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  • Things may get worse in Nigeria if govt fails to act – Sultan

    Things may get worse in Nigeria if govt fails to act – Sultan

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has warned government at all levels, especially the Federal Government that things may slip from bad to worse for Nigeria if decisive steps are not taken to listen to the cries of the citizens and act on them promptly.

    He spoke at the 5th coronation anniversary lecture of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, held at the Banquet Hall of Premier Hotel, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The programme, entitled: ‘Preventing our Common Heritage: Celebrating the Labour of our Heroes Past,’ was organised by the Oodua Descendants Worldwide.

    The event was also attended by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; the Oniru of Iru, the Elegushi of Ikateland, Alara of Ara and so on.

    The Sultan, in his address, noted the array of many traditional rulers that graced the occasion and representatives of the Oba of Benin and Emir of Ilorin, as well as political office holders on the occasion has sent a positive signals to the public space that unity in diversity of Nigeria should be emphasised.

    He stated that the fact that people saw the monarchs from different parts of the country together, “means a lot, especially at this time when there so much cries; cries for division here and there and cries for do this and do that.

    “I am not going to talk politics. I am not a politician. But I am the father of politicians. I can talk politics from now till tomorrow, it may not get into some people’s heads. But I know some words will get into some people’s heads, whether they like it or not.

    He also made reference to the alarm he raised on Thursday in Abuja that the Northern part of Nigeria is a dangerous place to live based on insecurity rocking the region at the moment.

    Abubakar said: “If you check the papers today, almost all the papers have this very bold headlines, on what I just said on Thursday. it means some people are watching. They are listening. They are reading.

    “What we want is for them to implement, act. If you listen, you will hear what people have been saying and what people are crying for. When you don’t act, then things will get worse. When things get worse, they will get worst. When they get worst, of course, it is only Almighty Allah, who will come and help us.

    “So, let’s not allow that. Let’s rise up and make things change in this great country. Almighty couldn’t have made a mistake when He put this country together. And if He wants to do whatever he wants to do, He will just do it. He will separate this country, divide it into one million little pieces, and further you will need visa to go somewhere and you may not get the visa.

    Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi, who prayed for long life for Oba Ogunwusi, commended the Sultan of Sokoto for saying the truth to the authorities at the highest level in Nigeria that the Northern part of the country is the worst place to live based on protracted insecurity in the region. He also urged different ethnic groups in the country to embrace peace so that the nation could move forward.

    Both Sultan and Alaafin, however, condmned the killing of a king in Ondo State on Thursday by some people suspected to be kidnappers.

    Oba Ogunwusi, in his address, thanked all the traditional rulers and other representatives that honoured him with their presence on the occasion, saying: “We can see the mix of all of us that are here and that is the beauty of our dear country. Anytime we are talking about the unity of this country, that togetherness, these royal father’s are always there to support government in anything they do.”

    Governors in the South West also sent representatives to the programme and they paid glowing tributes of Oba Ogunwusi.

  • What Buhari told Sultan, Ooni other traditional rulers during Aso Rock meeting

    What Buhari told Sultan, Ooni other traditional rulers during Aso Rock meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with traditional rulers to support his administration’s determination to address the demands of youths in the country.

    At a meeting in the State House with a delegation of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the President told the royal fathers that “we have heard the loud cries of our youth and children, and we are attending to their concerns.”

    He, however, stressed that “To succeed in all of this, we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message. Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful.”

    Describing their “role as guardians of our traditional values and culture” as most critical, the President urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”

    According to President Buhari, his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, would lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process. He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives.

    “I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service.”

    While warning that “we cannot allow anybody or group to threaten the peace or sabotage these efforts,” the President restated that “strong, transparent efforts are underway to address those rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force. Simultaneously, the Nigerian Police Force will also undergo much needed reform that covers welfare, working conditions, and code of conduct. That will usher in a more professional workforce.”

    Recognizing the primary and important role of the monarchs in helping maintain peace and security in the country, the President expressed delight at their visit “given all that has happened recently in our country.”

    While receiving the recommendations of the traditional rulers, he promised to study them and take appropriate action.

    President Buhari had earlier drawn the attention of the eminent delegation to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on the world.

    “We find ourselves in very turbulent times, with a global health pandemic that has been incredibly challenging. Economies have been crippled as the response to the pandemic has forced businesses to shut down or devise new means of transacting. For a country like ours, with a large informal economy, our citizens have been particularly hit.”

    He noted, however, that his administration has “designed various schemes and taken many measures to soften the impact, despite our own revenue struggles as government,” while recognizing that “more needs to be done to cater to our fellow citizens, not just those in the urban areas but also those in rural areas.”

    According to President Buhari, “I am also fully aware that our strong farming belts have been impacted by floods. While we have seen record levels of farm outputs and increased level of fertilizer utilization, government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies is working on how to help bring these farmers some relief.”

    Admitting the enormity of these challenges and “our growing youth population,” the President declared:

    “There is no hiding place regarding how we should address insecurity concerns, youth unemployment, job creation, boosting industrialization and preparing for a transition into a digital economy.”

    Remarks were made by the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, while two foremost traditional rulers representing each geo-political zone also attended the meeting.

  • Enough is enough of this killing spree in Southern Kaduna – Sultan

    Enough is enough of this killing spree in Southern Kaduna – Sultan

    Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the killings in the Southern part of Kaduna State, describing the incidence as a “madness that must stop immediately.”

    Speaking yesterday at the opening of a meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Kaduna, the Sultan called on sponsors of the killings to stop the dastardly act, declaring “enough is enough.”

    He said “no man in his right senses will go on a killing spree of innocent people under whatever guise.”

    The monarch, who accused politicians of fuelling the crisis, also called on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used.

    He said any politician who ignites violence does not mean well for the people and called on the people to shun such politicians.

    “You keep on igniting killings based on ethno-religious differences because it is the innocent children that are killed while those of the elites are protected,” he said.

    Earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, had said the Southern Kaduna crisis had lingered on for the past 40 years since the first Kasuwan Magani riot in Kajuru Local Government Area in 1980.

    “Kaduna is a mini-Nigeria with over 52 ethnic groups, meaning that 10 per cent of Nigeria’s ethnic groups are from Kaduna State.

    “The danger of it is that crimes committed by criminals for their own selfish motives are given ethno-religious interpretations,” the governor said.

    He added that his administration has been striving to stop the killings, citing the location of a military base and a mobile police depot in the area as well as the deployment of the Air Force and Strike Force personnel as part of measures to stop the killings.

    According to him, equipment like drones and GSM trackers are being used and had helped to neutralise thousands of the bandits in the state.

    After the opening ceremony, the meeting went into a closed-door session.

  • Sultan, El-Rufai meet over Southern Kaduna crisis

    Sultan, El-Rufai meet over Southern Kaduna crisis

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday met behind closed doors with the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar at the Government House Kaduna.
    Though the Sultan did not disclose the outcome of the meeting, the governor said the Sultan “expressed his support for our efforts at bringing peace to Kaduna state.’’
    El-Rufai told newsmen after the meeting that his relationship with the Sultan started when he was a student at Barewa College Zaria.

    “He knew me since I was 12-years-old and he used to advise us on what we needed to do and how to achieve peace and progress.”
    According to him, the Sultan expressed happiness that various religious and ethnic groups have suggested measures on how to promote peace in Kaduna state.
    ‘’The Sultan also prayed to God to bring peace not only in Kaduna state but Nigeria in general, especially the insecurity bedeviling northern Nigeria,’’ he added.
    The governor stressed that the concern of his administration has always been to see people living together in peace.
    He welcomed the Peace and Reconciliation Summit held in Zangon Kataf Local Government on Saturday, where the Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities resolved to live in peace.
    He noted that the major religions “teach us to love for others what we love for ourselves”.
    “Therefore, we are happy with what the Chief of Atyap started. May God reward him for inviting all the ethnic groups under his chiefdom to agree to live in peace and harmony.’’
    The governor prayed that the initiative would be the beginning of lasting peace in southern Kaduna.
  • CAN president, Sultan lament over murders

    CAN president, Sultan lament over murders

    Islamic and Christian leaders have expressed sadness over killings in the country.

     

    They also raised the alarm over proliferation of arms and ammunitions.

     

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle and the Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar spoke on Tuesday through the platform of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

     

    They are co-chairmen of the organisation, which made the following demands on the Federal Government.

     

    Fishing out of perpetrators of crime and killings to face justice

    Mopping up of arms and ammunition in the hands of criminals

    Complete stop to the proliferation of all forms of weapons that criminals use to destroy lives and property.

     

    The Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, signed the statement, which said: “NIREC is worried that the threats and killings keep spreading. We condemn the carnage on human life especially the recent killings of 76 people in Sabon Birni Local Government of Sokoto State; RuwanTofa Dansadua district in Zamfara State; ZagonKataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State; Bethel Baptist Church Aguda-Dauruwan Kogi State”.

     

    NIREC also condemned the attack on the convoy of the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, at Baga, adding that: “We condemn absolutely, the political thuggery that threatens human life and peaceful coexistence.

     

     

    The security agents must fish out the criminals to face justice. They must mop up the arms and ammunitions in the hands of criminals. The government must ensure a complete stop to the proliferation of all forms of weapons that criminals use to destroy lives and property.

     

    “During his traditional Sallah homage to the Governor of Borno State, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai ElKanemi cried out: “My people in Borno are no longer safe.” Consequently, Maiduguri, in particular should not be allowed to be run over by the insurgents who have been throwing mortals there, killing people. These show how serious the State of insecurity is in the nation. These situations and the likes are of grave concern to NIREC. The unabated carnages leave the citizens in a state of complete despair as economic activities are almost paralyzed.

     

    “NIREC is therefore constrained once again to call on the Government at all levels to take security as a top priority for every Nigerian. The Government at all levels must double up their efforts of securing the lives and property of the citizens”.

  • Sultan: Muslims to observe Eid-el-Kabir next week without prayers at Eid grounds

    Sultan: Muslims to observe Eid-el-Kabir next week without prayers at Eid grounds

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Friday 31 July as Eid-el-Kabir Sallah day and urged Muslims to observe prayers in mosques.

    Abubakar, also the President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), made the call in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council.

    “In view of the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sultan hereby advises all District Heads and Imams in Sokoto State, to observe Eid prayers at their Juma’at Mosques.

    “This, in their respective towns and villages and not at Eid Grounds.

    “Also the Muslim Communities throughout the country to do same to help curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    ” The Sultan declared Friday, July 31, as the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja 1441 AH and the day of Eid-el-Kabir for the year” statement said.

    Abubakar urged Muslim to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, while wishing them happy Eid-el-Kabir.

  • Stop mere condemnation of murderous attacks in North, swing into action now, Sultan tells FG, Govs

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, has decried the persistent killing of people in the country by bandits and insurgents.

    Abubakar who is also the President-General of the Jamaatu Nasril Islam said the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, with particular reference to the North, should give those in government at federal and state levels sleepless nights.

    According to a statement by JNI’s Secretary General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the monarch also appealed to security agents to put in more effort in curbing the issue of insecurity across Nigeria.

    The statement reads partly: “The repeated massacre of people, as well as the senseless burning of houses and livestock in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger states and indeed other states such as Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba, should give governments and its functionaries at both federal and state levels sleepless nights.

    “By now, an instantaneous pronouncement followed by robust actions should have been made by the government of the day, not verbal warnings and condemnations dished out to the perpetrators of the murderous acts.

    “Isn’t the government of the day a popular government? Is it not a participatory government?

    “Why doesn’t public opinion(s) matter to it? Or isn’t public opinion(s) considered an ingredient to the government of the day?”

    The Sultan’s remark is coming at a time President Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians declared that his capable of dealing with terrorism and banditry in the country.

    He called for patience from Nigerians as the military explore areas to deal with the menace of insurgency and banditry.

    A few days ago, a coalition of Northern youths had given Buhari 14 days to end insecurity in the region.

    They had vowed to take over the government, if Buhari failed to end insecurity in the region within the ultimatum given.

  • Sultan declares Sunday Sallah day as Lagos Chief Imam tells Muslims to observe prayers at home

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on Friday declared Sunday as Eid-il-Fitr day.

    The declaration followed the no report of moon sighting in the country.

    The ongoing Ramadan ends Saturday, marking the end of 30-day fasting.

    A statement by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, said the council did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the moon of Shawwal.

    NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede confirmed to The Nation that the moon was not sighted.

    Oloyede said “fasting continues tomorrow (today).”

    The Sultan, Prof Junaidu said, had accepted the report of the committee and accordingly declared Sunday, May 24 as the first day of Shawwal (Day of Eid-il-Fitr).

    “The Sultan felicitates with the Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country,” he said.

    The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla advised Muslims to abide by the Sultan’s directive.

    This, he said, would ensure a national unity.

    He urged Muslims to observe the Sunday Eid prayers at home.

    Sheikh Abou-Nolla “This year’s Eid-il-Fitr is an unusual one coming at a time when the world is battling a global pandemic – the COVID-19 with its prevalence significantly impacting on every sphere of our lives particularly on social interaction. Recognising the need for our collective survival, in consonance with the Islamic principles that place high premium value on human lives, all Muslims should maintain a high level of personal hygiene such as regular hand washing, sanitising, practising social distancing and staying in our current locations to minimise the spread of the virus.

    “We enjoin Muslims to observe Eid prayers at home, as this exceptional circumstance demands, and as have been advised by Muslim scholars all over the world.”

  • Sultan declares sighting of moon, says Ramadan begins Friday

    Following the sighting of the moon, this year’s Ramadan starts Friday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, announced Thursday.

    The president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) said this in an announcement made on an NTA live broadcast.

    In compliance with physical distancing by health authorities as means to check the spread of COVID-19, the NSCIA had urged Muslims to shun congregational gatherings by staying at home.

    The council also directed mosques to suspend taraweeh sessions (a daily voluntary prayer during the month), tafseer (lectures), Qur’anic fora and i’tifaaf (seclusion in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan).

    The council’s director of administration, Yusuf Nwoha, who announced this earlier in the day, urged religious leaders to use electronic media to reach their followers.

    The group had issued a guideline for the burial of infected Muslims during the pandemic, saying the burial should be handled by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar seen as sacred by Muslims for which they refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days — depending on when a new crescent is slighted.

    The sighting of this new moon marks the beginning of another month, Shawwal, and the celebration of Islamic festival, Eid-l-fitr.

  • COVID-19: No Ramadan lectures, congregational prayers this year, Sultan tells Muslims

    The Jama’tul Nasril Islam (JNI) has said that there would not be the annual Tafsir or congregational prayers in mosques during this year’s Ramadan due to coronavirus pandemic.

    The Secretary-General, JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.

    Aliyu advised Islamic faithful to pray with their families at home and stay safe.

    “This is a Ramadan with a difference as most people will be under lockdown,’’ he said.

    The JNI scribe said that in spite of the challenges arising from physical and social distancing, Tafsir and other religious teachings would be held using various information technology (IT) platforms.

    He mentioned such platforms as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zoom, etc., to live stream preaching sessions.

    “Reliable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals will be consulted for proper guidance,” he said.

    According to him, JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, felicitates in advance with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming month of Ramadan.

    “Unequivocally, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, the month of supplication and Allah’s remembrance, the month of Zakah and giving the poor dues and charity and the month of standing in the night for prayers

    “Hence, they (the poor) will certainly be in dire need of assistance, because of the economic realities and the attendant suffocating inflationary trends.

    “Our spirit of generosity should be fully activated in higher proportion so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor in our midst by providing them with food and other necessities.

    “In this regard, the JNI calls upon those who have since planned for this year’s lesser pilgrimage to channel those resources to charity as the Umrah cannot be possible in the current global pandemic reality.

    “Expectedly, as role models, we should be seen to be doing exactly like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), bearing in mind that the month of Ramadan is fast approaching,’’ the JNI Secretary-General said.

    Aliyu called on governments at all levels to assist in making life bearable for the downtrodden.

    “Due to the overwhelming eruption of the novel COVID-19 pandemic the Ummah’s enthusiasm needs to be reinvigorated as against what obtains of palpable fear over the pandemic outbreak.

    “Nevertheless, JNI wishes to re-awaken the collective resolution of the Muslims to fully prepare so as to reap the benefits therein in the blessed month,” he said

    According to him, one of the significant aspects of this period is the issue of moon-sighting that has over the years recorded significant improvement and should be sustained.

    “Therefore, Muslims are called upon to watch out for the crescent and communicate same to the nearest Muslim authority close by – if sighted, for onward transmission to His Eminence for final announcement after the necessary confirmation.

    “Muslims should resolve and make proper plan to intensify efforts in the Tilawah (recitation) of the glorious Qur’an, especially as we observe the stay at home policy,’’ he said.

    The JNI also commended philanthropists, captains of industry, and corporate bodies who donated money and relief items to support the federal and some state governments at this critical economic period.

    Aliyu said that gesture remained very indelible to the JNI “and we pray that they be compensated accordingly by Allah.’’

    He urged Muslims to fervently pray for an end to the myriad challenges bedeviling the world and Nigeria in particular, and to also seek Allah’s interventions for better well-being and prosperity.

    “We also pray for our leaders to be well-guided and foresighted, they should equally fear Allah and remember that they will one day account for their respective stewardship.

    “As such, they should as a matter of patriotism ensure that they promote equal distribution of resources and maintain peace in all their respective utterances and actions,’’ he said.

    JNI, Aliyu said, was using the occasion to appeal to adherents to collectively condemn abuses of extremists in thoughts and actions on any matter, as warned by the Prophet (PBUH),” he said

    JNI remains resolute to support, as well as partner relevant agencies, government and other stakeholders in mitigating the adverse effects of the novel COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    “We appeal to state governments to synergise and complement each other properly in addressing the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria,’’ the scribe said.