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  • Sultan confirms sighting of moon

    Sultan confirms sighting of moon

    •  Says fast begins today

    The Sultanate has confirmed sighting of the Crescent moon.

    It was confirmed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, on its Twitter page, @moonsightingng, yesterday evening.

    The tweet reads: “The Sultanate has confirmed a single sighting claim and His Eminence the Sultan, will soon make an announcement. Ramadan Mubarak.”

    He declared today as first day of Ramadan 1445 AH, marking start of the fast.

    Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims observe one month fast.

    Abubakar, speaking in Sokoto, said this followed reports of sighting of the moon, signalling end of  Shaaban 1445 AH.

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    “Upon verification by states and national moon sighting committees, this signifies end of Sha’aban 1445AH.

    He called on Muslims to pray for leaders and the country and dedicate the period to worshipping Allah.

    Abubakar asked wealthy individuals to support the poor, and vulnerable to cushion  effects of the hardship.

    “ I wish all Muslims Ramadan Kareem”, he prayed .

  • Ramadan: Sultan asks Muslims to pray over economic downturn

    Ramadan: Sultan asks Muslims to pray over economic downturn

    • Tasks NSA, DSS to prosecute kidnappers

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerian Muslims to patiently persevere with the economic downturn and intensify in their prayers during the coming Ramadan fasting.  

    Speaking in a statement signed by the JNI Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu yesterday  to herald the forthcoming Ramadan, the Sultan said Muslims should engage in several good deeds to enable them get huge reward from Allah during the fasting season.

     According to the statement, “His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI felicitates with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming Ramadan (1445AH/ 2024). The month of the Glorious Qur’an, the month of Qiyamul-Layl (standing in the night for prayers), the month of Du’a (supplication), and Dhikr (Allah’s remembrance), and of course the month of charity and generosity, the month of spiritual self-evaluation and the month of sacrifice and empathy.

    Read Also: How polio can be eradicated, by Sultan

     “This year’s Ramadan fasting is coming at the eve of many aggravating economic challenges with so many uncertainties. While the political leadership in Nigeria is implored to be very merciful, just as the Prophet (SAW) was more merciful and generous in the blessed month. Muslims are reminded that with every hardship comes relief and ease. Patience is central in difficult times, as Allah (SWT) certainly hears, sees and responds to the prayer of His impoverished servants.  

    “Muslims are called upon to seriously intensify prayers for economic prosperity of the Nigerian state and the citizens, as well as the restoration of law and order – by extension security and peace, and above all piety. Ramadan is the month wherein the night of decree is witnessed, also known as the night of destiny and majesty. Thus, we are expected to perform all spiritual acts associated with Ramadan, the very best we could and soul-search our respective selves over our undertakings.

     “We also urge government most especially the Office of the National Security Adviser and Director-General, Department of State Security, to as a matter of national interest and stability do more to prosecute all perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity, taking into account recent most unfortunate abductions at Ngala IDP camp, Borno state, GSS Kuriga and Kuriga Primary School in Kaduna state, as well as take appropriate action against informants and their cohorts.”

  • Sultan’s unusual counsel

    Sultan’s unusual counsel

    As Nigeria is threshed by hunger, inflation and insecurity, all manner of doctors and pharmacists have gathered around her bed juggling dire diagnoses and offering baffling remedies. Until the patient recovers, there will be no end to the excitement that has seized everyone – the uninformed, the informed, and those perched ungainly between. It is not immediately obvious what equilibrium the Bola Tinubu administration has set for itself beyond which he would be compelled by protests to reorder his priorities or recalibrate his economic policies. He is accustomed to the art and politics of bluffing, without which he would not be president today; and like a poker player, he will continue to gauge by instinct national endurance before changing course. What is, however, obvious is that he is still titrating the economy, but getting the titre value may still be some way off.

    In contrast, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, proved last Wednesday from his contributions at the 6th executive committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Kaduna that he is not a poker player. He was agitated by northern restiveness to sense revolt in the air, he wailed, insisting that he and others like him were tired of pacifying disgruntled, unemployed and hungry youths. What he was saying, as will be demonstrated shortly, is not that he was concerned about just forestalling protests, but that he fears the protests, should they break out, might be of such severity as to compromise the stability of the country. Poverty is very pronounced in the North, and its youthful population statistically significant. That the region had not broken out in revolt iwas perhaps a testament, as the Sultan pontificated, to the calming influence of traditional rulers doing yeoman’s work for peace despite being sidelined in the scheme of things.

    The Sultan’s remarks, however, need to be interrogated, despite resonating widely with the media and engaging and stoking the radical imagination and propensity of many Nigerians. Those remarks constitute his understanding of the restiveness coursing through the country. Hear him: “I believe talking about insecurity and the rising level of poverty are two issues on which we cannot fold our arms and think everything is okay. I have said so many times and at so many forums that things are not okay in Nigeria, and of course, things are not okay in the North. What are the real issues bringing about poverty and rising cases of insecurity? I don’t think it is the issue of a new government. To me, this government is a continuation of the former government; it is the same party. So, what really is the problem?… I have said so many times that we never lack solutions to our problems; what we lack is implementation…Education is important, so whatever issue you want to bring to us here, you must talk about education, you must talk about health issues, and of the two monsters that have been harassing all of us here, those are insecurity and poverty.”

    But here is the most ominous part of his remarks: “And let’s not take it for granted; people are quiet; they are quiet for a reason because people have been talking to them; we have been talking to them; we have been trying to tell them things will be okay, and they keep on believing. I pray to Almighty Allah that they will not one day wake up and say that they no longer believe in you (us). Because that would be the biggest problem, because we can’t silence these people as traditional spiritual leaders and diplomats forever… Let us be very honest with ourselves; let us be very frank about what we are going to tell ourselves here; it is no time to hide things. We have reached that level. People are very agitated, hungry, and angry, but they still believe there are people who can talk to them…So, we have this onerous task of reaching out to everybody, calming them down, and reassuring them (that) things will be okay, and they should continue to pray and pray and still do something good because prayer without work will not bring anything. We must find jobs for our teeming youths that are sitting idle, and I have said it so many times: we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder, having teeming youths, millions of them, without jobs, without food, we are looking for trouble.”

    Given the anger everywhere, none of the aggrieved is keen on knowing where and how the problem gestated; they just need food at affordable prices. However, it is important, not only to solve the problem at hand, but to also find lasting answers in order to forestall a repeat of the problem or its worsening. The country has lost control of its population growth rate, particularly in the North. With unchecked population growth, desertification, and corruption, particularly with no matching economic growth and remedial measures, there will always be more mouths to feed than wealth created. The hungry and unemployed referenced by the Sultan, not only in the North but elsewhere, are undisputedly potential cannon fodder for revolts of every kind. The Sultan is right to suggest that the North has become a tinderbox, while his insinuation that some governors are also badly remiss in governance cannot be faulted. But the region has the highest number of states and local governments depending on federal allocations rather than internal wealth production and internally generated revenue. Those allocations have not translated into wealth production. Instead, centralised distribution of revenue, which negates the fundamentals of federalism, has produced nothing but complacency, sense of entitlement, inefficiency, corruption and massive poverty.

    Correcting the distortions, reorienting the revenue generation process, and inculcating state or regional economic self-sufficiency will take much more than fine words, threats and protests. Had the country persisted till now in the appalling mismanagement of its economy and finances begun in the past two decades and more, it would have gone bust. Indeed, as the previous administration showed, it merely succeeded in delaying the bust by a combination of massive loans and deferred tough measures. It is remarkable that in the ongoing crisis, states and to a little extent, local governments, have abdicated their responsibilities while conspiratorially encouraging Nigerians to look up to the federal government for solution. By choosing to address the crisis systemically instead of symptomatically, a decidedly slow and fraught path to rebuilding the country’s finances, the Tinubu administration is sailing near the wind and courting massive disaffection and even rejection. It is this fear of revolt the Sultan described in frustrating and alienating terms.

    Read Also: Sultan, Emirs seek urgent action on insecurity, joblessness

    The ruling elite have been profligate with power and national resources for decades, but what are the traditional rulers in the North and South also telling their people? How are they mollifying the anticipated rage on the streets, rage which in some cases they helped fuel? As inefficient as the Muhammadu Buhari and other previous administrations were, the country’s rot was not only engendered by the federal administration, it was also co-authored and given fillip by the states. The solution will, therefore, not come from the federal authorities alone, it must also be inspired and executed by states and the larger population who all share in the blame. Restructuring the country along federal lines will produce the needed changes; but in the near term, as things remain desperately tight and precarious, no tier of government will profit from the blame game, and traditional rulers who are integral to both the problem and the solution, despite their denial, need to adopt a different mindset to national renewal and regeneration.

    Since the inauguration of the Tinubu presidency, trade unions deploying the tool of protests, opposition leaders, many of whom have still been unable to reconcile themselves to the end of the campaigns, and a large swathe of the angry public worsted by shrinking economic opportunities have taken oath to oppose the administration whatever the cost, overtly or covertly. They have not convinced anyone how blistering opposition would produce or rekindle economic growth stalled by previous administrations. However, by fiery and overwhelming negative portrayals on social media, caustic and unsparing characterisation of the administration, and persistent and iniquitous calls for a coup d’etat or revolution, the country has remained on tenterhooks, its initiatives and reforms stultified, its energies drained, and its esteem lowered in the eyes of the world. Other than occasionally giving short shrift to critics’ arguments and perspectives, the administration has not calculated how much its efforts are stymied by the opposition.

    In addressing long-standing economic maladies, the Tinubu administration has introduced a mixed bag of economic measures, some of them revolutionary in scope. Though the inflationary, disruptive and security consequences of those measures have been mindboggling, they are not fully explained by the fuel subsidy removal or the floating of the naira. The administration probably has a deeper insight into the crisis bedeviling the country, much of it obviously far beyond the ordinary pros and cons of economic measures, some of them related to the attempt to rearrange the country’s power equation and make it less ethnocentric and capable of withstanding future stresses and threats to national stability. Nevertheless, the administration cannot give excuses; it must deal with those issues as they arise, even if they are daunting and conspiratorial, even if culturally opposition has become so apocalyptic and destructive rather than corrective. If the traditional rulers who expressed their frustrations last week in Kaduna do not understand the political and economic, indeed existential, nuances at play, then their boast of being closer to the people, or their campaign to be politically and financially empowered to join in pacifying the country, are merely buncombe.

  • Nigeria is sitting of keg of gunpowder – Sultan

    Nigeria is sitting of keg of gunpowder – Sultan

    • …North now epicentre of terrorism, banditry- Gov Sani

    The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed fear that with millions of Nigerian youths left without jobs and food, Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

    Speaking in Kaduna at the 6th Executive Committee Meeting of Northern Traditional Rulers Council on Wednesday, February 14, the Sultan emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Nigeria has reached a point where its people are deeply frustrated, hungry, and resentful.

    Also speaking at the meeting themed: “Enhanced Security as a panacea for stability and development of the North”, Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani corroborated the Sultan, saying that, the North has become the epicentre of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping with several lives lost and local economy destroyed.

    The Sultan, who was flanked at the meeting by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, expressed his concern that things are not well in Nigeria, especially in the northern region.

    According to him, insecurity and poverty are the two major issues that have been causing trouble for the people of the north.

    Sultan said: “We have had such meetings before with the Northern Governors, so many times at Kashim Ibrahim House. We have now entered into a new cycle of leadership, some new Governors have come on board, while some are having their second term and still we at faced with these insecurity issues. To make matters worse, we are faced with rising levels of poverty of most of our people; a lack of normal sources of livelihood for the common man to have even a good meal a day.

    “But, I believe talking about insecurity and the rising level of poverty are two issues that we cannot fold our arms and think everything is okay. I have said it so many times and at so many fora that, things are not okay in Nigeria and of course, things are not okay in the North.

    “What are the real issues bringing about poverty and rising cases of insecurity? I don’t think it is the issue of the new government. To me, this government is a continuation of the former government; it is the same party. So, what really is the problem? I think that is one of the reasons we are here to talk to ourselves.

    “We owe it a duty to the teeming millions of people that believe in the traditional institution, to bring solutions to the various problems facing them. We will not fail in doing that. We will do our best.

    “I have said so many times, that we never lack a solution to our problems, what we lack is implementation, because we meet today, we bring out so many beautiful ideas on how to solve our problems, and we go back to our various places and go to bed, leaving such solutions here in this conference hall. So, how do we implement them?

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    “This is why we invited the leadership Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) to come and interact with us on the outcome of a similar meeting they organized in Abuja. We also invited the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to be part of us and talk to us too, because as elders, some of whom have been in politics, who have done a lot for the North and the Country. At the end of the meeting, we believe we will come up with various suggestions on how to resolve our numerous problems in the North.

    “Education is important, so whatever issue you want to bring us here, you must talk about education, you must talk about health issues and of the two monsters that have been harassing all of us here that is insecurity and poverty.

    “And let’s not take it for granted; people are quiet, they are quiet for a reason because people have been talking to them.; we have been talking to them, we have been trying to tell them things will be okay and they keep on believing. I pray to Almighty Allah that they will not one day wake up and say we no longer believe in you. Because that would be the biggest problem because we can’t quieten these people as traditional, spiritual leaders and diplomats forever.

    “So, I think it is good we talk about these things and let us be very honest with ourselves, let us be very frank about what we are going to tell ourselves here; it is no time to hide things. We have reached that level, people are very agitated, people are hungry, they are angry, but they still believe there are people who can talk to them, they believe in some of their Governors, some other traditional rulers, and some of their religious leaders, fortunately, some of us double as traditional and religious leaders.

    “So, we have this onerous task of reaching out to everybody, calming them down, and assuring them things will be okay, and they should continue to pray and pray and still do something good because prayer without work will not bring anything.

    “We must find jobs for our teeming youths that are sitting idle and I have said it so many times, we sit on a keg of gunpowder, having teeming youths millions of them, without jobs, without food, we are looking for trouble.

    He added: “But, we thank Allah we believe in ourselves, we believe in Almighty Allah to bring succour to all our problems and we will keep on praying and urging our political leaders, who we believe will do something better.  We are only advisers to the political leaders, that is all we can do, but if we are empowered and as strong as the Governors by the constitution, by the amount of funds they get from the federal and state revenues, we can also be a lot.

    “However, we are ready to work with the Governors, because we believe in them, we believe in what they are doing, and must work with them. And if the Governors too want to have peace and stability in their states, they must work with the traditional leaders.

    “I believe at the end of this meeting, we should have very good suggestions to our political leaders, to our security chiefs, that when such is implemented, we will have a better North and at the same time have a better Nigeria.”

    Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe said, the North which used to be the oasis of peace, has in recent times been grappling with the problem of insecurity.

    The governor, however, said that the way out is for the states in the region must forge strong partnerships on security and other developmental issues and concerns, as well as establish a command and control centre to coordinate our joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements within this region.

    Governor Sani said: “This region used to not only oasis of peace and stability but also the food basket of the Nation. Unfortunately, this same region has now become the epicentre of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings. Our local economy has been destroyed. The lives so far lost are simply mind-boggling.

    “Our people are deeply worried, they are asking questions, they want answers, they yearn for actions. Leaders whether political or traditional must therefore brace up to face these challenges. For us political leaders, we have a responsibility to frontally address challenges, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, agriculture, poverty, and unemployment. Priority attention must also be given to infrastructural development.

    “States in the North must forge strong partnerships on security and other developmental issues and concerns. Agriculture, power, and infrastructure, especially roads are critical areas where we must collaborate to revitalize our economy and address the challenges of poverty and insecurity.

    “Going forward, Northern states must develop a common strategy and operational plan to tackle insecurity. We must establish a command and control centre to coordinate our joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements within this region.

    “Northern traditional rulers must take the lead in the execution of psychological operations geared towards winning the hearts and minds of the people at the grassroots. You have a huge responsibility to mobilize and sensitize our people to support security forces to degrade terrorists and bandits. We must establish early warning systems and intelligence-gathering mechanisms within our communities.

    “Our main weapons must be people because terrorists, bandits’ insurgents also live amongst us. Traditional rulers have bigger roles to play within our communities. We must restore the glory of the traditional institution if we want better for our security and stability,” the Governor said.

    The Director-General Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi who was represented by the State Director of Security, Alhaji Abdul Enenche stressed the need for the traditional institution to play their role by identifying threats before they start manifesting.

    While noting that, most of the most of the threats are very mobile, the DSS Boss called for collective collaboration among all stakeholders, as he also lamented the role of informants as a challenge to the fight against insecurity.

    He said: “The informant keeps frustrating the role of security agencies. They live amongst communities and this brings to mind the role of traditional rulers who can assist security agencies in fishing out insider threats.”

    The meeting was well attended by Chairmen of the traditional rulers from each of the 19 Northern States, as well as leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum and Coalition of Northern Groups.

  • Sha’aban: Look out for moon, Sultan urges Muslims

    Sha’aban: Look out for moon, Sultan urges Muslims

    The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims in Nigeria to look out for the crescent of Sha’aban 1445AH after sunset on Saturday, 29th Rajab, 1445AH (February 10, 2024) ahead of this year’s Ramadan fasting.

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    The Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, stated  this in a statement on Friday.

    He said it was important to note that the moon appears and can be sighted usually long (even bearing other environmental factors) after the conjunction has taken place,

  • Sultan directs Muslims to watch out for new moon of Rajab on Friday

    Sultan directs Muslims to watch out for new moon of Rajab on Friday

    Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has directed Muslim Ummah to watch for the new Moon of Rajab 1445 AH starting on Friday.

    Prof. Sambo Janaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.

    The statement reads, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Friday, Jan. 12, equivalent to the 29th day of Jumada-Assani 1445 AH, shall be the day to search for the new moon of Rajab 1445 AH.

    “Muslims are requested to commence the search on Friday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for communication to the Sultan,” it said.

    Read Also: Look out for new moon, says Sultanate

    The Sultan extended his prayers, seeking Allah’s assistance for all Muslims in fulfilling their religious duties.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar, is considered one of the four sacred months in Islam during which battles are prohibited.

    (NAN)

  • Sultan to SGF: double your efforts to surmount challenges facing Nigeria

    Sultan to SGF: double your efforts to surmount challenges facing Nigeria

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), to redouble his efforts in tackling the challenges confronting the country to ensure peace and stability.

    Sultan said the SGF is not doing Nigerians a fovour as the engine room of the federal government.

    Sultan, who is the co-chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, December 5, at the fourth quarterly meeting of NIREC with the theme: ‘Restoration of hope in Nigeria.’

    He expressed displeasure over the challenges facing the country as he vowed that NIREC will continue to assist in stabilizing the country.

    The Sultan advised that Christians and Muslims must unite and live in peace and unity for a common goal.

    He called for joint prayer by both religions for peace to reign in the country.

    He said: “This is the first meeting we’re having as NIREC under a new government. It is the same APC government, but with different leadership, because people come in with their various ideas and agenda of how to run their administration, and some months back we had an SGF that time who opened our meeting.

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    “And as time changes everything, we must also change with time, and by the grace of almighty we have a new SGF as a new person attending our meeting for the first time, and on our behalf, I’d like to welcome him.

    “We want to assure you, Your Excellency, that we will strengthen your hands the more for you to succeed as the SGF. When you succeed it’s our country that is moving forward not only you. We want to help you so that you can also write your name in Gold, that during your time as SGF, so many things changed in Nigeria.

    “You’ve seen the short documentary of NIREC. We did so to let the SGF know what NIREC is all about, for him to know there are challenges and he has to double his efforts. I want to say he is not doing us a favour, he is doing his job because the job of the SGF is to ensure the peace and stability of Nigeria because he is the engine room of the government of Nigeria.

    “So for us to come together to work as Christians and Muslim leaders, we are working to save and to make Nigeria a better and more peaceful place, we are doing this with full commitment.

    “We voluntarily came together to form this body, it’s not a government body but the government helps us fund our activities because the government knows we are helping them to stabilize the country. God knows without NIREC where we would have been by now.

    “When things are bad, we must say so when things are good we must also say so, and we have to always say the truth. I remember very well one quotation from Usman Danfodio which says: ‘Conscience and open wound, only truth can heal it’. If you read the Guardian newspaper every day when you open up the editorial page, you’ll see everything there. Things are good, things are not good, but we must also love our country, we must be very patriotic, we cannot just every day condemn the country.

    “We must admit” that yes we have problems in our country, but we are much better than so many other countries. And it’s important for us to be very patriotic, we must pray for our leaders because when you pray for a leader who does good things, you will enjoy your benefit. But if you allow him to go and do whatever he wants to do, you will suffer the consequences. And I believe we must always do what is right as religious leaders, we are talking about the restoration of hope, we must talk to our people never to lose hope because God does not sleep. If there are challenges and there are difficulties brought about by God, yes.”

  • Tinubu, Sultan, Kumuyi, others to grace national day of prayer

    Tinubu, Sultan, Kumuyi, others to grace national day of prayer

    President Bola Tinubu, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and other prominent figures, are billed to grace this year’s National Day of Solemn Prayer.

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will be the mother of the day, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will chair the occasion.

    Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, explained that the National Solemn Assembly stands as a rallying point for Nigerians to express support for President Tinubu’s administration, embodying the national ethos of unity and common understanding as the nation faces various challenges.

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    He said it’s an essential gathering for all Nigerians to pray and support for President Tinubu’s administration as it tackles various national issues, and to promote unity as outlined in the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

    Adegbite further revealed that Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President of CAN, will be in attendance, as well as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Ooni of Ife, HRH Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Emir of Kano, HRH Aminu Ado Bayero, Tor Tiv, HRH Prof. James Ayatse, and Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Seyi Makinde, Babagana Zulum, Bassey Otu, and Dapo Abiodun.

    Also, the President of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, said the assembly is a three-hour non-stop praise, worship, and thanksgiving to God Almighty.

    “We believe that if Nigeria emulates nations like the United States in setting aside a day for praise and thanksgiving, God will do even greater things for our nation.”

    CAN’s National Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Chigbue, highlighted the unity and harmony the event aims to promote. “We are currently enjoying the benefits of good leadership, and we pray and release blessings for our nation, its people, and its leaders.

  • First Lady, Sultan, Zulum, Akpabio, others for Solemn Assembly award

    First Lady, Sultan, Zulum, Akpabio, others for Solemn Assembly award

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Minister of FCT, Ezenwo Wike and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar will be receiving award of excellence from Christian leaders under the National Solemn Assembly (NaSA).

    Others are Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

    The leaders, who made this known on Thursday in Abuja noted that the award will be presented awards at the National Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving Day scheduled for December 1, 2023.

    Addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman, National Solemn Assembly, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, said the NaSA is a Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving program to praise God for Nigeria, for the peace he has granted the country after the election and to praise God for the new leadership that emerged.

    He said the NaSA will also be an avenue to thank God for not allowing the country to burn despite some prophecies and predictions from different quarters.

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    “We will also appreciate the First Lady for her good works by giving her an award alongside other eminent Nigerians.

    ”This program will kick off on 1st of December after the religious leaders had concluded their 40 days fasting for peace and prosperity of the country on 30th November.

    “Today marks the 33rd day of our fasting and we have only 7 days left. We set out to fast for 40 days and terminated it on the day before the National Solemn Assembly. I call on all Nigerians to join the fasting for the country. “I ask our fellow Nigerians that time has come for us to come together and praise our God, celebrate his goodness and celebrate the leadership that he has given us.

    “Many people gave all kinds of prophecies that Nigeria will burn, but God has proven everyone that made such prophecies wrong by making sure that Nigeria remains peaceful and we want the peace to continue, we want Nigeria to be one United country and we must show faith in the leadership God has given to us”.

    Also, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Reverend Stephen Adegbite said the program, though organised by a coalition of Christian organisations, is a nationalist, all embracing occasion.

    “On behalf of the comity of Christian groups and the National Solemn Assembly, I wish to implore all well meaning Nigerians at home and in diaspora to join us as we seek the face of God in praises and prayers to bless and guide the present administration and all elected public officials at all levels so that they will make the best decisions and policies for the good of the people.

    “Our focus is the collective good of all Nigerians and how the people of Nigeria can benefit from the dividends of democracy. “Our people have been through a lot, they have endured a lot, they deserve a lot of good things and a prosperous future”, he said.

  • Nigeria has derailed from vision of founding fathers, says Sultan

    Nigeria has derailed from vision of founding fathers, says Sultan

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Thursday, November 16, said the country has derailed from the vision of its founding fathers.

    He said this at the 4th Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture (DNAAAL) with the theme, “Promoting Unity in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in Nigeria” at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

    The event was to mark the 119th posthumous birthday of Dr Azikiwe. In attendance among other dignitaries at the event was his wife, Prof (Emeritus) Uche Azikiwe, who was the mother of the day.

    Represented by the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Mohammed Sambo Haruna, the Sultan said the younger generation still has much to learn.

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    He urged that there should be a conscious effort to set the country back on the path that the founding fathers intended.

    He expressed confidence in the capacity of the country to achieve the dreams of Nigerians.

    He said: “We would continue to have good people like Nnamdi Azikiwe in Nigeria. We would continue to have people who have this country at heart so that they can be celebrated the way he is being celebrated today.

    “Looking back to the generation in which I belonged, the young men of today have a lot to learn. What our forefathers have done, we have derailed from it and I want to use this opportunity to ask Nigerians that we should come back to the way our fathers actually laid the foundation of Nigeria.

    “We can still achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. We have no doubt in the crop of leadership that we have in the country and the crop of intelligent Nigerians that we have. We can take Nigeria to where it is supposed to be in this world. It should be ranked as the first, the fastest, the biggest, and the best country in West Africa and Africa.

    “It is my hope and prayer that the death of this gentleman should not go in vain. We should wake up and build Nigeria in the way Nnamdi Azikiwe wanted to see Nigeria before departing this world.”

    Director General of the Lecture, Hon Chineme Onyeke, said the occasion was to celebrate Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and his philosophy of one united Nigeria.

    “We believe that as the 2023 general elections have come and gone, the reincarnation of Zik’s and other founding fathers’ patriotic politics of national integration and unity is more desired now than ever before. We believe that the president is well-equipped and prepared to unite Nigeria for a peaceful coexistence. We all therefore appeal to all opposition political parties and candidates to join forces with the president to unite Nigeria, revamp the ailing economy, and move the great nation to greater heights.”

    He said the award was an occasion to honour patriotic Nigerians and non-Nigerians, living and dead, who have in one way or another helped the Nigerian nation in the area of independent attainment, development of our democracy, good governance, economic investment, human capital development, youths and women empowerment among others.

    He used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to take over the management of Onuiyi Haven, the Nsukka residence of Dr Azikiwe, where he lived till his death.

    He described the state of the residence as a national embarrassment.

    He said: “We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to approve a land space in Abuja to build a befitting Zik Centre for National Unity. This will serve as a reference point for regionalism and patriotism and as a rallying point for all Nigerians from all worlds of life.

    “We also appeal that the Federal Government should take over the management of Zik’s house in Nsukka. When the Board of Trustees visited the delegation, they nearly wept at the state of abandonment of the residence. The building that once housed the great Zik of Africa until his death. The residence is a national embarrassment as the roof of treating Zik leaks during the rainfall. The Federal Government should take over, reconstruct, and renovate, the Zik’s Nsukka House, called Onuiyi Haven, and make it a national heritage centre for tourism, research, and reference.”

    He also appealed for assistance to move around primary and secondary schools in the six geopolitical zones to preach, impact, and inculcate in the young ones the virtues of patriotism as lived by Zik and other founding fathers

    Former Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu, who was the keynote speaker, described the late Azikiwe as a foremost politician, knowledgeable gentleman, renowned intellectual, freedom fighter, realist, and pragmatist whose main goal was to fight for humanity and the dignity of the black man wherever he might find himself.