News

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

The Chief of Army Staff(COAS),  Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commissioned two official residences for Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of  Headquarters 8 Division and Division Garrison, both in Giginya Barracks, Sokoto. 

The COAS commissioned the projects Thursday, 5 May 2022, as part of his operational tour of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army. Speaking during the event, Gen Yahaya maintained that RSMs constitute a vital link between officers and soldiers, stressing that they are the custodians of discipline and regimentation in the NA, without which command and control would have been cumbersome.  Therefore, he charged the RSMs to redouble their effort in entrenching discipline and regimentation among personnel. 

General Yahaya noted that bequeathing a befitting infrastructure to troops is a gesture that will boost their morale and encourage them to do their best while discharging their responsibilities. He reiterated his resolve to continue a deliberate policy, to improve the standard of infrastructure in all NA barracks.

The COAS also commissioned other projects, including remodelled 8 Division Garrison RSM’s office and road, Fire Fighting Truck and a Fuel Dump, among others. The projects were named after some Master Warrant Officers who had distinguished themselves in service.

While addressing officers of the Division, the Army Chief charged them to escalate operations against banditry and other criminalities in the North-West zone. 

Gen Yahaya urged them to be vigilant at all times to respond to distress calls effectively. He emphasized that troops must cooperate with other security agencies and stakeholders in their area of responsibility, noting that security is the collective business of all. 

The COAS later inspected ongoing projects in Giginya barracks, including the new Headquarters 8 Division Office  Complex and industrial waterworks.

It will be recalled that the COAS, on Saturday, 30 April 2022, commenced an operational tour of Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, from where he proceeded to 8 Division and Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West.

Accompanying the COAS during the operational tour are the Chief of Operations (Army) Maj Gen Olufemi Akinjobi, the Coordinator Nigerian Army Special Projects Maj Gen Philip Eromosele, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj Gen Uwem Bassey, Provost Marshal Army Maj Gen Robert Aiyenigba and the Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen Ibrahim Salihu.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari.

Nigeria’s Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has taken to his official Facebook page to remember his former principal, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

Thursday, May 5, 2022, marks exactly twelve years since Yar’adua died, and Jonathan, who succeeded him as Nigeria’s President after his death, remembers him fondly on the anniversary.

He said although Yar’adua has left this world, the memories of his great works live with us.

“Twelve years ago, our nation lost a patriot, a selfless leader and a peacemaker who governed with sincerity and passion for the people. President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua is no longer with us today, but his strides in public life continue to testify for him and keep his memory alive,” He wrote.

Jonathan also added in the third paragraph of his eulogy that Yar’adua is the kind of leader that is rare and hard to find

“He was a soldier of truth, committed to justice, equity and other democratic virtues. He was a servant leader and a good man, the type that is hard to find.” He stated

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

Nigerians may have to pay more for calls and data as telecommunication companies proposed a new tariff increase of 40 per cent. They made this known in a letter sent to the Nigerian Communications Commission titled, ‘Impact of the Economic and Security Issues on the Telecommunications Sector’.

The telecommunications companies wrote the letter under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria to the NCC.

According to The Daily Reality sources, the Telcos have proposed the price floor of calls will increase from N6.4 to N8.95 while the price cap of SMS will increase from N4 to N5.61.

The Telcos noted that the increase in energy costs had impacted their operating expenses by 35 per cent, Our Source added. 

The Telcos, which include MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, also said that the introduction of the recent excise duty of five per cent on telecom services had further increased the burden of multiple taxes and levies on the industry. 

The letter read in part:

 “As the commission may be aware, the power sector, under the supervision of its Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission of the power sector in November 2020, undertook a review of electricity tariffs to cater for the economic headwinds reported above.

“In view of the foregoing, ALTON considers it expedient for the telecommunications sector to undergo periodic cost adjustments through the commission’s intervention in order to minimise the impact of the challenging economic issues faced by our members.

“Upward review of the price determination for voice and data and SMS. Given the state of the economy and the circa 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business, we wish to request for an interim administrative review of the mobile (voice) termination rate for voice; administrative data floor price, and cost of SMS as reflected in extant instruments.

“With respect to voice an SMS cost, ALTON respectfully requests the commission to consider a mark-up approach to address the upward price adjustment desirable for the industry. We have enclosed herein and marked as ‘Annexure 1’our proposal in that regard.

“For data services, we wish to request that the commission implements the recommendations in the August 2020 KPMG report on the determination of cost-based pricing for wholesale and retail broadband service in Nigeria. Excerpts from the report, are attached and marked ‘Annexure 2’ to provide a further illustration.

“In implementing the said recommendations, however, we recommend that the 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business be factored in to arrive at a cost price per GB in view of the current economic situation.” 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Amidst Sallah (Eid-el-Fitr) celebration, when people jubilate the end of Ramadan in new clothes and different sorts of delicious dishes, civil servants in Kano have seen their 4th day of a new month without salaries, the development they said has thrown them and their families into dilemma.

Reacting with dismay, the workers said the government has failed to keep to its promise of paying the salaries on the 25th of every month.

The Daily Reality learnt that some workers had to hide because they could not make any provision to welcome and host their friends and relatives as usual.

The workers who bitterly complained about the government’s carelessness towards their wellbeing said they remained indoors on the Sallah days because they were economically depressed.

Eid-el-Fitr is the period when the Muslim faithful happily celebrate the end of Ramadan. The days are usually welcomed with beautifully sewed clothes, different sorts of delicious foods, and meats of all kinds provided they are Islamically lawful, and relatives from all walks will call on their family and friends to celebrate the day.

Salary delay leaves a big hole in our minds

One of the civil servants who spoke to our reporter said that he went ahead to embrace his old craft of sewing for a living. The civil servant, who our reporter found busy sewing in a tailoring shop, said this delay has left in their minds a very big hole.

He added, “I can not do what I used to do on Sallah days. I couldn’t afford to buy a single chicken for my family. We did not cook anything nor did we have any new clothes to wear.”I used to sit with friends after Eid to exchange greetings and share pleasantries. But this time around, as I was depressed, I remained indoors until 4 pm when I came out to pray,” he added.

Another source, Ibrahim Shu’aibu, decried the experience as horrendous as they largely depend on their monthly income for a living.

Shu’aibu said, “The experience is horrendous. The effect is deep. It has affected almost all aspects of our lives as civil servants. More than half of the civil servants rely on salaries to cater for themselves, their families as well as some members of their relatives.”

In the same vein, this incident has deeply affected many businesses in many states in this country, Kano in particular.”

Personally speaking, this Eid-el-Fitr has passed like an ordinary day. I had to hide because I didn’t make any provision to welcome and host my friends and relatives as usual,” he stated.

Also, another source who pleaded for anonymity confided in our reporter that this Sallah is one of the worse situations he ever found himself in. He said, “We didn’t cook anything for this Sallah because I was broke. And I couldn’t afford to buy Sallah attire for my small kids. Here we are living like baggers.”

The worst part of it is that the government keep mute about the issue. I think the government should have addressed us. But sadly enough, what we only hear or see from the government officials is their beautifully snapped pictures at Umara.”

Another worker, Sulaiman Abdullahi, not his real name, said they found it difficult to handle the situation as they mostly live from paycheck to paycheck.

He said, “that’s why most of the workers are indebted beyond settlement. As we receive our salaries, we go ahead to pay the debt. I know you can imagine how hard we civil servants live our lives.”

Kano economy in a chain – Economist

An economist teaching in one of the Kano institutions lamented that the state economy is in a chain, leaving a lot many sectors affected. The economist said the delay in this month’s salary has affected many businesses, leading to the stop in the facilitation of goods and services in the state.

He further stated that “generally, the state economy is the dependent economy. It is dependent because it depends on workers’ salaries. When workers get paid at the end of every month, they will take their income into circulation by purchasing goods and services.

“At the end of this month, workers have not been paid. The facilitation of goods and services from various markets in the state will stop.

“The welfare of workers and their families will be affected. The state economic facilitation and activities are also stopped. And in long run, it will give a gap in which businesses will be dropped. And if it dropped it will create losses,” he said.

Could Kano State Government respond?

In line with balancing this report, our reporter contacted the Kano State Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar, to know the cause of the delay in this month’s salary payment. However, all attempts were proved abortive despite huge complaints by the workers about the government’s silence on the issue.

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State has finally ended months of speculations and permutations with the endorsement of one of his long time allies, the incumbent senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Uba Sani, to succeed him as Governor in 2023 under the All Progressive Congress (APC).

This comes barely two months after Governor El-Rufai announced that his successor would be selected from the core team of his administration since 2015.

It was learnt that the former Commissioner of Budget and Planning, and a strong contender for the gubernatorial seat, Muhammad Sani Dattijo, had been asked to pick up the senatorial expression and nomination form for Kaduna Central.

Senator Uba Sani’s endorsement is bound to encounter some stiff resistance within APC in Kaduna State as other aspirants have already purchased the nomination forms.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Arewa movie producers, under the umbrella of the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) and Arewa Filmmakers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN), have urged their members to boycott this year’s Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF).

The reasons for the decision were stated in an undated open letter addressed to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammad and jointly signed by the presidents of MOPPAN and AFMAN, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sarari and Alhaji Sani Sule Katsina.

According to the two associations, marginalisation and infringement of their fundamental rights are the prevailing reasons that forced them out of participating in the government-sponsored ZUFF Festival. 

“The event was deliberately fixed on ‘Sallah’ day, which, apart from being a festive day for all Muslims in the world, it is also a public holiday meant to honour and celebrate the end of the holy month of ‘Ramadan.’ This singular act precludes all Muslims from participating and benefitting from the festival.”

The release, among other things, concludes that “[W]e doubt if any government agency can organise such national event on Christmas or New-year festive days.”

The coalition also implores the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammad, to step into the issue and address their grievances.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Zamfara State, Professor Sa’idu Babura Ahmed, reported that a fire gutted the Kauran Namoda Local Government Area office of the Commission.

The tragic incident occurred around 11.00 pm on Monday, May 2, 2022. No casualties were reported while critical materials such as Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise stored in fireproof cabinets were saved. 

However, the building was extensively damaged. Several fixed and movable office furniture were destroyed despite the best effort of the Zamfara State Fire Service and the spirited efforts of good Samaritans to contain the inferno.

The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to this incident. Together with the Fire Service, they have commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that the ongoing investigation of a billionaire drug baron, Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu, has led to discovering how the suspect imported into Nigeria in October 2019 two containers containing 1,284 cartons of Tramadol with a market value of over N22billion.

The Agency stated this in a statement on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, to counter insinuations by some hirelings that NDLEA has no evidence to pin a crime on Ukatu, who is the Chairman/CEO of Mallinson Group of companies.

After months of surveillance, Ukatu was eventually arrested on board a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday, April 13. 

Investigations reveal that he is a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit. In addition, Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illegal drugs into Nigeria.

The Agency said that in investigating the N3billion Tramadol saga between Ukatu and the Abba Kyaris IRT team, its operatives unearthed more evidence establishing how Ukatu has been importing large quantities of Tramadol far above the approved threshold allowed into the country.

In one instance, Ukatu, through his Mallinson Group of companies, imported into the country two-container loads of five different brands of Tramadol in October 2019 through the Apapa ports in Lagos.

All the evidence so far gathered shows that the imported Tramadol brands were far above the threshold permitted into Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Zakat-ul-Fitr, referred to as Zakkar Fidda Kai in Hausa, as reported in Bukhari and Muslim, is a means of forgiveness to a Muslim for his minor sins during Ramadan, Sheikh Abubakar Ayuba Tangimi said.

Zakat-ul-Fitr, also Zakatur Riqab or Zakatul Abdan, is an obligatory charity for the break of the fast at the end of the month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Tangimi, who explained this to our reporter in an interview, said that woe awaits anyone who deliberately refuses to give this alms.

He said, “Zakat-ul-Fitr is an obligatory alms to any Muslim, man, woman, boy or girl. However, in the case of small kids and slaves, the responsibility of giving the alms is on their parents or masters. 

Zakatul Fitr, when and how to be given 

“Many traditional hadiths, as reported by Abdullahi Bin Umar, Abu Sa’idul Khudri and many of the Prophet’s companions in Bukhari and Muslim, disclosed that the alms is given in the morning before the Eid.

“Some Islamic scholars posited that it could also be given two days before the Eid day. The wisdom behind this is for the poor to have what to eat before going for the Eid prayer, the act that believes to put a smile on the face of the person who lacks.

“Abdullahi Bin Umar said the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught them to give one mud of date, wheat, cikwi, a food made with milk, as their alms. 

The Sheikh also called on the general public to give the alms from the kind of food they consume, adding that “it is entirely wrong to give maize whereas you cook rice.”

Woe betide anyone who deliberately refused to give the arm

Tangimi reiterated that the alms are meant to seek forgiveness for our shortcoming deeds during Ramadan. 

He said, “those people will be punished on the day of judgement for their refusal to give the alms.”

– News Desk

Nigerian Muslims have been advised to get their voters’ cards in readiness for the 2023 general elections. The advice was given by an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in a Salah message issued on Sunday, 1^st May 2022 by the chairman of the group in Sokoto State, Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu.

The statement reads:

“Nigerian Muslims will join billions of their brethren in celebrating the end of the 1443 (2022) Ramadan season on Monday, 2^nd May 2022. We felicitate with President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu also paid homage to the leader of all Nigerian Muslims, the Sultan of Sokoto.

He said, “We also congratulate the leader of all Nigerian Muslims, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on the occasion of this year’s Id al-Fitr.

“MURIC reminds Nigerian Muslims of their civic responsibility of participating in all aspects of political activities in the country particularly as we prepare for the 2023 general elections. We lay emphasis on the need for every Muslim to collect his or her voter’s card in order to be eligible for voting. No amount of sacrifice is too much for this important civic duty.

“Muslims must not shun politics if they want to be liberated from the current spate of stigmatization, marginalization and impoverishment. We warn that Muslims who fail to obtain their voters’ cards have voted for bad rulers and Muslim haters whose main preoccupation is to persecute and oppress Muslims.

“Apart from obtaining their voters’ cards, Muslims must ensure that they participate in all political activities which will take place between now and the election period, including waiting patiently to cast their votes on election day.

Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu had a word for South West Muslims: “Our brothers in the South who are facing persecution on a daily basis must allow their number to count by ensuring that they obtain their voters’ cards. Muslims constitute the majority in a place like the South West but unfortunately, they are still facing oppression today because they have not been leveraging on their majority status.

“The opportunity has now come. Go all out and get your voter’s card. Your voters’ card is your weapon of liberation. A majority population that fails to vote is, technically speaking, a minority. We, therefore, urge you to spare no efforts in getting your voters’ cards in readiness for the 2023 general election.

“We are looking forward to an election that will reveal the true picture in the region. A majority of people that has been turned into a minority due to their apathy for politics must wake up from their deep slumber. We must stop the stereotyping, the segregation, the religious apartheid and the hijab paranoia.

“We must stop the practice of denying jobs to qualified Muslims and their political marginalization. The time to do it is now. Political power will change the narrative and the popular vote is the only legitimate tool for obtaining political power in a true democracy. Your vote shall make you free.”