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Tag: Sultan of Sokoto

  • Sultan of Sokoto gets Medical College Fellowship today

    National Post Graduate Medical College (NPGMC), will today confer an honorary Fellowship of the of the institution on Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Sa’ad  Abubakar, at its 34th convocation.

    Its President Prof Ademola Olaitan, announced this in his pre- convocation address at the institution  in Ijanikin, Lagos.

    He said the Sultan was being honoured for his ‘’relentless advocacy for improved healthcare in the country and stemming the outbreak of communicable disease’’.

    According to him, the institution would also honour two former registrars-Dr Michael Akintayo Bankole and Dr Kamil Olanipekun Alausa with its distinguished award in recognition of their contributions.

    Olaitan also said 340 fellows would take a bow from the institution today. According to him, they comprised those who had completed the compulsory clinical placement and rotation of not less than five years in accredited teaching and specialist hospitals, and had also passed the prescribed examinations.

    Similarly, Olaitan cleared the air on the age-long controversy of their Fellows becoming vice chancellors in universities.

    He said any individual conferred with a Fellow of the institution was qualified to aspire to the position of vice chancellor nationwide.

    Olaitan said where such an individual was prevented, it meant politics was being involved by some people who did not like the face of such a Fellow to prevent him from aspiring to the position.

    Olaitan said:  “Let me say our members are more than qualified to aspire to the vice chancellor post or any other higher designations.

    “It would have been political in universities where our members are disqualified because they don’t have Ph.D. The NUC (National Universities Commission) itself has a document, part of which states that those who don’t have Ph.D can use the Fellowship should they wish to aspire for the post of vice chancellor. “However, there are some places where internal politics come in. Some elements think because they don’t want certain individuals to get into certain position, they will use their power to prevent such person from getting there.

    “At the level of the college, all we are doing is to get the necessary stakeholders invited so we can get this controversy behind us.”

    In all, Olaitan said, the college had graduated 5,387 fellows since inception in 1979, thereby saving the country billions of dollars, which would have been spent on overseas training.

  • Buhari greets Sultan of Sokoto at 60

    Buhari greets Sultan of Sokoto at 60

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 60th birthday, Wednesday August 24th, 2016.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined the people and government of Sokoto State, the Muslim community and family members of the Sultan in celebrating the unique anniversary.

    As the head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the President affirmed that the Sultan has demonstrated uncommon leadership style, patriotism and wisdom in his consistent advocacy for security, peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Buhari believed that the wise counsels and support of the royal father on issues of good governance, girl-child education, infant and child mortality, and agriculture has greatly enriched his administration’s efforts to improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

    The President prayed that the almighty Allah will grant the Sultan good health and long life to continue in the service of humanity.

  • Kerry lauds Sultan for promoting religious tolerance

    Kerry lauds Sultan for promoting religious tolerance

    Mr John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, on Tuesday in Sokoto, lauded the efforts of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for promoting religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kerry was speaking during a courtesy visit on the Sultan at his palace.

    He said that the Sultanate Council was building a community of tolerance for peace, progress and political stability in Nigeria.

    He said that the United States would continue to identify itself with the Sultanate in strengthening religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.

    He said that being the first secretary of state to visit the seat of the caliphate, all hands should be on deck towards strengthening religious knowledge among Nigerians.

    Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar had earlier expressed delight at the visit.

    He said that the council would continue to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians for the overall political growth of the country.

    He explained that religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians remained the principal objective of the Sultanate in mobilising Nigerians to tolerate one another for peace, progress and political stability of the country.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who accompanied Kerry to the palace, said the state government would continue to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the people, irrespective of religious, tribal and political differences.

    “We don’t discriminate on religious,tribal, ethnic or political affiliations as we accommodate all for peace and harmony, ” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kerry had a closed door meeting with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and some leaders of the two major religions.

    Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, Deputy National Chairman of APC North West, were present during the courtesy visit on the Sultan.

     

  • 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 of Sokoto installs new Aare Musulumi 

    Sultan of Sokoto installs new Aare Musulumi 

    The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday called on the government to revive the teaching of Islamic Studies in all secondary schools across the country with a view to inculcating moral values in Nigerian youths.

    He made the call yesterday during the inauguration of the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, at the Adamasigba Sports Complex, Ibadan.

    Speaking through the Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who represented him at the event, the Sultan lamented the state of moral decadence among youths in the country and reiterated the urgent need to make the teaching of Islamic knowledge, just like Christian religious studies, compulsory in the nation’s educational institutions.

    In attendance at the occasion which drew people from all parts of the country were the governors of Oyo and Osun States, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola respectively; the Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu; Chief Femi Majekodunmi representing former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as other eminent personalities.

    The new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, who succeeds late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, pledged to use the office to promote Islam in the South West Nigeria and the entire nation.

    He said:  “I regard my appointment as Aare Musulumi not only as a call to service, but as a great test on my spiritual life as I must say with sense of modesty that Almighty Allah (SWT) has been so merciful to me and my household.  With Allah’s permission, I am prepared to pay back part of what Allah has endowed me with to the Islamic world and to humanity in general.”

    The new Aare Musulumi also promised to work in harmony with all Islamic title holders particularly the Spiritual Leader of NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, just as he sought the cooperation and support of all Islamic organizations under the umbrella of NSCIA and the Muslim Ummah of South West (MUSWEN).

  • Hajj: Buhari accepts Muslim leaders’ offer of service

    Hajj: Buhari accepts Muslim leaders’ offer of service

    President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the voluntary offer of service to 2015 Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia by the leadership of the Muslim community under the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

    The president noted that the Muslim community would partner with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s Ad-hoc Committees to cater for the general welfare of pilgrims for the duration of the pilgrimage.

    The Sultan is represented by a committee of Emirs under the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II.

    The statement said the president also noted that the offer did not contradict his directive that Federal Government’s Delegation for the 2015 Hajj be suspended in line with the cost-saving measures of his administration.

    “In accepting this voluntary offer of service, the President made it clear that there will be no government funds involved in the mission by the respected Emir.

    “Government will also not name any members into the Emir’s delegation

    “The President assured that all measures had been taken to ensure that the well-being of Nigerians on the holy pilgrimage is well managed by the various ad-hoc committees.’’

    It named the committees as medical, accommodation, transport, logistics, information and publicity, aviation, tour operators and security.

    “They are generally to assist the Commission in ensuring hitch-free Hajj operation.’’

    The statement quoted the President as commending the Emir for adding this responsibility to his own personal Hajj plans.

  • Photo: Sultan, Emir at stakeholders conference

    Photo: Sultan, Emir at stakeholders conference

    CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA (NAHCON), MR ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED; SULTAN OF SOKOTO, ALHAJI MUHAMMED SA'AD ABUBAKAR III AND THE EMIR OF KANO, MALAM SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, AT THE NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE IN ABUJA ON MONDAY
    CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA (NAHCON), MR ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED; SULTAN OF SOKOTO, ALHAJI MUHAMMED SA’AD ABUBAKAR III AND THE EMIR OF KANO, MALAM SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, AT THE NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE IN ABUJA ON MONDAY
  • Sultan asks Fed Govt to wake up as Boko Haram kills 48 traders

    Sultan asks Fed Govt to wake up as Boko Haram kills 48 traders

    JNI blames seizure of territories on troubled military

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has blamed the military for allowing Boko Haram to seize Nigerian territories.

    He called on the Federal Government to stop the killings in the Northeast.

    The Sultan, a retired Brig. Gen. was addressing a press conference in Kaduna yesterday on behalf of JNI. He said the repeated attacks, particularly the taking over of towns and villages by the insurgents, portended danger to Nigeria.

    Represented by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Nigerian Muslims leader said: “Nigeria’s sovereignty has been threatened as a so-called ‘Islamic Caliphate’ has been carved out of her by the insurgents. An unfortunate, worrisome and embarrassing dimension has recently been added to the scenarios – that of the way soldiers take to their heels and abandon their bases, arms, ammunition and other military hardware on the approach of the insurgents.

    “It is also sad and an unfortunate fact that Nigerian security forces only surface after the deadly attacks and terrorise an already terrorised people by installing road blocks and searching homes and business premises.

    “JNI condemns these heinous attacks in the strongest terms and, once again, calls on the Federal Government, with the loudest voice, to wake up to its fundamental and obligatory responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians; especially in the Northeast where the insurgency is most endemic. The government should act fast and stop wallowing in diatribe, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so.

    “Of particular concern are the brutal murder of young children in their school premises in Potiskum on 11th November and the murder of a prominent Muslim scholar and his associates in Nafada Town on Tuesday 4th November.

    “It is indeed alarming that in a matter of only two weeks, eight deadly attacks were unleashed on seven towns in four states of the Federation as follows:- Mubi town on 30th October, Gombe Motor Park on 31st October, Potiskum town on 3rd November (Ashura day), Nafada town on 4th November, Ashaka Explosives Depot on 5th November, Maiha town on 10th November, Potiskum School on 11th November and Kontagora Federal College of Education on 12th November, 2014.

    “Unfortunately, on Saturday, 15th November, 2014, a devastating attack was reported in Hotoro, Kano State, came another report same Saturday, 15th November, 2014, that the ethnic chauvinist group, Ombatse, attacked the palace of the Emir of Lafia, the JNI Vice President-General (VPG) Nasarawa State, leading to the deaths of many. Again on Sunday, 16th November, 2014, came another report of attacks in Azare, Bauchi State. As if these weren’t enough, Mafa Local Government of Borno State was ransacked on Thursday, 20th November, 2014, for several hours unabated.

    “Thousands of innocent citizens have lost their lives. Thousands have been abducted, the males forced into insurgency and the females into slavery. Thousands more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Nigeria and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. Trillions of naira worth of infrastructure and public and private properties have been destroyed.

    “In the light of all these distasteful developments, JNI is forced to ask the following questions:- Where withered the Nigerian Army of the 1967-69 civil war? Where are the heroes of international peace keeping? When will the government bring an end to this scourge? Does the government really have the capability, capacity, commitment and sincerity to bring an end to this insurgency and the multifarious security challenges facing the nation?

    “As has been done painfully in previous cases, JNI President-General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, on behalf of Nigerian Muslims, condemns these unabated acts of terror being unleashed on innocent citizens and calls for concerted introspection and sincere commitment by Government to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this pernicious problem.

    “The government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the security Forces get all that they need for effective operations and that they serve diligently as soldiers should. In addition, all culprits must be apprehended and brought to justice, thus giving effect to the laws of the land and deterring others”.

    Speaking on the travails of the displaced people, the Sultan said: “As an ameliorating measure, the funds collected following the launching of the Victims’ Support Fund should be supplemented with government grants and judiciously utilised with dispatch in order to ensure that all necessary support reaches the affected victims and that destroyed infrastructure are rehabilitated.

    “Government should also step up the dialogue process with a view to ending the insurgency and de-radicalising the insurgents.”

  • Fed Govt to support religious groups

    Fed Govt to support religious groups

    •Church, hospital inaugurated in Kano

    The Federal Government has  pledged to collaborate with religious groups that venture into health care to improve the quality of services.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, who spoke  at the inauguration of an  hospital built in Sokoto by the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, said such gesture is encouraged by the government as it cannot carry the burden of health care alone.

    Alhasssan said:“The government would continue to support religious organisations wishing to provide health care to the people.”

    The hospital, Holy Family Mother Care Clinic, was  opened by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, a demonstration of what Christians and Muslims can do together.

    Khalirul said inter-faith collaboration “in the country has helped address some key challenges facing health, adding that such collaboration can help improve the health indices in the country.”

    He added that the hospital was “a lot relevant to the aims and objectives of the Federal Government to ensure safety and medical health of all and sundry.”

    On the hospital, he said providing health care was not a prerogative of the government but a “collective responsibility,” and urged religious leaders to change the orientation of their followers so that they can become more conscious of their health.

    “We all need to take care of our health and we can only do that when we regularly visit clinics,“ he said.

    Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese said the hospital was open to all women and children of Sokoto, irrespective of religious background.

    According to him, this is one of the efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths. The presence and accessibility of clinics is crucial to encouraging more women to give birth in hospitals.

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, at the inauguration, donated an ambulance to assist clinic, urging families to insist on ante-natal care for expectant women and post-natal care after childbirth.

  • Jonathan, northern rulers meet at Villa over insecurity

    Jonathan, northern rulers meet at Villa over insecurity

    President  Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday met with traditional rulers from the north led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, to discuss ways of proffering solutions to the spate of killings in the region.

    The meeting started at 9:25pm in the First Lady’s Conference Room.

    Those in attendance include Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and other Presidential aides.

    The traditional rulers had on Wednesday met in Kaduna where they discussed the Boko Haram crisis in the northeast and other parts of the region and the economic situation in the north.

    The Kaduna meeting was attended  by the chairmen of traditional rulers council  from each of the 19 northern states while yesterday’s meeting was attended by 13 of them including the Sultan himself.

    The Sultan who briefed the press after the Kaduna meeting, had pledged to take the opinion and observation of the northern traditional rulers to the President as part of ways of forging stronger alliance with government against  terrorism.