The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • El-Zakzaky: 186 doctors from seven countries write Buhari

    A group of doctors from seven countries – Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq has written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari pointing to Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky’s physical conditions, and asking the Nigerian government to transfer him to a well-equipped hospital as soon as possible.

    The letter revealed El-Zakzaky’s medical and health status which required urgent attention.

    The full text of the letter is as follows:

    “In the name of God, The healer

    From the community of Doctors

    To the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Buhari.

    In the past several months, the world has constantly received troubling news regarding the health of one of the prominent figures in Nigeria, Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. Both Skaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife are kept in prison and the health status of both of them is very alarming.

    We have chosen to be doctors even after knowing that this job is very difficult and troublesome, but we chose to save people’s lives and preferred the health of the society over our personal interests.

    According to the medical reports regarding the health status of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky:

    1. He is suffering from a total blindness in the left eye, and is also suffering from vision problems in the right eye including glaucoma and progressive macular atrophy. According to the diagnosis of the visiting physicians, Shaikh Zakzaky will lose his vision sooner or later if the current circumstances do not change.

    2. He has shown symptoms of Ischemic heart disease which can lead to Myocardial Infraction.

    3. He is also suffering from severe cervical spondylosis which has resulted to nerve root compression and symptoms are progressive causing insomnia.

    4. The experiments show that he has heavy metal toxicity including Lead and Cadmium. Laboratory tests that are performed on May 31st, 2019 show that blood lead level is 171.94µg/dl. Later on June 18th, 2019 this level was reported to be 231.48µg while in the last laboratory test the blood lead level was three times more than the toxicity level (grade 5 of poisoning).

    Based on the points highlighted above, Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky should be transferred to a well- equipped medical center that has Neuro-ophthalmologist, glaucoma specialist and low vision expert, cardiologist, orthopedist and neurologist. Also he may need to have a surgery to reduce intraocular pressure.

    We, doctors of different nationalities cannot take the health of any human for granted. This is something that is inherent in our obligation as doctors. Ignoring the critical health status of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky can end up in irreparable consequences.

    We request the government and parliament of Nigeria to immediately transfer him to a well-equipped hospital to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

    A group of doctors from Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq

    Dr Abbas alahmad, Pediatrician, Syria

    Dr Abd alkrim Hariri, Neurosurgeon, Syria

    Dr Abd almonaam hsanato, Radiologist, Syria

    Dr Abdo salami, Dentist, Syria

    Dr Addel maheiri, Maxillofacial Specialist, Syria

    Dr Ahmad alrahal, Otorhinolaryngologist, Syria

    Dr Ahmaad alzien, Thoracic Internist, Syria

    Dr Ahmad nasrullah, Dentist, Syria

    Dr Ajmal Farooq, General practitioner, India

    Dr Alla Aldrin Hassan, Neurosurgeon, Syria

    Dr Allaa allnassan, General Surgeon

    Dr Amar kiali, Ophtalmologist, Syria

    Dr Anas hellali, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Asma Khalid, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Bakri dablloni, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Bassel alshaher, Dentist, Syria

    Dr Bsam kedeh, Gastroenterologist, Syria

    Dr Fadi alaar, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Farhat, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Fizza Batool Zaidi, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Furqan Ali khan, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Hania Batool Zaidi, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Hassam Saleem, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Hassan alkhatib, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Hassan Khalil, Internist, Syria

    Dr Houda abdalhadi, Internist, Syria

    Dr Ibrahim hadid, Urologist, Syria

    Dr Idrak Hussain Bhat, General practitioner, India

    Dr Iftikar Hussain, General practitioner, India

    Dr Kashaf Zehra Durrani, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Mamdoh zitoni, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Manaaf sharbjii, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Mhmmod Nasser, Gastroenterologist, Syria

    Dr Mirza Arsalan, General practitioner, India

    D.Mohamad mohiedin, Pediatrician, Syria

    Dr Mohanad battal, Pediatric Surgeon, Syria

    Dr mohanad naasan, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Mohanad zanoube, Ophtalmologist, Syria

    Dr Mohd Yaseen Mir, General practitioner, India

    Dr Motaz alhmod, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Muhammad Ajmal Hussain, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Muhammad Ali Kazmi, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Muhammad ali raseed, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Muhammad Amjad Hussain, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Muhammad Baqir, 4 year resident internal medicine, Pakistan

    Dr Mouhamad batikh, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Muhammad Farhan, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Myllad zahlloq, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Ossama attar, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Owais Raza General practioner (MBBS), Pakistan

    Dr Owais Siddique, General practitioner, India

    Dr Raja Munawa, General practitioner, India

    Dr Saman Fatima, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Samer alhames, Thoracic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Samer sharbo, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Sami bitar, Nephrologist, Syria

    Dr Saqib Hussain, General practitioner, India

    Dr Sharaf ud deen, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Showkat Hussain Dar, General practitioner, India

    Dr Shyar mostafa, Neurosurgeon, Syria

    Dr Suhail Ahmad Mir, General practitioner, India

    Dr Syed ali kuamil, General practitioner Pakistan

    Dr Syed Muntazir Mousavi, General practitioner, India

    Dr Syed Wafadar Hussain Naqvi, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Syeada Maimoona Batool Rizvi, General practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Taher farfotli, Neurologist, Syria

    Dr Tahssin hmidi, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Waael akari, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr wisaam dieb, General Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Yamen yousuf, Neurosurgeon, Syria

    Dr Yassin alrahal, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Yousef sabsabi, Orthopedic Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Zaher and allaziz, Vascular Surgeon, Syria

    Dr Zaher batal, Nutritionist, Syria

    Dr Zaid Jeelani, General practitioner, India

    Dr Zeeshan Hadier, Liver transplant surgeon, Pakistan

    Dr Arezoo Mohtasham, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Azadeh Hashemi, Radiology Resident, Afghanistan

    Dr Abolfazl Mohammadi, Orthopedic Surgeon, Iran

    Dr Amanollah Karami, Ophtalmologist, Iran

    Dr Amir Rahmanian, Emergency Medicine Resident, Iran

    Dr Amirhossein Izadyar, General PractitionePractitioner, Iran

    Dr Aniseh Aliabadi, Dermatology Resident, Iran

    Dr Hamed Abdi, Internist, Iran

    Dr Hojjat Madarshahi, otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

    Dr Hasan Boskabadi, Pediatrician and Neonatal Specialist, Iran

    Dr Hasan Rajabi, Iran

    Dr Hasan Sezavar, Iran

    Dr Hossein Amirzargir, Urolohist, Iran

    Dr Hossein Mohaddes Ardebili, Psychiatric Resident, Iran

    Dr Hamidreza Safaei, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Hourieh Soleimani, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Rahil Daghmagh, General Practitioner, Lebanon

    Dr Rose sadat Shamsa, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Reyhaneh Aminorroaya, Elderly Medicine Specialist, Iran

    Dr Zahra Behnam Rasouli, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Iran

    Dr Zahra Jafar, General Practitioner, Lebanon

    Dr Zahra Joshaghani, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Zahra Khalili Matinzadeh, Pediatrician, Iran

    Dr Zahra Movahedinia, General practitioner, Iran

    Dr Zahra Moaddab Shoar, Dentist, Iran

    Dr Zeinab Babasafari, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Sajedeh Mousavi, Physical Medicine Resident, Iran

    Dr Saiedeh Khatami, Dentist, Iran

    DT Soleiman Heidari, Toracic Surgeon, Iran

    Dr Samaneh Rahmani, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Seyed Javad Hosseininezhad, Neurologist, Iran

    Dr Syed Zaker Hossein Naqvi, General Practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Syed Omran Hyder Zeidi, General Practitioner, Pakistan

    Dr Seyed Mohammadreza Parizadeh, Biochemistry Ph.D, Iran

    Dr Seyed Mohammadsadegh Mirzaei, general Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Seyed Moadkazem Mozaffari, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Seyed Naser Emadi, International Dermatologist, Iran

    Dr Seyedeh Afsar Sharafi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Seyedeh Zeinab Hashemi Javaheri, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Saeb Aliabadi, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Seddigheh Ayati, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Tahereh Labbaf, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Arefeh Edalatian, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Iran

    Dr Atefeh Kermanshahi, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Abbas Shojaei, Otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

    Dr Azra Rashidnezhad, Neurology Resident, Iran

    Dr Afraalshahrstani, Pediatric Resident, Iraq

    Dr Atieh Mohebbi, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Atieh Mohammadzadeh Vatanchi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Iran

    Dr Ali Anjomshoa, Anesthesiologist, Iran

    Dr Ali Taghiparvar, Epidemiologist, Iran

    Dr Ali Rezazadeh, Internist, Iran

    Dr Ali Fazli, Anesthesiologist, Iran

    Dr Ali Madarshahi, Internal Surgeon, Iran

    Dr Fatemeh Ouchi Ardebili, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Fatemeh Taghizadeh, Physical Medicine Resident, Iran

    Dr Fatemeh Joshaghani, Dentist, Iran

    Dr Fatemeh Dadelahi, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Fatemeh Mehrparvar, Dentist, Iran

    Dr Fouzieh Takhari, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Afghanistan

    Dr Ghasem Amini, Surgery Resident, Iran

    Dr Kamal Heydari, Dentist, Iran

    Dr Leila Moaddab Shoar, Radiotherapy and Oncology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Majid Habibzadeh Moghaddam, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Majid Abdollahi, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Iran

    Dr Majid Ghayour Mobarhen, Nutritionist, Iran

    Dr Mohammad Ebrahimi, Iran

    Dr Mohammad Sajjadi, Psychiatrist, Iran

    Dr Mohammad Sadeghi, Iran

    Dr Mohammadtaghi Rajabi Mashhadi, Surgeon, Iran

    Dr MohammadJafar Modabber Azizi, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Mohammadreza Behrouz, Iran

    Dr Mohammadreza Javdani, Family Medicine Resident, Iran

    Dr Mohammadali Kiani, Gastroenterologist, Iran

    Dr Mahmoud Jozhaghani, Cornea Specialist, Iran

    Dr Mahmoud Fatemi, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Mahya Yargholi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Morteza Amiri Soleimani, Orthopedic Surgeon, Iran

    Dr Morteza Tajaddodi, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Maryam Sadat Paknezhad, Iranian Traditional Medicine Specialist, Iran

    Dr Maryam Rezaeian, Dentist, Afghanistan

    Dr Maryam Yargholi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Mozhgan Mahmoudian, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Masoud Maleki, Dermatologist, Iran

    Dr Masoud Mahdavi, Radiologist, Iran

    Dr Mostafa Jafari, Internist, Iran

    Dr Malihe Akbari, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Malihe Hatefipour, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Mahdi Oughli, Internist, Iran

    Dr Mahdi Mokhtari, Ophtalmologist, Iran

    Dr Mahdieh Pouryazdanpanah, Nutritionist, Iran

    Dr Mahdi Miri, Internist, Iran

    Dr Mahsa Kia, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Milad Hadadi, Dentist, Iran

    Dr Najmeh Khodadadi, Iran

    Dr Najmeh Zamani, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Narjes Khatoun Movahedi Rad, General Practitioner, Iran

    De Narges Salehi, Cardiologist, Iran

    Dr Narges Arabzadeh, Internist, Iran

    Dr Nasrollah Hamraz, Internist, Afghanistan

    Dr Nafiseh Kazemi Rad, Radiology Resident, Iran

    Dr Nafiseh Aliabadi, Pediatric Resident, Iran

    Dr Nayerreh Khadem Ghayebi, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iran

    Dr Hadi Hasanzadeh, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Hadi Sherouni, Otorhinolaryngologist, Iran

    Dr Hadi Jalali, General Practitioner, Iran

    Dr Rezaei, Interventional Cardiologist, Afghanistan”

  • Bello warns against attack on Fed Govt.

    KOGI State Governor Yahaya Bello has cautioned leaders to desist from inciting the public against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He said the President is doing his best and will continue to transform the nation.

    The governor, who stated this during the Eid-Kabir prayer in Okene, Kogi State, advised Nigerian leaders, who have lived their lives and have benefitted immensely, to give peace a chance in the interest of the country.

    “Leaders should stop inciting people against the security agents of the country and the president, as whoever found wanting will certainly face the full wrath of the law.

    Read Also: Poll: Kogi indigenes in Ekiti back Bello

    “The President is doing his best and there is need for Nigerians to give him total support; we are not unaware that there are challenges, but gradually, he will surmount them” the governor assured.

    Bello, who said Kogi State is ranked among the most peaceful states in the country, appealed to politicians, aspirants and their supporters to go about their campaign in a peaceful manner, that will not impede the peaceful coexistent of the people.

  • Buhari, Conde pray in Daura President’s hometown

    GUINEAN President Alpha Conde on Sunday joined President Muhammadu Buhari to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers in Daura, Katsina State.

    Many prominent Nigerians including Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq Umar and the Muslim faithful prayed with them at the Kofar Arewa prayer ground in President Buhari’s hometown

    Chief Imam of Daura Sheikh Sufyanu Yusuf led the two Raqat prayers which started at about 9:40 am.

    The President, who wore khaki colour babanriga with a brown cap to match, arrived at the praying ground in a black Mercedes Limousine at 9.35am.

    In his sermon, Yusuf stressed the importance of sacrifice in the course of humanity.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Chief Odigie Oyegun at 80

    He said the sacrifice associated with the Eid, was the hallmark of service to God as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim, who attempted to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail in deference to God’s command.

    The Imam said that sacrifices in all forms must be made to earn the rewards of the Almighty and advance the cause of humanity.

    He enjoined those who were able to sacrifice animals during the Eid, to share part of the meat with the needy.

    NAN reports that after the prayers, President Conde slaughtered a ram on behalf of President Buhari.

    The Emir assured the President of the continuous support of Katsina State people: He said: “We are proud of you; we are proud of your administration and we shall continue to pray for you. You will continue to triumph over your enemies.”

  • Tinubu seeks stronger nation

    NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advised Nigerians to shun divisive tendencies and build a stronger nation.

    Speaking after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Dodan Barracks ground in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu said: “Differentiation or stagmatisation is not going to help the country.

    “What today teaches is all about sacrifices that we all must make to really have our prayers answered.

    “No one was able to dictate to whom he would be born to, how he would be born and where he would be born. We are proud Nigerians and that is what should be paramount.

    “Let us be proud of our country, dedicate ourselves to the growth and prosperity of our country.

    “Yes, if we say things are hard, it means we will work harder to make it better, not to destroy what our founding fathers have done and put together in the spirit of one nation and one destiny.”

    He advised Nigerians not to forget the part of the first stanza of the old nation’s national anthem which states:   “Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we must stand”.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudasiru Obasa, and minister-designate Babatunde Fashola also spoke after the prayers.

    Fashola described the season as the time to come together as a people and make sacrifices for the development of the country.

    He said: “This is the time to come together in the spirit of the season.

    “This is the time to sacrifice, to get behind our leaders and to come together among ourselves to build our country and make it what we expect it to be.”

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat echoing the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou Nolla, called for an end to the security challenges facing the country.

    So, the fundamental thing is peaceful co-existence among all of us whether Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo or whatever.

    “All of us are Nigerians. We must live in peace and we must unite as a people,” Hamzat added.

    “The imam had said it clearly: it is enough of all these killings. It is enough of these kidnappings and it is enough of all the bad things.

    “So, if anybody says Allah Akbar and you kill somebody, it’s either you are insane or you don’t understand Islam. Islam is a religion of peace.

    “So, the message to all Lagosians and to Nigerians is that we must live peacefully. All the religions–Christianity, Islam preach peace. We should live in peaceful environment.”

    According to the deputy governor, without peace, no progress and development can be achieved by anybody.

    Obasa urged Nigerians to make sacrifices for the nation to move forward.

    He said: “We must love one another and help each other. I believe if we live in tolerance, definitely, we will be able to build a nation of our own.”

    Muslim faithful in their hundreds converged at the prayer ground for the religious ritual.

    The prayers, which started at exactly 9:00 a.m. were led by the grand chief imam of Lagos State.

    The Northeast governors and some clerics called for prayers to overcome the various challenges facing the country.

    They called for the intensification of prayers to God for permanent peace to return to the sub-region.

    Making the call in their Sallah messages to the people, they said with complete submission to the will of God, the challenges were surmountable.

    They also called for respect for one another to enable the achievement of the desired unity necessary for the resolution of grey areas.

    Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya prayed for bumper harvest and sustainable peace.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Make sacrifice for development, Tinubu urges Nigerians

    He expressed optimism that his government would overcome the challenges he met on ground when he assumed office.

    In Yobe, Governor Mai Mala Buni called on the people to pray for peace and unity, as well as support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the festive season.

    He renewed his call on insurgents to surrender and get reintegrated into the society.

    Commending the military and other security agencies over the successes recorded in the counter-insurgency operation and peace building process, the governor urged the people to pray for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes.

    Adamawa State Ahmadu Fintiri called on the people of the state to be tolerant and live peacefully with one another for the development of the state.

    He said: Tolerance and living in peace with one another is our source of strength and a solution to our challenges. I therefore call on Muslim faithful to use the lesson of this great day of Eid-El-Kabir by emulating the good teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).”

    In Kogi, Governor Yahaya Bello urged the people to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice which signifies the essence of Eid-El-Kabir.

    He said: “We join Muslims around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Adha to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. This occasion calls for sacrifice, love and the need to leave in peace amongst ourselves.”

    The governor also enjoined the people to continue to pray for peace and prosperity of the nation.

    “We should join the pilgrims in offering special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress in our dear state and country, as well as for the peaceful and successful conduct of the next  gubernatorial elections in Kogi State.”

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike urged Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice as exemplified by the Prophet.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance which will promote peace across the country and enhance national development.

    The governor assured the people of Rivers State that his government will cooperate with the security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.

    Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni tasked citizens to show love, kindness, respect to each other, as Borno Gov asks citizen to remember troops making sacrifices for the state.

    He called on citizens of the state and Nigerians as a whole to showing kindness, respect and generosity to one another, noting that for the people to achieve a happy society, the examples of Prophet Ibrahim must be emulated with total submission to the commandments of God.

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appealed to Kwarans to sustain the tempo of peace existing in the state for overall development.

    Speaking at the Ilorin praying ground yesterday, the governor said the prevailing peace would attract investment and socioeconomic development.

    AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Chief of Staff Adisa Logun, urged residents to guide the existing peace jealously.

    “If you notice Kwara was so calm before this sallah. It has never been so calm and we will work hard to sustain it,” he added.

    Logun urged the people to remain peaceful and support the state government in its quest to provide the dividends of democracy to the people.

    In Kaduna, Governor Nasir El-Rufai called on Muslims to reflect on the meaning of the festival of sacrifice and exhibit sacrifice to lift Nigeria out its woes.

    Malam El-Rufai said that, in troubled times, there are poignant lessons from the act of absolute faith in Almighty Allah that the festival commemorates.

    Urging Muslims to celebrate the festival with modesty, the governor called for a renewed commitment to exemplary conduct, goodwill and peaceful relations with other members of the great family of humanity.

    Prof Zulum was in Gubio Local Government Area where he spent the greater part of the day, raising public confidence after soldiers of the 5 Brigade repelled dozens of Boko Haram fighters who stormed the council at 6pm, leading into seven hours of gun battle that ended 1am. The governor’s trip came after he set aside activities lined up for the sallah celebration, including a lunch with stakeholders of the governing APC and a traditional visit of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi to the Government House, which usually takes place at 4pm on every Sallah Day.

    Zulum postponed the Shehu’s visit till today, putting security first.

    The governor, alongside a member of the House of Representatives representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency, Usman Zannah and some government officials, first visited headquarters of the 5 Brigade in Gubio town where a meeting, hosted by the Brigade’s commander, Col I.A Ajose and attended by the theatre commander, operation lafiya dole, Major General Benson Akinroloyo and the caretaker chairman of Gubio, Zannah Modu Gubio and other government officials, was held.

    The caretaker chairman informed the governor that were it not for a gallant resistance by soldiers of the Brigade, the insurgents could have gained control of Gubio on the sallah Eve.

     

  • Buhari, Conde, Masari observe Eid prayers in Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside his visiting guest and President of Guinea, Alpha Conde joined other Muslim faithfuls in Daura, Katsina state, on Sunday morning thronged the Kofar Arewa praying ground, to observe the Eid-El- Kabir prayers.

    Buhari who was decked in Khaki colour flowing robe (Babanriga) with brown cap and a pair of brown shoes to match, arrived the praying ground in a black Mercedes Limousine about 9.35am

    Also at the prayer ground were prominent Nigerians including the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq Umar, the recently freed Magajin Gari Daura, former DSS boss, Mamman Daura, and prominent officials of the Katsina state government

    The two Raqat prayers were immediately observed with Malam Sefiyanu Yusuf who led the prayers and read the sermons which revolved around the importance of the Salah as a demonstration of Moslems loyalty and obeisance to Almighty Allah.

    The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq Umar, in his brief comments, lauded President Buhari’s administration, assuring him of the support of people of Katsina state.

    He said” We are proud of you; we are proud of your administration and we shall continue to pray for you. You will continue to triumph over your enemies.”

    Governor Aminu Masari who also attended the prayer session, praised President Buhari for his strong attachment to the people of the state. He urged him on in his efforts at repositioning the country.

    Masari also urged Nigerians to always put leaders in their prayers, and hold them accountable in a peaceful manner. He insisted that prayers, not confrontation, are what Nigerian leaders require to help them navigate the ship of state through the turbulence of security and social challenges besetting the nation.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Chief Odigie Oyegun at 80

    He said’’ although it was within the right of citizens to request a fair deal from the government, it is however, counterproductive to allow the heart to rule over the head by being confrontational in the approach’’.

    While calling on Muslims to imbibe the virtues of respect and obedience to the command of Allah, equality, love for one another, which the annual Pilgrimage seeks to teach, he stated that the last thing the country needed is disobedience to the Constitution, which prescribes legitimate methods of seeking the government’s attention.

    President Buhari and his guest, later at the praying ground, performed the traditional slaughtering of the Salah rams.

    A Durbar was later held in the day in Daura in honour of the visiting Guinean President. Meanwhile, the Salah celebration was generally peaceful in the state.

     

     

  • Shiites: damned if they do, and damned if they don’t

    AFTER a few incidents of killings inspired by the federal government against members and leaders of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), from Zaria in Kaduna State to Abuja, the federal capital city, and with obviously no end in sight given the obstinacy of the Shiites and the intransigence of the government, the Muhammadu Buhari presidency has, it seems, finally found a clever and judicious way out of the impasse. It has consented to the application by the IMN leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, to be granted leave to undertake a medical trip to India for treatment for their ‘war’ wounds. It is not clear why they had not been treated before now, other than that IMN lawyers’ had insisted that Nigeria lacked the equipment and personnel to handle the grave injuries suffered by Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife.

    Seizing upon the small window of calm occasioned by the ban placed on the IMN, not to say the court ruling in Kaduna that granted the IMN leader and his wife leave to seek medical attention in India, the Department of State Service (DSS) promptly acquiesced to the court order and declared its preparedness to comply. It appeared the federal government, despite its high-handedness, was more sensitive to the security implications of further denying the IMN leaders’ bid to travel abroad for treatment. Should he die in custody, the consequences would be unpredictable. And should he be denied his medical trip, no one could tell just what texture of flare-ups to expect from the movement’s boisterous and increasingly apocalyptic members.

    Inexplicably, the Kaduna State government, which does not bear responsibility for the peace of the country, and which very often carries itself as an Island responsible to no one, not even to God, has sought to hedge the Kaduna court ruling with incendiary caveats, seven of which are as provocative as they are insensitive. It will be strange indeed if the court, to which Kaduna has returned to seek curious reliefs, were to entertain the overindulged state government. It should be in the interest of the federal and state governments to quickly allow the Shiite leader and his wife seek medical care abroad. And it is a shame that what ailed the Shiite leaders could not be handled in Nigeria, a testament to the continuing, appalling and for now deplorable state of healthcare in Nigeria. The federal government is not known to be too restrained about many things; but under Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the Kaduna State government is even less restrained and less scrupulous.

    Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife will travel abroad for treatment whether under favourable conditions or under hostile Kaduna State-induced circumscriptions. Nigeria must hope that the sheikh, particularly, should survive the ordeal he has gone through in the past few years. Should he not survive it, IMN and other independent exponents of democracy and the rule of law would attribute his fate to the federal and state governments’ pussyfooting, if not deliberate orchestration. Both the federal and state governments may feign indifference, but given the many deaths they have authored against the IMN, which deaths no one or institution has been held accountable for, the general conclusions would be that the government is wholly responsible. Should he survive it, and resume his trial, the state of tension would resume in full, and with other predisposing anarchic conditions in the country, could at any time take a turn for the worse.

    The deadly Nigerian Shiite conundrum is, sadly, the making of the government. That the IMN grew into the menace the government and the sect’s Zaria neighbours have alleged is largely due to the incompetence or connivance of security and law enforcement agencies. Over the years, they had watched as the sect expanded its operations and began muscling its neighbours and other road users. In its early years, had law enforcement courageously and intelligently handled the sect’s obstreperous tendencies, the situation would not have gone out of hand. Instead, politicians and other government officials handled the sect with kid gloves, pandered to their whims, and glossed dangerously over the dichotomy and subterranean struggles between the minority Shia and majority Sunni. Even when security agents embarked on spasmodic response to the so-called IMN menace, they invariably preferred high-handed, simplistic  and short-termist approach in tackling what is evidently a complex problem.

    In addition, by killing more than 300 IMN members in December 2015 in a bid to tame them, the government simply muddied the waters and complicated the crisis thereby raising all sorts of intractable human rights and constitutional issues. The government will of course still be held accountable for the 2015 massacre. But the problems triggered by that explosive rage of December 12-14, 2015 will last far longer than the lifespan of this government. The crackdown on protesting IMN members demanding the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky last year and early this year leading to the killing of scores of IMN members and disruption of peace in Abuja, the federal capital city, indicates quite clearly the futility of deploying force to tackle a problem that is both religious and ideological. Furthermore, it is hard to see how beliefs, whether mainstream Shia or not, can be legislated away or juridically extirpated.

    The federal government may already have begun to sense the hopelessness of the situation, and may warily be reconsidering the foolish tactics of killing more IMN members simply to pacify the revolt and restore normality. Not only that, the ban on IMN is as misplaced and simplistic as the mindless killing of its members is ineffective and counterproductive. The IMN may be a noisy and unruly neighbour, but the answer cannot definitely be extermination, as the Kaduna governor seems disturbingly enamoured of. All over Nigeria, sects, tribes and socio-economic groups have constituted themselves into unruly neighbours to one another. Stereotyping them, not to say massacring them, is as dangerous and criminal as the offence committed originally by the intransigent groups.

    What is even worse for the federal and state governments are the campaigns and propaganda they have authored against the IMN. The IMN is the largest Shia group in Nigeria. The government has tried to paint them as a minority within the minority. Furthermore, they have tried to justify the many crackdowns and massacres visited on the sect, suggesting that they could be guilty of futuristic crimes, such as their supposed capacity to replicate the debilitating insurgency practiced by Boko Haram. In addition, the government has lied against the IMN leaders, who were shot outside the epicentre of the clash in Zaria, and denied them justice based on contrived legal rigmarole. Sheikh El-Zakzaky got a judgement against the government in December 2016, a judgement disdained by the federal government. It was not until May 2018 that the Kaduna State government filed a murder charge against the IMN leader and his wife, a charge that indicates pure governmental mendacity and oppressiveness. The government then turned round to use the 2018 murder charge to justify the prolonged detention of the IMN leader and his wife since 2015.

    The El-Zakzaky case is a reflection of the complicated and difficult approach the government has adopted to rein in dissent and protests. To them, there is no midway between desirable passivity and undesirable agitation, nor a better law enforcement approach than the application of force. However, what is really at play is the lack of understanding of what modern governance entails, including how to project law enforcement tactics within constitutional ambits, and what democracy demands from leaders and the led alike. As long as the government is unable to safely navigate this treacherous terrain between war and peace, as long as they reason predominantly in terms of military rather than civil tactics, they will continue to instigate more societal conundrums, and groups like the IMN will remain damned if they do anything, and damned if they don’t do anything. Both instinct and history should remind the rulers of today the ephemerality of power and the karmic possibility of falling prey to their own tactics, policies and laws. The IMN, despite their follies and foibles, will survive long after President Buhari and Governor el-Rufai have left office. This should tell them something, if they are capable of embracing the lessons of history.

     

  • Sallah: Buhari leaves for Katsina

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday left Abuja for his home state, Katsina State.

    The President left the Presidential Villa shortly after the jumaat prayer.

    The Federal Government had on Tuesday declared Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 as public holidays to mark the 2019 Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    Buhari and members of his family annually observe the Eid-El-Kabir break in Daura, Katsina state.

    The president, alongside members of his entourage departed the Presidential Villa for Katsina via the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, after observing the two Raka’at Friday prayer at the State House Mosque.

    While in Daura, the president is expected to perform the usual religious obligation of slaughtering rams immediately after the Eid-El-Kabir prayer session on Sunday.

    He will remain in Daura, Katsina state throughout the duration of the Eid-el-Kabir break.

  • Buhari in Katsina for Sallah, official visit

    The Presidency on Friday night explained that President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived  Daura, Katsina State, for a nine-day official visit, which includes celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir with family members, and commissioning of developmental projects.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said that the President was received by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, Deputy Governor Mannir Yakubu and top government officials at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, while the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk and members of the Emirate Council welcomed him at the Helipad in Daura.

    Read Also: Sallah: Buhari leaves for Katsina

    During the visit, he said that the President will commission a Nigerian Air force Reference Hospital in Daura, and some road projects completed by the state government: Shinkafi-Yandaki-Gafia-Abdallawa-Dakaba and Fago-Katsayal-Kwasarawa-Jirdede-Koza.

    The President is also expected to receive the President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, and meet with victims of banditry attacks in the Katsina State before returning to Abuja.

     

  • Killing of Police: Buhari orders Army to investigate incident

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Defence Headquarters to commence immediate investigation of incident involving the troops of 93 Battalion, Takum, Taraba, which resulted to the death of three police officers and a civilian.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the National Security Council, presided by President Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Army and Police authorities had on Wednesday constituted a Joint Investigation Panel to investigate the incident.

    Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement on Wednesday, said the panel would be headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Mike Ogbizi.

    Musa said that the panel would jointly investigate and report on the true circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incidence in order to avert future occurrences.

    However, the Chief of Air Marshal said: “The council also decided that the unfortunate incidents in Taraba State in Ibi, a committee will be setup under the Defence Headquarters to critically look into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.’’

    Abubakar also revealed that the council evaluated the current strategy of managing internal security operations across the country.

    According to him, the council expressed satisfaction with the current efforts aimed at restoring law and order in the country.

    Read Also: Soldiers mistook attacked policemen for kidnappers, says Army

    “We are making substantial progress in all the areas of conflicts,’’ he said.

    On the issue of using technology and drones to fight crimes as earlier pledged to the south-west leaders by the President, Abubakar said technology would continue to play a very critical role in resolving security challenges in the country.

    “All the services are using one technology or the other in order to ensure that our country is secured.

    “So, security will continue to play a role and we are also looking at other areas of technology that are not currently in use to ensure that we put together all that is required to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians,’’ he added.

    The chief of air staff also reassured Nigerians that the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies would continue to work to ensure the security of Nigerians and to also ensure that no individual or group of individuals undermine the territorial integrity of country.

    NAN reports that the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, had earlier issued a statement that the Police Operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reportedly came under sudden attack by soldiers along Ibi–Jalingo Road.

    Mba said that the operatives, who were taking the arrested suspect, Alhaji Hamisu to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, were shot at severally by the soldiers in spite of sufficient proof that they are Police personnel on legitimate duty.

    He said that three Policemen comprising one Inspector and two Sergeants and one civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained in the attack while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.

    According to him, the soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, who is now on the run. (NAN)

  • JUST IN: Buhari, Adamawa State leaders meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with leaders of thought from Adamawa State.

    The State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, led the delegation to the Presidential Villa.

    The meeting started around 2.58pm at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

    At the meeting are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who hails from Adamawa State, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.