The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Katsina NUJ suspends two officials

    The Katsina State branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has announced the suspension of its two top officials, for hosting a press conference with one Bishir Sada Tsanni at the NUJ Press Centre which it said contravened the union’s constitution.

    The union, in a statement jointly signed by the chairman, Mr. Buhari Mamman Daura, and the Secretary Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, said the suspended members are Abdullahi Izma Yamadi of the Katsina State Television Chapel and Danjuma Muhammad of the Correspondents’ Chapel.

    The statement further disclosed that the suspension is with immediate effect.

    Read Also: Buhari, Guinean leader arrive Katsina for Sallah

    It stated: “Consequently, the union has dissolved the Press Conference Committee which the suspended members happened to be the chairman and secretary respectively and constituted a nine-man committee to investigate the suspended members and report to the union for further action.’’

    Meanwhile, Katsina State Government has called on the media in the state to partner with it to bring to an immediate end, the various security challenges facing the state and restore peace and stability.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa, who made the call at a workshop organised for the journalists in the state, tagged “News Reporting for National Stability,’’ organised by None Violent Peace Institute in conjunction with Absolute Press, Abuja, said efforts by the state government to address insecurity in the state is being overshadowed by some media reports that lay emphasis on the atrocities committed on the communities by the bandits rather than highlighting successes recorded by government and security agencies.

    He further noted that such reports often chase away potential investors and discourage increased investments into the state’s economy.

  • Kano to establish college of education (Technical) for women

    To further consolidate the girl-child education and women empowerment in modern time, the governor of Kano, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has approved the establishment of Kano State College of Education, Technical, for women.

    He said this when members of the Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies community paid him a courtesy visit in his office, under the provost of the college, Dr Sunusi Yakubu Ahmad.

    He said this was to re-engineer and prepare women for daily challenges of life.

    “We want our women to compete with other women for them to develop excellently well. We need them to be part and parcel of our development, with the view to creating more spaces for them to contribute towards our growth and development as a state and the nation in general,” he said.

    While assuring that the proposed college would form part of strategies for empowering women as critical partners in developing the society and human resources in particular.

    Read Also: Varsity student kills Almajiri ln Kano

    “It is our belief in girl-child education and our resolve to take women to the next level, among others, that informed our decision to come up with this great and laudable objective of establishing college of education specifically for women,” Ganduje posited.

    Ganduje promised to complete the construction of the college e-Library to further the quality of education among staff and students.

    Speaking about a visually-challenged student, he said: “Concerning the student who got near-blindness problem with his eyes in the college, (an NCE II student), let me have his medical records and we will send him to any foreign country that excels in the treatment of human eyes. We shall take him to that country no matter what. Government will settle all his bills.”

    On his part, the provost of the college commended the governor on behalf of the college community.

    He thanked him for all the encouraging interventions done in the college since Ganduje resumed office in 2015.

    On the results of the Interim Joint and Matriculation Board (IJMB) examination, Ahmad revealed that the college got excellent results which have never been recorded since the establishment of the institution.

  • Hajj pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat for day of worship

    More than two million Muslims gathered on Saturday at the sacred hill of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for an intense day of worship and reflection on what’s considered the climax of the Islamic hajj pilgrimage.

    Among them were about 90,000 Nigerians.

    Many had tears streaming down their faces as they raised their hands in worship on the slopes of the rocky hill where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon some 1,400 years ago, calling for equality and unity among Muslims.

    Thousands had walked there through the pre-dawn darkness.

    As one of the largest religious gatherings on earth, this second day of the hajj on Mount Arafat, or the hill of mercy as it is also known, is often the most memorable for pilgrims.

    They stood shoulder to shoulder with Muslims from around the world, all considered equal in Islam before God, seeking mercy, blessings, good health, bounty and healing.

    This year, more than 1.8 million people from more than 160 countries came to Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj, according to Saudi officials.

    The five-day hajj pilgrimage is required of all Muslims once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able to make the demanding pilgrimage.

    Read Also: Arafat: Gbajabiamila urges Nigerian pilgrims to pray for unity

    While following a route the Prophet Muhammad once walked, Muslims trace the rites of hajj back to the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they are named in the Bible.

    The oldest pilgrim this year is 103-year-old Noah Lanai from Thailand, according to Saudi Arabia’s state-run media.

    The woman came to the hajj with her son and was quoted in local media saying she had long dreamt of performing the hajj and praying in Mecca.

    Muslims believe the hajj is a chance at atonement and an opportunity to erase past sins. It’s also a chance to pray for unity and peace among Muslims as conflicts rage in Syria, Yemen and Libya, and Muslim minorities face increased threats around the world.

    “I wish the best for all people, and hope Syria will return to normal and hope all people will be good,” said Syrian pilgrim Ahmad Wahid as he ascended Mount Arafat for prayer and worship.

    Yemeni pilgrim Mohammad Vardan also said he was praying for his country, ravaged by more than four years of civil war that’s created the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.

    “We thank God of his blessings, and we pray for Yemen’s peace and stability,” he said.

    During the hajj, male pilgrims wear simple, white terry cloth garments, while women forgo makeup and perfume and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering. This state of “ihram,” or spiritual purity, is intended for pilgrims to focus on the inner self over their outward appearance.

    The white garments worn by men are forbidden to contain any stitching — a restriction meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more elaborate garments.

    After spending the day in prayer on Mount Arafat, pilgrims will head toward an area called Muzdalifa, about 9 kilometres west of Mount Arafat. Many walk, while others use buses.

    In Muzdalifa, pilgrims will rest and pick up pebbles that will be used for a symbolic stoning of the devil and casting away of evil. This takes place over three days in Mina, an area about 20 kilometres east of Mecca.

    The final days of hajj coincide with Eid al-Adha which is being observed across the world today.

  • Buhari greets Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi at 50

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, as “a politician with conviction,” as he rejoices with the lawmaker at 50.

    The President saluted the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance on his landmark birthday.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege, at 56

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President said he was one of the senators who had the courage of conviction, and stood by his people and his political party, particularly in the last Senate, when perfidy ruled the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

    He wished Senator Adeola many more years of service to his constituency, state, and the country.

  • Mob ‘critically’ injures ASP, two other policemen for shooting pregnant woman dead in Lagos

    It has been a week to forget for the Nigerian Police. Three of their officers were shot dead on duty by soldiers in Taraba State on Tuesday while one shot a commercial driver dead in Kaduna State on Friday, sparking an unprecedented traffic gridlock on the Abuja /Kaduna highway, allegedly over a N1000 bribe.

    On Saturday, a mob attacked a team of policemen in Lagos leaving an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) and two others critically injured at Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos, after killing a pregnant woman.

    The police officers, who are from the Area M Command trio, were part of a team chasing a suspected kidnapper at Agbole area of Ijegun.

    They had fired at the suspect but a stray bullet hit the pregnant woman identified as Busayo Owoodun who was in her shop.

    Sympathizers rushed her to a nearby hospital only for her to die soon afterwards.

    Her death, it was gathered, sparked an outrage in the neighbourhood with residents beating the seized policemen.

    An eyewitness, Damilare Olarenwaju, wondered: “How can policemen fire shots at a roundabout, on a Saturday close to a festive period at Ijegun?”

    The Nation gathered that angry youths in the area had blocked the road to the palace.

    Anti-riot policemen were subsequently drafted there to restore normalcy.

    “The road in front of the king’s palace is impassable at the moment. Vehicular movement has been diverted into a nearby street to access Ijegun bus stop,” a resident said by phone.

    “The information I gathered is that the policemen from Area M fired gunshots while chasing suspected criminal and the bullet killed a woman. Youths in the area killed him and injured his colleagues. One of them managed to crawl to the Oba’s palace,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Lagos CP has commiserated with victim’s family, and ordered probe into attack.

    Read Also: Police murder of driver sparks massive protest on Kaduna-Abuja road

    Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu  last night sent a condolence message to the bereaved family of Busayo Owoodun .

    He also ordered an investigation into the attack on his men.

    Spokesman for the command, Bala Elkana, confirmed in a statement that an ASP and two Police Officers were injured in the attack which he attributed to ‘notorious cultists’.

    He said: “On 10th August, 2019 at about 1455hours,  a team of Policemen from the Anti kidnapping Unit attached to Area M Command Idimu tracked some kidnapping suspects to Ijegun – Isolo road, Ijegun bus stop but came under attack by members of the deadly gang.

    “A stray bullet hit one Busayo Owoodun ‘f’.

    “The gang with the support of some notorious cultists in the area, attacked the Police team and injured the team leader, ASP Victor Ugbegun and two others who are currently in critical condition at the intensive care unit.

    “Reinforcements from Operations Department, Rapid Response Squads, Task Force, and neighboring Divisions were able to contain the situation and evacuate the injured Officers to Hospital.

    “The Command has launched a manhunt of the assailants with a view of bringing them to justice. The corpses of the victim of the stray bullet were taken to hospital for autopsy. The “Commissioner of Police has ordered an in-depth investigation into the case. While condoling with the family of the deceased person, the command calls for calm and assured her family and friends that justice will prevail.”

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday also constituted a joint panel to investigate Tuesday’s killing of three police officers and a civilian by soldiers in Taraba State.

    The seven-man panel is headed by Rear Admiral I.T. Olaiya and draws   members from the Army,   Navy, Air Force, the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency, according to the Acting Director of Information Defence Headquarters, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu.

    The committee is charged with the responsibility of unraveling the circumstances surrounding the Tuesday incident.

    A separate panel set up by the police to investigate the killing visited the scene of the incident on Friday.

    The officers were on investigative duties when they reportedly came under sudden attack and serious shooting by soldiers.

    The police named the slain officers as Inspector Mark Edaile, Sergeant Usman Danzumi and Sergeany Dahiru Musa.

    The officers, according to the Force Spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba,  had gone to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu who was indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents.

    The army however disputed the police version of the story saying the bus conveying the policemen and Hamisu refused to stop at three check-points and that the policemen fired the first shots.

    Army spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the soldiers only “acted on a distress call, suggesting that Hamisu was abducted by suspected kidnappers.

    He said the police team refused to stop at three checkpoints which prompted a hot pursuit of the “fleeing suspects by the troops.”

    He added: “It was in this process that the suspected kidnappers, who were obviously armed, opened fire at the troops sporadically, thus prompting them to return fire.”

  • Clerics canvass unity, seek national revival

    Clerics, under the aegis of Fellowship of Christian Ministers Nigeria (FCMN), have canvassed unity among Christians with a view to ending myriad of problems facing the nation.

    They said social- economic and political problems plaguing the country, would end, once Christians unite in fear and supplications to God.

    They spoke during the 2019 edition of their conference in Ebute-Metta, Lagos with the theme: “Nigeria: Behold, God’s hand is not shortened.”

    National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Samson Ayokunle urged Christians to re-dedicate themselves to God, by forsaking their sins, adding that sin hinders fellowship with God.

    Citing Isaiah Chapter 59, verse 1& 2, he noted the nation of Israel was in cultural, economic and political problems for sometimes because they failed to repent from their sins.

    He advised Nigerians, against following such paths.

    He said the country was witnessing religious crises and its attendant Santo killings of innocent citizens because Christians fail to call upon God.

    Read Also: Inter-Faith groups, 100 clerics storm Abuja to conduct 40-days prayers for Nigeria

    The Conference’s Chairperson, Rev Esthe Ajayi,  urged ministers to live a life devoid of mischiefs, adding that when this happens, God would move mightily in their midst.

    She admonished Christians to be steadfast and united to present a common front, with a view to tackle insurgency in the country.

    She said: “Nigeria is bigger in size and population and therefore can never become an Islamic enclave once Christians pray to God, in holiness.

    “Turkey and other countries are small, compared to Nigeria, hence the decision of their governments to declare them as Islamic states.

    “But in Nigeria, it is not possible, when we consider the size of the population, churches and other attributes.”

    She however, was disappointed by the low turnout at the conference, promising that next year edition would be greater, once the body is able to publicise its activities through traditional and social media.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the induction/fellowship awards presented to Mrs. Abimbola Ajayi.

    Presenting the award, the body’s National President, Dr Isaac Oguniran, said the award is in recognition of the strong contributions of Reverend Ajayi to the Christianity in Nigeria and beyond.

    He advised clerics to come together to solve the lingering tribal and ethnic problems facing Nigeria.

    Unity, Oguniran said, is critical to solving problems facing the Christian community and the nation.

    The association’s Public Relations Officer, Rev Akin Akeredolu, blamed the body of Christ for the problems in the country.

    He said failure of the church to live a righteous life has resulted in crises.

  • Methodist women kick against RUGA, same-sex marriage

    The National Women’s Fellowship has kicked against the suspended Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) by the federal government, describing it as a divisive policy that should never have been considered.

    The federal government, the women said, should instead promote policies that will unite Nigeria, promote freedom of worship and movement across the nation.

    They also blasted promoters of same-sex marriage, dismissing the practice as “aberration, unholy, abomination, unnatural, loathsome, repulsive, disgusting and completely unacceptable.”

    These were contained in a 14-point communiqué at the end of the 87th/43rd Biennial Conference of the fellowship.

    The communiqué was signed by National President Nneoma Florence N. Uche and National Secretary Sis. Omolola Olugbemi.

    At the end of the meeting in Lagos, which attracted foreign delegates, the women also appealed to relevant authorities to stem the tide of unemployment and hunger in the land.

    Read Also: RUGA: avoid ethno-religious war, govt told

    On same-sex, they said: “We expressly say NO to gay marriage, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgender, bestiality and any form of sodomy.

    “These evil practices are aberration, unholy, abomination, unnatural, loathsome, repulsive, disgusting and completely unacceptable.

    “We cannot compromise with them because they are anti-biblical and against our highly cherished Methodist heritage.”

    They also took a swipe at men who sleep with their daughters and maids as well as those who rape women, urging them to repent or face God’s wrath.

    On herdsmen attack, the fellowship asked the federal government “to do all that is possible to stop the herdsmen from encroaching into and destroying farmlands to allow food production to subsist.”

    Burdened by rising suicide in the nation, especially among youths, they said: “We implore the government to as a matter of urgency enact laws and policies that will prohibit, limit and checkmate the use of harmful substances, foods, drugs and drinks, including coffee to forestall their harmful effects on Nigerians and especially our youths.”

    On cervical cancer, they called for provision of “Human papilloma virus vaccine at a subsidized and affordable rate to help reduce the danger of death and ill health among our female citizens.”

  • Churches must do more than preaching, says cleric

    Churches must be involved in all spheres of human endeavour to fix the mess in the nation, the Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Ifako District, Rev. David Adetomiwa has stated.

    He said Nigeria will remain in the doldrums as long as churches restrict intervention to services within their four walls.

    Adetomiwa challenged churches to break out of the mould and become more involved in nation-building.

    He tasked them to become employers of labour, establish industries as well as push members to be light in all sectors.

    He spoke on Friday with reporters ahead of the 10th convocation of the church with the theme Thou says the Lord slated for August 15-18.

    Read Also: Unity, fear of God will fix insecurity, others, says cleric

    The cleric said: “The church should go beyond evangelism and become employers of labour. We should establish industries.

    “We will never accomplish much in nation-building until we are in all spheres of himan endeavour. When we take over everywhere, the light of Christ will shine deeper.

    “We should be in the Army, Police, banking and all walks of life. When we are only concerned with church services, we won’t be able to do much.

    “The moral value of an average Christian will neutralise deceits in the society. The church must continue to preach the truth because there is too much deceit everywhere.”

    Adetomiwa stated churches must empower members and make the society more productive through employment opportunities.

    He stated the church will hold a skill acquisition programme that will involve training on bead-making, fashion designing, forex trading and bread baking among others from August 15-17.

    The National Secretary of the church, Rev Ikechukwu Ugbaja will be the guest minister at the convocation, which holds at the Ifako headquarters of the church.

  • ‘Insurgency is becoming a business venture’

    The Senior Pastor, Crown of Christ Victory Church Lagos, Prophet David Ayilara, speaks with Ibrahim Adam on the state of the nation. Excerpts: 

    What is your message to the government?

    They should have the fear of God. They should remember that some people were in that position before them and one day they will also leave that position and this earth. They should do the needful because the blood being shed everyday will cry for vengeance according to the Bible.

    It will not be on those that killed them alone but the people that permits the killings too. They should seek for wisdom of God and they should also desist from greediness because this has led us to the problem of corruption.

    What do you have to say on the current state of the nation?

    My message to the Christians is also the same to those who are not Christians. Our God is not a God of confusion. God is a God of unity and love. The Bible says he that does not love does not know God.

    When you say you love, it is a pity people don’t understand the definition of love. What majority take to be the meaning of love is not love. Love is not kiss me I kiss you. Love is not greet me and I greet you.

    There was a statement by former President Goodluck Jonathan that there are Boko Haram members in the corridors of the Presidency. This means there are people there backing Boko Haram and they are trying to destabilise whatever he is trying to build. There is no leader that wants the people dead. But a tree cannot make a forest. If we join hands with the President and leaders in the country, things will go well in Nigeria.

    Christians have been praying and I have been praying for Nigeria. We have prayed a lot and it is time for action. I am not saying we should stop praying but we have prayed and action should be the next thing.

    We cannot be praying and behaving contrary to our prayers and expect God to answer us. I believe there can be peace in Nigeria if we can back our prayers up with action.

    What do you mean by action after prayer?

    What I meant is that like we are having soldiers fighting for us trying to defend the country. We should listen to their agitations if truly we want to fight insurgency. There are things they are complaining about which we all know.

    They complain of their food, the firearms and almost every family has one or two persons in the army.

    If truly we want to win, we need to listen to those people because it seems to some people that insurgency has become a business. If care is not taken, nobody will be safe in few years to come. Nobody should think we have a fenced house. We have to think of all this this things to allow peace to reign so that every person will not suffer at the end

    What is the 72 -hour marathon prayer all about?

    It is a programme we do once in a year. This year’s programme is coming up by 14- 16 of August with the theme ‘Breaking the seal’ taken from Revelation 5. When you read it, you understand the word sickness and this demonic power used it. It is only one person that can break it, which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

    The Bible says in that revelation that you are looking for someone to open the book and to break the seal. The Bible also says there is nobody worthy here on earth and in heaven but Jesus Christ that has sacrificed himself for mankind.

    So, this year according to the Lord, every soul that has been holding individuals from fulfilling their destiny, be it the seal of barrenness, poverty, singlehood, mental illness and every kind of demonic seal shall be broken because it is the power of God and not the power of man because there is no man that can do it except God.

    This is not the first time and we know the Lord that has been performing miracles in the years back will do more this year. We are going to be having breaks as the programme progress. We have afternoon session from 12- 3pm.

    The night session is from 11pm- 3am because we are also considering people going to work. Those who can fast at a stretch can do that but it is not compulsory for them. It will be better to check your health before fasting.

    What inspired the prayer session?

    We don’t do except the Lord says do this. Because whatever you do and the Lord is not in it, it will not yield results. The Lord told me 15 years ago that we should be having the prayer meeting once in a year. I don’t believe in copying any church or any pastor but I believe in hearing the voice of God and obeying it.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Violent extremism greatest challenge facing Islam – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described violent extremism as the biggest challenge facing Islam.

    In his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims, the president said that the only way to neutralise the evil influence of extremism is for Muslims to distance themselves from the activities and teachings of those who preach indiscriminate violence against innocent people.

    Goodwill messages also came from Senate President Ahmad Lawan and state governors.

    According to Buhari, the greatest commitment to Islam is for Muslims to put its good virtues into practice, and by making justice and righteousness the guiding principle of their everyday life.

    “We should be the mirror through which others see the good virtues of our faith,” he said.

    “Islam is a religion of peace and we should avoid violent extremist ideas that give Islam a wrong name because our conduct leave more lasting positive impressions than what we say by word of mouth.”

    The president regretted that “violent extremism is the greatest challenge facing Islam today and the only way we can neutralise its evil influence is to distance ourselves from the activities and teachings of those who preach indiscriminate violence against innocent people. And this flies in the face of the teachings of Islam.”

    President Buhari in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, advised parents to “protect their children from the deadly exposure to violent extremists who manipulate and exploit those children for their own evil agenda.”

    President Buhari noted that “Boko Haram became a deadly force and a major security scourge because Muslim societies were indifferent from the beginning to the activities of extremist preachers who manipulate innocent and gullible followers.”

    He said that “extremism is like a cancer, which must be detected and destroyed from its early stages of growth.”

    He, however, assured Nigerians that the Boko Haram terrorism, kidnappings and other forms of banditry “would be dealt with uncompromisingly until we see the back of these evils plaguing our country.

    “Despite occasional setbacks, the Boko Haram militants have been so militarily weakened and scattered by our Armed Forces that they are no longer in a position to occupy any part of Nigeria, let alone hoist their flag and impose their reign of terror longer than 24 hours.

    “As our armed forces get more equipped and trained, in addition to being more motivated and reinvigorated, this administration is relentlessly committed to protecting Nigerians no matter what it takes to bring a permanent end to this evil.”

    He advised Muslims to be tolerant and continue to work for peace, unity, national integration, and peaceful coexistence.

    Lawan urges Nigerians to be steadfast in nation building

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan urged Nigerians to be steadfast in the process of nation-building, as they join the rest of the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

    Lawan in his Sallah message enjoined Nigerians to always remember their shared heritage and destiny of national greatness and be guided by the Nigerian spirit of firm confidence as they tackle the contemporary challenges of nation-building He also congratulated Muslims from Nigeria who joined their brothers and sisters in participating in the rites of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

    Muslims, he stressed, should remember the purpose of the celebration, which is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet Ibrahim.

    He said: “I urge all to take inspiration from the exemplary virtues demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.”

    The Senate president is currently in the Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage.

    APC to Nigerians: Shun disruptive, divisive utterances

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) asked Nigerians to shun disruptive and divisive utterances and actions emanating from some unpatriotic quarters lately.

    The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that in the spirit of the Sallah celebration, Nigerians should learn to exhibit the pan Nigerian spirit anywhere they find themselves.

    “As we celebrate the Sallah feast with family, friends and loved ones, Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians are implored to show love to neighbours and cater for the less privileged around us,” he said.

    He added: “In our national life, Eid ul-Adha is a reminder for us to make our individual and collective sacrifices for the well-being, unity, peace and development of our dear country, Nigeria.

    “We must therefore shun the disruptive and divisive utterances and actions emanating from some unpatriotic quarters lately.

    “In our private capacity, official duties, wherever we find ourselves, we must all exhibit the pan-Nigerian spirit. We should embrace our country’s diversity and harness it for good. We must see every Nigerian as a brother. We should take advantage of his strength, help him with his weakness. That is the only way we can grow as a country.”

    PDP urges Nigerians to trust in God

    In its own message, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to use this year’s Eid-el Kabir to imbibe the life of total trust in the Almighty God in all spheres of life.

    The party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the occasion of Eid-el Kabir “offers us great lessons on selflessness and absolute trust in God, as exemplified in the life of Prophet Ibrahim.”

    All compatriots, he said, should use the occasion to particularly pray for the nation, reach out and share with the less privileged, the deprived as well as victims of escalated insecurity in various parts of our country.

    Besides, the PDP charged leaders in all walks of life, including public office holders, faith-based and community leaders, captains of industry and employers of labour to “note that their positions are bestowed on them by God for service to humanity, and for which they must give account.”

    The party prayed for the unity, peace, stability and development of Nigeria.

    Wase, Doguwa preach peace, security

    House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Idris Wase and the Majority Leader Ado Doguwa called for unity among Nigerians.

    Wase urged the Muslim community in the country to be worthy ambassadors of the faith and pray for the progress of the nation.

    The deputy speaker also congratulated all Nigerians who successfully performed the Hajj this year in fulfilment of a key injunction of their faith and prayed God to accept their ibadat as they continue in their spiritual journey towards the fulfilment of the pilgrimage rites.

    Doguwa in his own message said that it was only in a secure environment devoid of crises and strife that meaningful development and growth can be realised.

    He enjoined the people not to despair in the midst of the challenges.

    Expressing optimism that with the renewed vigour and the concerted efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies, the menace of kidnapping and banditry which stare the country in the face would soon be completely rooted out, Doguwa pleaded with Muslims across the federation to imbibe the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.W.A) and use the occasion to pray for the country and renew their faith in God.

    Sanwo-Olu warns against divisive tendencies

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State advised Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice implicit in Eid el Kabir..

    His words: “I join Muslim faithful across the country to share in the felicity of the Eid al-Adha, which comes with significant lessons for mankind. This symbolic Islamic festival is a constant reminder to us that, there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in trying periods; persistence in prayers and tenacity in our belief.

    “It also reminds us of the sacrifice we are expected to make not only for the purpose of spiritual fulfilment, but also for the progress of mankind and development of our society. Development and progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere in which unity, peace and mutual respect reign supreme. We must, therefore, eschew tendencies that can further divide us as a people

    “As a government, we are playing our part to ensure public resources are properly channelled to the benefit of the citizens. However, the citizens must ensure these energies are not wasted by shunning actions that can make these efforts difficult. This is the sacrifice we must collectively make to ensure our efforts to build a prosperous nation are not in vain.”

    Deepen your relationship with Allah, Obaseki tells Muslims

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State stressed the need for Muslims to deepen their relationship with Allah and promote a life of sacrifice and love.

    He also urged all Muslims in the state and beyond to use the opportunity to pray for the progress of the country and the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

    Obaseki said the state government had prepared the various segments of its security architecture to ensure that everyone was secured in the state before, during and after the celebration of the significant event.

    “I urge all Edo residents to continue to keep faith with our commitment to build a prosperous state where everyone would realise their God-given potential, through our various socio-economic growth initiatives and the prudent allocation of the state’s resources,” he said.

    Bello seeks prayers for nation’s security, peace

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has urged Muslims to use this Eid-el-Kabir season to offer special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress of the country.

    Bello in a statement issued to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival also called on Muslim faithful to pray for the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election holding in the state on November 16.

    “I warmly felicitate with Muslims in Kogi State as we join the ummah in Nigeria and all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir,” he said.

    He also congratulated Muslims from the state who are currently in Mecca for this year’s Hajj, urging them to also remember the state in their supplications.

    Bello said that his administration had done its best in the last three and half years to uplift the life of the citizens, saying that the ultimate aim was to take the state to the next level.

    “The progress we have made would not have been possible without the sacrifice and commitment of our citizens, especially civil servants for their uncommon patience as we labour to sanitise and digitise our workforce and payroll.”

    Reject revolution calls, Nasarawa Speaker urges

    The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, called on Nigerians to unite and reject revolutionary calls by some unpatriotic elements in the interest of peace and development.

    Abdullahi in his Eid-el-Kabir also urged Nigerians to pray for the country to overcome its current challenges for development to reign.

    The speaker said that revolution was not a solution to the problems confronting the country, saying what Nigerians needed now is unity, patriotism and fervent prayers to take the country to the next level of development.

    He emphasised the need for religious and traditional leaders to continue to preach peace, love and unity to their followers.

    Besides, Abdullahi called on Nigerians to shun all forms of sentiments, be tolerant and embrace one another for the betterment of the society.

    He urged the Muslim community in the country to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir to strengthen their relationship with Allah and fellow human beings to build an egalitarian society.