News

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Sheikh Bala Lau, the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), has expressed commendation for Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his dedication to the social welfare of the citizens. 

The commendation came during the closing ceremony of the annual Quranic recitation competition held in Kaduna on Sunday. 

Sheikh Bala Lau, appreciating the governor for his monetary donations and other gifts awarded to winners across various competition categories, stated that Governor Sani has showcased a sincere commitment to enhancing citizens’ lives through numerous initiatives. 

A statement released by his spokesman, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, highlighted the governor’s gesture of providing Hajj seats to the best two overall candidates from the male and female categories for the 2024 exercise. 

Encouraging Muslims to integrate Quranic teachings into their daily lives, Sheikh Bala Lau noted the transformative power of the Quran in all aspects of life.

He urged the faithful to embrace its wisdom and guidance beyond challenging circumstances. 

Addressing concerns raised by clerics about the inadequate handling of pilgrims’ welfare in previous Hajj seasons, Governor Uba Sani took decisive action by announcing the formation of a committee. 

The committee’s purpose is to ensure a seamless and improved pilgrimage experience for the future, addressing the welfare issues raised by the clerics. 

Governor Uba Sani’s proactive measures and commitment to citizens’ well-being have received praise not only from the religious community but also from those anticipating positive changes in the management of future Hajj exercises.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) has hailed the Dangote Group as a pivotal force in the growth of the country’s agricultural sector. 

Dr. Samuel Negedu, the National Coordinator of NAFN, affirmed the group’s significance during the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Agricultural Show. 

Describing the Dangote Group as a powerhouse and the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, Dr. Negedu highlighted the company’s efforts in constructing rice mills that will significantly contribute to the government’s push for food security.  

He expressed gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the establishment of what he referred to as the largest fertiliser plant in Africa. 

Furthermore, Dr. Negedu noted that the Dangote Group is a major sponsor of the ongoing 2023 National Agricultural Show.  

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, also shared insights during the event, outlining the government’s immediate and short-term plans to establish a standard framework for facilitating agricultural business in the country. 

Senator Kyari expressed the importance of agricultural shows as essential platforms for showcasing the latest developments in the sector. 

He highlighted their role in bringing individuals together for networking and business transactions and offering the public a glimpse into farming life. 

The shows also serve as hubs for farming and rural communities to exchange ideas and take a brief respite from their daily farming routines. 

Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, urged stakeholders to make substantial investments in agriculture, envisioning a transformed Nigeria renowned for food security and value chain addition. 

Arch Kabiru Ibrahim, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NAFN and National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), underscored the relevance of this year’s theme: “Towards the Realization of Presidential Declaration of Emergency on Food Security.”  

According to Arch Ibrahim, the theme was chosen to inspire all stakeholders in Nigeria to collaborate in addressing the challenges of food security as outlined in President Tinubu’s administration.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked a police station in Adamawa State. 

The incident happened in the wee hours of Wednesday at the police station located in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. 

According to a resident who agreed to speak to the press anonymously, the sounds of gunshots disturbed the peace of the community and hence caused residents to panic. 

The police spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the attack to newsmen but assured the public that the situation is under control. 

Nguroje also disclosed that the attack was repelled but that the police have yet to identify the perpetrators of the attack.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Aminu Magashi Garba (AMG) Foundation has pledged its support to 50 individuals in Kano State in a groundbreaking effort aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant thugs into society. 

The announcement was made by the foundation’s founder, Aminu Magashi Garba, via a Facebook post on Tuesday, following the “Post Oct 17 Kano Youth Summit” held at Sani Abacha Stadium. 

Garba expressed the foundation’s commitment to fostering positive change in the community by providing opportunities for former troublemakers to redirect their lives.  

The initiative seeks to empower these individuals with the necessary skills and support to successfully reintegrate into society. 

During a courtesy visit to the AMG Foundation by the Kano Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Sholadoye Kazeem, on Monday, November 20, 2023, a new dimension to the foundation’s efforts was unveiled. 

The foundation has partnered with the Federal Fire Service to train 30 youths as “Fire Safety Ambassadors.”

These ambassadors will undergo rigorous training to handle fire safety and prevention measures effectively. 

Garba explained that the trained youths would be strategically placed in congested markets and business areas to mitigate the risk of fire outbreaks.

In return for their services, each ambassador will receive a monthly allowance of N15,000 for three months.  

The hope is that the Kano State government will consider retaining them as ad-hoc staff members after the initial training period. 

The visionary initiative also involves collaborative efforts with the Kano State Police Command and the Youth Society for Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS). 

According to him, the YOSPIS organisation has been actively engaged in rehabilitating over 200 repentant thugs, making it a valuable partner in the AMG Foundation’s mission. 

Garba expressed gratitude for the support from the Kano Controller of the Federal Fire Service and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in creating lasting impact.  

The AMG Foundation’s multifaceted approach to social intervention demonstrates its commitment to addressing various challenges faced by the youth in Kano State. 

The collaboration between the AMG Foundation, government agencies, and grassroots organisations serves as a model for holistic community development and crime prevention efforts.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has described Nigerians as hard to govern.

Buhari made the disclosure in an interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA)The former president however maintained that he did his best in the eight years that he served Nigerians as President despite the difficulties he encountered.

He said Nigerians are a difficult people to manage because “they think they should be” in charge “not you”.

“God gave me the opportunity to serve my country, but I did my best. But whether my best was good enough, I leave for people to judge.

“Nigerians are extremely difficult. People know their rights. They think they should be there, not you.

“So, they monitor virtually every step. And you have to struggle day and night to ensure that you are competent enough,” he said.

Buhari also stated that his government was able to defeat insecurity in the Northeast, adding that he’s pleased with the successes he recorded.

He said, “We are lucky to have control in the Northeast. I achieved security because, without it, nothing else can develop.

“Go and ask the governor of Borno how hard it is. Most local governments were in the hands of Boko Haram. They were doing what they liked.

⁣“The first thing is to secure the state or the country and earn the citizens’ trust.” ⁣⁣

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

A call has gone to the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA). The appeal came from an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The group accused the leadership of KASTLEA of harassing Muslim female marshals who wear hijab and their male counterparts who have beards.

This was contained in a press statement circulated on Friday, November 17, 2023, by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. He said:

“We have credible information that the leadership of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) has recently been casting aspersion on the use of hijab by female marshals and the growth of beards by their male counterparts. 

“The current head of KASTLEA, Carla Abdulmalik, a Christian lady, uses almost every opportunity to directly or indirectly caution marshals against the use of hijab. She reportedly issued a directive for the shaving of beards by the male Marshals. According to her, having beards makes the job unprofessional and disgusting.

“MURIC resents the anti-Muslim antics of Carla. She must be called to order before she plunges Kaduna into a huge crisis whose consequences no one can predict.

“Carla is exhibiting a common trait of Muslim-haters. She is most indiscreetly imposing Christian culture on Muslim marshals and manifesting hatred for all forms of Islamic appearance.

“We therefore call on the honourable members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate these allegations and make recommendations to Governor Uba Sani. 

“Carla must be called to order. Kaduna is the last place where one would expect to find the persecution of Muslim workers or students. This is an anomaly that should not be allowed to rear its ugly head anywhere in Northern Nigeria. We call on Islamic scholars to speak up on this matter and to put pressure on politicians in Kaduna on the need to protect Muslim marshals in KASTLEA.

“The Constitution is clearly on the side of religious freedom. Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance’

“There have been no restrictions on religious freedom in KASTLEA since its establishment in 2014, and nothing in the 2017 act establishing the agency forbids hijab or beards. Muslim marshals in the agency have also never been intimidated by any of those who headed KASTLEA before Carla. Her persecution and stereotyping of Muslims under her must stop.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have temporarily suspended their nationwide strike following mediation by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. 

The decision, announced after a one-hour meeting, reflects the unions’ trust in Ribadu’s commitment to addressing their concerns without political bias.

The National Deputy President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, clarified that the suspension is temporary, pending the government’s response to their demands. 

The strike, triggered by an alleged assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero during a protest in Imo State, prompted the NSA to apologize for the incident and assure the labour leaders of justice.

While the labour unions find solace in the NSA’s intervention, the organised Private Sector (OPS) criticizes the timing, expressing concerns over potential economic repercussions. 

The nation awaits further developments as the temporary suspension hinges on the government’s actions within the specified timeframe.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammad Sanusi II, voiced concerns over the inflationary pressures and devaluation of the naira caused by the CBN’s lending to the federal government through Ways and Means during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He stated this in a recent statement at MTN Capital Markets Day. 

Sanusi highlighted that the central bank had pursued aggressive monetary tightening using various liquidity control instruments, including open market operations, open buyback (OBB), and high T-bill rates. 

This, he noted, demonstrated the bank’s commitment to its core mandate of ensuring financial system stability and controlling inflation. 

Expressing optimism for the short term, Sanusi acknowledged the recent efforts by the central bank to address the issue.

He pointed out that the central bank had initiated a process of aggressive tightening, evident in the OBB rates approaching appropriate levels in the last few weeks. 

While recognizing the central bank’s ability to employ different instruments to mop up excess money, Sanusi emphasized the importance of minimizing costs to both the central bank and the government’s balance sheet.

He noted the necessity of relying more on non-conventional instruments for this purpose. 

Sanusi urged understanding from the audience, stating that the effects of new monetary policies take time to manifest.

He expressed confidence in the current measures being undertaken by the central bank, emphasizing the importance of tightening money, addressing backlogs, and funding the market for achieving stability in the financial system.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has declared an indefinite extension of the legal tender status for the old design N200, N4500, and N1,000 denominations.

These banknotes will continue to be accepted as valid currency in Nigeria without a specified deadline. 

The decision, communicated in a statement released on Tuesday, is explained as being in accordance with international best practices and aimed at preventing a recurrence of past challenges.

The CBN emphasized the importance of aligning with global standards in this decision. 

Furthermore, the statement revealed that the CBN is actively collaborating with relevant authorities to overturn an existing court ruling on the same matter.

This indicates the central bank’s commitment to streamlining currency policies and ensuring a smooth transition in the acceptance of various denominations. 

As a result of this extension, Nigerians can expect the continued circulation and acceptance of the mentioned banknotes in day-to-day transactions, providing stability and flexibility in the country’s monetary landscape.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a show of solidarity, nineteen influential unions have thrown their weight behind the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), declaring an indefinite nationwide strike.

This unanimous decision, forged during the National Executive Council meeting on November 13, 2023, in Abuja, echoes a resolute call for the protection of workers’ rights.

The impetus behind this joint action lies in the perceived indifference of the Federal Government toward critical issues affecting workers—ranging from disputes over the minimum wage to escalating concerns about insecurity, corruption, and governance challenges.

The recent turmoil in Imo, marked by the alleged mistreatment of NLC President Mr. Joe Ajaero and fellow union members, served as a poignant catalyst for change.

Among the unions lending their collective voice to the cause are:

Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities.

College of Education Academic Staff Union.

Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees.

Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics.

Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

National Association of Academic Technologists.

National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees.

Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees.

Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.

Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.

National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria.

National Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.

National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.

Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.National Union of Electricity Employees.

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.