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Tag: Sa’ad Abubakar III

  • Sultan seeks cancellation of Africa’s debt

    Sultan seeks cancellation of Africa’s debt

    •‘End genocide in Gaza’

    Co-President of the Religion for Peace World Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has sought the cancellation of Nigeria’s external debt

    He also called for the cessation of the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where thousands of women and children are being starved to death, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The Sultan spoke at the one-day World Council meeting in Istanbul, once known as Constantinople in Turkiye.

    The meeting, which takes place every five years, was last held in Lindau, Germany. It was attended by about 60 countries with faithful of numerous religions, like the Hindu, Baha’i, Catholics, Anglicans, Jewish, and Muslims, as well as the Orthodox Coptic church.

    The Patriarch of the City of Constantinople, His All Majesty Bartholomew I, gave a keynote address espousing the desirability of a global alliance of conscience and restoration of the original value systems embedded in all religions and shared by all humanity in order to achieve peace and social harmony in the world.

    The two main sessions featured extensive examination of the Debt burden on low-income societies, as well as a session on faith, dignity and artificial intelligence (AI) with the attendant concerns of its effect on our various cultures and religions.

    Read Also: Homecoming for health: the medical duo committed to reinvesting in Nigeria

    In his presentation during the second session on the debt crisis in underprivileged societies, Sultan Abubakar examined the impact of huge debt burdens on the economies of developing countries, their consequences, as well as ramifications.

    The Sultan recommended immediate debt cancellation for low-income group countries all over the world to enable them to tackle the wealth imbalance, abolish past exploitative policies as well as reduce poverty by equitable redistribution of wealth all over the world.

    A statement by a member of the Sultan’s delegation and Kogunan Sokoto, Dr. Danladi Bako, said the two sessions witnessed robust contributions from technocrats, religious groups, gender advocates, scholars, as well as royalty.

    At the end of the council’s meeting, a nine-point set of resolutions read by the Secretary General, Dr. Francis Kuria, was unanimously endorsed by the global body.

    Among them is the resolution to call on world leaders to halt the genocide in Gaza immediately.

  • Sultan tasks NYSC members on national development

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to always pursue issues that would contribute to the development of the nation.

    Abubakar made the call on Tuesday at his Palace in Sokoto, during an interactive session with the 2019 NYSC Batch ‘A’ corps members posted to the state.

    He also urged the corps members to interact freely with members of their host communities, understand their values and respect them.

    The Sultan called on the NYSC authorities to continue with physical exercise for corps members in order to prepare them for greater tasks in life.

    He challenged Nigerians to utilise the advantages of the NYSC scheme in promoting cultural and religious understanding, to ensure harmonious relationship in the country.

    Read Also: ‘Anambra NYSC camp going on despite devastating rainstorm’

    Abubakar described the scheme as a catalyst for promoting national unity, mutual respect, religious tolerance as well as bringing harmony for the advancement of Nigeria.

    The Sultan said that if Nigerians should embrace one another and set aside all differences as practised by corps members during their national service, the country should be in a better position.

    He advised people to emulate NYSC for its roles in promoting peace and unity leading to the stability of the nation.

    The monarch explained that in spite of various crises bedeviling different parts of the nation, the NYSC scheme still remained a veritable tool for unifying Nigeria.

    ”If Nigerians should embrace the spirit of oneness and live with one another harmoniously like that of corps members, issues of diversity will not even arise.

    ”We should live as our brothers’ keepers and tolerate one another, irrespective of our background, so that our nation will move forward, as there will be no progress without unity,” the Sultan said.

    The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Philip Enaberue, said 1,896 corps members were undergoing orientation at the camp in the state, and they came from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

    Enaberue commended the Sultan for his support for the scheme in the state.

    NAN

  • PDP chairmanship: Bode George challenges co-aspirants to public debate

    PDP chairmanship: Bode George challenges co-aspirants to public debate

    A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Bode George, has challenged other contestants to an open debate on their vision and agenda for the party.

    This was contained in a statement issued by his political adviser and media aide, Mr Uthman Fadipe on Sunday.

    According to the statement, George gave the challenge during his visit to party delegates in Sokoto on Saturday as part of his campaign tour of the country.

    He said whoever wanted to lead the party should come a debate that would showcase the norms and traditional values of the party.

    The former PDP Vice-Chairman told the delegates that he was a committed party man who would deliver the best if elected.

    He also said that the micro-zoning of the national chairmanship to the South West would be in the best interest of the party.

    George said this was in line with the resolve of the founding fathers to promote equity and balance in the distribution of party offices.

    He praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III for his patriotism and embracing of all Nigerians irrespective of their faith or tribe.

    The party has fixed Dec. 9 for its elective convention.

    NAN

  • Ohaneze assures safety of Northerners in the East

    Ohaneze assures safety of Northerners in the East

    Chief John Nwodo, the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo on Thursday assured northerners resident in the south-east of their safety. Nwodo gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House, Kano. He said that every Nigerians could live in any part of the country of his choice without discrimination or harassment.

    “Every Nigerian can live in any part of the country of his choice and no harm will ever come to a Northerner in the East. “When the temperature is high we tend to forget what bind us together and we forget the sweet past. “If there was any disturbance in Kano where we have 1.6 million Igbos, the entire Igboland  would have been in mourning by now,” he said.

    He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Kano state government for promoting peace and brotherhood among the people. Nwodo said that the visit was to deliver the message of all Ndigbo and leaders in the zone. “Nigeria should not experience war the second time as it will not augur well for the country.

    “We must remain partners in progress of our country as we have seen how our own fathers lived to make it grow and develop,” he said. He said that the unity and peaceful co-existence must be the responsibility of all. The president then urged members of the group to remain law abiding, peaceful and respect the laws of Kano State in particular and the country in general.

    Earlier, the state Acting Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar told the delegation that the state would always be home for all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs. He said that people of Kano State accepted the Igbos as their brothers and called on them to continue to live in peace with one another for the socio-economic development of the country.

    Abubakar then called on Nigerians to always find an amicable and civilised way of handling issues. “I am calling on Nigerians to always find an amicable and civilised way of settling disputes. “Our diversity is a blessing and we as a government we are in constant dialogue with critical stakeholders in the state to promote peace and harmony,” he said.

    The acting governor then thanked them for the visit and assured them of the administrations commitment to promote peaceful coexistence among different groups in the state.

  • Sultan: let’s live in peace as one

    Sultan: let’s live in peace as one

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President -General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairsý(NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appealed to Nigerians to live in peace with one another for the unity of the country.

    “I am calling on all Nigerians to imbibe and embrace the culture and spirit of living in peace, irrespective of tribal, ethnic or regional differences.”

    Alhaji Abubakar made the plea  in a statement in Sokoto yesterday.

    He said Nigeria would continue to remain one nation with a common goal of purposeful development.

    Alhaji Abubakar said the action of some should not be allowed to tear the country apart, adding that bad ones should be called to order by their elders and community leaders.

    He challenged elder statesmen to call the youth to order and educate them on the need for  peaceful coexistence in their respective geo-political zones.

    He said traditional leaders would continue to preach love among the diverse communities in their domains throughout the country.

    The Sultan said Nigeria was brought together by an act of God, despite the different ethnic group, religions and diverse rich and beautiful cultures to form one country. He said God would protect the sovereignty.

    He urged Nigerians to live in peace and respect one another and go about their normal businesses

    The Sultan promised the federal and state governments as well as security agencies in their collective efforts to bring sustained peace and development to the country.

  • NAHCON to hold national Hajj, Umrah stakeholder’s conference

    NAHCON to hold national Hajj, Umrah stakeholder’s conference

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), says it will soon hold National Hajj and Umrah Stakeholder’s Conference to enhance hajj management and operations in the country.

    Alhaji Suleiman Usman, Chairman, Planning Committee of the Conference made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that the theme of the conference is “Hajj Management in Nigeria: Honouring the past, treasuring the present and shaping the future.”

    According to Usman, the conference will be declared open by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III from July 1st to 2nd at the National Mosque, Abuja.

    He said that invited dignitaries from States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, Tour Operators, and Aviation Industry Professionals, past Nigerian Ambassadors and Consult Generals as well as members of Ulamah are expected to attend the event.

    The chairman, planning committee also said that the conference would mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of NAHCON, which had revolutionised hajj and umrah operations in the country.

    Alhaji Abdulfattah Abdulmajeed, President, Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), said that the emergence of NAHCON in 2007, ensured sanity in the hajj and umrah sector.

    Abdulmajeed, said that since the inception of the commission Nigerian pilgrims were no longer stranded in Saudi Arabia during hajj operations, because deadline for transportation of pilgrims were met.

    He added that because of NAHCON’s commitment, Nigeria Hajj Mission emerged one of the best three countries during the 2016 hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    NAHCON was established in 2007 by the National Assembly to licence, regulate, perform over-sight, and undertake supervisory functions over agencies and other bodies who are into hajj and umrah business.

    According to the Act of NAHCON, the Commission shall be a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its name.

    “The Commission may enter into contracts and may acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy movable and immovable property of every description and may convey, assign, surrender, yield up, charge, mortgage, demise, re-assign, transfer, or otherwise.”

  • Group seeks strengthening of FG’s policies to boost food security

    The National Ummah Movement (NUM) has called for the strengthening of Federal Government’s agricultural policy aimed at promoting national food security and import substitution.

    This, the movement noted, would conserve foreign exchange, create jobs for youth and enhance economic diversification.

    This is contained in a communique issued in Sokoto on Monday at the end of its 22nd National Convention, with a theme: “Agriculture: A Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Recession”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was signed by Dr Bashir Gwarzo, Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee.

    It urged: “Working models that re-settle herders providing their cattle with all year round fodder grass in protected grazing reserves, served with water points, as well as educational facilities and social amenities need to be studied and expanded on a national scale.

    “To achieve our national agricultural goals, the federal government should tenaciously see to the actualisation of the Mambilla and other hydroelectric schemes.

    “Modernisation of the railway transport system; dredging of the River Niger; and the immediate commencement of the Nigerian end of the trans-sahara super highway linking Nigeria to Morocco and Europe.

    “Industrialists should pay greater attention to investing on agriculture as an industry.

    “Just as individuals should take to farming as a vocation a trend that can eventually reverse our economic downturn.”

    The communique further lauded the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Sokoto State Government for creating the conducive environment for hosting the convention.

    “It is to be noted that over 400 delegates attended this year’s convention, the highest number in recent years,” it said.

  • Sultan: Hijab is a right, not privilege for Muslims

    Sultan: Hijab is a right, not privilege for Muslims

    Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III has canvassed fair treatment for Muslims across the nation.

    According to him, Muslims want nothing but a very peaceful and stable Nigeria.

    The Sultan spoke in Benin City at the General Assembly and Executive National Council Meeting of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

    Muslims, according to him, were not asking for preferential or special treatment but given what they should have.

    He frowned against stereotyping criminals and terrorists as Muslims, saying the bad eggs in the faith would be given fresh orientation to have a change of heart.

    Abubakar praised the Pope for making a very strong statement defending Islam as a religion of peace.

    On the hijab controversy, the Sultan said: “Hijab is our right not a privilege. It is not a favour to us. It is our right.

    “And we hold on to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of worship.

    “That is why we don’t disturb anybody who wants to go and worship the way he wants.”

    He added: “Nigeria is a multi religious state, not a singular state. And being a multi-religious state, we must allow the various religions to go on but we must not trample on each other’s right, which means I must be allowed to practice my religion the way I believe as ordered me by the Holy Quran and nothing else.

    “So when we get this done, the issue of hijab and so many other things affecting Islam I believe is our right, not a privilege unless the Constitution is changed.”

    On bad elements in Islam, he said:  “Those bad people among us, like in other religions, we should pick them out and teach them the tenets of Islam.

    “If they refuse to change, that is their own problem. We will meet with the creator on the judgement day.

    “In any society, there are many terribly bad people. So many, who are not Muslims but carry out criminal activities with some Muslim organisations in America, France and even in Nigeria.

    “Those people doing negative things should be called criminals or terrorists but not Muslims.

    “I’ve never heard of Christian terrorists but we have heard of so many Christians or followers of other religions who committed heinous crimes against humanity.

    “But they didn’t claim to do it for their religions and we did not hold them against their religions.”

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, called for the re-introduction of teaching of religion in schools.

    This, he stated, would help to achieve peace and create a foundation for a fair and just society.

  • Sultan: Insecurity to end soon

    Sultan: Insecurity to end soon

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III yesterday maintained that the current insecurity situation in the country will soon be over.

    He made the remark while speaking with State House correspondence after presenting the 2013 Hajj report to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Besides submitting the report, he said that he also had discussions with the President on security issues in the country.

    He said: “We also took time to rub minds on some few security issues affecting Nigeria. We heard from Mr. President and he also heard from us. Insha Allah, Nigeria will be better for it very soon.”

    On the Hajj report, he said: “At the end of each Hajj operation of each particular year, the Amir Hajj delegation submits its report to the President highlighting what really transpired, what are the

    challenges and what we feel Mr. President should do to make Hajj operations in Nigeria better.”

    “So this morning, we submitted our report to the President and highlighted areas of achievements and also some few areas which we feel the government should still come in.”

    “We also commended Mr. President for the support he has been giving to Hajj operations in Nigeria and I think you are all aware of the significant leap we have in terms of preparing and conducting Hajj

    operations in Nigeria. Much better than what it used to be.”

    “The President assured us of the government’s continued total support for Hajj operations in this country.” He said

     

  • Sultan, CAN, others condemn the killings

    Sultan, CAN, others condemn the killings

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the explosion at Nyanya park, Abuja, and called for collective efforts toward addressing insecurity in the country. He made the remarks yesterday during the Central Council meeting of the Jama’atu  Nasril Islam (JNI) meeting in Kaduna. The Sultan condemned the act, commiserated with families of the bereaved and prayed to God to grant eternal rest to the departed souls. He said, “We never thought that such things will ever come to Nigeria some years back, but they are with us right now. It is left for us to wake up from our deep slumber and face the challenges. We condemn what happened this morning in Nyanya, Abuja, and we pray that almighty Allah will expose whoever is behind it and all other mayhems in this country fast.”

    The Sultan urged Nigerians to discard ethno-religious sentiments and strive toward promoting peaceful coexistence and harmony. “All hands must be on deck to find a lasting solution to this problem. It is high time we put sentiments  aside, sentiment of religion, sentiment of ethnicity and see how we can take our country out of these killings.’’ He, therefore, reiterated the commitment of religious and traditional leaders toward promoting peace, urging governments at all levels to put more efforts toward addressing the security challenges facing the nation.

    Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State also urged Nigerians to follow the tenets of their religion, which preached peace and sanctity of human lives. He called for fervent prayers and urged citizens to shun vices. The governor urged religious organisations to assist government toward tackling poverty, insecurity, unemployment and high rate of illiteracy among the people by initiating programmes that would address the problems. Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned the bomb blast, describing it as inhuman. Pastor Simon Dolly, National President of the Youth Wing of CAN, made the condemnation in Abuja. He urged the Federal Government to avoid a recurrence of such unfortunate incidence, saying “it is a threat to national unity.” Dolly advised government to take more proactive security measures to protect lives and property, adding that “such bomb blasts can only stop if the sponsors are exposed and adequately punished.” He urged government to curtail the influx of illegal immigrants in and around Abuja, adding that efforts needed to be done for their arrest and speedy repatriation. Also reacting to the blast, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, said those behind the incident would forever be hunted by the repercussion of their action. He condoled with the bereaved families and those who were injured in the explosion.