A group of Christians in Nigeria led by National Christian Elders Forum has condemned the extension of the Eid-el-Kabir public holiday by the Federal Government.
The development was due to the non-sighting of the moon during the just-concluded Eid-el-Kabir celebration by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.
While insisting that the trend portends a dangerous precedent, the Christian group said it means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari took instructions from the Sultan.
The coalition said the government and Islamic leaders should repay the country the extra day that was lost during the next Eid-el-Kabir: “in which we expect that only one day should be approved as Public Holiday.”
Key members of NCEF include Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) (Chairman); Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro and Prof. Vincent Anigbogu.
Others are Gen. Ishaku Dikko (rtd), Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Justice M. Ogebe (rtd), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dr. Musa Asake, Joseph Daramola, Pastor Olatunbosun Emmanuel (Secretary).
The coalition in a statement by Asemota in Abuja on Sunday said it was obvious that the government is drifting the country to a wrong direction.
Apart from NCEF, other members of the coalition include Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship; Think Tank for the body of Christ; Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria; Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria; Students Christian Movement; Christian Professionals Forum; Intercessors for Nigeria and International Prophetic Ministerial Association (Inc. Worldwide College of Bishops and Ministers: Africa, UK and USA.
The coalition also has Intercessors without Walls; Wailing Women International; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship; Nigerian Fellowship of Christian Students; Ministers Prayer Network; International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and University Joint Campus Christian Fellowship as members.
The statement by Asemota reads: “As Nigerians, we congratulate the Muslims in the nation on their successful completion of the Ramadan fast in 2016. However, we are disturbed by the apparent shoddiness and confusion the Federal Government brought into the declaration of the Public Holiday rounding up the Muslim religious exercise.
“The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th July as Public Holiday only to reverse itself and declare Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July 2016 as Public Holiday. If this was done before Tuesday was observed as Public Holiday, it would have been tolerable but declaring Thursday 7th as Public Holiday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday is bad. The implication now is that three days would be work free in the week.
“We are equally appalled that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau based the decision to declare Thursday as Public Holiday on the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (last Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon.
“We are not aware that Nigeria has transmuted into a religious theocratic state in which the leader of a religious group issues directive to the Federal Government. If the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs confirmed Wednesday and Thursday as Public Holiday for the Ramadan fasting, then who advised the Federal Government to declare Tuesday a Public Holiday?
“As innocuous as some people may want to present this development, it is a dangerous signal confirming the worrisome direction of the party that promised Nigerians change from the lawlessness and impunity that seem to characterize this nation. Since the inception of the Buhari administration, it has left no one in doubt of its discriminatory leaning towards Islam as the preferred religion in Nigeria, in violation of Section 10 of the constitution.
“The Buhari Administration needs to be reminded again that Nigeria is not an Islamic Theocratic State that receives “directive” from a Sultan. Nigeria is a democratic and secular nation and preferential treatment should not be accorded any section of the nation but all should be treated equally.
“If indeed a mistake was made in declaring Tuesday a Public Holiday that does not warrant declaring Thursday a Public Holiday. Both the Federal Government and leaders of Islam should have maintained the statutory two days Public Holiday and learnt a lesson on how to not to repeat the mistake in future.
“It is very embarrassing the tardiness and shoddiness that the Buhari Administration has brought into governance in Nigeria.
“We wish to state clearly that declaring Thursday an additional Public Holiday is not only wrong but an insensitive approach to the management of the economy. The economic well being of the nation should not be sacrificed on the altar of religious fervor.
“Nevertheless, having illegally appropriated an additional day as Pubic Holiday during the Eid-el-Fitri, the Federal Government and leaders of Islam should be prepared to repay the nation the extra day during the next Eid-el-Kabir in which we expect only one day should be approved as Public Holiday. Nigeria should not be turned into a lawless nation.”
Tag: Eid -el- Kabir
-
Christian group faults extension of Eid-el-Kabir holiday
-
Borno, Yobe witness peaceful Eid-el-Kabir
The Eid-el-Kabir was celebrated in Borno and Yobe states yesterday without any ugly incident. Many people were apprehensive that there would be violence, following the bomb blasts on Sunday, leading to deaths in Maiduguri and Monguno in Borno State.
Reports from all parts of the states showed prayers went on smoothly at the Eid prayer grounds, amid security.
Restrictions were placed on human and vehicular movements, to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
Our correspondent learnt that security operatives were at the prayer grounds. The anti-bomb squads were at the venues with their dogs before worshippers arrived.
Despite the restrictions, the faithful turned out in large numbers to observe their two Rakat prayers.
The Deputy Chief Imam of Yobe Mosque and Islamic Centre, Goni Ali Kamsulum, said people turned out because of the security measures put in place.
A Damaturu resident, Mohammed Idris Bomoi, who prayed at the 3Bedroom Gujba Road Prayer Ground, described the turnout as impressive.
He said the security measures provided by the government gave people the confidence to turn out in large numbers at the prayer grounds.
-
Eid-el-Kabir: Tight security in Jos
Security was tightened in many parts of Jos metropolis and Bukuru in Plateau State yesterday, as Muslims in Nigeria joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid- el-Kabir.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was presence of heavily- armed security men at strategic locations and areas considered as flash points in the city.
Among areas with such security presence were Old Airport junction, Dogon-Karfe, Miango Junctiion and Abattoir.
Others were Tudun Wada, Rantya, Tina Junction, Congo-Russia, Eid praying grounds situated at Fibre Junction and Masalanchi Jumaa.
Also guarded tightly by the policemen were Daidin-Kowa, Rayfield Roundabout and Vwang highway leading to Jos University Teaching Hospital.
NAN recalls that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Oki, on Wednesday warned residents against any violent behaviour during the festivity.
He appealed for calm during the period, threatening that the command would deal with anyone who breached the order.
-
‘Saraki not attacked’
The Media Office of the Senate President has denied reports that Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was attacked at the Eid Prayer Ground on Thursday during the prayers to mark the Eid-el-Kabir in Ilorin, Kwara State.
In a statement by the Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the office said the report was ” totally false and a figment of the imagination of those behind the story because the protest was never targeted at him, neither was any missile hurled at him.”
” The Senate President arrived at the venue this morning without any incident, prayed with other Muslim faithful, including the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness (HRH), Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ali Ahmad and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore, among others.
” Before the Senate President left the prayer ground, he spoke to reporters who had asked him about his message for Nigerians to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.
” We want to say that nothing can be further from the truth as the Senate President was never attacked nor was there any attempt made on his life to warrant him being ‘whisked away’ as reported by a section of the media.
” We however observe that there was a protest allegedly staged by local government employees over purported non-payment of salaries which hoodlums attempted to hijacked but this development was immediately curtailed by security agents.
” Therefore, to say that the Senate President was attacked at the venue of the prayers is The Kwara State Government has since issued a statement in which it stated that majority of the workers in the state have received their salaries and that those yet to receive theirs will do so on Monday as Thursday and Friday of this week are public holidays.” -
Eid-el-Kabir : Be tolerant with others – Governor Bello
Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has urged Muslims in the country to renew their commitment to the pursuit of peace and progress of the country.
He also enjoined them to imbibe the virtuous of obedience, tolerance, faith, perseverance and sacrifice as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba to commemorate the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir said the Muslim faithful must use the period and pray for an end to the incessant security challenges particularly in the northern region of the country.
Bello called on the followers of all religions in the country to tolerate one another and assist the less privileged in the society as the surest way of reducing poverty and the attendant insecurity that comes with it.
The governor then appealed to those accusing him of being slow in governance to be patient stressing that things must be done carefully in order not to derail and lose the opportunity provided to fix the state.
He assured the people of the state that his administration would work assiduously to ensure the people derive maximum benefit from the positive change they had effected in governance.
-
Saraki urges fear of God at Eid-el-Kabir
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslim faithful and the citizenry in general, to make the fear of God the foundation of their lives.
Saraki, in a goodwill message on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, said the event symbolised the fear of Allah and the desire of man to always comply with the wish of his creator. This, he said, was exemplified by the life of Prophet Ibrahim.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President stated reasons why the fear of God must reign supreme.
“With the fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation.
“We cannot achieve much with unnecessary frictions and disharmony. What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era,” Saraki said.
He also called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect, adding that these virtues are the panacea to move the nation forward.
Saraki continued, “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering on the street.
“Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.
“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome.”
The Senate President called on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.
[ad id=”403656”]He urged the Muslim community to continue to pray for the government, the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
He stressed that peace and socio-economic development of the nation remained paramount.
On behalf of the Senate, Saraki pledged the lawmakers’ continuous support and encouragement towards putting the nation on the right track.
-
Boko Haram days are numbered, says Buhari
President Muhammed Buhari has again assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram insurgents are numbered.
He gave the assurance in a message to facilitate with Muslims in the country as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
“Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved,” the President stated.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President has directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation during Eid-El-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Buhari congratulated all Nigerian Muslims who are currently in the Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.
” As they join the global Islamic community in celebrating Eid-El-Kabir, President Buhari urges Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of all mankind.
” The President calls for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its current security, economic and developmental challenges.
” President Buhari assures all Nigerians that their safety, well-being and progress remain uppermost in his thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation.
” The President seizes this opportunity to extend heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri and North-Eastern Nigeria who have sadly lost beloved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.
” President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers for Divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.” -
Osun workers to smile before Eid-el-Kabir
Civil servants in Osun State have been assured that they will be paid before the Eid-el-Kabir.
A lawmaker representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, spoke in Lagos yesterday.
Mrs. Omidiran, one of the conveners of a stakeholders’ meeting held three weeks ago to address “the embarrassing situation of wage burden” in the state, said she had the assurance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola that the salaries would be paid before the festival.
Although the lawmaker was not sure how many months of arrears would be paid, she said “a substantial part, if not all, will be paid.”
The stakeholders’ parley, which was attended by the governor and representatives of sectors, appraised the situation and sought ways of getting out of the economic doldrums, which resulted in government’s inability to pay salaries.
-
‘Tax evasion’: Reps probe N700b Shell gas project
•EFCC officials in alleged N120m bribery scam
The House of Representatives, on resumption from the Eid-el-Kabir break, is to investigate a N700 billion Shell gas project, following allegations of tax evasion.
The project in Bayelsa State, is said to have contravened the Statutory Development Permit (commonly called Building Permit), as required under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act CAP 138, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; the Petroleum Act of 1969 (CAP 350) First schedule Section 2 (3); Paragraph 35 and Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations L.N 69 of 1969; Regulation 18.
The probe follows a petition by Chidi David Adebanya, a former Interface Manager of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), against officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who allegedly demanded N120 million bribe from him.
The gas project, according to the 280-page petition sent to the House Committee on Public Petition, “is the largest Shell project in sub-Saharan Africa, costing $4.2 billion (N700 billion), occupying a land area of two million sq.m (about half of Lagos Island) and producing one billion scf (1,000,000,000 standard cubic feet) of gas and 100,000 barrels of oil per day, earning about $30 million (N5 billion) daily in revenue.”
A member of the House, Peter Edeh, (Ezzah North/ Ishielu Federal Constituency), who brought the petition on behalf of Chidi David Adabanya, prayed “the House to investigate Mr. Chile Okoroma and Olaolu Adegbite, directors of the EFCC, who were allegedly involved in corrupt practices and official misconduct in connivance with the SPDC, to ensure transparency, equity and justice.”
The investigation is conducted by the Ozor Azuibike-led Committee on Public Petitions.
The petitioner alleged that Shell failed to pay taxes worth N7 billion to the Bayelsa State government as building permit fees on the Gbaran Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas project in Gbarantoro Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Adabanya in the petition dated May 21, said: “Things took a bad turn in June 2010 when Forstech reported SPDC for underpayments to the Bayelsa State government wherein the then governor, Timipre Sylvia, cried out on the N4.1 billion underpayment to the Bayelsa State government by the SPDC.
“To avert international reputation damage, which the Forstech allegation of fraud and tax evasion will cause, SPDC hurriedly put up a petition against me, alleging that I conspired with the Bayelsa State government to defraud it (SPDC) of the amounts so far paid and engaged the service of the EFCC to ‘help’ them recover the payments so far made to the consultant. It is not surprising that the EFCC was a willing collaborator, given the SPDC– styled cooperation with the EFCC.”
Adabanya, who accused EFCC of corruption, said one of the EFCC directors, Chile Okoroma, in October 2011 “demanded N120 million from me to close the allegations of the SPDC against me.”
He said it was within his powers to swing the case whichever way he chose, “so I should choose which way it will be because he has to share the money with Olaolu Adegbite and Farida Waziri and according to him, make returns to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, before this matter can close. He (Okoroma) boasted that I dare not play smart by reporting it because no one will believe it.”
Adabanya said although the Bayelsa State House of Assembly had found the SPDC guilty of fraud and tax evasion and had passed a resolution urging SPDC to pay the company but it refused to do so.
The petitioner wondered why EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, had failed to arrest SPDC officials.
Lamorde has said the allegation against the agency was not true.
In a letter dated July 14, signed by Lamorde, the agency said Adebanya had been charged to court over the issue, hence it would not allow the two directors accused of demanding the N120 million bribe to appear before the House committee.
“While we acknowledge the fact that the hearing is a good opportunity to correct the gross misinformation in the petition, there is no doubt that we will go against the rational norms of natural justice and inviting anarchy in the criminal justice sector if we allow our directors of Operations and Legal departments to join issues with an accused at a public investigative hearing in this matter without prejudicing the criminal case before the court,” Lamorde said.
Adabanya, in another letter of July 24, to the Chairman, Public Petitions Committee and another dated August 11 to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal countered Lamorde, saying rather than respond to the weighty allegations against his agency before the House Committee, the EFCC chief is hiding under “rationalisations.”
He said: “Lamorde has no tenable response to the specific issues of illegal acts of the SPDC, EFCC corruption, abuse of office, official misconduct, lack of due process, executive lawlessness, subversion and cover-ups under his watch, which are the facts I have raised and supported with verifiable evidence. He seeks comfort in rationalisations, name calling, abusiveness and subjudice with the hope to divert attention from the subject matter.”
The committee has invited SPDC and EFCC, as well as the Bayelsa State government and other stakeholders to appear before it after the Eid-el- Kabir break for further investigations.
-
Eid-el-Kabir’s market rush
The past week has seen a rise in the demand for food commodities preparatory to tomorrow’s Eid-el-Kabir Muslim festival. It has indeed been a good time for traders across the country, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.
The frenzy.The mega sales. And the extra profits. This is indeed, the highpoint of this year’s shopping for the yearly Muslim festival, Eid-el-Kabir.
Although there has been a huge build up to this, the trend will continue into the early hours of tomorrow as Muslim faithful go into last-minute shopping to mark the special occasion. This season offers Muslims the opportunity to reflect on God’s fulfilment of his covenant through the Prophet Mohammed (SAW), hence, the reason for the celebration, which is usually observed with pomp and pageantry.
From the ram market to clothing and food ingredients, business has boomed all the way. And while the traders are smiling to the bank, making extra money, the shoppers are groaning, parting with more money for commodities at this time. Expectedly, there has also been an upsurge in economic activities in and around major markets across the Lagos Metropolis where items for the celebration are being displayed.
Market places are thronged more by people, who have their eyes on getting the best Sallah deal, looking for relatively cheap items to buy. They are rqually characterised by customers and traders haggling for the best deals to strike.
Consequent upon this upsurge, there has been an upward adjustment of prices of consumer goods and other gift items. Already, there has been intense competition among shopping malls and gift shops. To these outlets, festive periods such as Sallah is an opportunity to make more money.
Ram, the most important item for the celebration, has had a sharp increase in its price. A market survey conducted by The Nation Shopping revealed that ram prices range from N25, 000 to N150, 000. These are rams, which ordinarily would have sold for between N8, 000 and N40, 000.
A small basket of pepper goes for between N700 and N800 each, while the big ones sell for N6000. Other categories of pepper range from N1, 000, N2, 000 to N2, 500. Yam flour (Elubo’ in Yoruba) sells for N3, 000 per container, while Garri retains at its usual price of N250 and N300 respectively for a four litre container, while a bag of same sells for N4,500. 1Kg of Semovita costs N2000 and a carton of tin tomato paste sells for N1, 300. A 25kg bag of rice goes for N8,000, five-litre vegetable oil sells for N1,400 and 25-litre for N6,000. “All these prices were before the rush for sallah shopping,” said a woamn who wished for anonymity, adding: “From the market survey, the commodities have increased in prices by about 75 per cent at this period.”
A buyer, Ibrahim Musa, lamented this year’s cost of rams. Although, according him, it is a yearly ritual to have prices inflated at sallah period, but he was stunned that prices went over the roof top. For instance, an average ram, which he said cost him about N35, 000 last year, sells for N68, 000.
In a similar vein, a housewife, Mrs. Sherrifatu Alimi, who spoke with The Nation, at the popular Mile 12 market in Lagos, lamented that cost of cooking ingredients such as pepper and tomatoes have doubled their original cost.
Some traders said this year’s commodities are slightly higher than usual and blamed it on the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern part of the country. The excuse appeared plausible, considering the fact that they are brought from the region, Niger and Chad Republics.
The implication of this, according to a ram trader, Mallam Rabiu, is that traders have had to device other more expensive means and routes to bring the rams and other food items to be sold for the sallah to the southern markets. “We now take other routes to bring these rams; and they are more expensive because of the risk involved. Even the trailers we use to bring them have increased their charges, so the customers have to bare the extra cost as well,” Rabiu explained in a passable English.
Observers said those who are yet to make purchases, may be delaying till the last minute in order to get cheap bargains. This is because the prices of rams usually crash on sallah days, as the sellers get agitated , realising that the cost of feeding the rams would be borne by them if they are not sold. Besides, the overhead to be incurred by them from ground rent to keep the rams would erode their profit. And since some people have realised this, they usually capitalise on getting good bargains, but not without a tough price haggling with the sellers.
Noticeable was the slow start in the shopping spree, a situation that has been blamed on the reality of the economic downturn. However, it has still not taken away the hustle and bustle, which characterise markets at times like this. Most markets experience several shovings by prospective buyers to get through crowdy markets where sellers display items that attract shoppers attention.
Oshodi market, for instance during festivities, gets busier by the minute. Teeming shoppers walk on the pavements outside the shops or try to cross the express way in search of what to buy. The blaring horns from cars and taxis can be deafening. Indeed, the usual upsurge in human and vehicular traffic in major markets and shopping places at festivite period, can hardly go unnoticed. Such increased tempo of activities makes the celebration tick.
“As Nigerians continue to do their last minute shopping in preparation for tomorrow’s festivity, the best icing on the cake would be the announcement of the release of the over 200 Chibok Secondary School girls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents about six months ago,” said an anonymous Muslim faithful.