News

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

As the failure of the Senate to confirm the ministerial nomination of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, continues to generate controversy, an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save the North-West alliance which gave him victory at the polls by ensuring that El-Rufai gets the ministerial appointment.

MURIC made its stand known on Sunday, 13th August 2023, after an emergency meeting of its Central Think Tank (CTT) held in the evening of the previous day. A statement signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, after the meeting reads: 

“The Central Think Tank (CTT) of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) met yesterday to consider the circumstances surrounding the failure of the Senate to confirm the nomination of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as a minister. 

“CTT considered the issue a major setback to the North-West alliance which gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu victory during the 2023 presidential election. Furthermore, CTT regards the non-confirmation of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination as a big threat to future alliance between the North and the South-West. The North may not hobnob with the South-West again if the champion of the North-South alliance is shabbily treated.  

“CTT also noted the huge contribution of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who persuaded the Northern political elite, particularly the twelve Northern governors, to allow power to go to the South. It was observed that the monumental power shift of 2023 was a fulfilment of a 2019 agreement. It was therefore an act of honour while El-Rufai is seen as the icon of Northern integrity. 

“CTT affirms clearly, emphatically and unequivocally that it behoves the South as represented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reciprocate the North’s noble stand by walking his talk, particularly his open offer and public invitation to Mallam El-Rufai to join his cabinet. The story of Tinubu’s invitation to El-Rufai to join his cabinet is already public knowledge.

“It has become necessary to jog the President’s medulla oblongata today because the North has exhibited integrity by keeping its promise on power shift to the South. It therefore behoves the South to reciprocate, to manifest decorum, decency and dignity, particularly with the ‘Omoluabi virtue’ for which the Yoruba are well known.

“Tinubu has a duty to protect the good name of the Yoruba people in particular and the whole South in general. Besides, a promise is a promise in Islam and Tinubu is a Muslim. Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an ‘And fulfill the promise, surely (every) promise shall be questioned about.’ (Qur’an 17:34). Allah also said, ‘O you who believe! Fulfill your pledges.’ (Qur’an 5:1).

“The good relationship and the bond between the North and the South-West must not be allowed to break. 2027 is around the corner. Even 2031 is already knocking and politicians are already doing their calculations. The North supported Tinubu because they found him to be credible. He must not do anything capable of diminishing that credibility.

“El-Rufai is the gem of the collection and everybody knows it. He is a performer. He is cerebral, iconic. If it is true that the president himself already hinted El-Rufai to set the machinery in motion for the energy sector, the president is morally bound to walk his talk regardless of all other encumberances. 

“Records show that there are precedents. Festus Keyamo was cleared in spite of Senate’s earlier objection. Something made Senate change its mind. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo got this same El-Rufai cleared despite Senate’s opposition in 2004. El-Rufai withdrew having read between the lines. He will still do it for the sake of Nigeria if the president’s body language conforms.

“Criminality, dishonesty, fraud, impunity, lack of patriotism and other Nigerian problems spring from a wrong mindset. They will all disappear or at least be reduced to the barest minimum if the leadership sets the pace. Islamic scholars North and South who nurtured the North-South alliance are watching. All men and women of conscience are keeping vigil. Nigeria holds its breath and shivers. The buck stops at Mr. President’s table.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proved his prowess on the field by securing the coveted Golden Boot in the Arab Club Champion Cup. 

The iconic athlete, often hailed as the Greatest of All Time, emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, netting an impressive total of six goals across six matches. 

Ronaldo’s performance throughout the championship has left fans in awe, as he showcased his exceptional goal-scoring ability and unrivalled dedication. 

The Arab Club Champion Cup, known for bringing together some of the finest clubs from the Arab world, provided the perfect stage for Ronaldo to exhibit his talents.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The former president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, and his son, who are being imprisoned by the leaders of the country’s coup, are reportedly living in abhorrent conditions.

This is according to the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah.

Musah’s remarks, which were aired on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, were in response to claims that the Nigerien putschists had threatened to kill Bazoum in the event that the Economic Community of West African States intervened militarily.

He said, “We are going there, if need be, to rescue President Bazoum who is living in very terrible conditions today. He is being denied medical attention, he’s being denied even access to his usual food.

“His son, who is also in detention, has lost so many kilos already. They are being held in these inhumane conditions and we cannot just sit back idle and depend on the goodwill of these people who are disrupting the democratic process in the country.

“Yesterday’s communique also made it very clear that this junta will pay dearly if anything happens to the safety, security, or the physical integrity of Bazoum, his family, or members of his government. That was clearly done.

“We are not going to hold back because they are holding the president hostage. If they dare, if they should harm in any way, then they are going to pay very dearly for that. So, this is a tactic.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, the senator representing Kano Central, was commended by the Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), for sponsoring the registeration of 200 BUK students.

Senator Hanga was applauded for rescuing Kano students who initially thought their academic journey at BUK was over as a result of the increment in the registration fees by the school management.

This was contained in the BUK weekly Bulletin made available on Friday by the Deputy Registrar Public Affairs, Malam Lamara Garba.

Other persons commended by the university were Honourable Abubakar Kabiru Abubakar, member of the House of Representatives, Bichi Federal Constituency, who sponsored 100 students and the Rep of Doguwa who is thinking of doing something similar.

Similarly, the national body of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association (NUESA) was also commended for sponsoring 39 BUk students as part of its support to the less privilege.

The Daily Reality recalls that in July, the management of BUK, in its Special Bulletin, announced the increment of school fees, a development that came as a shock to many students.

The decision by the university management generated a pandemonium considering the economic hardship in the country.

However, Senator Hanga, and his likes, who felt the student’s pain, responded and instructed his scholarship committee to screen the indigent students for the fully-funded scholarship.

Hanga said, “This is in response to the outcry caused by the registration fee increment in Bayero University, Kano which threatens the progress of many students in the university.

While I consider this a quick intervention, I want to stress that more programmes that target the upliftment and empowerment of our people are on the pipeline, in shaa Allah,” he added.

Our reporter learnt that the list of the 200 successful applicants has been compiled and submitted to the management of Bayero University, Kano.

While commending his scholarship committee, Hanga said, “I wish to advise the beneficiaries to make the good use of the opportunity.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

One of Burkina Faso’s popular radio stations has been suspended by the junta-run administration for airing an interview that was deemed “insulting” to the new military rulers in Niger.

Thursday saw an instant suspension of Radio Omega “until further notice,” according to a statement from Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo.

The action, according to him, was “in the higher interests of the nation.”

After the statement was released late on Thursday, the station, which is a part of the Omega media group and is owned by journalist and former foreign minister Alpha Barry, stopped transmitting.

The channel aired an interview with Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, the spokesperson for a recently formed Nigerien organisation pushing for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Recall that on July 26, the Presidential Guard deposed the nation’s elected president.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In a recent announcement, the British Council informed test takers about an upcoming fee increase for its IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examinations.  

Effective September 1, 2023, the new pricing structure aims to maintain the high-quality standards of testing experiences. 

Under the revised pricing, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests will be priced at NGN 107,500, while the cost for UK visa and Immigration-related tests will be NGN 116,000. Additionally, the Life Skills test will see a price adjustment to NGN 104,000. 

The British Council emphasised that the decision to raise prices is essential to upholding the exceptional quality that test takers have come to expect from their IELTS assessments. 

Despite the increase, the council remains committed to providing accurate evaluations of English language proficiency to individuals pursuing academic, professional, or immigration-related goals. 

In a concise statement, the British Council expressed gratitude to all those who have chosen their services for language assessment. 

Test takers and individuals planning to take the IELTS tests after September 1, 2023, are advised to take note of the updated pricing structure to ensure accurate financial planning for their assessment endeavours.    

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
Manchester United has given the green light for midfielder Fred’s move to Fenerbahçe, marking a significant milestone as all parties involved have successfully come to an agreement.
 
The deal, which has been confirmed as an exclusive story, showcases the remarkable development in the football transfer landscape.
 
Sources reveal that Manchester United have accepted Fenerbahçe’s proposal, which includes a base transfer fee of €10 million along with an additional €5 million in potential add-ons.
 
This financial arrangement underlines the strategic nature of the deal and emphasises the high level of interest in securing Fred’s talents.
 
Equally crucial, Brazilian midfielder Fred has given his affirmative response to Fenerbahçe’s proposition.

By Muhammad Idris

The attention of the Association of Fulbe Youths Development Association, Plateau State, under the leadership of AY Umar has been drawn to an unfortunate incident that took place at Heipang Village (located at Plateau State Airport) Barikin Ladi Local Government Area on Sunday 06/08/2023 between the hours of 7pm and 8pm.

Facts at our disposal reveals that some criminals gangs strongly believed to be from Birom Armed Militias groups attacked and killed the innocent FULANI Citizens while they were returning home from the popular cattle market in Bukuru, Jos South, LGA, Plateau state.

Victims of the incident were Umar (adult ‘m’ from Barikin ladi) who was killed and Yakubu (adult ‘m’) from Bokkos sustained gun shot injury and currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Moreso, Yusuf Bibbi (20yrs) and Abdulrahman Bibbi were also ambushed around KwallDistrict of Bassa LGA, when they were going to fetch water for domestic use about 7:00Pm, on Monday 7th August 2023. Both of them sustained enjury and they are receiving medical treatment.

Similarly, another attack was carried out on innocent fulani commuters while returning from the same cattle sometimes in June 2023, involved in the incident were Muazu Aliyu (adult from Barkin), Aminu Goma from Barkin were wounded and one other killed.

Few days later another Fulani commuters were attacked in the same area while coming back from the same market.

Furthermore, one Alhaji Auwalu Shanono of Barkin Ladi was murdered on his way to inspect his herds on Sunday 16th April 2023 by the same armed men suspected to be Berom militias in between Plateau State Polytechnic and Airport, Barkin Ladi, Plateau state. His dead body was recovered with about 10 bullets wounds on it and his bike stolen away. All these were reported to security agencies including the Police and Operation Safe Heaven and all promised were make to take serious action but nothing was done to date while the trend continued not mitigated.

This Association has noticed that, this unprovoked act of criminality has been in practiced for decades although was tackled by former Commader Sector Seven Barkin Ladi when he took necessary security measures around the area sometimes in 2018.

While drawing the attention of all stakeholders, The President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Plateau state Government, the media, international organisations and observers, civil society organisations, religious leaders, Christians Association of Nigeria,(CAN) Jamaatul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), TABITAL PULAAKU International, FUDECO, that this incident has resurged and is going on unabated in a time when state Government and security agencies have told the world that all necessary measures have been taken to bring lasting peace on the Plateau state.

It is in view of the above we urged the above mentioned stakeholders and any other interested party to note this developments and further requests as a matter of urgency fetch out the killers in Hipang.

To share more light on the trend is that these Birom Militias gangs do used to pin down on the Federal road Junction of Hipang community fully armed and thereby shut on citing any car carrying Fulani men on the road.

We therefore called on the plateau state Government to act on the issues of security, so that peace shall return to the Plateau state.

We wish to reaffirm that pastoralists are bonafide citizens of Nigeria and Plateau state and hence deserve the protection of their lives and properties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and International convention and treaties, United Nations and African Union and ECOWAS treaties for the protection of rights of persons and their properties.

We also wish to call on the Fulani youths to show calmness, resilience and eschew all forms of taking the law into their hands and as well have faith that the government will take necessary action in curtailing this trend.

We further wish to state that the enemies of peace should be aware that Fulanis are Nigerians and citizens of Plateau state and therefore, no amount of blackmail and intimidation will make them leave their homes. The ethnic cleansing and profiling that had been ongoing against the Fulanis in the cover story of terrorists to derail the truth in the Plateau must be stopped as a matter of urgency to forestall further breakdown of law and order across the state.

As an association, we reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty to the federal Republic of Nigeria.

Muhammad Idris
FOYUDA Publicity Secretary
08/08/2023.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

The former Super Eagles captain and philanthropist, Ahmed Musa, donated the sum of ₦5.5m to the embattled veteran Hausa actor Abdullahi Shu’aibu, alias Abdullahi Kano or Karkuzu.

In a viral social media video, the aged actor, who has also gone blind, pleaded with the general public for help.

He further spoke about his daily struggle to feed, adding that he had even been threatened with eviction. Thus, he wanted people to help him own a house before his death.

The Daily Reality has yet to be able to contact Karkuzu, his family in Jos, Plateau State, or Ahmed Musa during this report. However, sources and reports have confirmed the donation.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) has taken a decision in fighting corruption as it announced the dismissal of Ibrahim Garba, Chief Secretariat Assistant attached to the State Pension Board. 

The decision was made on August 1, 2023, at the Commission’s Conference Hall during its 17th plenary session. 

Ibrahim Garba was fired as a result of his involvement in wage and pension fraud, which the Commission judged to be gross misconduct. 

Public Service Rules (PSR) 0327 (XI), which expressly handle matters of financial embezzlement, were judged to have been directly violated by his acts. 

Ibrahim Garba’s attempt to illegally syphon pension funds was discovered during the disciplinary procedure. 

He altered the late Audu Mohammed’s account information, replacing it with his own account information. 

Then, after the deceased’s relative reported the death, he was able to adjust the pay point. 

Ibrahim Garba was able to obtain an unauthorised pension for an astonishing fifty-five (55) months at a cost of N54,871.26 per month, thanks to this fraudulent behaviour. 

This fraud continued for a total of four years and seven months and resulted in the theft of N3,017,919.30.