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NSCIA recommits to national peace, unity
The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has reiterated its commitment to the peace and unity of the country.
Imam Haroun Muhammad, NSCIA Deputy National Legal Adviser, said this in a statement in Abuja.
Muhammad said that all hands must be on deck towards ensuring that religious intolerance was not allowed to further worsen the country’s situation.
He called for patriotism from all well meaning Nigerians and foreign stakeholders in Project Nigeria to avoid acts capable of polarising the polity.
He said NSCIA recently observed refutations by many well-meaning Nigerians across religious divides and the National Assembly of the recent false allegation circulating on some international platforms and the social media.
He said the reports were that there was a systematic genocidal campaign against Christians in Nigeria.
The reports, he added, accused the Nigerian government of “facilitating the mass murder of Christians.”
He, however, said that Nigeria must not allow itself to fall into the hands of elements bent on mischief and retarding of the progress made so far by the Federal Government.
”These elements have resorted to engaging in activities that verge on treason to achieve material gains.
” They also exploit transactions in religious antipathy as easy pathways to global recognition and fame,” he said.
He recalled the many intrigues that played out during the buildup to the 2023 presidential election, adding that such scenarios should not be allowed in the coming elections in the country.
Muhammad said such persons failed miserably at the project to set Nigerians against one another while banking on external support.
After failing, he said they began seeking to delegitimise the government in power by venting lies, projecting persecution and victimhood to the global audience while being responsible for the insecurity in the land.
The cleric called on Nigerians to unite and rise above religious sentiments, adding that the negative acts of terrorists required collective efforts to be fought.
He said the Council was placing on record its decision to be quiet in the face of the attacks, innuendos and insults against Muslims in the country because of the need to protect the corporate existence of the nation.
He said that the Council was encouraged with the response of CAN Director of National Issues and Social Welfare.
He qouted the CAN official as saying that ” sometimes, our situation is being taken advantage of by groups who know what they benefit from foreign interests. ”
” Those foreign interests have a right to poke their nose into what’s going on in our system, but we also have a right to report things as they are.”
Muhammad called on Nigerians to note that ” when the terrorists open fire in a marketplace, the bullets do not differentiate nor spare a Christian or Muslim or even babies.”
He cautioned patriotic citizens to see the bigger picture because they “are meant to serve some inglorious purposes, including disproportionate dominance in the current political configuration.”
He said that the Federal Government had tried to dispel these misgivings when in May it asserted that 62 per cent of presidential appointees were Christians.
Muhammad stressed that many ordinary Nigerians would not gain from these deliberate misinformation and political interest by a few elements.
He, however, urged government at all levels to pay attention to policies and programmes that citizens perceive as against their religious and cultural beliefs in order to maintain peaceful coexistence and tolerance.
The Kano State Command of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has decorated 130 officers recently promoted to various ranks in a ceremony held in Kano.
The Command’s Controller in the state, Kazeem Sholadoye disclosed this in a statement issued by the service’s Public Relations Officer, Al-Hassan Kantin on Wednesday in Kano.
Congratulating the officers, the state controller described their promotion as well deserved and a call to greater responsibility and professionalism.
Sholadoye charged the officers to see their new ranks as an opportunity to demonstrate increased commitment to protection of lives and property.
He reminded them that promotion comes with higher expectations in service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, Deputy Superintendent of Fire in the command, DSF Abdullahi Muhammad expressed appreciation to the management for organising what he described as a befitting ceremony.
He reiterated the readiness of the officers to rededicate themselves to duty and uphold core values of the Federal Fire Service.
President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tributes to Chief Bisi Akande, elder statesman and former APC national chairman, as he marked his 87th birthday.
Tinubu said this in a special tribute on Thursday to celebrate Akande’s life of service and democratic commitment.
He described Akande as a towering figure who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s political development and democratic institutionalisation.
The President said Akande’s political journey was shaped by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive ideology and commitment to public service.
Akande began his career as an accountant with British Petroleum before leaving the private sector for public service.
He served as Secretary to the State Government in old Oyo State in 1979 and later became Deputy Governor during the Second Republic.
Tinubu noted that Akande later served as Governor of Osun from 1999 to 2003, where he further distinguished himself.
As interim chairman of the APC, Akande laid the foundation for the party’s historic victory in 2015, Tinubu said.
The President praised Akande’s leadership, integrity, industry and sacrifices for the party and the nation.
He described Akande as a mentor whose guidance, advice and encouragement shaped his political journey.
Tinubu said Akande’s continued support for his administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda remains invaluable.
He noted that, even at 87, Akande remained a firm advocate of democracy, social justice and good governance.
The President prayed for Akande’s good health and renewed strength as he marked the milestone birthday.
Gov Dauda Lawal, on Thursday presented certificates to 50 former students of the Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun, nine years after their graduation.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris in Gusau, Zamfara.
The presentation took place at the Grand Chamber of the Government House, Gusau.
According to Idris, the former students, who were on the state government’s scholarship, graduated nine years ago, but could not receive their certificates due to the state government’s failure to settle their outstanding tuition fees owed the institution.
“The former students were left hanging for nine years because their tuition fees were not settled.
“The Crescent University declined to release the students’ results due to the non payment of their outstanding tuition fees.
“The state government, under Gov. Dauda Lawal, after carefully studying the case, reached out to the university and settled the outstanding tuition fees.
“Among the 50 students, is a First Class graduate in Chemistry and several Second Class Upper degree holders,” he said.
While presenting the certificates to the graduates, Lawal restated his commitment to revamping the educational sector.
Lawal also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to prioritise education to enhance the even development of the state.
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