Author: The North Journals

By Aminu Adamu Geneva  The global economic recovery is losing steam, with labour markets facing increasing strain from geopolitical tensions, climate-related costs, and persistent debt burdens, according to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 report. The ILO’s flagship report, released on January 16, warns that while global employment growth kept pace with labour force expansion in 2024 — holding the unemployment rate steady at 5 percent — underlying weaknesses continue to threaten the resilience of labour markets worldwide. “Decent work and productive employment are essential for achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals,”…

By Aminu Adamu In the wake of COVID-19, mpox flare-ups, Ebola scares, and a fast-spreading measles outbreak, the value of strong public health systems has never been more apparent. But just when the world needs more vigilance, support, and coordinated response, the United States is stepping back. In March 2025, the U.S. government initiated a sweeping rollback of its global humanitarian aid programs, pulling funding from thousands of health initiatives that have formed the backbone of disease prevention and treatment in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The consequences, say experts and humanitarian organizations, are not just tragic—they’re…

By Aminu Adamu Geneva In a watershed moment for global public health, the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday unanimously adopted the world’s first-ever Pandemic Agreement — a landmark accord designed to make future pandemic responses more equitable, coordinated, and effective. The adoption of the agreement, which followed over three years of intense negotiations triggered by the failures and inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, marks a significant turning point in international health diplomacy. With no objections and only 11 abstentions, 124 member states approved the agreement in Committee before its formal adoption in the WHA plenary session. “The world…

By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen Judges of Nigeria’s Federal High Court and National Industrial Court have officially endorsed the Ikot Ekpene Declaration, a landmark commitment to align the country’s judicial practices with global standards on digital rights protection. The declaration, supported by officials from the National Human Rights Commission and the National Judicial Institute, sets forth guiding principles to uphold justice in the digital age, focusing on protecting rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. The move follows a high-level judicial capacity-building workshop titled “Upholding Justice in the Digital Age: Strengthening Judicial Capacity on Digital Rights and Cyber…

Awka, Nigeria  In a significant move to boost research and human capacity development in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has officially launched the Institute of Social Policy. The launch ceremony, held on 13 May 2025 in Awka, marked the culmination of years of strategic partnership between UNICEF and the university, dating back to 2018. The newly established institute aims to enhance research output, inform evidence-based policymaking, and support the development of responsive social policies across all levels of government in Nigeria. With both technical and financial backing from UNICEF, the Institute…

Bari, Italy  Plant health isn’t just about crops—it’s about securing our food, preserving biodiversity, and protecting the fundamental human right to eat. That was the powerful message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today, as he addressed top government ministers from the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region at a landmark conference in Bari, Italy. At the heart of the gathering — hosted by the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) alongside FAO and the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) — was a stark warning: up to 40% of the world’s crops are lost every year to…

By Sani Danaudi Mohammed In some countries, a one-party system has been adopted, where a single party dominates the political landscape. Examples include China, where the Communist Party of China holds significant power, and North Korea, where the Workers’ Party of Korea is the dominant force. These countries have experienced varying degrees of economic development, with China being a notable example of rapid economic growth. However, the relationship between a one-party system and economic development is complex, and other factors such as economic policies, institutional frameworks, and global market trends also play a significant role. In contrast, Nigeria operates a…

By Aminu Adamu NAIROBI, In a landmark interim ruling that could reshape digital rights protections in Kenya, the High Court on Wednesday issued a conservatory order barring any government or private entity from orchestrating internet or communications shutdowns across the country—at least for now. The order follows a petition filed jointly by the Kenya Union of Journalists and the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya Section), along with two other petitioners, targeting Bharti Airtel Kenya, the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, and six other respondents. The petition challenges alleged past and potential future attempts to disrupt access to internet, telephony, and electronic…

By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen Seven organizations have filed a major public interest case at the High Court in Kenya to challenge the illegal shutdown of the internet in the country. The case is meant to protect the rights of Kenyans to freely access the internet without unfair interference. The groups behind the case are; the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Katiba Institute, Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) They are suing the Communications Authority of…

By Ibrahim Babangida Lawal Selective Justice Undermines Equity in 2025 UTME Re-Examination When the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced a re-examination for UTME candidates in Lagos and the South East due to technical glitches and irregularities, it was rightly applauded. This move signaled that the board was willing to take responsibility for administrative failures and give students a fair second chance. But as commendable as this step is, it raises a serious question: What about the rest of the country? “If fairness is the goal, then it must cut across every region. Anything less is selective justice.” —…