The Nation Newspaper

Tag: move

  • Obasanjo on his latest move

    Obasanjo on his latest move

    SINCE former President Olusegun Obasanjo issued his “special statement” in which he spanked the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nothing has been heard from him.

    He showed up the other day in Addis Ababa at the African Union Summit. A video of his encounter with President Buhari has been rocking the Internet. Obasanjo is seen in the footage with Buhari and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar. They throw banters and laugh heartily.

    To many, it was incredible that Obasanjo could be that warm to Buhari after firing off that excoriating statement, which sent panic into the Buhari political camp and ignited a renewed excitement on the political landscape.

    Is it true that the Generals who have held the power levers since 1966 may have sworn to a secret oath to remain one even when they seem to disagree in public, to go only so far and no farther? Do they speak a special language the rest of the country cannot understand? What is Obasanjo thinking now? Is he just trying to rock the boat and put Buhari under pressure?  What does he want to do with his Coalition for Nigeria (CN)? Who is beating the drum to which the wily old fox is dancing?

    These are some of the questions Nigerians have been asking since that video surfaced and newspapers splashed the pictures of the Addis Ababa show on their front pages. Nobody can claim for sure that he knows where Obasanjo is heading.

    Considering the avalanche of questions, permutations and postulations, “Editorial Notebook” has taken up the task of finding out what is on the former president’s mind, through a hypothethical encounter with reporters at the Lagos airport upon his return from Addis Ababa. Here we go:

    Reporters are rushing after Obasanjo as he walks briskly to the lounge. He stops suddenly, looks at the small crowd, frowns a bit and beckons to the reporter  ahead of the pack. He moves close. Obasanjo grabs him by the shoulder and pulls his head under his armpit. He knocks his head twice, releases him and says softly:

    “Oya, two questions. I won’t take more than that today; otherwise, you get more knocks.”

    “Since your special statement was released, some people have been making comments. Now, they say you were posing for photographs with Buhari and cracking jokes with him. Are you sincere?”

    Huuum! Huuuum!Huuum!Obasanjo clears his throat and smiles like a baby.

    “You see, I mean no harm. Don’t forget, it was advisory. I only advised Buhari to let go and join us to rebuild Nigeria. My brother Buhari knows it is not personal – and that is the hallmark of a statesman; the ability to speak out when others are merely grumbling. You know I fear nobody. I speak my mind.”

    “They say you’re selfish and opportunistic, hitting the government because you think it is vulnerable.”

    “If that is your opinion, keep it; I don’t care. What kind of reasoning is that? Do I want Buhari’s job? How many presidents do you want to make of me? You people should grow up o. I have said my own. Chikena. He who has ears, let him listen. Before it is too late.

    “The other time, they said I wrote a letter to that boy…eeem, eeeem… Jonathan  or wetin call. Yes, I did. This is not a letter; it is a special statement, which is as clear as day in its meaning and objectives. Please.”

    “They say you danced with the late Okadigbo’s wife and ate pounded yam in his house. The next day, the man was fighting a losing battle for his political life. They speak about a tinge of savagery or do-or-die in your politics.”

    “Please, you should know how to talk. What did I do wrong there? I am a statesman; I’m not a politician. My politics is Nigeria and anybody who says Nigeria will not move, I’m ready to go konkobilo with him, no matter how highly placed. Is playing my role as a statesman politics? If you can’t differentiate between politics and statesmanship, then you are a fool. Politics my foot!”

    “The critics say you sold the late Umaru Yar’Adua to Nigerians and later condemned him, asking him to step down. In short, they say you have a megalomaniac tendency and a false messianic orientation which is fast leading to  a Samsonian affliction.”

    Obasanjo raises his left hand, brings it down slowly as the reporter’s  comments continue. He raises his hand again and frowns his face,

    “Wait. Wait.Oga reporter or whatever they call you. Let me talk. You see, it is true that I spoke about Umoru. I stand by what I said. If you take up a job – appointed, selected, elected or whatever. And you discover that your health can no longer carry on, you should know what to do. If you don’t, then you don’t know anything. I said so. Is that too much? Samson ko, Delilah ni. “

    “They say you condemned Atiku Abubakar, who played a major role in your administration and that you think you are the only good man in town, Mr Clean.”

    “They say so? Hmmm. You see, it’s true they told me that he was preparing, that he wanted to be president. I recall saying nothing. I only replied, ‘Atiku? I dey laugh o.’ How has that become anybody’s problem? If that one dey pain you, that na your toro. As for me o, I dey kampe.

    “I remember that when we were leaving office, I was singing and dancing when you people came to me. I said, Aremu a maa lo s’Ota, awon kan a maa lo s’ewon (Aremu will be going to Ota, some people will be going to jail).(He begins to dance in short,slow steps, murmuring a song and smiling).One of the reporters cuts in, ‘that was a python dance, Your Excellency’. Obasanjo frowns and hisses.”

    “The June 12,1993 election was adjudged to be Nigeria’s fairest and freest ever, but the winner, your kinsman MKO Abiola, was denied the prize  and you rubbed it in by saying he wasn’t the messiah Nigeria needed and…”

    “Stop it! Please, please, please. Don’t annoy me. If you don’t know how to ask a question, you keep quiet. If I said Abiola wasn’t the messiah, don’t I have a right to my opinion? If he was my kinsman nko? I don’t operate that way. I’m a detribalised Nigerian. How many of you can tell me that your best friend is not from your tribe? You people are the one killing this country.”

    “In your statement, you said Buhari hasn’t done well in the economy, but the government says you may have been travelling too much to notice its scorecard in this and other areas.

    “Foreign reserve is climbing up, rice importation is down, manufacturers have access to funds, the stock market is among the world’s best in performance and foreign investors are coming back.”

    “Look young man. It is true that I said the economy does not obey military order. Besides, if I travel, is it anybody’s business? I have said it again and again; I’m a citizen of the world. I’m a statesman. I have so much to do overseas.I must travel, but wherever I go, Nigeria remains on top of my mind.”

    “It is being said that the coalition you are pushing is a conclave of PDP renegades and looters as well as their disgruntled cousins in APC who would want the days of old back.”

    “Well, I don’t care. Anybody who is not happy should form his own coalition and when coalition jams coalition, there will be collusion and we will step in to curb the commotion. No be so?”

    “Some people are saying you issued that statement because you are still breathing fire over your inability to get a third term.”

    “Those saying that are foolish. Don’t annoy me, please. I have said it before and open your ears now (Obasanjo holds his right ear firmly).I never wanted a third term. If I had wanted a third term, I would have asked God and he would have given it to me. He has never refused me anything. Is that clear?”

    “Some of your critics say your own home has always be in turmoil and that yours is a pretence to moral rectitude.”

    “Moral rectitude, attitude or altitude or magnitude or whatever you call it, I know where you’re going. Dem send you? Go and tell whoever is sending you that I, Olusegun Aremu Okikiolakan Matthew Obasanjo, I cannot be embarrassed. Nobody can embarrass me. Nobody, I repeat. Let them come out; I’m not afraid to fight.”

    “Thank you so much Dr Obasanjo.”

    “Excuse me; point of correction. I remain Olusegun Obasanjo; chief –if you like. And have a good day.”

    He hops into his car, smiling as the vehicle zooms off.

  • Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday that the train of infrastructure development and rehabilitation was on the move.

    He spoke at the inauguration of reconstructed 10-storey doctors’ quarters at the General Hospital, Lagos and refurbished Onikan Health Centre.

    The governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Tunji Bello, added that plans were at an advanced stage to upgrade health care facilities, including secondary health care facilities in Apapa, Epe, Ifako-Ijaye, Agbowa and Lagos Island Hospital.

    He restated his administration’s determination to reduce disabilities and maternal and child morbidity.

    “Since the inception of our administration, which will be two years in a couple of weeks, we have committed ourselves to infrastructural renewal and development that will enhance productivity and boost public servants’ morale to improve service delivery.

    ”I have confidence in the ability of our health care personnel to deliver excellent service comparable to what obtains in developed countries. As we strive to upgrade our health facilities with the provision of modern infrastructure and equipment, we shall continue to prioritise welfare and human capital development,” the governor said.

    He said the present administration would raise and sustain the confidence of the public in its health care service delivery.

    Ambode described Onikan Health Centre as a foremost medical facility established by the government, which had been overstretched by population growth.

    He said its upgrading became necessary following the standard policy of a functional secondary health care facility in each local government, as advocated by the Federal Government.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris said the government will introduce the health insurance scheme this year so that Lagosians can access medical care.

  • Lawal reveals reason for Tornadoes move

    Lawal reveals reason for Tornadoes move

    Niger Tornadoes new arrival, Shittu Lawal has explained the rationale behind his exit from Akwa United.

    The defender appeared once for the Promise Keepers in the first round of the ongoing Nigerian league campaign. But believes his inclusion in the Solid Miners’ setup in the second round of the season will help propel them to the topflight title.

    “I think it’s the right time for me to move from Akwa United and I feel it’s best for me to have joined Niger Tornadoes till the end of the season,” Lawal told Goal.

    “I came here to help the team win the league, they are in a very good position and I hope to add more quality as I work hard with the rest of the team to make history.

    “It looks like a big dream but dreams do come true if only one works hard to make it happen. Personally I want to improve on my game and being at an ambitious club like Niger Tornadoes offers every player the right platform to express themselves,” he said.

    Niger Tornadoes are placed fourth on the log, four points adrift of  Plateau United.

  • Gata confirms move to newly promoted ABS FC

    Gata confirms move to newly promoted ABS FC

    Kwara United forward Adeshina Gata has completed his move to Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side ABS FC.

    The player, who was previously linked with three NPFL teams, joined the Henry Ayodele Makinwa tutored team.

    After rising through the ranks, he became a first-team regular and played a key role in Kwara United’s promotion to the NPFL in 2014.

    Gata’s progress in the last two seasons for Kwara United was hampered by persistent injuries.

    Gata said: “I’m very, very happy to be here. ABS FC is a team that believes in youths and I’m very proud to wear the shirt for this team and play in this league. My aim is to do everything I can to help make the supporters happy, to help out my teammates and to bring something extra to the team.

    “I know the team very well. I know this is an ambitious club with good  players and with a great coach. I’ve come here to ABS FC because it’s a very good move in my career to play for such a club. I am excited for the season ahead.”

  • Lagos on the move

    More than ever, I now cherish the Yoruba adage that admonishes thus: Be quick at listening but hesitant in responding. Truth has some inherent features. It is persevering, as it possesses the capacity to endure the characteristic lightening speed of falsehood and deceit. Still, on the long run, truth, courtesy of its snail speed, always overtakes falsehood. And, having become self-manifest, it can never be relegated or suppressed, as any attempt to conceal the truth can only succeed as much as any human effort to cover the sun can do.

    Judging by the aggressive infrastructure revolution which Ambode has already launched across the Centre of Excellence, the virtue of patience that every judge or assessor of any reality requires and the danger of hasty conclusions have become self-manifest to Nigerians and mankind, in general.

    As a wakaabout pen-pusher, what eventually overpowered my sense of restraint and caution, as manifest in this seemingly patronizing publication, were not just the sweet songs streaming daily forth the lips of multitudes about Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who, to a large number, is now the proverbial persona originally underrated as incapable of erecting a hut but who has, surprisingly, built multiple mansions. What did the magic on me was, partly, a recent personal experience of swift response of the governor and his team to some public criticism by an ‘unknown’ private voice.

    I am compelled to refer to the swiftness with which the government swung into action on the problem raised in my recent piece. Ambode: Time to act on Lagos Apartheid Schools in The Nation (November 4). At least, journalism is necessarily a two-way evangelism of objectivity which must not only condemn to correct, but also necessarily commend to motivate and encourage perceived goodness.

    Although that loathsome long stretch of fence has not been pulled down or, at least, opened by the state government, credible reports, however, indicate great hope for the down-trodden on this issue.

    I mean that apartheid fence that was the crux of my piece may soon be fallen. That segregationist structure, erected by the privileged residents of Gbagada Estate, which unwittingly shut out the Idi Odo trio of primary schools from the reach of the relatively less-privileged Bariga residents that need its services. The fence that has reduced Ogo Oluwa Primary School, Idi Odo Primary School and Temidire Primary School to institutions for, mostly, housemaids, house-helps and other categories of child-slaves and child-labourers engaged by Gbagada residents, for whose biological offspring such public schools are no schools.

    If there was anything that ever gave Ambode sleepless nights in his first few days on the hot seat, particularly within the first hundred days I am sure it was the hell called Lagos traffic. Then, insanity defied excellence, as it walked on all fours, swaggering on Lagos roads, almost forcing the most discerning to mourn the exit of law and order in company of ex-Governor Fashola. Commercial motorcycle (okada) riders went haywire, openly announcing seeming relapse of Lagos into the Hobbesian State of Nature.

    Worse-still, the governor’s opening act of declaring zero tolerance against abuses by officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was widely misconstrued to mean a mark of not just meekness but, essentially, weakness and lack of capacity to handle tough Lagos, particularly traffic and crime.

    And, in less than two years, time, as it is wont to, has indeed thought Nigerians, particularly Lagosians a great lesson. If anything, the multi-dimensional benefits of ‘the Light Up Lagos Project’ courtesy of which night darkness is being practically expelled on the vast network of Lagos highways is, to many a discerning mind, a cautionary bell that rings the imperatives of patience into the ears of Nigerians, particularly with respect to the governance of a highly complex mega entity that Lagos State really is.

    I can’t but give a personal testimony that I now feel safer and more comfortable driving on Lagos brightly illuminated roads at nights. Kudos to this government that has manifested what some of us have always craved for – emphasis on crime prevention mechanisms instead of crime-curing that the tradition of over-crowding our roads with policemen hunting from real and imagined criminals, day and night, represents.

    On the stubborn problem of traffic congestion, the modest feat so far achieved through the installation of median barriers along the Ikorodu Road must have sent a signal to the governor himself that, with improved creativity, the greatest source of headache, sleeplessness, time and financial wastage can indeed be conquered within the statutory time left for him. All he need do is think and work like a jackal while assuming that a second term, for him, exists not.

    I suspect that this vital assumption, which is a necessary condition for altruistic actions by political office holders generally, has been the secret beneath what I see as the predilections of Ambode to stepping on toes for the general good. The restoration of environmental peace and sanity to the various government low-cost housing estates across the state is a plain instance of apolitical and non-sentimental efforts. Only the All-knowing God can tell, with precision, the number of illegal structures that have, so far, been demolished within the boundaries of those vast estates built by the 2nd Republic administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

    To further amplify my stand on innovativeness as the antidote of traffic logjams, the resort to bus lay-bys by the Ambode administration, such as the newly constructed facility at the Ketu-Alapere junction on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which has significantly eased traffic flow at that hitherto reputably notorious junction, is indeed a revolutionary departure from our one-eyed tradition of fly-over proliferation. Nevertheless, the currently emerging appearances of fly-over bridges where necessary, such as yet another point of perennial traffic brouhaha, Abule-Egba, underscore the imperatives of not just innovative but context-based choices in relation to traffic issues.

    One can only wish that Governor Ambode would extend the same spirit of urgency and priority he has, so far, attached to the improvement of the Lagos road networks to the rail medium. Apart from the need to vigorously re-energize the on-going light rail project, he would successfully write his name in gold through the completion of this gigantic project, the entire Lagos-Badagry Expressway reconstruction project, and, possibly initiating yet other rail line projects in some other areas of the State requiring such.

    To round off, the recently held Lagos State Food Security Summit, in my view, constitutes yet another indisputable reference point that empirically proves my take that, rather than spoiling, Lagos is improving under Ambode. It is instructive that the all-important issue of food security, which holds the most indispensable key to human existence, gained a space in Lagos State administration, for the first time in history, as soon as Ambode emerged. This, to me, soothes the discomfort and discontent usually expressed by Nigerians in most states, as they, justifiably and rhetorically, question the essence of new roads and bridges in a context of murderous hunger. Sincere implementation of the summit resolutions, to banish the currently biting widespread hunger in the land, would really confer common sense on all of Ambode’s infrastructure acts.

    • Olokode writes vide solacemediaconsult@gmail.com
  • Dubai Parks and Resorts on the move

    Dubai Parks and Resorts on the move

    Dubai Parks and Resorts is set to bring unprecedented amazing themed park experiences to millions of visitors across the world, including Nigeria beginning from October 31, 2016 when it officially opens the new Wonderland.

    With a focus on becoming the largest integrated themed park in the Middle East, six cumulative experiences await visitors including Motiongate Dubai; Bollywood Parks Dubai; Legoland Dubai; Legoland Water Parks; Lapita and Riverland Dubai all fused into the 25 million square feet Dubai Parks and Resorts landscape.

    The park is designed to offer new heights in entertainment with the Motiongate Dubai showcasing everything Hollywood while Bollywood Parks Dubai brings to life first-hand experience of the globally celebrated Indian movie industry and the Legoland Dubai and Water Parks, the very first of its kind in the Middle East region.

    To attract visitors from Nigeria and West Africa, Dubai Parks and Resorts recently signed partnership with four leading travel management companies in the country – Tour Brokers International, Wakanow, Quantum/Ajala, based in Lagos and All States Travels based in Abuja, to provide exclusive information and marketing support services on behalf of Dubai Parks and Resorts to teeming Nigerian and West African visitors.

  • MUSWEN on the Move

    Have you not seen how Allah has presented the parable of good deed like that of a fruitful tree which roots are firmly planted in the belly of the earth while its foliages sprout gorgeously into the firmament of the sky, yielding (edible) fruits every season by Allah’s permission? Allah presents human beings with parables that they may be mindful”

                                                            Qur’an 14 verse 24.

     

    Preamble 

    In what is considered a logical move to solidify its strategy in upholding the unity of the Southwest Muslims, a powerful delegation of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) paid a courtesy visit to Ado-Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State, last Sunday. The visit was for two main reasons: (1) to congratulate the new President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the Southwest, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Jamiu Bello Kewulere who is also the Chief Imam of Ado-Ekiti; (2) to reassure the Muslim Community of Ekiti as well as the League of Imams and Alfas that MUSWEN is as much in partnership with them as it is with other Muslim Communities and organisations in the region.

    The delegation was led by the President of MUSWEN, Chief Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola, OON who is popularly known as Chief SOB Babalola. He became the President of MUSWEN early this year at the General Assembly meeting of MUSWEN. He is the third President of that umbrella body of the Southwest Muslim Ummah. He succeeded Justice Tijani Bolorinwa Babalakin, JSC (Rtd), CON, LLD  who also succeeded the late Prof Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa, NMO, CON, the pioneer President of MUSWEN.

    Ever since he assumed office as President, Chief S.O.B has been taking some revolutionary moves aimed at putting MUSWEN on a very sound footing and at improving the welfare of the Muslim masses in the region. One of his progressive moves was the trip to Ado-Ekiti last Sunday which further confirms that this President is really on course in his determination to move MUSWEN to a higher pedestal. That visit which will soon be followed by similar ones to other states reminds yours sincerely of an article published in this column about MUSWEN in 2009. It went thus:

     

    Dynamism and Evolution

    “Life is both dynamic and evolutionary. Its dynamism springs incontrovertibly from its evolution. Without evolution, there can be no experience for man. And, without dynamism, every progressive move capable of fetching more experience would have been in vain. To Islam, one of these two phenomena of life (dynamism and evolution) is a corollary of the other. Thus, the presence of evolution without that of dynamism is like the appearance of the sun without its rays.

     

    Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

    Contrary to the atheist theory of evolution propounded by a British naturalist, Charles Darwin, in his book entitled ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’, published in 1859, Islam believes that evolution is rather a matter of reformation than transformation. Darwin had wanted the world to believe that all living organisms were from a single atom, which transformed from nature to nature and from shape to shape until all the living things we can see today came into existence.

    He also hinted that all those perceivable living things would not remain what they were and concluded that they would change from time to time assuming new natural postures entirely different from what they looked originally. By this queer theory, cockroaches were expected to transform into man at a stage and man into a cow or an elephant. Can you imagine that?

    Thank God, however, that the widely popularised but obviously illogical theory has now been consigned to the refuse bin where it naturally belongs. Falsehood is like a smoke oozing spirally and aggressively into the atmosphere. It may pollute the air for a while. It may colour the atmosphere momentarily. But it will finally and definitely vamoose into permanent oblivion. Allah had alluded to this in the Qur’an where He says: “truth has come and falsehood has vamoosed; surely, falsehood is meant to vamoose”. The Darwin theory of evolution is a typical example of such falsehood.

    Readers may be wondering how Darwin’s theory of evolution concerns MUSWEN. This will be explained shortly. In one of the write-ups published in this column in the past, I described Islam as “a mighty ocean flowing ceaselessly towards all directions and watering all plants into life through the deltas of adjoining rivers”.

     

    Reminiscence

    When that ocean flowed into Nigeria about 1,000 years ago, it only attracted a few men and women of divinely guided minds who were foresighted enough to embrace the new light of Islam coming to illuminate the dark continent of Africa. For several centuries thereafter, that light remained in the area now called Northern Nigeria. And when it eventually reached the Yorubaland (now Southwest Nigeria), in the 15th century, it hardly found any tributary with which to water the plants around. All the people who later embraced Islam and became Muslims practised it as individuals and not as organisations. They only came together as congregations in Mosques during observance of Salat.

    It was only in 1916 when Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’a came to Nigeria via Lagos that the idea of real Islamic organisations began to germinate. Hitherto, all Muslims in the north and in the south were just Muslims of the Sunni doctrine. Shi’ah, at that time, had not yet been known to this part of the world. The little differences that later arose among the Sunni Muslims emanated from the differences of opinions among the four renowned Sunni Imams (Malik, Shafi’i, Hambali and Hanafi) concerning the jurisprudential interpretation of Sunnah. And, with time, when Sufi doctrine began to spread, ignorance took the centre stage as the followers of Qadriyyah and those of Tijaniyyah began to engage in mutual confrontations with each claiming a non-existing superiority over the other.

     

    Nigeria’s First Muslim Organisation

    It may therefore, be said that the very first real Muslim organisation in Nigeria is Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’a, which was imported into the Southwest of Nigeria from England in 1916. Although that organisation later broke up into two main factions in Nigeria, it nevertheless opened door for many other Muslim organisations to spring up especially in Lagos.

    Some of such organisations include Jamaatu Islamiyyah, Anwarul Islam, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Zumratul Islamiyyah, Nawair-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN)  and a host of others, like the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), National Council of Muslim Youths Organisation (NACOMYO), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), The Criterion,  Nasrullah-li-Fatih (NASFAT), Fatiu Quareeb, The Muslim Congress (TMC) and the like, most of which sprang up later in Lagos.

    However, except for bodies like Lagos Muslim Council and the League of Imams and Alfas, none of the aforementioned organisations attempted to serve as an umbrella for the entire Muslim community in the region. Even the two that made attempt only succeeded in catering for certain sections of the Ummah. This is in contrast to what obtains in the north where Jamaatu Nasril Islam is the main umbrella body for all Muslim organisations in that region.

     

    NSCIA and JNI

    Considering the fact that Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) serves the entire north the South West Muslim population which is less than 20 percent of the northern Muslim population, ought to have created a similar umbrella for the region’s Muslim community to serve as a strong compliment to that of the north.

    But, even after about 500 years of embracing Islam, the thought of having such a body did not materialise until August 2008 when MUSWEN came into existence. One can therefore see why the Muslims in this region were so disunited even before a common threat. But it is better to be late than never. At last, MUSWEN has come to stay and it is waxing stronger.

     

    Genesis of MUSWEN

    The idea of forming MUSWEN as the umbrella body for the Southwest Muslims started in March 2004 at the instance of ‘The Companion’, a Lagos based Organisation of Muslim business and professional youth elite. MUSWEN as umbrella body was inaugurated in Ibadan in August 2008 in the presence of virtually all the frontline Muslim Obas and Chieftains. His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto was the Special Guest of Honour on the occasion where all Muslim organisations in the Southwest were duly represented not as guests but as full members. Their presence indicated their commitments.

     

    MUSWEN’s Vision

    MUSWEN’s vision is of a united and effective voice for Muslims in the region under a strong, veritable and collective leadership. This had eluded the region for a very long time but the right time has come. The overall aim is to project the right image of Islam and raise the profile of the Muslims in this part of the country with a formidable unity. That aim also includes enabling them and their offspring to live fully worthy lives as staunch believers and practitioners of the faith while at the same time contributing their quota to the development of the country as respected citizens.

     

    Before Now

    As individuals and organisations, we had wandered aimlessly for centuries like unguarded flock. We had cried for a guiding umbrella body without getting one. We had identified disunity as the bane of our existence and yet we had failed to find a solution for it. But Allah has a time for everything just as He has a programme for every nation or community. Now is the time for solving the chronic problem confronting the Southwest Muslim. Now is the time to flock together in peace and harmony. Now is the time to fly where we had been crawling and fortunately, MUSWEN has a capable pilot in its President, Chief S.O. Babalola.

    Who can claim to be happy where virtually all the children of school age that are out of school happen to be Muslims? Who can feel satisfied with having fewer schools and fewer teachers than we need at all levels our educational system? Who can claim to be well pleased with a situation where the most skilled and most professionally qualified Muslims have crossed to the other side of the bridge due to lack of guidance? Who does not know that the enclave of penury in this part of the country is domiciled in the Muslim community? Should we continue to be complacent with this gloomy situation and indifferent to a positive change? To put correct perspective in place, only cooperation by all will be good for all.

     

    An Eye Sore

    If we look around us, we shall find that almost all the touts in our city and town motor garages claim to be Muslims. Overwhelming majority of ‘never do well’ artisans in our region claim to be Muslims. Most of the hooligans used by the politicians to kill or maim political opponents claim to be Muslims. There are no worthy private Muslim schools in which to enroll our children. No trusted Muslim hospitals are available for our masses. Few Muslim law chambers can compare with those for non-Muslims. Few Accounting firms owned by Muslims are of the highest standard. Even ordinary continuous education centres to coach our children for Secondary School Certificate or General Certificate of Education or Joint Admission and Matriculation exams are not available for Muslims. Why then, are we complaining of attempt in certain quarters to convert our children? Who does not know that anybody who pays the piper automatically has the authority to dictate the tune?

     

    Why MUSWEN?

    It is in order to end this gloomy situation and rekindle the glow of hope that MUSWEN emerged as a formidable platform for the Muslims of the Southwest to prove their mettle. But why is MUSWEN so named and why is it restricted to the Southwest of Nigeria?

    The history of Islam and the conditions of the Muslims in Southwest Nigeria are so unique that they require a special and appropriate attention. The presence of Islam among the Yoruba people who inhabit the area now called Southwest dates back to centuries before the advent of Christianity and the coming of the British colonialists in 1842. Islam had thus made a tremendous impact on the language and culture of the people. Being a religion of literacy and education, Islam brought these to the Yoruba and the rest of West African people for the first time.  At that time, Yoruba language was committed to writing in Arabic alphabets otherwise known as Ajami. Arabic, therefore, became the first language of literacy as well as the medium of formal communication and scholarly discourse among Yoruba Muslim scholars. But hasn’t that been reversed today?

     

    Concern

    It is rather a matter of concern and even an irony that the same Muslims are now far behind their Christian counterparts in education. How did this irony come about? How can it be reversed?

    What are the aims and objectives of MUSWEN? What is its structure? What programmes does it have for the Southwest Muslims? What is its position vis a vis the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs? These and many more questions about MUSWEN will be answered in this column in the near future In sha’a Llah.

  • Why I won’t move into my new house, by Pasuma

    Why I won’t move into my new house, by Pasuma

    Fuji musician Alabi Pasuma has been criticised by his fans for still living in a rented apartment. The artiste has said that he is not bothered by the comments.

    He says he has just completed his house around OPIC on the popular Lagos/Ibadan Expressway but he is yet to move in. He won’t vacate his present house in Omole Estate on the outskirts of Lagos because the new surrounding is not yet well developed.

    “It’s true I have finished my house in OPIC area as you said but because that place hasn’t developed, I just have to pause, pending the time the area will be developed. Everything is completed to taste; nothing is left to be done to make it habitable.

    “I just decided that when the area is full, I will move in. Also, I have got another one I am building in Omole here. I think that one would have been completed by the time I celebrate my birthday in November this year. That’s my prayer,” he said.

    Pasuma who has also been active in the hip hop scene since early 90s hinted his fans that he will be releasing a hip hop album. He has since dropped over four hip hop songs including a collaboration with Mavin Records first lady Tiwa Savage.

  • President yet to move into Villa

    President yet to move into Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to relocate to his official residence in Aso Rock.

    Buhari was inaugurated as President on Friday when he took over from former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    A source in the Presidential Villa, who does not want his name in print, said yesterday that renovation had been completed at the official residence.

    He said: “Renovation of the residence has been completed with furniture in place. It is now left for the president to organise prayer in the house and then move in. I believe that will be done this week.

    “This is normal because the former President did not just move in immediately after he was sworn in as President. He took some days before he moved in after a prayer session was organised in the official residence.”

    Speaking with Buhari’s Head of Media team, Garba Shehu, on telephone yesterday on whether Buhari has moved into the Villa, he said: “Not yet.”

    Asked why the delay and when the President is likely to move in, he said: “I don’t know. I’m waiting in his house to listen to him.”

  • Delta leaders move to make Igbuya Speaker

    The victory of the Delta State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Hon. Monday Ovwigho Igbuya in the April 11 Assembly elections has been described as a welcome development by leaders.

    Meeting under the aegis of Delta State Political Leaders Forum (DSPLF), the leaders praised Igbuya for serving the state dutifully. They also called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and lawmakers-elect to make the member representing Sapele Constituency the next Speaker of the House.

    A statement by the Director of Communications of the DSPLF, Mr. Sylvester Oguma, said the leaders based their choice of Igbuya as the next speaker of the state assembly on the core attributes of competence, integrity, courage, initiative and focus.

    The statement said. “Igbuya has all it takes to preside over the sessions of the House. He possesses a profound knowledge of precedent, procedure and how Legislature operates. He is a strategist; his word means a lot. He will advance public policy, maintain order and effectively conduct general business of the House”.

    Continuing, the statement said “Let us pick a man who would be beholden to no constituency greater than that of the state. Igbuya will bring to the speaker’s office the value of working together and respect. He will always meet with the other leaders in crafting major legislation to deal with pressing issues and problems.”

    On the way forward, the statement said “We are working very hard, consulting with the political parties and ethnic groups to actualize the objective of making Igbuya speaker”.

    The leaders urged Deltans at home and abroad to support Igbuya “Call your Representative and demand that he or she supports Igbuya for the position” the statement added.

    Igbuya, the friendly majority leader and former chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, would be the favorite to succeed Peter Onwusanye, given his familiarity with the process and deep knowledge of the House rules.