Tag: Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the Nigerian Army to prioritise unity and national interest over tribal affiliations.

This is as he called on the need for cohesion and impartiality within the military ranks.

Speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Headquarters complex in Bauchi, the Sultan cautioned that divisions due to tribalism could harm both the Army and the nation.

He stated: “You are in the military now and so many things have been geared towards where you come from, who is a Muslim? Who is a Christian? Who is Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba in the country?

“We never knew these things so many years ago. Please, don’t allow this thing to creep into the army for that would be one thing that would divide the army and even the country.”

 Abubakar commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for the remarkable transformation of the Nigerian Army under his leadership within one year.

The Sultan noted that the improvements have positively impacted efforts to address security challenges in the country and encouraged the COAS to continue these developments.

Meanwhile, ten officers of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) were retired from service after completing the mandatory years of service.

The pulling-out ceremony was the highlight of events organised by NAAC Headquarters in Bauchi on Thursday.

Among those retired were six Major Generals: Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ojiji (Reviewing Officer), Maj Gen MH Magaji, Maj Gen GB Audu, Maj Gen M Danmadami, Maj Gen JG Mohammed, and Maj Gen UI Moh’d.

Four Brigadier Generals were also retired: Brig Gen A Israel, Brig Gen BA Moh’d, Brig Gen D Abdulsalam, and Brig Gen SP Akpan.

Speaking after the Special Parade preceding the ceremony on Thursday, Reviewing Officer Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ofilii expressed gratitude for maintaining the tradition, urging that it should continue.

Read Also: JUST IN: Sokoto govt reacts over alleged move to dethrone Sultan

Speaking on the NAAC’s past challenges, he noted significant improvements in accommodation and facilities, commending the efforts of the NAAC Commander, officers, soldiers, and their families.

Maj Gen Ofilii also acknowledged the COAS for consistently providing resources to support the improvements.

However, he mentioned ongoing challenges, particularly inadequate equipment.

He urged the NAAC commander to seek support from the military ranks, including the COAS, for continued equipment upgrades, especially armoured fighting vehicles.

The Sokoto state government has denied the alleged plan to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar.

The government also assured the people of the state that it would do everything to protect the dignity of the sultanate council.

The clarification followed a comment made by Vice President Kashim Shettima over the purported move to dethrone the Sultan.

Speaking at the Northwest Security Summit in Katsina on Monday, June 24, Shettima advised that the Sultanate council should be protected jealously.

The Sokoto government, however, said that the vice president should have contacted Governor Ahmed Aliyu to verify the news which made rounds on the purported plan to depose Sultan Abubakar before commenting publicly.

“The vice president should have contacted Governor Ahmed Aliyu to verify the news which made rounds on the purported plan to depose Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar before going public”, the state government said in a statement signed issued in Sokoto by Abubakar Bawa, chief press secretary to Governor Aliyu Sokoto.

Accordingly, the state government said the vice president ought to always have full knowledge of issues of national concern before commenting on them.

“We sincerely expected the vice president to have consulted the governor before going public.

“As an elder statesman and a father to all, he should have facts and figures before judging issues raised by mischief makers and the mushroom social media handlers known for negative propaganda.

“The fact of the matter is that there was never any attempt to sack the Sultan nor have we sent him any threat regarding that.

Read Also: Sultanate council: Disregard mischievous groups – Sokoto Govt tells MURIC, VP

“Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to. We never denied him any of his freedom or rights.

“We therefore do not need to be told to guard, protect, and promote the Sultan. It is our sole responsibility.

“The government and People of Sokoto cherish and adore the sultanate council and would do everything possible to protect the dignity of the revered institution. The government to this end reassures all Nigerians that, it will continue to protect the sultanate council and its dignity at all times,” the statement stressed.

Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state says his relationship with the Sultanate Council remain cordial and urged the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) and Vice President Kassim Shettima, to disregard mischievous groups.

This is contained in a statement issued by Aliyu’s spokesman, Malam Abubakar Bawa, on Tuesday in Sokoto.

He said MURIC’s allegation on a plan by the state government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, was baseless and unfounded.

” It is an attempt by mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate false and unsubstantiated information, just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.

” We assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state, cherishes and respect the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.

” The Sultanate Council which has a long standing historical importance is so  reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the  institution in very high regards and esteem, ” Aliyu said.

According to him, the relationship between the present administration and the Sultanate Council led by respected traditional ruler, Abubakar has been very cordial.

Aliyu added that his administration always consulted with Sultan on issues affecting the state and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.

He noted that the sacking and transfer of some District Heads made by Sokoto state government was done due some unbecoming behaviours by the affected traditional rulers which they exhibited.

Meanwhile, Aliyu urged Vice President Shettima, to  disregard the false information on the issue of removal of the Sultan.

” The Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to, we never denied him any of his freedom or rights.

” We do not need to be told to guard, protect, and promote the Sultan, it is our sole responsibility.

” The government and People of Sokoto state cherish and adore the sultanate council and would do everything possible to protect the dignity of the revered institution” . Aliyu said.

Read Also: Sokoto varsity gets full accreditation for 18 programmes

NAN reports that Shettima had on Monday while delivering his speech at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit in Katsina State said:”the Sultan is an Institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation.”“In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.

“And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto. But he is much more than that.

“He represents an idea. He is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the Sokoto State administration to protect His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, with utmost care.

Shettima made the plea during the North West Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina State.

He said: “In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.

“And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you, Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation.”

Shettima responded to Prof. Isiaq Akintola’s alarm about the alleged plot by the Sokoto government to overthrow the Sultan.

Read Also: Sultan directs Muslims to look for crescent of Dhul-Hijjah as from today

Akintola emphasised that Nigerian Muslims would vehemently oppose any attempt to depose the Sultan.

“Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola said.

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH from Thursday.

Abubakar made the call in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Janaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, on Wednesday.

He stated that “this is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Thursday, June 6, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Qidah 1445 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH.

“Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”

Read Also: Reps committee summons banks, consultants over under remittance of education tax

The Sultan prayed Allah to continue to support Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months in Islam during which Muslims across the world perform pilgrimage (Hajj) and celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir festival.

During the month, Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregate in Mecca to perform Hajj, which begins on the eighth, and celebrate Eid-El-Kabir from the 10th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.

(NAN)

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has  encouraged the Muslim Ummah to actively pursue knowledge to strengthen their faith.

In his Eid message on Wednesday, Abubakar emphasised the importance of continuing to pray for leaders and prosperity of the country.

“We should express gratitude to  Almighty Allah for granting us the gift of life and good health, allowing us to observe the 30 days of fasting and celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.

“Today marks a significant day in Islam as Muslims worldwide commemorate the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

“Moreover, let us perpetuate the spirit of compassion and support for one another, as demonstrated during the month of Ramadan, and extend assistance to those in need,” he appealed.

The Sultan commended the Sokoto State Government, under the leadership of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu, for its commitment and collaboration with Muslim scholars to foster unity.

He also praised the government’s ongoing efforts to support the less privileged, civil servants, and ensuring  the security and progress of the state.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu urged the Muslim community in the state to uphold the virtues of Ramadan to attract Allah’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.

Read Also: JUST IN: Sultan declares Wednesday Eid-il-fitr

Aliyu, in his Eid message to the Muslim community following the conclusion of the 2024 Ramadan fast, implored affluent individuals in the state to continue demonstrating compassion and generosity toward the less fortunate to earn Allah’s blessings.

“I am aware of the numerous acts of assistance provided by some of our affluent citizens to the needy in our society, which is truly commendable.

“On our part, the government has allocated significant resources to aid the less privileged and vulnerable groups throughout the state,” he stated.

(NAN)

Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Abubakar, has asked Muslim Ummah to observe the crescent of Shawwal 1445AH starting Monday.

The Sultan made the announcement in a statement on Sunday by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.

Oloyede said if the moon is sighted on Monday, then the Sultan will declare Tuesday as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr:

However, he said if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Wednesday, 10th April 2024, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.

The statement said: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of the 1445 A.H. ‘Idul Fitr. We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it in good health and divine guidance.

Read Also: FG funded 3rd Mainland bridge repairs, says Umahi

“In the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less privileged in the society.

“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also do so in good time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan but before the ‘Id prayer.

“Moreover, consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1445 A.H. immediately after sunset on Monday, 29th Ramadan 1445 A.H. which is equivalent to 8th April 2024.

“It must be noted that, according to scientific calculations, the expected time for the Shawwal moon conjunction in Nigeria is Monday 8th April 2024 at 07:21 p.m. That notwithstanding, as Islamic tradition stipulates, Muslims are enjoined to search for the crescent of Shawwal on the 29th of Ramadan.

“In addition to the established traditional and Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1445 AH:

“The Council encourages all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah, especially during the concluding part of Ramadan, for peace, security and development in Nigeria.

“While wishing us all happy ‘Idul Fitr, the Council enjoins Muslims all over the country to look out for the announcement to be made by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, on the night of Monday, 8th of April 2024. ‘Id Mubarak in advance!”.