WINDHOEK – The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Stanley Simataa, has conveyed messages of condolence to the governments and people of Kenya and Nigeria following terrorist attacks in that country in which scores of people died.
In Kenya, 67 people lost their lives when militants stormed a mall in Nairobi, while in Nigeria militants killed 50 college students.
“We would like to express sympathy with the governments and peoples of the Republics of Kenya and Nigeria for the tragic loss of innocent lives in the recent cowardly attacks,” Simataa said during the 192nd session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board meeting, in Paris, France, on Monday.
Last week the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab raided the Westgate mall in Nairobi, killing 67 people and wounding many more in a four-day siege, in revenge for Kenya’s military involvement against its fighters in Somalia.
This week suspected Islamic extremists gunned down dozens of students as they slept in their dormitories during a nighttime attack on an agricultural college in northeast Nigeria.
Turning to the agenda of the UNESCO gathering, he said: “There is no doubt that thorough prior examination of issues immensely contribute to quality discussions at every session of the board..
“It is crystal clear that the current financial situation has serious ramifications on programme delivery. Hence it is imperative for the Executive Board to continuously ensure prioritization of programmes and activities notwithstanding the diverse needs of Member States,” the deputy minister added.
Simataa further said the current staffing of UNESCO has negative implications on the performance of the secretariat. “This situation will not only impair the organisation’s ability to execute its mandate but will in future seriously diminish UNESCO’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified and competent staff. This is of grave concern to my delegation.”
The organization, like any other, needs to plan and execute its programmes in a predictable and sustainable environment, he said, adding: “We as Member States have an obligation to create such an environment.”
“Relying on voluntary contributions to fund approved programmes and activities of the organization is not sustainable at all and is not in the best interest of UNESCO.”
By Tunomukwathi Asino