Global Commission on Drug Policy on Tuesday in New York, at its annual meeting, called for a fundamental change of global drug policies and decriminalisation of drug use.
Members of the commission are drawn from political leaders, including, former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo, former Colombian president Cesar Gaviria, former Swiss president Ruth Dreifuss.
The group also includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group.
The commission called for a complete overhaul of the global drug prohibition regime and focus on the promotion of the health and welfare of people instead of continuing to criminalise drug use.
It agreed that there must be an immediate end to punitive enforcement of drug policies, including jail time for non-violent, low-level users and producers of drugs.
It therefore recommended the redirecting resources to prevention and treatment of substance use.
It noted that repressive drug policies have lead to corruption and violence.
The group called on countries for outright legalisation of certain drugs such as cannabis, coca leaf and some other psychoactive substances.
Annan said at the occasion that the facts has spoken for themselves, and now is time for immediate change.
He said there was the need for drug policies informed by evidence of what actually works, rather than policies that criminalise drug use while failing to provide access to effective prevention or treatment.
Annan said such policies have led not only to overcrowded jails but also to severe health and social problems.
He said the report of the meeting was coming two years ahead of the next UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs, set for 2016.
Annan said at the session will enable world leaders decide on new global drug control policies.
A beggar, Gboyega Dauda, who allegedly attempted to kidnap a toddler, Ismail Abdullahi, was on Tuesday, charged before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Dauda, 31, of no fixed address is standing trial on a one-count charge of attempted kidnap.
The Prosecutor, CPL. Koti Aondohemba, told the court that the offence was committed on Sept. 8, at about 4 p.m., at No. 15, Idita St., Elegbata, Lagos Island.
Aondohemba alleged that the accused attempted to run away with the toddler, but was caught.
“But as he crossed the road, some passers-by who noticed the strange movement of the accused quickly apprehended him before he could abscond with the boy,’’ the prosecutor said.
Aondohemba said that the offence contravened Section 404(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Dauda, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.
The Magistrate, Mr M.L. Owolabi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Oct. 10, for report on legal advice. (NAN)
Former governor of Anambra State and Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has described the death of Dimgba Igwe as a loss for the media profession and concomitantly the development of Nigeria as a country.
Senator Ngige said this in a letter to both the chairman and managing director, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Femi Adesina respectively.
“It was with great shock that I received the news on the loss of Dimgba Igwe, a veteran journalist, columnist and first class editor of various leading dailies in Nigeria. I have known Dimgba Igwe and enjoyed his writings, particularly his column ‘The Side View’ where he spotlighted grave national issues using wit, sarcasm and pun.
His loss will be seriously felt within the Nigerian mediasphere particularly the Sun Newspapers which he helped nurture from infancy to become one of our nation’s leading newspapers.
I therefore sympathise with the Igwe family, the Sun Newspapers, colleagues and friends, I urge them to show great strength at this period in time, dwelling on the fact that he was indeed an literary giant, while here on earth.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday night in Monrovia predicted that Liberia would see thousands of new cases of Ebola virus in coming weeks as the virus was spreading exponentially.
It said it would take more than nine months to contain and there was possibility of the virus infecting more than 20,000 people before the time.
It said in Liberia the disease has already killed 1,089 people.
“Transmission of the Ebola virus in Liberia is already intense and the number of new cases is increasing exponentially,” it said.
“The number of new cases is moving far faster than the capacity to manage them in Ebola-specific treatment centres,” it added.
WHO said as soon as a new Ebola treatment centre was opened, it immediately overflows with patients.
“In Monrovia, taxis filled with entire families, of whom some members are thought to be infected with the Ebola virus, crisscross the city, searching for a treatment bed,” it said.
It said the WHO investigative team estimated that 1,000 beds are urgently needed for Ebola patients, as motorbike-taxis and regular taxis have become “a hot source” of Ebola transmission.
Liberia’s government announced that it was extending a nationwide night time curfew imposed last month to curb the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone has ordered a four-day countrywide “lockdown” starting Sept. 18, as part of tougher efforts to halt the spread of Ebola.
Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram has captured the key north-eastern town of Michika, residents say, gaining more territory in its efforts to create an Islamic state.
People fled into bushes as gunfire rang out in the town, they added.
Boko Haram has changed tactics in recent months by holding on to territory rather than launching hit-and-run attacks.
The government called on Nigerians not to lose hope.
The military was committed to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, it said.
Soldiers killed 50 militants during a raid on their hideout in the small north-eastern town of Kawuri at the weekend, the army said.
Last month, Boko Haram said it had established an Islamic state in areas it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.
Michika is a trading centre in Adamawa state not far from the Cameroon border.
Concern is mounting that the group plans to target Maiduguri, capital of neighbouring Borno state, says the BBC Hausa Service’s Bilikisu Babangida.
Thousands of people who have fled towns and villages captured by Boko Haram are taking refuge in the city, which has a population of about two million.
The fall of Michika will add to the fear and panic that has gripped the north-east, as it shows Boko Haram is gaining territory not only in their heartland of Borno but also in Adamawa state, our reporter says.
Amid fears that Boko Haram could advance further into Adamawa, the university in Mubi town has shut, she says.
On Thursday, the militants captured the small town of Gulak after earlier seizing Madagali, which borders Adamawa and Borno states.
Residents told the BBC that Boko Haram fighters entered Michika on Sunday in a convoy of vehicles.
A military jet circled over the town, causing the militants to hide in people’s homes, they said.
There was confusion as people ran into the bush fleeing gunfire, residents added.
It was unclear who opened fire as the insurgents often wear uniforms similar to the Nigerian soldiers, they said.
Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, vowing to send more troops to crush the insurgency.
However, Boko Haram has stepped up its offensive since then.
In April, the militants captured more than 200 girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok, also in Borno state.
Countries such as China, France, the UK and US have sent military assistance to help find the girls but they have not yet been rescued.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has confirmed that the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor who died of Ebola has been discharged from the isolation ward in Rivers.
Chukwu, who briefed newsmen in Abuja on Monday on the current status of the virus in Nigeria, put the total number of successfully managed and discharged patients at nine.
According to him, the nine patients are among the 11 survivors of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.
Chukwu said that the wife of the late Port Harcourt doctor was still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos and would soon be discharged.
“At the moment only one person, the wife of the Port Harcourt doctor is on treatment in the isolation ward in Lagos.
“She no longer has any symptoms and is undergoing series of tests preparatory to her discharge from the isolation ward this week,’’ he said.
Chukwu said there were other contacts of the disease that were still under surveillance in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was in control of the situation.
“Regarding contacts currently under surveillance, Lagos has 27 contacts under surveillance.
“A total of 339 contacts, who were previously on surveillance, have been discharged having completed 21 days of observation.
“Port Harcourt has 477 contacts under surveillance. It is a mixed group consisting of tertiary and quaternary contacts of Mr Sawyer’s.
“Five contacts have already been discharged from surveillance in Port Harcourt having completed 21 days of observation,’’ he said.
Chukwu maintained that the total number of deaths from Ebola in Nigeria so far stood at seven, adding that five were in Lagos and two in Port Harcourt.
The minister put the total number of Ebola cases in Nigeria at 19 since the first case in Lagos 50 days ago.
He also made clarification on the report that Nigeria had taken delivery of body scanning machines from the U.S government.
Chukwu said what was donated to the Nigerian government by the U.S was 30 hand-held infrared equipment for use at border posts.
He appealed to countries not to stigmatise Nigerians on the account of the Ebola outbreak, noting that it was against international practice.
The minister said the Federal Government in collaboration with other stakeholders in the private sector was working hard to contain the spread of the virus beyond the Lagos and Port Harcourt.
In the same vein, the Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku, sought the collaboration of all stakeholders in the national campaign against Ebola.
He said the media had a critical role to play in containing the spread of rumour and the eliminate discrimination against Nigerians on the account of Ebola.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more private organisations have indicated interest to partner with the Federal Ministry of Health to fight the scourge of Ebola in Nigeria. (NAN)
NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu returned to the office on Monday after over two weeks out as Chris Giwa failed to report with a FIFA suspension looming.
“He is not here, and there is no indication that he will show up,”
Amadu told ColinUdoh.com on Monday morning. “Right now, I am in the office meeting with management staff to work a way forward so that the secretariat can function properly and our Programmes can continue leading up to elections this month.
“I hope it continues this way in the interest of peace in Nigerian football.
Amadu, who had spent the last two weeks in hiding, also stated that he would send a report to FIFA at the close of the business day
“The first report will go out to FIFA at close of work today, but there will be a caveat for further reporting in case there is a change of circumstances.”
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John-Kennedy Opara, on Monday said that the commission would not compromise standards in its preparations for the 2014 Oct./Dec. pilgrimage.
Opara said this at the opening of the 2014 retreat of the commission in Abuja.
He said the management of the commission would not breach its regulations in the screening of intending pilgrims and the selection of ground handlers, air carriers and the medical team.
“You are witnesses that our proposal six years ago for Christians Pilgrims Family is now a reality: the structure we put in place for screening helps ensure that only genuine intending pilgrims participate in our pilgrimages.
“Our stakeholders: the Christians tour operators, air carriers, ground handlers and others increasingly appreciate our commitment and our agreed standards, and give us their cooperation’’ he said.
Opara said that the commission would continue to improve on the administration of pilgrimage to make the exercise most rewarding for all pilgrims.
The NCPC boss, however, solicited the efforts of all stakeholders in the sector to enable the commission discharge its responsibilities to Nigerians at all times.
“We will create a conducive atmosphere for pilgrims to experience Divine Encounter.
“We will ensure that the opportunity God has given us is used to impact lives of those entrusted to us; especially by our life styles’’ he said.
“Let us understand that as leaders, we cannot divorce ourselves from the affairs or governance of this great nation.
“The future of our nation tilts on balance, we must resolve to be part of the process.
“We must register to vote; our wives and husbands, families and congregation members too.
“That is the only way to vote godly men and make policies that will move Christian Pilgrimage and Nation forward,’’ said the scribe.
Opara said that Christians must continue to press on, despite distractions and inconveniences, stressing that it is in continuity that victory is won.
The secretary said that Christians should lay aside every weight that may hinder the achievement of the goal of improving private/self sponsorship and our pilgrimage operations.
He also said they must fervently seek God’s benevolences during this retreat, adding that the Commission will continue to use pilgrimage for moral transformation, rebirth and welfare.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman and members of the board were among dignitaries at the retreat. (NAN)
An EU survey on Monday showed Europeans’ concern about the environment has not diminished for the last three years and air pollution became the biggest issue among environment worries.
According to the survey which covered 28,000 EU citizens, 95 per cent of whom said that protecting the environment is important to them personally and many think more can be done.
“It is good to see such solid and widespread support for the protection of the environment, even in difficult times.
“People are particularly concerned about air and water pollution, chemicals and waste, and they feel that more must be done by everyone to protect the environment,’’ Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said.
However, the survey showed that the EU citizens worry most about air pollution (56 per cent) and water pollution (50 per cent) ranking highest as well as waste generation and depletion of natural resources.
An increasing number representing 59 per cent of interviewed citizens believed that social and environmental factors should be as important as economic criteria in measuring progress in their country.
In relation to the spending and investment of public authorities, 59 per cent are of the opinion that the public authorities of their country should favour environmental-friendly considerations over cost.
On the 23rd of September, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, will host a Climate Summit in New York, bringing political leaders, big business and select civil society representatives. The event appears to have been surrounded by lots of fanfare but proposes voluntary pledges for emission cuts, market-based and public-private partnership initiatives such as REDD+, Climate-Smart Agriculture and the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative.
However, civil society organisations have described these actions as “false solutions of the green economy that seeks to further commodify life and nature and further capitalist profit.” They have thus come together, on the premise that they represent over 200 million people around the world, to “denounce this corporate take-over of the UN and the climate negotiations process and call for a deep systemic change.”
According to them, climate change is the result of an unjust economic system, adding that, to deal with the crisis, “we must address the root causes and change the system.”
“There will be no going back from the climate chaos if we do not fight for real solutions and do nothing to confront and challenge the inaction of our governments’ policy-making being hijacked by polluting corporations. It is crucial for us to unify and strengthen our economic, social and environmental struggles and focus our energies on changing the capitalist system,” they insist.
Consequently, they are seeking signatures of fellow organisations on a statement meant to drive home there grievances. Produced here, it is titled: “September 19-23, New York: Mobilise and organise to Stop and Prevent Planet Fever!”
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
When we, as human beings, get a fever, we immediately get worried and take action. After all, we know that if our body temperature rises to 1.5ºC, let alone 2ºC (3.6 ºF) above the normal average, there can be severe damage, while an increase of 4-6ºC (7.2-10.8 ºF) or more can cause a comatose situation and even death.
So it is, when planet Earth gets a fever. For the past 11,000 years, the average temperature of the Earth has been around 14ºC (57.2ºF). It is now about to reach an increase of 1ºC. And, if we do not take appropriate measures now to stop this fever from spreading, the forecast is that our planet will be well on its way to anywhere between 2ºC to 6ºC rise in temperature before the end of this century. Under such feverish conditions, life as we know it will dramatically change on planet Earth.
We have no other recourse but to take action now. Not just any action but the right action and at the right time. When, for example, a human person has a fever, we urge them to rest their body, give them a lot of liquids, prescribe the right medicine, and if the fever goes up we bring them to the hospital and try to find the underlying cause of the fever, which can range from a simple infection to life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Right Prescriptions
In the case of a planetary fever, the right prescription requires at least 10 actions to be undertaken and applied.
Make immediate binding commitments – not voluntary pledges – to control planetary temperature rise to no more than 1.5ºC (2.7 ºF) this century by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions per year to 38 Gigatons by 2020.
Let the Earth rest by making binding commitments to leave more than 80% of known fossil fuel reserves under the soil and beneath the ocean floor.
Move away from resource extractivism by placing bans on all new exploration and exploitation of oil, bitumen sands, oil shale, coal, uranium, and natural gas including pipeline infrastructure like Keystone XL.
Accelerate the development and transition to renewable energy alternatives such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal power with more public and community ownership and control.
Promote local production and consumption of durable goods to satisfy the fundamental needs of the people and avoid the transport of goods that can be produced locally.
Stimulate the transition from industrialized, export-oriented agriculture for the global supermarket to community-based production to meet local food needs based on food sovereignty.
Adopt and apply Zero Waste strategies for the recycling and disposal of trash and the retrofitting of buildings to conserve energy for heating and cooling.
Improve and expand public transportation for moving people and freight within urban centres and between cities within urban regions through efficient trains.
Develop new sectors of the economy designed to create new jobs that restore the balance and equilibrium of the Earth system such as climate jobs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Earth restoration jobs.
Dismantle the war industry and military infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by warfare, and divert war budgets to promote genuine peace.
Nnimmo Bassey of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), one of the civil society organisations that have endorsed the declaration
Wrong Prescriptions
At the same time, we must also be aware that all actions are not appropriate actions and that some initiatives can worsen the situation. Perhaps our most pressing challenge is the fact that big corporations are capturing the climate agenda to make new businesses designed to take advantage of the crises. In response, we need to send a message, loud and clear, to corporations: ‘Stop Exploiting the Tragedy of Climate Change!’
More specifically, we need to resist the ‘greening of capital’ as the solution by rejecting the following policies, strategies and measures:
The commodification, financialisation and privatisation of the functions of nature through the promotion of a false “green economy” agenda which places a price on nature and creates new derivative markets that will only increase inequality and expedite the destruction of nature.
This means saying No to REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) – No to Climate Smart Agriculture, Blue Carbon and Biodiversity offsetting – all of which are designed to create new for-profit business for corporations.
Techno-fix “solutions” like geo-engineering, genetically modified organisms, agrofuels, industrial bioenergy, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, hydraulic fracking, nuclear projects, waste-to-energy generation based on incineration, and others.
Mega and unnecessary infrastructure projects that do not benefit the population and are net contributors to greenhouse gasses like, mega dams, excessively huge highways, stadiums for world cups, etc.
Free trade and investment regimes that promote trade for profit and undercut domestic labor, destroy nature, and substantially reduce the capacity of nations to define their own economic, social and environmental priorities.
Preventative Cure
Finally, we also need to go beyond identifying right and wrong prescriptions to naming the disease that constantly causes and drives this planetary fever. If we don’t take this step, the fever will keep coming back again and again in a much more aggressive way. We need to take stock of the roots of the disease in order to weather the storm.
Scientists have clearly traced the problem of increasing greenhouse gas emissions back to the industrial revolution 250 years ago while tracking the spurt that has taken place during the past century. From this analysis, it is clear that the industrial model of increased extraction and productivism for the profit of a few is the prime cause of the problem. We need to replace capitalism with a new system that seeks harmony between humans and nature and not an endless growth model that the capitalist system promotes in order to make more and more profit. We need a system that links climate change and human rights and provides for the protection of most vulnerable communities like migrants, and recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Mother Earth and her natural resources cannot sustain the consumption and production needs of this globalized modern industrialized society. We require a new system that addresses the needs of the majority and not of the few. To move in this direction, we need a redistribution of the wealth that is now controlled by the 1%. In turn, this requires a new definition of wellbeing and prosperity for all life on the planet under the limits and in recognition of the rights of our Mother Earth and Nature.
We urgently need to organize and mobilize in September in New York and the world to push for a process of transformation that can address the structural causes that are driving the climate crisis.
Initial signatures: Alternatives International, ATTAC – France, Coordinadora de Organizaciones Latinoamericanas del Campo (CLOC-LVC), Corporate Europe Observatory, Ecologistas en Acción, ETC Group, Fairwatch – Italy, Focus on the Global South, Fundación Solón – Bolivia, Global Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power and end TNCs’ impunity, Global Forest Coalition, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) – Nigeria, Indigenous Environmental Network, La Via Campesina, Migrants Rights International, No-REDD Africa Network, OilWatch International, Polaris Institute – Canada, SENTRO – Philippines, Thai Climate Justice Working Group (TCJ) and Transnational Institute
