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 2nd December 2009, the 64th 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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+2348054719437
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