KIND ATTENTION: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT
8. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows...12. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death...13. And ye shall be hated of all men... (Mark 13: 5-13).
Pic: Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon
BY JOHN ODEY ADUMA, BRITISH CHEVENING SCHOLAR AND EDITOR OF VIGILANCE.
The world is currently in perilous times as had been predicted 2000 years ago by Jesus Christ and from our crystal glass the United Nations is not reading correctly the writings on the wall, better still, not reading or interpreting the signs of the times correctly.
Warnings that a change of trajectory was needed in its modus operandi in these uncertain times had been there before the ugly events of September the 11th, 2001, but the UN failed to read the signs; even after 9/11 we still see the UN conducting business in an old fashioned mode devoid of foresight, strategic thinking, proactive approach in nipping in the bud potential threats to global security; careful planning, deployment of resources to achieve maximum results. The consequences of this unparalleled ineptitude are that, both its staff in and around the world and the world at large are facing greater risk than had been the case hitherto.
As the United Nations General Assembly Summit kicks off this week, this editorial is therefore intended as a wakeup call to the UN leadership under Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to act fast as our world today is surrounded by forces of Darkness wishing to put the world in a state of perpetual trepidation.
By this editorial too, we wish to express our serious concern about the obvious vulnerabilities of the UN staff working to bring succour and peace to the hapless members of the human race and nations of the world, including of course, the global environment and all its biotic contents.
The hatred being shown to its staff around the world could have been drastically reduced had the UN leadership been foresighted and proactive enough. In this we recall the underserved bombing of the UN Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria on August 26th, 2011, resulting in the death of 23 of its staff and leaving 104 injured.
Again, our heart goes out to all the victims and their families. But our unqualified conviction is that the Nigerian authorities do not only owe the world an explanation devoid of official chicanery and collusion, but the UN on behalf of the entire world family MUST hold them accountable and demand maximum compensation for victims and their families.
Without prejudice, we make bold to say that although persons deployed by the UN to work in nations of the world are first and foremost staff of the Organisation, but once in a given nation working, their safety and security MUST be of utmost concern to their host nation(s), and such a nation(s) should make this their primary responsibility.
At the risk of putting the UN staff in continual fear, we would like to sound a note of warning that attacks on the UN staff in and around the world are going to get worse in the coming years, unless the UN does something about this, and the time is now!
In the past the peoples of the world might have respected the UN staff and seen them as untouchable, it certainly will not be like this anymore for the very fact that the apex world body has failed to educate the average member of the world family, particularly in the Arab nations about its roles/responsibilities to the global human community. Lamentably, after about 56 years of being in existence there are even some school children, university students and Graduates across the globe who do not know what the UN stands for and what its roles/responsibilities are all about. Shouldn’t the UN then start right now by developing a subject to be known and called UN STUDIES as a module to be taught to our young ones and major at college/university levels and taken as an elective by some?
The UN in this region of the world is perceived as a Western institution meddling with the affairs of other nations and supporting Western nations to occupy and take over the land of these nations. As this erroneous thinking persists, coming first from extremists/mischief makers, religious and opinion leaders in these nations and handing over to the untutored adherent of the dominant Faith in these countries, it is the UN staff working in these nations that will suffer the brunt of their anger against the world body.
Also, we at Vigilance are worried that since 9/11 there has been a gross lack of co-ordination and uniformity internationally in the fight against terrorism as every nation does whatever they like in combating this global malady. Terrorism in all its ramifications still lacks a universally acceptable definition and in some nations of the world it is openly supported and financed by the governments, while in others, it is tacitly supported and surreptitiously funded by the governments. This explains why it is seen as evil in some parts of the world and counted as martyrdom in another.
It is not only at the level of terrorism that the lack of co-ordination and uniformity has been noticed. This lack of harmony abounds in virtually all spheres of the global security including Trans Atlantic checks at airports, hence in our editorial published on Vigilance on September 11th, 2011 and earlier letters to world leaders we had called for the adoption of 9/11 as World Safety and Security Day (WSSD) and the hosting of the World Safety and Security Summit (WSSS) in 2013 to be facilitated by the UN.
*** (The letter to the UN Sec-Gen on (WSSD) and the editorial on (WSSS) are as hereunder reproduced immediately after this editorial.
We would be deluding ourselves to thinking that attacks on UN staff in and around the world can be totally eradicated in a world fraught with Dark Forces plus the convulsive global economy resulting in joblessness, youth restiveness, vices, crimes, riots, actual wars (religious and political), the Israeli-Palestinian imbroglio, occupation of weaker, but troublesome nations by the powerful ones, culture/civilization clashes, ideological clashes, cultural ethnocentrism, ill-thought national/international policies resulting in intractable emigration across international boundaries, population explosions putting undue stress on the environment, drought resulting in famines as is currently the case in the Horn of Africa, the coming Water Wars, heightened and more devious terrorism activities etc, etc.
The onus is now on the UN as the General Assembly holds its summit this week to review its tactics and strategies for a safer and a more secure world in the coming years. This truism should make the apex world body look at insurance and maximum compensation for its staff by the UN and the host nation in the event of any untowardness to its staff while rendering services to humanity in such a nation.
We take the advantage of this opportunity to ask that security be tightened in all UN compounds and offices around the world. There MUST be security barriers in and around its premises all over the world with staff and official visitors to its premises and offices using swipe cards.
A visitor to the UN offices/premises in and around the world MUST have access ONLY to the office/premises in which they have businesses to do and nowhere else within the office/premises and such card MUST be alarmed such that in the event of some visitors wanting to veer off to any other area within the said premises/office save using the convenience rooms, the alarm will go off immediately.
- All visitors to the UN premises, no matter how highly placed MUST undergo the same security rigour that will be put in place from now on.
- The UN in all nations at any given time MUST have on its premises Joint Security Task Forces of the Police, the Army, Air Force and the Navy of that country including private security, and of course, the UN internal or in-house security. The JTF personnel should spend only a week and be called off to allow another set posted to the UN offices/premises to work for just a week and allow another set to be posted there to avoid getting unnecessarily used to the UN systems, especially as would compromise security.
- The UN and the host government MUST provide high level intelligence surveillance systems in all of its offices/premises and on roads/streets where such are located.
- From now on the UN MUST send its staff in pairs and in groups while on official assignments.
- The UN MUST ensure that where attacks on its staff occur in a given nation, apart from insurance and maximum compensation, such a nation as a punishment MUST be made to increase its annual contribution to the UN by ten percent to encourage vigilance at all times.
- Generally, in view of the current threats to the global security, member states of the UN should be made to increase their contributions to the Organisation.
- UN alongside the host nations MUST install CCTV in all of its car parks in the host nations and taxis and private cars should not be allowed in these parks, save those of the officials of the governments of the host nations. All other private visitors MUST be made to park their cars 300 metres away from the UN offices/premises.
- In ALL of the UN premises/offices around the world there MUST be trained and certified First Aiders and Fire Marshalls who will help in emergencies before the arrival of the front line staff of the host nations.
- On any given occasion there MUST be a standby Ambulance and fire vehicles provided by the host nation(s).
- There MUST be exit/evacuation points provided in all of the UN premises/offices, especially where there are none including of course, appropriate safety and security signages.
- Before the start of day, designated security officers on UN premises MUST carry out morning inspection, random inspection in the afternoon and evening inspection and MUST record these exercises in Inspection note book to be provided.
- The UN MUST provide all its staff with First Aid boxes strategically and conspicuously located including of course, a daily occurrence book (DOB).
- Not being unmindful of the cultural ties in many nations of the world where the office is seen as an extension of the family home, with relations of an officer trooping in and out on frivolous chit chatting visits, the UN MUST ban private visits to its premises/offices in and around the world save in an emergency.
- Conspicuously displayed at the gates of UN premises/offices should be a message to all private visitors: ALL UNAUTHORISED VISITORS ARE UNWELCOME. NO LOITERING ALLOWED. PRIVATE VISITORS MAY BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE.
- To pick official visitors from the Reception/Lobby MUST be only officers they have come to see. However, where in an eventuality such an officer is indisposed and fails to show up at work on the day of the appointment, such a visitor MUST be turned back, unless otherwise, another officer has been officially delegated to receive such a visitor on behalf of the UN.
- ALL visitors to the UN premises/offices MUST be thoroughly vetted with all their details taken and recorded.
- Bomb detectors MUST be installed in all UN offices/premises in countries of the world.
- The UN MUST from now on operate in all nations of the world as if in war zones even in peace time, and it MUST take cognizance of the fact that in times like these its offices/premises in and around the world are located on landmines, so the question is NOT will aggrieved/mischievous persons/extremists ever attack its staff, but when will they attack?
The list is inexhaustive.
***REPRODUCTION OF OUR LETTER TO THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL, U.S. CONGRESS, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CALLING ON THEMTO ADOPT 9/11 AS WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY DAY (WSSD).
15 August, 2011
His Excellency,
United Nations Secretary - General
United Nations Headquarters
New York City, New York
760 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
U.S.A.
Esteemed Sir,
KIND ATTENTION: SECRETARY-GENRAL BAN KI-MOON
PART 1
PROPOSAL FOR THE ADOPTION OF SEPTEMBER 11 OF EACH YEAR AS WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY DAY AND THE HOSTING OF THE WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY SUMMIT (WSSS) IN 2013
In view of the sad event of September 11, 2001 which left nearly three thousand dead in its wake and brought untold sorrow to the entire world family, vis a vis the current threats to world safety and security, we wish to propose as hereunder stated:
- That September 11 of each year be adopted and marked as WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY DAY, starting from 2012.
- The hosting of the WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY SUMMIT in 2013 (Details to follow this proposal shortly).
It is to be noted that since the September 11th, 2001, the world has witnessed terror attacks of immense magnitude in Madrid, 3/11, 2004 leaving 191 people dead and 1, 800 wounded; London, 7/7, 2005, leaving 52 dead; Mombai, 26/11, 2008 leaving 174 dead, and almost countless in hotspots nations like Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt including Nigeria with Boko Haram holding sway. This is in addition to the many planned attacks that have been foiled over the years.
And what is more, it has been reported that over 3000 attacks have taken place since the 9/11.
ADOPTION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AS WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY DAY (WSSD)
BACKGROUND
On September 11, 2001, the history of the world was permanently altered with the bombing of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon, Head Quarters of the United States Department of Defence in Arlington County, Virginia by the Islamic militants resulting in the death of nearly 3000 citizens of the world, with the U.S. losing more of its nationals than any nations whose citizens were affected.
Ever since that incident, the security of the world has been imperilled such that the whole of humanity goes to bed now, half awake and half asleep, with fear of possible attacks from terrorists. These increasing threats from terrorists organisations, with alqaeda being in the lead (side by side the Talibans) of these feral creatures have taken their tolls on the global security budgets.
In fact, and as it’s already well known the current campaign in Afghanistan led by the U.S. is directed at the Talibans who in more than one way are the perpetrators of terrorists acts in that country, and teaming with Alqaeda, albeit indirectly, have wrought immeasurable havoc to humanity.
As terrorists activities rage on, on global scale, global security consciousness and concerted efforts in tackling these threats have to match the large scale global threats from terrorists. Thus, the level of global security awareness being envisaged by Vigilance can only be attained globally through its coordination by the UN using its good offices and relevant Agency to set aside September the 11th of each year as the UN World Safety and Security Day.
Excellency, permit us to offer here that the proposed UN Day may as an alternative be declared and known worldwide as WORLD SECURITY DAY without adding the word SAFETY to it.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To conscientise the global community and raise security awareness amongst them.
- To educate the global community about the importance of safety and security so they can report threats to relevant authorities.
- To recruit/enlist security conscious campaigners in work places, schools, homes, colleges, the universities, corporate environment, sporting events, churches, mosques, amongst trade unions, commuters, etc.
- To put appropriate machinery in place to host the World Safety and Security Summit (WSSS) at a time to be determined by the Security Council making recommendation to the UN on the envisaged global event.
- To enlist young persons of the world who will actively dissuade their peers/friends alike from joining terrorist organisations, and where they are adamant, report such persons to security personnel/agencies.
- To internationalise the fight against threats to national/international security
- To raise awareness of safety and security issues amongst youngsters and enlist them in the fight against threats to national and international security.
JUSTIFICATION
In view of the aforesaid, I therefore on behalf of our great organisation propose the adoption of September 11 as the World Safety and Security Day (WSSD) to be marked globally each year, starting from 2012.
While waiting in earnest to receive a positive response from Your Excellency about this proposal of ours, permit us to stress that the safety and security of the world is in our hands, we must therefore aim to pass unto the next generation, a safe and secure world.
***Esteemed Sir, details of the WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY SUMMIT (WSSS) 2013 will be on your Desk shortly. What is more, other world leaders are similarly being contacted.
It may interest you also to know, Noble Sir, that we shall soon start a campaign on this issue on our security magazine VIGILANCE (www.vigilance-securitymagazine.com).
I thank you for your time from a full heart, while awaiting your reply and positive action in earnest.
Yours in the cause of world safety and security,
For Vigilance: JOHN ODEY ADUMA
Publisher of VIGILANCE-THE SECURITY MAGAZINE.
***OUR 9/11 EDITORIAL REPRODUCED
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the sad event of September 11, 2001; the day the history of the world was permanently altered with the bombing of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon, Head Quarters of the United States Department of Defence in Arlington County, Virginia by the Islamist militants resulting in the death of nearly 3000 citizens of the world, with the U.S. losing more of its nationals than any nations whose citizens were affected.
Ever since that incident, the security of the world has been imperilled such that the whole of humanity goes to bed now, half awake and half asleep, with fear of possible attacks from terrorists. These increasing threats from terrorists’ organisations, with alqaeda being in the lead (side by side the Talibans) of these feral creatures have taken their tolls on the global security budgets.
In fact, and as it’s already well known, the current campaign in Afghanistan led by the U.S. is directed at the Talibans who in more than one way are the perpetrators of terrorists acts in that country, and teaming with Alqaeda, albeit indirectly, have wrought immeasurable havoc to humanity.
The Iraq war, spear-headed by the U.S. which had been condemned in and around the world as a war of blame was in fact, a direct reaction to the ugly incident of the September 11th, 2001 by the Bush-Blair administrations. Despite the reasons adduced by these warmongers, the world has been left worse that it was in the pre-9/11. Terrorists’ activities have enjoyed a large swelling by some young Moslems because they see these so-called campaigns to root out terrorists as nothing, but a crusade against the Moslem world and their Faith, Islam. In fact, George Bush displaying his infantile enthusiasm in going to war with Saddam Hussain, did make that mistake of alluding to the war as a Crusade, before rushing to retract it after protests from the Arab world.
As terrorists activities rage on, on global scale, global security consciousness and concerted efforts in tackling these threats have to match the large scale global threats from terrorists. Thus, the level of global security awareness being envisaged by Vigilance can only be attained globally through its co-ordination by the UN using its good offices and relevant Agency to host the WORLD SAFETY AND SECURITY SUMMIT in 2013 or at a time to be determined by the United Nations and concerned world leaders.
It is to be noted that since the September 11th, 2001, the world has witnessed terror attacks of immense magnitude in Madrid, 3/11, 2004 leaving 191 people dead and 1, 800 wounded; London, 7/7, 2005, leaving 52 dead; Mombai, 26/11, 2008 leaving 174 dead, and almost countless in hotspots nations like Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt including Nigeria with Boko Haram holding sway. This is in addition to the many planned attacks that have been foiled over the years.
And what is more, it has been reported that over 3000 attacks have taken place since the 9/11.
Arguably the Third World War appears to have begun without mankind knowing it. But unlike the First and Second World wars of 1918, 1945 it will neither be fought on land, nor at sea, nor in the sky, nor on the mountain top, hills and valleys, but online. Although at data level, the cyber warfare has the potential of being more devastating than any known war in which mankind has been involved.
Implausible as this may be, let us pause and create a hypothetical scenario for a moment: Picture a situation where a big hospital is hacked into, not only data will be lost, but lives due to loss of data as Doctors and other medical specialists may not immediately be able to tell the prescription of one patients to another.
Scenario II: Picture a situation where the Pentagon is successfully hacked into, the military/security of the US will be compromised immeasurably with data totally wiped off or in a split second sold to an enemy nation.
ARGUMENT 2: Terrorists activities will no doubt be heightened in the coming years as the global economy heads down the slope. Consequently, vulnerable economies in Asia and Africa will be worst hit and employment figures will rise to 55% and above, and where such is the case, the security of many nations, and indeed that of the whole world will be imperilled and the ever strategising alqaeda, by extension the Taliban and other terrorists groups will cash in on these vulnerabilities and wreak maximum havoc by recruiting the dispossessed.
Let us hasten to warn that the world will be mistaken to think that the Arab spring will yield immediate democracy dividends as after the Spring, there shall come many hiccups, distresses and more political tremors that will make the conscientious world begin to doubt the revolutions.
In the light of the foregoing, we therefore invite world leaders and all conscientious humanity to give serious thought to this proposal.
It is now high time the world met to discuss the global security threats in all their ramifications; be it terrorisms (group, states and individuals), cyber security threats, CBRN, ecological security, food security, water security, social security, economic/financial security, religious security, etc.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To seek areas of cooperation in the fight against all forms of threats to global security.
- To among other things, discuss the most effective and strategic ways of combating terrorism internationally.
- To among other things, discuss how the global human community provide and engage the vulnerable educationally or in terms of skills acquisition so that terrorism recruiters do not take advantage of their precarious conditions by luring them into the dastardly enterprise through food and pecuniary benefits
- To among other things, discuss the threats posed by hacktivists to online data information. Recent examples of hackings include WikiLeaks, Pentagon, IMF, US Senate website, etc.
- To among other things, discuss and find lasting solutions to the transatlantic lack of co-ordination and uniformity in Airports check measures.
- To amongst other things, discuss the various threats to eco-security such as food, water, climatic factors, drought, desertification, etc.
- To among other things, discuss the threats posed by CRBN to global security
- To again put the menace of nuclear proliferation in the front burner
- To discuss among others, the global economic/financial security problems that have combined together to cripple world economy and engender global poverty.
10. To discuss the threats posed by piracy to global maritime and such other threats to transport security, aviation (passenger air travels), cargo (shipment of goods and services, etc).
11. To host a two-day international exhibition to showcase innovations and private initiatives in the fight against all forms of threats to global security.
12. To form the UN International Counter Terror Organisation comprising counter terror police and intelligence experts of all the nations of the world.