In August 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, one on Hiroshima and one on Nagasaki.

The bombings on these cities several days apart killed more than 210,000 and led to a lifetime of serious health issues for thousands of others.

The devastating attack led to the end of World War II, when shortly afterward, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced that Japan would surrender.

As the 80th anniversary of the bombings approaches, there are a number of ways that Union will connect with this consequential moment in world history.

These include movie screenings, guest speakers and course material across interdisciplinary offerings.

“We are bringing science and humanities together in a powerful way to highlight a critical moment in our history,” said Jennifer Matsue, professor and chair of music, Asian studies and anthropology. She is helping coordinate all events.

“We need to keep reminding people to be fully aware of the dangers of atomic weaponry at a time when we are experiencing heightened global conflict.”

The first event is a free private screening for the campus community at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, of the documentary, “Okurimono” at Bowtie Movieland. The Canadian director, Laurence Lévesque, will host a Q & A after the screening.

The film tells the story of Noriko Oi, who decides to reconstruct the past of her mother, Mitsuko, a survivor of the atomic bomb, in the hope of passing down her cultural heritage to her children and healing the dark reminiscences of a tragic past.

“The film ‘Oppenheimer’ failed to transport audiences to the sites of devastation,” said organizer Jim de Sève, senior artist-in-residence, film studies, and co-director of the Film Studies program, sponsor of the event. “Okurimono does. And it does it with heart, civility and thoughtfulness.”

Co-sponsors are Asian studies, the Templeton Institute and the departments of History and Music.

Other films to be shown during winter term include “Gojira” in Matsue’s class, From Bombs to Buddhism: Fatalism, Technology and Modern Japanese Culture, and “Black Rain,” in Remembering World War II in Asia, a class taught by Joyce Madancy, professor of history.

A 1954 classic by the director Ishiro Honda, “Gojira” is the original appearance by Godzilla and considered a metaphor for the end of World War II and the detonation of nuclear weapons onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“Black Rain” is a 1989 masterpiece from Shohei Imamura that centers on the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its effect on a surviving family.

Also, 1983’s “Barefoot Gen,” an animated film from director Mori Masaki, will be discussed in Madancy’s class and Japanese Manga and Anime, taught by Junko Ueno, professor of Japanese. The film “revolves around the life of 6-year-old Gen Nakaoka, who must grow up quickly due to the harsh reality of living through wartime food shortages and constant air raids in Hiroshima.”

Zakuro-Daiko, the Japanese Drumming and Global Fusion Band, will premiere a new musical work commemorating the 80th anniversary of the bombings at its winter concert Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium in the Taylor Music Center

The ensemble (whose name translates to Garnet Drums) was established in 2007 by Matsue to bring Japanese music and culture to life on campus. The group performs a type of Japanese ensemble drumming that is popular in Japan and throughout the world.

In the spring, Joshua Pilzer, award-winning author of “Quietude: A Musical Anthropology of ‘Korea’s Hiroshima,’” will speak to students in Music and Trauma in World War II, a new class taught by Jin Byun, director of music performance. Details are being finalized.

Union’s expansive focus on the anniversary of the bombings follows the awarding of last fall’s Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors that was recognized for its efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Matsue acknowledged today’s students may not be aware of the first — and so far, only — wartime atomic bombings. But she believes it’s imperative to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear war, in hopes of never repeating the atrocities of the past.

“As educators, it’s important for us to get our students to think about that what’s happened in the past is relevant to what’s happening today,” she said. “That story can be told so much better through humanity.”

The Nigeria Police Force hereby refutes, in clear and unequivocal terms, the baseless and misleading claims recently attributed to Mr. Omoyele Sowore alleging that the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, is illegal. Such claims are entirely unfounded and seek to undermine the legitimacy of the IGP’s appointment as well as public confidence in the Nigeria Police.

IGP Egbetokun’s appointment is firmly grounded in law, specifically PART III, Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended). This provision explicitly states that “The person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.” Moreover, his appointment was duly ratified by the Police Council, and he has received the requisite confirmation letter from the Presidency, validating his tenure from October 31, 2023, to October 31, 2027, in line with the provisions of Section 8A of the executive bill passed which amended the Police Act, clearly stating that “Any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of section 7(6) of this Act. The amendment aims to provide stability and continuity in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, enabling the IGP to implement long-term plans and policies without fear of abrupt termination. This change is expected to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the police force in maintaining law and order in the country.

It is crucial for members of the public to be aware that IGP Egbetokun’s status as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police is both legally and procedurally sound. The Nigeria Police Force views Mr. Sowore’s unfounded assertions as an attempt to erode public trust and foster confusion regarding the force’s leadership. Dissemination of inaccurate information, particularly about the IGP’s standing, has the potential to compromise the security framework of our nation and impede our collective efforts to ensure peace and order.

The Nigeria Police hereby cautions individuals and groups against perpetuating such unfounded narratives that can mislead the public and jeopardize national security. We urge all citizens to focus on objective discussions that advance our shared mission of safeguarding lives and property, rather than indulging in disinformation that may undermine the significant strides we continue to make in maintaining public safety.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

30TH JANUARY, 2025

Notorious kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwamadike aka Evans, on Thursday, urged the Lagos High Court Ikeja, to consider his application for plea bargain and clemency.

He was rearraigned for the murder of two police officers and the attempted kidnapping of Chief Obianodo Vincent, the owner of Young Shall Grow Transport Company.

His new lawyer, Chief Emefo Etudo, represented him when he was re-arraigned on a five-count charge of alleged murder and kidnapping by the Lagos State Government.

In the charge filed before Justice Adenike Coker, Evans and his co-defendant Joseph Nkenna Emeka pleaded not guilty to the alleged kidnapping and murder.

Etudo informed the court that Evans’ plea bargain application pertains to three pending criminal cases and two others on compassionate grounds.

Evans had previously been convicted in two other cases.

Etudo told Justice Coker that Evans had transformed from a criminal to a teacher and a reasonable human being, and therefore, his name should be graciously dropped from the three pending charges.

He submitted: “That a fresh charge be discretionally filed against the first defendant upon which he will plead guilty and serve 14 years imprisonment If approved.

“That the 14 years imprisonment that may be imposed in the new charge be made to run concurrently with other sentences that might have been given in his other cases listed above.

“Our authority for bringing this application is attached as Appendix 6 and this application supersedes and overrides any previous application made by or on behalf of Mr Onwuamadike for plea bargain.”

Speaking further Otudo told the court that there are five criminal cases against Evans. Lagos state government has been prosecuting him for those cases and has secured conviction for two of them.

He said during the cause of the prosecution, Evans has been incarcerated for about eight years.

“While in prison, the Federal Government offered the first defendant and other inmates a second chance and offered them opportunity to go to school.

“The first defendant (Evans) accepted offer to be educated as they were given scholarship by Federal Government. He has now earned an NCE teaching certificate in Economics.

“He is now a teacher and no longer a criminal. A copy of his NCE certificate and the project he did are attached as appendix 1 & 2.

“Mr Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike was also given admission in the National Open University of Nigeria under the scholarship granted by the Federal Government.

“He is now in 200 level in National Open University of Nigeria offering political Science. A copy of his admission letter is attached as appendix 3. And a copy of his ID Card in National Open University of Nigeria is attached as appendix 4.

“Mr Onwuamadike has also learnt technology under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; to wit, welding and metal fabrication and passed all tests. A copy of the test by Ministry of Labour and Productivity is attached as appendix 5.”

Justice Coker told the prosecuting lawyer, Mr A. Y. Sule and Chief Etudo to wait till March 20, when the decision of the committee set up by the Lagos government on Evans’ application would have been released.