2014 Int'l Day Against Nuclear Tests (Aired News Commentary)

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AS THE WORLD MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS, TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 29, 2014

       

There is no need reiterating the fact that, humanity in its entirety prays earnestly for a trouble-free society or atmosphere. Suffice to say; every sane being detest imagining the emergence of war or any war-related activity.

Today Friday August 29, the world over is commemorating the 2014 International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests is aimed at capturing global attention and underscore the need for a unified attempt in preventing further nuclear weapons’ testing through educational events and messages.

On 2^nd December 2009, the 64^th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared August 29 of every year as the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The resolution calls for increasing awareness and education on the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other explosions, and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of witnessing a nuclear-weapon-free world.

The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, coupled with a large number of sponsors and co-sponsors with a view to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site, which had caused an enormous problem to mankind.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests is meant to sensitize the United Nations Member States alongside intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and the media on the need to inform, educate as well as advocate the necessity of banning nuclear weapon tests as a valuable step towards achieving a safer global society.

The inaugural commemoration of the Day was marked in the year 2010. Since then, each year the day has been observed by coordinating various activities throughout the world, such as conferences, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, seminars, publication of periodicals/journals, media broadcasts, among others.

Since the establishment of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, several bilateral and multilateral governmental level developments as well as broad movements of various civil societies and personal efforts of the UN Secretary-General have helped to facilitate the ongoing crusade regarding banning of nuclear tests worldwide.

In May 2010, all the parties involved in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, committed themselves towards achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons and other related instruments. In his candid speech, the current United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, stated with great clarity that, “A world free of nuclear weapons would be a global public good of the highest order.”

The International Day Against Nuclear Tests coupled with other related events or actions, has fostered a global society with more optimistic prospects towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The Day has enabled mankind to witness various visible signs of progress in respect to ending this global menace, though challenges remain inevitable in any endeavour.

Surely, it is the hope of the UN that one day all nuclear weapons would be totally eliminated from the entire world. In view of this anticipation, there is need to observe the International Day against Nuclear Tests as we work towards promoting peace and security all over the world.

As the world commemorates the Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests today August 29, there’s need for every sane and peace-loving individual to support the remarkable crusade, which is aimed at initiating a thorough trouble-free atmosphere thereby discouraging the emergence of war or crisis of any kind. And, this support is mostly needed from countries such as Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Ukraine, just to mention but a few, that are presently savaged by colossal security challenges.

In this regard, I’m using this medium to urge the Nigerian law makers to pass a strict and grievous law that would ensure that anyone caught in this inhuman act is thoroughly penalized.  On its part, the executive arm of the government is also expected to protect the anticipated law by setting up a formidable corrupt-free monitoring Agency that would serve as an eye of the government towards the sustenance of the said law.

The religious bodies and other relevant non-governmental organizations can also help to promote this worthwhile cause embarked by the United Nations, by organizing seminars, workshops, conventions, conferences, and what have you, that would sensitize the minds of the general public on the dangers of any form of crisis or the use of any war explosive.

A decisive and sincere approach by the Nigerian government regarding the promotion of this annual Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests, would go a long way to eradicate the lingering barbaric actions of the Boko Haram sect and other terrorist groups that are presently on the rampage in the country.

Frankly, without mincing words, this is surely an avenue to prove to the international community that we are indeed, the ‘Giant of Africa’.    

 

      COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

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