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Tag: Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

  • 2019: Christians, Muslims have no preferred candidates, says Sultan

    … As CAN president urges youth to shun thuggery 

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Saturday said Nigerians should hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his words that he will conduct a free, fair and credible 2019 general elections. 

    Abubakar disclosed that Nigerians should also know that Christian and Muslim leaders: “We do not have any preferred candidate for any elective post in the forthcoming 2019 elections. Everybody is our candidate. 

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to ensure violence free campaign and free, fair and credible 2019 elections. So we will hold him to his words. INEC should also take note of what the president said. Security agencies especially the police should take not of this. Let us deliberate and see who is the best to lead us out of this quagmire.”

    He said this during the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), Youth Wing second National Youth Summit themed: Towards Peaceful And Contribution Of Christians And Muslim Youth In 2019 General Elections In Nigeria,held in Abuja.

    He said that Nigerians should take a stand and not to be used by politicians and other stakeholders to cause violence especially during the forthcoming general elections. 

    Abubakar said that the second summit came at the time Nigeria have been politicised by the political class and that there was the need to sit as a family irrespective of their various religious. 

    He advised Nigerians to be untied and that the summit is aimed at contributing to peaceful participation of inter religious groups on the 2019 election. 

    The sultan called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to instigate violence of any kind.

    His words: “This summit is better now as we are approaching the 2019 general elections. Nigeria has never been so tensed-up  as it is today. Everything is politicized. Religion is politicized, economy is politicized, including politics itself. We have seen politic in other lands and it is not as hot as our own. 

    “The youths are the foot-solders of tomorrow and it is necessary that we bring them together. There is so much apprehension yes. Our religions have never preach violence. So where did we get our own violent mood that we use children to kill, burn and destroy houses and properties. 

    “As religious leaders we are worried. The victims of election violence are not my children or yours, the victims are the children of the common men and women who cannot afford one meal a day. So why should we be used by politicians to commit crime. 

    Read Also: Sultan urges Nigerians to shun ethno-religious differences

    “Why won’t the politicians use their children for election violence, or their friends. Even  if it is the president, we will not be used by any politician. And the earlier we do that the better for us.”

    The president of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, also told youths not to allow themselves to be use by selfish politicians to cause mayhem during the 2019 general elections.

    Ayokunle said that youth should not allow disgruntled politicians to use them as political thugs by providing them with drugs and all sort of weapons to attack their own brothers because of political differences while their own children are schooling abroad. 

    He said that Youth should wake up from slumber and always see themselves as futher leaders instead of being cheap to selfish politicians.

    “Our youths should stay peacefully and not allow selfish politicians to use them in breaching the relative peace in the country. Whoever approaches you for thuggery, ask him to lead you in the act.”

    The CAN president, caution ahead of the elections, saying “any distraction or violence will only set our democracy backwards and affect all areas of human development”.

    He noted some of the challenges being experienced in the country are instigated by politicians while urging them to play politics devoid of acrimony and violence.

    Lamenting the security challenges across the country.

    In his remarks, the National Security Adviser to the President Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno, (rtd) represented by Brig-Gen Emmanuel Ndagi said that peaceful dialogue is the path way to peaceful coexistence.

    Monguno said that security is a collective responsibility, adding that Nigerians should stay peaceful. 

    He urged the youths to ensure that Nigeria achieve peaceful elections and that Nigeria’s President is working to ensure free fair peaceful and credible elections in 2019. 

    He, however, added that the Federal Government, religious leaders, politicians as well as youths have critical roles in preventing the used of social media to propagate fake news, hate speech and any act capable of instigating violence. 

    The United States of America Ambassador, represented by David Young, Deputy Chief of Mission of embassy in Nigeria, said that the US is committed to supporting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve credible elections in Nigeria. 

    Young commended the role NIREC in mobilising Nigeria’s Youths towards peaceful 2019 general elections.

    He advised that Nigerian youths should practiced their faith and put it into action by loving God and their neighbors with all their hearts,” for faith without works is dead” . 

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said government is working seriously for the success of the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    Idris who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police  Raheed Akintunde vowed that both vote buyers and sellers would be dealt with without fear or favour.

    He urged youths not to allow themselves be used as political thug.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had few weeks back given the assurance at the International Conference Center(ICC),in the Hague, Netherlands, where he assured the International Criminal Court that his administration would deploy every power within its reach to conduct free, fair and violence-free polls in 2019.

  • Sultan laments trend of drug abuse among women, youths

    Sultan laments trend of drug abuse among women, youths

    Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, NSCIA, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Thursday lamented the growing trend of drug abuse among women and youths, challenging the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) to use its platform in reversing the trend.

    Speaking at the formal opening of SOGON’s 51st Annual National Conference in Sokoto, Abubakar who was the chairman of the occasion expressed serious concern over the ugly trend that is fast affecting public morality.

    However, the conference tagged: SOGON- Sokoto 2017 has as its theme: ” Maternal and Newborn Health in a Challenging Economy.”

    The revered monarch further advocated for the ban production, sale and consumption of such drugs that were being abused.

    According to him” the trend is quite disturbing. How can SOGON use its offices to check-mate it even cough syrups such that one cannot just go to any chemist to buy such drugs”, he stressed.

    According to the ‎royal father” We are going to table the issue during our meeting of traditional rulers. It will form part of the discussions to be held”, he said.

    Earlier, Professor Brian Adinna, National President of SOGON) said no nation can develop and perform better without ‎proper family planning and effective provision of health services for women and the newborn.

    He noted that maternal health was a sensitive aspect in health services delivery of any society.

    According to Adinma, the theme of the conference was well chosen in view of the contemporary experiences and economic down turn affecting the health sector in delivering services.

    He said women were more vulnerable to numerous health complications as cervical cancer, VVF among other related ailments.

    According to him” SOGON is out to effectively ensure the reduction of maternal mortality ‎to the barest minimum.”

    He further stated that the society has taken the responsibility to invite specialised partners from across the world to complement and update it’s focus towards addressing maternal mortality and child health challenges.

    Adinma however, commended Governor Tambuwal for his various health projects and support in the state.

    ” We are aware of your giant strides in the establishment of basic health institutions, the community health insurance initiative and structures.

    Similarly, he eulogised the unprecedented efforts of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe state for his unequalled compassion for maternal and child health.

    Highlights of the event were the ‎conferment of an honorary status membership on Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe state and the unveiling of SOGON’s Journal by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal with a donation of N10 million each by the government’s of the two states while commending the Yobe state government for the resilience and courage displayed in achieving so much within the health sector in the midts of Boko Haram insurgents persistent attacks on the state in the last 6 years.

    Also was the formal induction of 29 new members of SOGON at the well attended event witnessed by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, wife of Kebbi state Governor, Dr. Zainab Atiku Bagudu Shinkafi, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Members of YOHA, Members HoRs, Emirs of Machina, Ngazargamu, ‎Jajere, Fika and Damaturu among other personalities that cut across all sectors including politicians especially from Yobe state.

  • Sultan condemns Arewa youths threat to Igbos, Nigeria’s disintegration

    Sultan condemns Arewa youths threat to Igbos, Nigeria’s disintegration

    SULTAN of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has said that he is never in agreement with or support of any plan or attempt to attack the Igbos in the north.

    According to the reverred monarch” If anybody or group of persons plans negative attack on the Igbos it should be done to him first.”

    Abubakar who made the remark in Sokoto when he recieved the world Igbo union leader, His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Sir Dr. Meshach said he was against the so called ultimatum by the Arewa youths that Igbos should vacate the north by October.

    The religious leader who also commented on the term “Restructuring” pointed out that it does not mean galvanizing or dividing Nigeria, but, simply means making adjustment here and there for equal accommodation to all and sundry in the country.

    He said it was a purposeful agitation for pure equity and fair play; religiously, socially and economically.

    He said the agitation for pulling out by some people or calls for disintegration cannot solve any of the problems facing the country and that dividing it into many parts is not the solution to the mirage of problems bedeviling the nation as this will lead to towns and villages clamouring to become independent.

    Abubakar further said the way forward is round table dialogue, talking humanly not carrying arms or dangerous weapons.

    He maintained ” that will never lead to peace and that he believed there are genuine complaints here and there bordering on marginalization but the way out is by peaceful resolution.”

    The roal father strongly blamed the nation’s politicians for most of the problems being faced by most Nigerians saying “they come to you during campaigns, promise you heaven in your house, air conditions on all roads and milk entering your mouth hourly with out any effort from you and, as soon as they win, Vum Abuja then they starts planning or arranging comfort for themselves while some from rural areas move to state capital with careless abandonment of the voters”, he noted.

    He called on the electorates to ensure their votes go to credible persons seeking political offices.

    ” That is the only way forward even as I condemn all about the quit order, the violence method of agitations for independence, kidnappings, vandalization and hiding under religion to kill through the use of suicide bombing instruments believing that it will lead one to heaven”, which according to him, will only land the person in hell-fire because Islam never teach or preach such act.‎

    Earlier, the world Igbo Union leader, His Imperial Majesty, (HIM), Meshach Ahanta (Gburugburu Igbo Dum), proudly stated that Igbos are the first Nigerian followed by others and that they are not going anywhere from the north as the Arewa youths ordered.

    Meshach who was in company of prominent Igbo Chiefs and men residing in Sokoto paid the Sultan a courtesy call said that he has been going round calling Igbos to know that they cannot leave peacefully in isolation from Nigeria rather they should work towards ensuring proper reintegration, reconstruction as promised by the former head of state, Gen. YakubuGowon and may also includes agitation for creation of more states in the South-East to meet up with other Geopolitical Zones of the country, Nigeria.

  • Sultan declares polio vaccines safe, Islamic

    Sultan declares polio vaccines safe, Islamic

    Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday flagged-off the Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs), reiterating that polio and other child-killer diseases vaccines are safe and Islamic.

    Abubakar, who spoke in Wamakko Town, headquarters of Wamakko Local Government of

    Sokoto State, also restated the commitment of Northern Traditional Rulers Committee on Polio and Routine Immunisation towards eradicating polio and other child-killer diseases in the country.

    He added that vaccines for polio and other child-killer diseases like measles, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, among others are safe.

    According to him, “The vaccines have been internationally and medically certified by medical experts and Islamic clerics.

    ” We have also concurred with them, as we will not accept and consent to anything that will harm our children.”

    The revered monarch also appealed to Nigerians to accept the vaccines, routine immunisation, while pregnant women should avail themselves of the various antenatal services available.

    Speaking, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended the federal government,

    the sultan and the development partners for the relentless efforts to eradicate polio and other diseases.

    The governor vowed that the government will continue to support all endeavors for Nigeria to be certified polio-free.

    He said, “The state government is committed to all agreements it has signed on all aspects, including health.

    “That was why the state government allocated sixteen percent of its 2017 budget to the health sector.”

    Accordingly, Tambuwal vowed to redress all the formidable challenges to improve the disturbing health indices in the state.

    In the same vein, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, expressed the resolve of the Senate to see to the removal of Nigeria from the list of polio endemic countries soon.

    Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Mr Chike Okafor, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, also promised sustained funding to provide efficient healthcare services to Nigerians.

    Spokesman of the Development Partners, Dr Fiona Braka, said,” WHO and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners remain firmly committed to support Sokoto State and the government of Nigeria in revitalising the immunisation program.”

  • Ramadan begins Saturday – Sultan

    Ramadan begins Saturday – Sultan

    Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar ‎III has declared Saturday May 27, 2017 as the first day of Ramadan, 1438 AH which marks the commencement of the Ramadan fast by the Muslims.

    Making the announcement Friday  in his palace in Sokoto, Abubakar said the commencement of the fast followed reports of sighting of the moon  across various states of the federation which marked the end of the month of Shaaban 1438.

     

     

  • Sultan worried over lack of accountability in government, tasks lawyers, judiciary

    Sultan worried over lack of accountability in government, tasks lawyers, judiciary

    Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad ‎Abubakar III has expressed concern on the complete lack of accountability that exists in government with moral fabric of society falling apart.

    Abubakar who made the observation in Sokoto Monday at the opening of the 2017 Nigerian Law Week‎ organised by the state Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said while Court’s play vital role in building democracy, lawyers ought to adequately safeguard it.

    He noted that corruption has reached epic proportions with stolen loots calculated in billions of naira and ‎dollars.

    According to the religious monarch who was represented by the Magain Rafin Sokoto, Alhaji Rilwanu Bello, “it is the role of lawyers to enlighten the general public as the custodians of the laws binding the society and the judiciary is seen as the last hope of the common man‎ which should strengthen the confidence of the people in the judiciary and government.

    “The rule of law is not sacrosanct and there is a major lack of enforcement of legal rules, regulations and procedures”, he noted.

    However, Abubakar urged lawyers to use the week to come up with solutions to the problems of congestion of cases in courts, reduce costs of litigation and outline majors to scrap corruption in its entire ramifications

     

  • Shekarau applauds Buhari’s anti graft war

    Shekarau applauds Buhari’s anti graft war

    Former Kano state Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau‎ has applauded the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti graft war, saying that “it is what most Nigerians have been yearning for.”

    According to him “Anyone who acquired wealth through illegal or fraudulent means should be investigated and brought to justice.”

    He noted that it takes a true and honest individual to right track a nation like Nigeria against corruption, pointing out that” we will join hands provided it is done with fairness.”

    Shekarau who spoke to reporters in Sokoto on Sunday on the sidelines at the 22nd Annual National Ummah Convention(NUC) held in Sokoto, declared open by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said the anti graft war was a right step in the right direction.

    According to the former Presidential candidate in 2011 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) and one time governor of the state described as the northern ‘commercial hub’‎ second to Lagos, “Nigeria and Nigerians need absolute system reformation where justice, fair hearing and strict adherence to the rule of law are premium.

    “Let me share with you that Kano state during my government was the first and only state to key in and evolve an anti corruption machinery when then President Obasanjo came up with EFCC‎”, he added.

    The one time Minister of Education and first to set a record of two terms of 4 years as governor in Kano state said the present APC led government under President Buhari should not jettison the baseline of due process and avoid selective justice in its anti corruption fight.

    “Our system needs to be sanitised for prosperity. But meting injustice to an unjust person amounts to no justice.”

    On the crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which he owes allegiance, the former governor said ‎it was a normal political hurdle that would come to pass, adding that “we are re-strategising and we will sail out of the perceived  woods.

    “We are only going through political reformation to come up with acceptable leadership with people oriented ‎agenda”, Shekarau explained.

    On the Sharia system entrenched ‎during his government, the former governor said “there is nothing wrong in being godly which entails the fear of your creator by been just, truthful, honest, sympathy, patience and morally up right. Both Islam and Christianity are adherents of these teachings and tenets.

    “They are not new and strict adherence would have shaped‎ our society as a nation. Only that some quarters have a different perception and misconception about what it entails.

    “It may interest you to know that the National and state bodies of c gave me a commendation letter ‎on Sharia”, he disclosed.

    On the convention, Shekarau noted that it was a good platform to objectively dissolve national problems‎ associated with the revival of agriculture not only in the north but Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him “we have to encourage responsive leadership and favourable policies that would transform the country’s agricultural sector to glory.”

    He said Nigeria’s greatest challenge ‎was the lack of coordination and absence of a genuine and responsive platform that would galvanise existing potentials and capacity to produce in large commercial quantity.

    “We have the land and human capital but without coordinating other components, we cannot make the desired impact”, he pointed out.

    He further attributed the country’s crash in agriculture to ‎the politics of state creation, adding that “the creation of additional states has further set us back.

    Before, states were doing well and a lot in agricultural activities because there was control chain in the system especially when northern marketing board was in operation which we need to reverse to augment strategic agricultural policy framework to be braced by a more holistic mechanism for the production, marketing and sales of grains between the farmer and final consumer destination”, he explained.

     

  • Osinbajo to visit Sokoto Thursday

    Osinbajo to visit Sokoto Thursday

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will pay an official visit to Sokoto on Thursday.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Sokoto by Imam Imam, Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.

    It said, “while in the Seat of the Caliphate, the Acting President will take part in a two-day nationwide clinic organised for micro,small and medium enterprises (MSME), which is being hosted by the Sokoto State Government.

    “During the events, the Acting President will hold interactive sessions with government agencies, financial institutions, operators and stakeholders in the MSME’s sub-sector.”

    The statement added that Osinbajo would also inspect sample of works by small and medium scale enterpreneurs from across the federation.

    It added that the Acting President would pay homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad-Abubakar III, at his palace in Kanwuri, Sokoto.

  • Arrest unemployment, Sultan tells govt

    Arrest unemployment, Sultan tells govt

    THE Sultan of Sokoto and President General National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged government to concretise measures aimed at solving the problem of youth unemployment and restiveness.

    He said there was urgent need for government to encourage the youths to be meaningfully productive not only to themselves but the country.

    Abubakar also appealed to politicians, especially those seeking elective posts to conduct peaceful campaigns.

    While noting that Nigerians are brothers and sisters, he said politics should not divide the long-standing national unity.

    According to the revered leader:” God gives and takes leadership. Sokoto has remained largely peaceful and united and other states should emulate it,” he added.

    Abubakar made the remarks in Sokoto yesterday in his Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah in the country.

    He noted that the issue of youth unemployment was principal catalyst to the current problems in the nation.

    To him:”This is the genesis of most of the problems plaguing Nigeria currently.”

    While acknowledging the efforts of government towards giving hope to the youths, Sultan Abubakar observed that they were doing their best “but the problem is becoming more endemic now across Nigeria.”

    He commended the federal government for ensuring the timely airlifting of the nation’s intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia despite initial delays.

    “The Saudi Arabian government delayed the issuance of visas to our pilgrims due to the Ebola virus disease issue.

    “The proactive efforts and actions of the federal, Lagos, Rivers and other state government on the problem were timely.

    “This is commendable and the Saudi government also deserves a commendation for having faith in Nigeria.’’

     

  • Jonathan to meet governors, health commissioners

    Jonathan to meet governors, health commissioners

    •‘60% of spread from burials’ 

    President Goodluck Jonathan summoned governors and their health commissioners yesterday for a meeting scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The President spoke at the second interfaith dialogue held in Abuja, organised by the Interfaith Initiative for Peace.

    He cautioned Nigerians against celebrating burials, adding that 60 per cent of Ebola virus is spread during such ceremonies.

    The Federal Government, he said, would continue to secure its borders and airports against the disease.

    Jonathan promised to support state governments that do not have the financial capacity to fight the scourge.

    He said: “Let me appreciate our children who have performed wonderfully well in their presentations and have also raised the issue of Ebola, calling on our religious leaders to stop the Ebola problem. They called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and John Cardinal Onaiyekan to stop the problem. So, the Sultan and Cardinal Onaiyekan now have challenges. But we will help you.

    “As a government we promise we will do everything possible to contain Ebola. We are doing our best.

    “On Wednesday, I am going to meet with all the governors. They will come with their commissioners of health. We must make sure that every state is prepared. Where they lack (the finance), the Federal Government will support the state to make sure that they have what it takes to contain Ebola virus.”

    “It is unfortunate that one mad man brought the Ebola to us. But we have to contain it. This is a good forum that we will use to also plead with our religious leaders because people listen to you more than they listen to politicians.

    “In our various preaching in the mosques and churches, we should communicate clearly. I have been having discussions with people outside and within the country since this incident happened. My conversation with the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) was quite instructive.

    “She said the spread of Ebola, from analysis so far, 60 per cent of the spread is during burials. That’s you will recall that in our announcement we pleaded that we must be mindful of burials. We are pleading that our people, who believe in some kind of ceremonies and so on, that this is not the best period for those ceremonies.”

    He added: “If somebody dies now, that person should be buried where he died. When we get over this, you can exhume the body, if you want. The government will provide the medical examiner that will help you to exhume the body for you to go and bury the way you want.

    “I am saying so because I have personal experience. In 1971 – I was still in secondary school then – when cholera broke out in my mother’s community. Of course, those of us from Southern Nigeria celebrate death. The person who died of cholera happened to be an elderly man. So, they started celebrating him. For days, there was lying-in-state and all that. The whole village was almost wiped out.

    “So, when the Director-General of WHO told me 60 per cent of the spread of Ebola is through burials, we must advise our people not to over-celebrate burials now. The dead should be allowed to bury the dead.”

    Recounting the genesis of the deadly virus in Nigeria, Jonathan said: “Sawyer (a Liberian-American), who brought this Ebola to Nigeria, also contracted it because his sister died of Ebola. He went for the burial and he participated in a way that he became a suspect. The country asked him not to leave so that he would be observed. But the crazy man decided to smuggle himself out and now we are suffering because of it.

    “We are pleading with religious leaders that most of the religious things we do, the traditional things we do, such as the sharing of food and sharing of drinks, unnecessary body contacts and so forth, the spiritual healing homes within this period, let us manage them professionally. Let us listen to the suggestions by professional health workers to save our people.

    If properly managed, the President said, the country will get over the Ebola challenge within two months and Nigerians will return to their normal lives.

    Jonathan said: “Immediately people stop dying, we can go back to our normal lives. Now, if a Nigerian is travelling out of this country and you have ordinary fever, you will be quarantined. The first thing they do is to check the temperature in your ear. Immediately the temperature is high, they will suspect and quarantine you and test you for Ebola before they can release you to join normal people.

    “So, we must work together. We have to sacrifice certain privileges so that we can get out of the Ebola problem as early as possible. Even some of these social media send out all kinds of instructions for people that they should drink salt. Please, don’t drink salt.

    “Taking excess salt is extremely dangerous. If you bath with it, it might not hurt you much. That is why you can bath with salt water in the ocean. But drinking it is extremely dangerous.”