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  • Southern leaders chide Sultan for opposing calls for restructuring

    Some traditional rulers in the southern part of Nigeria, have disagreed with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on restructuring, saying that the view is against the wish of the people.

    The Sultan had urged Nigerians­ to focus on the devolution of the economy, rather than the restructuring of Nigeria.

    In a report published on TheNewsGuru.com, the Sultan, while speaking at the Niger State Investment Summit, which held recently in Minna called on Nigerians to focus on the devolution of the economy rather than the restructuring the country.

    Meanwhile, in an interview session with Punch, some traditional rulers in the southern part of Nigeria, have disagreed with the Sultan for opposing calls for restructuring in Nigeria.

    Their reactions:

    Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji said, “If the people of Nigeria want the country to be restructured, as traditional leaders, we are not in a position to oppose it. We are closer to the people, so we must lead by example. It is important to find a way of addressing the yearning of our people.

    “Without the people, there cannot be a leader. We can see clearly what is wrong with the present system. The people and all the major political parties are calling for restructuring. We should allow people to develop at their own pace. It is the only way out of a potential crisis. That is how we can address all the agitations across the country. We support the restructuring of the nation.”

    Obong Etim Abia from Eket, Akwa Ibom State said, “I think the general opinion is that, as Nigerians, we all need to come together, sit down and discuss how we want this country to be governed. This is the only country in the world that people have to go to the centre and share money. Things cannot continue like that — that is why some people insist on resource control.

    “To say the country should not be restructured and that we should leave it to what the military decided to make it — with the military all from one side of the country — is unfair and unrealistic. We must agree on resource control in which every state will control its own resources and give a percentage, even if it is 50 per cent, to the centre.”

    The paramount ruler of Aburemi Kingdom, Ogbia, Bayelsa State, King Collins Daniel said, “The man (Sultan) who is talking about building dams across the nation is talking in respect of the Sahel region. You know this country is divided into different geographical regions. You have the savannah; you have the Sahel, the forest and the swamps. You will find out that most of the Niger Delta states are in the swamps, lowlands; the South-East and the South-West are in the forest region. The Middle Belt is in the savannah and the North-East and the North-West are in the Sahel region. Now the problem of someone that is in the North-East or North-West cannot be the same problem of the people in the swamp region; it cannot be the same with the people in the forest region.

    “So, what is the significance of dams? What will dams do? Dams are for those who don’t get enough rains. The northerners don’t have enough water, so they need dams. So, if that is the solution to their problem, that cannot be the solution of Nigeria. There is always a unifying force for people to say, ‘Let there be restructuring.’ People should be able to negotiate on this structure that we have, so that a section of the country does not have undue advantage over other sections of the country,” the Ogbia monarch said.

    For the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, a paramount ruler in Ondo State, “I must say that we cannot shy away from the restructuring of this country. Remember that we are talking about an equitable society where we will all see ourselves as one and not a lopsided situation as we currently have. We need to restructure the political frame of the country; the fiscal federalism must equally be addressed.

    “We must, therefore, look for a way to discuss these challenges and the best way to overcome them is by the restructuring of Nigeria.”

    Similarly, an Ekiti monarch, the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adebayo Adewole said, “I believe strongly in restructuring. There is no need for a region to be dragging another region behind. Each state should develop at its pace and control its resources.

    “This is why the Niger Delta people are agitating; they feel they are the ones generating the wealth of the nation and their region is not developed. If Nigeria is restructured, the economic and security challenges will go away.”

    Another traditional ruler from Imo State, Obi of Ihim, Eze Oliver Ohanwe said, “I do not agree with the Sultan of Sokoto with his take on restructuring. We need to restructure the country. Agitations for the restructuring of the country did not start today. They started during the amalgamation in 1914 — most Nigerians support restructuring of the country.”

    In the same vein, the Okirika-Ama, Umuokirika in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Eze Dom Okoro (Eze Okirika I) said he was not surprised that the Sultan did not throw his weight being the restructuring that many Nigerians wanted.

    He said, “I say this because they (northerners) are beneficiaries of the current distortions in the country. By that campaign from the Sultan, they want the existing imbalance and cheating in the country to continue.”

    His view was shared by another paramount ruler, Dr. Ikechukwu Okoligwe, (Okukoro II) of Awo-Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State.

    The monarch said, “Many Nigerians are calling for restructuring for us to have equity and fairness in the country. If we fail to do that, we would be deceiving ourselves.”

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, however, agreed with the Sultan’s call for economic restructuring.

    “I sat with the Sultan and he explained what he meant to me. He explained everything about the devolution of the economy to me and I agreed with him. If restructuring is about breaking up the country, I am against it. But if it is about how to improve the welfare of the people, I will support it,” he stated.

    Oba Akanbi added that there should be a clear understanding of the restructuring being called for.

    “So many people do not understand what the restructuring is about. Many think it is about the break-up of the country and the people must be educated that the restructuring they are clamouring for is not to break up the country.

    “What I would advocate is industrialisation. This government must do everything to ensure that Nigeria is industrialised. The kind of agriculture we are practising in Nigeria is wasting our produce. Farmers lose 75 per cent of their produce after harvest,” he said.

  • New Moon: Watch out from Aug. 22, Sultan tells Muslims

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims to watch out for the new moon of Dhulhajj1438AH from Tuesday, Aug. 22.

    The Sultan said this in a statement issued by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto on Saturday.

    “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, August 22, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Zulki’ida 1438AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Dhulhajj.

    “Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon on Tuesday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village Head for onward communication to the Sultan,’’ he said.

    The Sultan prayed to Allah to help all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.

  • Sultan of Sokoto rejects restructuring

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday called on Nigerians to focus on the devolution of the economy rather than the restructuring the country.

    Abubakar made the call at the Niger State Investment Submit in Minna.

    The summit, which attracted economic experts, industrialists and manufacturers as well as some state governors from different parts of the country, was organised to attract investors in various fields to boost the economy of the state.

    The Sultan said the nation was blessed with human and mineral resources needed to achieve greatness.

    He advised that the Shiroro Dam in Niger, Goronyo Dam in Sokoto and others across the country should be used to start all-year farming.

    He argued that the proper utilisation of the nation’s dams would enable farmers to produce food crops for both local consumption and export.

    “Rather than the clamour for the restructuring of the country, the Federal Government should be called upon to release dams across the country to state governments for massive participation of Nigerians in all-year farming seasons.

    “We have the ability and technical knowledge to feed the continent with what we can produce, with the required political commitment, through the provision of modern farming implements for our teeming farmers.”

    He also urged the Federal Government to ensure the early completion of the Minna-Suleja and Ilorin-Kaduna federal roads.

    The Sultan said the poor condition of the roads was affecting economic development of the state and the northern region.

    He urged the state government to ensure proper analysis and smooth implementation of programmes put forward by individuals and corporate organisations at the summit.

    He said Nigeria was one of the countries in the world with various mineral resources needed to better the lots of the people.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, for providing purposeful leadership for the political growth of the country.

    He said state governors would continue to support the Federal Government to ensure the peace, progress and political growth of the country.

    “We will continue to initiate people-oriented policies and programmes that will ensure rapid growth.

    “Above all, various forms of security measures will be put in place to guarantee the safety of our farmers to ensure the production of assorted food crops for local consumption and export,’’ he said.

  • Focus attention on releasing dams to states, not restructuring, Sultan tells FG

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday called on Nigerians to focus on devolution of ‘dams’ rather than restructuring the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Sultan made the call at the Niger State Investment Submit in Minna.

    The summit which attracted economic experts, industrialists and manufacturers as well as some state governors across the country, was organised to attract investors in various fields to boost the state’s economy.

    He said the nation was blessed with human and mineral resources needed to achieve greatness.

    He said the Shiroro Dam in Niger, Goronyo Dam in Sokoto and several others across the country should be used to start all-year farming.

    He said proper utilisation of the nation’s dams would enable farmers too produce assorted food crops for both local consumption and export.

    “Rather than the clamour for restructuring the country, emphasis should be on Federal Government releasing dams across the country to state governments for massive participation of Nigerians in all-year farming seasons,” Mr. Sultan said.

    “We have the ability and technical knowledge to feed the continent with what we can produce, with the required political commitment, through the provision of modern farming implements for our teaming farmers.”

    He also urged Federal Government to ensure early completion of Minna to Suleja road and Ilorin to Kaduna federal roads.

    He said the poor condition of the roads was affecting smooth economic development of the state and the region.

    He called on the state government to ensure proper analysis and smooth implementation of programmes put forward by individuals and corporate organisations during the submit.

    He said Nigeria was one of the best countries in the world with various mineral resources needed to better the lots of the public.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State commended the acting president, Yemi Osibanjo, for providing a purposeful leadership for the political growth of the country.

    He said the state governors would continue to support and cooperate with the Federal Government for peace, progress and political growth of the country.

    “We will continue to initiate people-oriented policies and programmes that will ensure rapid growth. ”

    “Above all, various forms of security measures will be put in place to guarantee the safety of our farmers to ensure the production of assorted food crops for local consumption and export,’’ he said.

    (NAN)

  • Sultan to Northern Governors: We must stop being lazy to solve our problems

    Apparently angry over the many sufferings peculiar to people in the northern region of Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, yesterday, warned that the lazy attitude of some northern governors to governance is affecting possibilities of turning around the poor situation of the north.

    Abubakar who made the statement during a joint meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum and traditional rulers at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna yesterday, said the northern elite must throw away their lazy attitude.

    The sultan urged traditional and religious leaders to guard their utterances and avoid inciting words which could cause chaos, saying that negative stories could be circulated by rumour mongers on the social media.

    “During our last meeting six months ago, we spent a lot of time to discuss many things, but from the earlier discussion, is the north much better now than we were six months ago? If yes, it means we are making progress, if no, why?

    “All that has been the problem is to implement decisions taken at such a meeting by everybody. I think we are not short of solutions to all our problems, what we are short of, all of us, is sincerity and commitment to really do what we say publicly. If we don’t change, our situation will continue to get worse.

    “At this meeting, we need to discuss what came out of the January meeting, how far we have gone in trying to implement some of the decisions we have taken and chart the way forward.

    “I should remind us, so many of us who are also religious leaders, to be cautious over inciting utterances and ambiguous words on issues that shouldn’t have been brought up.

    “What we do or how we go about some of these issues, you don’t make ambiguous statements which will be very difficult to withdraw. We are aware of the implications because the social media is so negative now that people formulate stories that never existed and polish them to be true,” the monarch cautioned.

    While commending some governors for hard work and resilience with regard to education in the north, he said the traditional rulers were collectively committed to making the north the envy of the rest of the world.

    “But we have to and we must be up and doing, we must throw away our lazy attitude because whatever problems we have in our region, we are more educated to find solution to them. I assure you of our support, and you must continue to see us (traditional rulers) as partners in this long and tough journey to emancipating our people from the grip of poverty and lazy life.”

    The governors cautioned those agitating for restructuring of the country and the protagonists of the Republic of Biafra against endangering the unity of Nigeria, saying that the nation might not survive under such divisive tendencies.

    The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum’s and Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima who spoke at the meeting listed the current issues threatening the unity of the nation as the agitation for restructuring, creation of a Biafran State and the Fulani herdsmen’s attacks on communities. He urged prompt action to tackle these issues.

    Shettima, who was represented by the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari at the two-day meeting which began yesterday, said: “Agreed that being citizens of a democratic country, Nigerians are entitled to exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and association, and the clamour for the restructuring of the country falls within the purview of these freedoms. But the exercise of such rights outside the confines of responsibility is not acceptable.

    “The resort to shenanigans, hate speech, and sometimes incitement to violence by organisations such as IPOB and MASSOB must be unconditionally condemned as they are inimical to national unity, stability, peaceful coexistence and national security.

    “These elements must be encouraged to pursue their agitations within processes enshrined in our constitution and with the full and willing participation of all parts of our nation.”

    The governor urged southern leaders to condemn the agitation the way northern leaders condemned the ultimatum given by some northern youths to Igbo residing in the north to leave by October 1.

    On the dangers allegedly posed by those agitating for restructuring and a Biafran State, the northern governors drew attention to contemporary history of countries where such tendencies led to destabilisation.

    “We must constantly be aware of the terrain and times. We have a country that has gone through a civil war, military coups and counter-coups, some of them bloody, prolonged military dictatorships, several false starts as a democracy, insurgency and banditry and a huge youth population whose huge expectations are far from being met. Our peculiar circumstances have made it difficult to deliver and what we need is trust and hope to see us through the difficult times. We shall overcome, but we need all the survival techniques our collective talent can muster.”

    The governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in an address, said: “We commend the resilience of our communities in the North-East which has begun the process of recovery from the ravages of insurgency.

    “Security remains a challenge across our states. The frequency and savagery of communal clashes in some of our states, and the prevalence of untoward phenomena such as rural banditry, cattle-rustling and kidnapping need to be tackled. The festering sores left by previous conflicts in which proper closure, accountability for crimes and reconciliation were not effected appear to be accelerating a descent into impunity and a situation in which many elites are too short-sighted to recognise the dangers of embroiling our communities in repeated cycles of violence.”

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Sultan declares today Sallah as Buhari speaks from London

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, said, the end of Ramadan fast is on Sunday after the new moon was sighted in parts of the country, including Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    The Sultan, therefore, asked Muslims all over Nigeria to cease to fast as it is not permitted to fast on Sallah day.

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a Sallah message, last night,congratulating Nigerians while cautioning against reckless statements or actions.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, several state governors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, among others, sued for unity and peace on the occasion of the Sallah celebration.

    Buhari congratulated Muslims and Christians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr, urging all citizens to resolve to live in peace and avoid making reckless statements.

    The President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, urged Nigerians to live together in peace and unity so as to make the country a great one.

  • Fasting: Sultan declares Saturday 1st Ramadan

    Fasting: Sultan declares Saturday 1st Ramadan

    The Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Saturday, May 27, as 1st Ramadan, 1438 AH, signifying the commencement of the annual long-month fast by Muslims.

    The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that Abubakar announced the sighting of the new moon in Sokoto, on Friday, in a broadcast.

    Abubakar said that the new moon was sighted in various states of the country including Kebbi, Lagos, Adamawa, Bauchi, Delta, Cross River and Benue.

    The Sultan stated that the reports of the sighting of the new moon were received from Muslim leaders and organizations across the nation.

    Abubakar further said that the reports were duly verified and authenticated by the National Moon Sighting Committee.

    He said that the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan also signified the end of Sha’aban, 1438AH.

    The Sultan, therefore, called on the Muslim ummah to commence fasting accordingly.

    Abubakar implored the Muslim Ummah to devote themselves fully to worship throughout the Holy month.

    ” We should also pray fervently for the blessings of Allah for President Muhammadu Buhari and others in leadership positions in Nigeria.

    ”This is to enable them to succeed in steering the affairs of our dear country, as well as sustenance of peace and stability in Nigeria and the world,” he urged.

    He further called on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of religious and tribal differences.

    Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed.

    Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

  • Ramadan: Watch out for new moon tomorrow, Sultan urges Muslims

    Ramadan: Watch out for new moon tomorrow, Sultan urges Muslims

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, has urged Muslim community in the country to be in the lookout for the new moon for the month of Ramadan on May 26.

    Prof. Sambo Wali, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, made the call in a statement in Sokoto on Thursday.

    He stated that “this is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Friday, May 26, 2017, is equivalent to 29th day of Sha’aban 1438 AH and shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1438 AH.

    “Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Ramadan, 1438 AH on Friday.

    “They should report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head, for onward communication to the Sultan.”

    He urged Muslims to report the sighting of the new moon to the sultan on the following numbers: 0803-715-7100, 0706-741-6900, 0806-630-3077, 0806-548-0405, 0803-595-7392, 0803-596-5322 and 0803-614-9767.

     

    NAN

  • Islam frowns at street begging, laziness – Sultan

    Islam frowns at street begging, laziness – Sultan

    …says government must stop Almajiri system of begging

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said on Sunday that street begging by children has no basis in Islam and challenged those engaging in the act to find other means of earning a living.

    Abubakar, who is also the President-General of Jema’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) stated this while presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s Central Committee, held at the JNI headquarters, Kaduna.

    According to him, “Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must, therefore, be dissociate from Islam.

    “Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri.

    Therefore, attempt must be made to stop the practice of Almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithful,’’ he said.

    He noted that hunger and poverty were responsible for children begging on the streets, urging the government, particularly at the state level to prioritise welfare of their citizens to address hunger and poverty.

    He also urged state governments to strengthen the institution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment to address wanton poverty.

    The Sultan urged the government at all levels, particularly at the state level to rise to their responsibilities of ensuring welfare of every citizen.

    NAN reports that the event is an annual meeting meant to set modalities and guidelines for moon sighting and general Muslims conduct during the holy month.

    NAN also reports that prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars attended the meeting.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Direct your anti-war advice to Fulani herdsmen, MASSOB tells Sultan

    Direct your anti-war advice to Fulani herdsmen, MASSOB tells Sultan

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has faulted the advice by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, that Nigerians should avoid acts that could plunge the country into another civil war.

    MASSOB said rather than making reference to the whole country, the Sultan ought to have directed his advice to Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Sultan of Sokoto had, during one of the programmes to mark the Rivers State’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, said Nigeria would not be able to survive another civil war, expressing the need to shun acts that might cause war in the country.

    The National Director of Information for the movement, Mr. Sunday Okereafor, who spoke in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday, stated that MASSOB had never shown any act of violence in the struggle for a sovereign state of Biafra.

    Okereafor explained that while Fulani herdsmen had been killing and maiming people in the southern part of the country, Boko Haram sect had continued to perpetrate similar acts in the North-East.

    He stated that MASSOB would not stop its strategy of non-violence in the struggle for self-determination in spite of alleged crackdown on its members.

    The spokesman added, “We are not fighting any war this time around. MASSOB will remain non-violent and we will continue with the non-violent approach. This is the 18th year of the struggle by MASSOB. Despite the crackdown, all the killings, all the arrests and provocations, we still remain non-violent.

    “The Sultan should direct his statement to Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram group, who are killing and maiming people in Nigeria. The Igbo are peaceful people.

    “How can Sultan of Sokoto be talking about civil war? They (North) are the people inciting violence.

    “Fulani herdsmen are from the North and they have been killing our people in our bush. They want to provoke us.

    “They know that MASSOB is non-violent, but they are using Fulani herdsmen to bring war so that we will react. But we are not interested in that.”

    Okoroafor stated that the Igbo people would have been decimated if they were people stealing cows in Nigeria.

    “They want to use the herdsmen to conquer us, but we are saying no to war. So, we are telling the Sultan of Sokoto to refer his statement to his brothers, the Fulani herdsmen,” he added.