fighters.

“So, while we frown and lament the killing of children, there must be a deliberate effort to save those in captivity and make life meaningful for them,” he said.

Attacks against children must stop

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, advocated that every stakeholder must ensure attacks against children stop immediately.

He said his organisation and the European Union (EU) were working together to provide community-based psychosocial services.

He said, “The scars of conflict are real and enduring for children. Too many children in North East Nigeria are falling victim to a conflict they did not start. Attacks against children must stop immediately.

“In the meantime, we are committed to working with our partners to provide psychosocial and other support to conflict-affected children, so they can regain their childhood and restart their lives.”

Hawkins said that the EU-funded Support to Early Recovery and Resilience Project, implemented by UNICEF, was aimed at improving the mental health of 5,129 out-of-school children in Borno State.

He also said that stress and violence had been linked to poor brain development, depression and poor self-esteem and children exposed to conflict and violence were at risk of long-term mental health and psychosocial issues.

The UNICEF chief said that the conflict-affected out-of-school children in the state, which cut across six local government areas were receiving services including mental health support in safe spaces to strengthen their well-being, resilience, literacy skills and self-reliance.

The project, according to him, also supported vulnerable children across Borno with protection and health services, vocational and basic literacy skills, access to justice and security, under a holistic humanitarian intervention.

He said the intervention had so far provided 15,552 out-of-school children with vocational training; 1,610 out-of-school children with literacy and numeracy skills and 5,194 children enrolled into integrated Qur’anic schools across focus LGAs.

On his part, the EU Head of Cooperation, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said, “Addressing the psychosocial well-being and development of children and teachers in conflict situations is an important part of re-establishing education provision and enabling children to re-enter schools safely.”

Daily Trust reports that apart from the huge number of children who were killed during the twelve-year conflict, thousands of adults also lost their lives while many properties including schools, markets, hospitals, electricity and many other social amenities were destroyed.

Governor Babagana Zulum recently said over 100,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram, amplifying what his predecessor, Kashim Shettima said in 2017.

(DAILYTRUST)

Nursing Mother, Two Others Abducted In Jalingo

Nursing Mother, Two Others Abducted In Jalingo

A Nursing mother identified as Salamatu and two other persons have been abducted in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.

Daily Trust gathered that gunmen numbering about 10 stormed the area at midnight on Sunday and abducted the victims.

The gunmen were said to have picked up the woman after failing to find her husband who is suspected to be their target.

The gunmen, Daily Trust gathered, forced their way into the second house and abducted a businessman and his brother.

The abduction happened a few days after gunmen were prevented from abducting people around Specialists Hospital, Jalingo.

The area, which is located close to a mountain situated along Mallam Audu-Pantisawa road, is used by kidnappers as their den.

Residents interviewed expressed concern over refusal of the authorities to launch operations against kidnappers.

Contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Usman Abdullahi, said he was in a meeting and he would call back but he had not done so at the time of filing this report.

Dailytrust

Army Raises Alarm Massive ISWAP Recruitment

Army Raises Alarm Massive ISWAP Recruitment

The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) has started recruiting massively, according to the army.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyeama Nwachukwu, disclosed this at the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai Maimalari, during a tour in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday.

He advised the members of the public to be on the lookout within their immediate environment, adding that it is very important to engage the media to block this recruitment.

“I will like to mention that the ISWAP, very recently, haven been depleted by the surrendering of their member, as well as and conflict between them. They have embarked on what I will call a massive recruitment drive and I consider it very important to engage the media to block this recruitment.”

“The Boko Haram insurgents have been surrendering. People have questioned the authenticity of the surrendering of these insurgents and why they are surrendering at this time.

“There are also the questions on the reintegration of these insurgents. Another question is what the plight of the victims of the insurgency is.

“That is the essence of this tour. The military is not resting on its oars in the fight to end insurgency and insecurity in the country,” Nwachukwu said.

Nwachukwu also said the fight against insurgency in the North-east had recorded success.

“At some point, the insurgents almost took over the three state capitals of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the North-East. Some three years back, Boko Haram was advancing towards the Federal Capital Territory. Today they have been boxed in to the Timbuks” he added.

The theatre Commander, Theater Command, Operations Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, also said the military have been trying their best in handling the issue of Boko Haram within the international laws.

Dailytrust

INSECURITY: We’re Still Searching For Fighter Jet That Went Missing About Six Months Ago – Nigerian Air Force

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet had said the fighter jet lost contact with the radar in Borno State earlier that day.
Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters on Monday, the Air Force spokesperson said different rescue operations are ongoing in order to ascertain the whereabouts of the fighter plane.
“If there is anything new, actually I will tell you. We are still searching for the jet, if there is any new information, you will be the first person to know. No information on its whereabouts now, the search is still ongoing. It’s a continuous process,” Gabkwet told SaharaReporters.
Asked about the fate of the pilots and their families, he said, “There is a difference between absence without leave and missing in action, they are protecting our nation and got missing. Ours is a process that takes up to seven years in this kind of situation. The pilots are still part of Nigerian Air Force till date.

Source: Sahara Reporters