B’Haram: The ‘Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals’ and their Letter to the Sultan

B’Haram: The ‘Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals’ and their Letter to the Sultan

26 Jul 2014

Font Size: a / A

SIR ABUBAKAR

WITH Collins Edomaruse

Acouple of weeks ago, a group of ‘Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals’ stirred the hornet’s nest with an open letter to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll. The group, under the leadership of a certain Alhaji Mohammed Saidu, said in the letter that it drew its inspiration from a similar lamentation by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on the deteriorating state of security in parts of the North.

Titled: ‘Echoing the Message of General Yakubu Gowon’, the group said, inter alia: The retired General and Elder statesman then called on the leadership of the Islamic faith in northern Nigeria to work towards stopping the Boko Haram carnage and also correct the negative ideology of the sect to the right Islamic teachings of tolerance, peace and love. He cited the Muslims in the south-west as a good example of peace and religious tolerance; to the extent of inter-marriages between Muslims and Christians in the south-west of Nigeria.”

Having been fired up by the challenge of the former Head of State, the Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals (CNMP) ran to the leader and custodian of their faith in the country, the Sultan. Theirs is akin to the story of a poor little school boy that was publicly chastised by his head teacher for his failure to cough up the term’s school fees. Battered and downcast, he packs his tattered bag and baggage and heads for home to meet his parents, sobbing and cursing the challenges that have come the way of his educational pursuit. However, unknown to him, his parents are equally dead helpless with the situation, but would nonetheless, call him, cuddle him and give him the assurances of returning him back to school after raising the fees from a planned sales of his farm produce at the next market day. The good news is that the poor boy completed his education, gainfully employed and now, he’s the bastion of the family!
Emboldened by the inspiring story of the poor school boy as enunciated above, the CNMP made for their father and rightly so for help. Read this: “This message of the former head of the Nigerian state was just a repetition of several similar calls by other prominent Nigerians across faith-divide. It is therefore becoming embarrassing to some of us that are Muslims and from the northern extract. We always ponder over what exactly do these respected Nigerians mean whenever they demand for the action of Muslim leadership to stop the carnage. As far as we know the Muslim and Islamic leadership in Nigeria comprised all the Ulamas and Emirs under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto; who doubles as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and also the leader of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam. And as far as we know the Sultan and his team do not have weapons or control over the security personnel in Nigeria. Then, what action is required of them?
“After deep thoughts and self-scrutiny we got some hints on what additional things, apart from the traditional condemnation, the Sultan and his team ought to do or to have done; in order to save our country from the  persistent shocker of the Boko Haram. We wish to respectfully state that some visible and invisible steps, actions and structures were supposed to have been entrenched by the leadership of the Nigerian Muslims, in order to achieve the following:
* A visible action towards stopping the spread of the radical ideologies of Boko Haram among Muslim youths that leads to acts of terrorism. This could be achieved through intellectual religious engagements/confrontation with the  radical Islamic groups that can easily be defeated using superior arguments from Muslim clergy. This is supposed to be the preoccupation of all Emirs and Imams; under the leadership of the Sultan. Such an effort is surely capable of yielding the required result.
* Several Boko Haram members would have laid their arms and many wouldn’t have joined the erroneous sect. Unfortunately, this was not to be. There have not been any visible or invisible effort by the Muslim leadership to convene such engagements at even a single location, let alone covering the whole troubled region. That could be why demand for action on the leadership is repeatedly made by well-meaning citizens.

* An invisible local intelligence structure to augment the government’s security and intelligence provisions was expected by Nigerians. People are aware of the Mai unguwa intelligence mechanism that existed in the Muslim communities. In those good olden days, timely and accurate local intelligence was always at the disposal of the authority. People now wonder why such networks couldn’t be resuscitated by the leadership and even reinvigorated by modern technologies? The call on the current leadership of the Muslim umma for action against Boko Haram could be on such need to re-invent this mechanism; so that the terrorists are trailed and apprehended at community level before causing havoc.
*Visibility of greater concern to other victims of the Boko Haram (especially the non-muslims) is also another step towards sharing a collective pain and encouraging a united front against the insurgent Boko Haram. For instance, if the Sultan would be seen mobilizing wealthy Nigerians (muslims and non-Muslims alike) to donate to the  victims of Boko Haram, or would be seen leading the Emirs and Ulamas on a solidarity visit to troubled communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, or even to the smallest church in any remote village among the severally attacked ones; an overwhelming difference could have occurred in the troubled minds of the victims’ relations; thereby exonerating the larger part of the Muslim Ummah. Such were the actions demanded by the respected voices of senior Nigerians!”

As a journalist, the Sultan is one of the religious and traditional leaders I hold in a very high esteem. He has always come across me, not only as a ‘gentleman officer’, but as a leader that craves and works for a peaceful, economical strong and religiously-tolerant Nigeria. As co-chairman of Nigeria’s inter-faith committee, the Sultan has demonstrated at different forums that he is not just a leader that is seated in the Caliphate, but one that also tirelessly works for the good and peace of all Nigerians.
Sir, may I propose that you treat the letter by the CNMP as an endorsement for you by the group that sees you as a leader that can stand and be counted, particularly in these perilous times? Your Eminence, may Allah continue to keep, guide and guard you as you do this for us. It’s a huge task, no doubts; especially as the insurgents are not in any way physically, politically and economically connected with you, safe their claim to be Muslims! Ramadan Kareem to you, sir.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/b-haram-the-concerned-northern-muslim-professionals-and-their-letter-to-the-sultan/184543/

Soldiers, Islamic Sect Clash in Zaria

Soldiers, Islamic Sect Clash in Zaria

26 Jul 2014

Font Size: a / A

By John Shiklam 
       
Members of the of Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as Shiite, led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-zakzaky, yesterday clashed with soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna State.

About two people were said to have been shot by the soldiers during the incident which occurred at the PZ round about in Zaria.

A lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria who witnessed the incident but pleaded for anonymity, said the Islamic sect was having a procession to celebrate this year's "Quds"day when they clashed with the soldiers.

According to him, members of the Islamic sect whose procession caused serious traffic jam refused to give way to soldiers who were being conveyed in a military truck.

According to him, the soldiers who were probably coming back from a journey asked them to leave  the road to enable them pass, but the sect members allegedly refused to give way.

"These people blocked the main road along PZ causing serious traffic gridlock, there was a truck carrying soldiers and when the soldiers asked them to clear way for them to pass, they refused.

"They were circulating leaflets condemning Israel for killing Palestinians.
"The soldier fired gun shots in the air for them to give way but some of the youths among them blocked the truck and said they will rather be killed.

"The soldiers shot two of them on their legs and bundled them into the truck and drove off with them. That was how other motorists were able to drive past" he said.

The incident was said to have caused serious panic and pandemonium among residents of the city who ran helter skelter for their dear lives.
However, the leader of the sect, Sheikh Zakzaky could not be reached for his reaction. The situation was said to have been brought under control.

It could not be established whether anybody was killed at the time of this report.
All efforts to confirm the incident failed as several attempts to reach the Kaduna State police commissioner, Alhaji Umar Shehu and the spokesman of the police command Aminu Lawan on telephone were unsuccessful.

The police spokesman did not respond to the text message sent to him by our correspondent .

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/soldiers-islamic-sect-clash-in-zaria/184569/

Suspected Ebola patient dies in Lagos

Suspected Ebola patient dies in Lagos

July 25, 2014News, Top NewsNnenna Ibeh

Federal Health Ministry says all those who came in contact with the man have been quarantined.

———————————

A Liberian man admitted to a hospital in Lagos on Tuesday after exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms has died.

The man identified as Patrick Sawyer, arrived Lagos last Sunday from Liberia and died on Thursday night at the First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, said state officials.

However, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the patient died on Friday morning.

“Despite the urgent specialised barrier nursing care provided for the patient in a Lagos Hospital, the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of July 25, 2014,” Mr. Chukwu said.

Mr Sawyer, an employee of the Liberian Ministry of Finance, came to Lagos to attend a conference.

Mr. Chukwu said the Federal Ministry of Health was alerted on a suspected case of the disease involving a 40-year old male travelling from Monrovia, Liberia to Nigeria on Asky Airline via Lome to Lagos on Tuesday.

He said the passenger had fever and other symptoms of the disease at the airport was quickly isolated by Port Health Division officials and transported to the hospital.

He said the patient was subjected to thorough medical and laboratory evaluation which confirmed the diagnosis of the disease. Mr. Sawyer was said to be in a stable condition earlier on Thursday and plans were being made to return him to Liberia but his condition worsened in the evening.

The result of tests conducted on Mr. Sawyer was still being awaited before he died.

The minister however reassured the public that the Ministry of Health was presently working with other ministries, agencies and international organizations to prevent the disease spread.

He said that all passengers that the patient came in contact with have been traced and are also being investigated medically. Lagos State health officials said the hospital where the man died has been cordoned off and about thirty people believed to have had contact with him quarantined.

Mr. Chukwu said, in line with global best practices, all ports entry in Nigeria including airports, seaports and land boarders have been placed on red alert as staff of the ministry of health are already positioned in the locations and surveillance beefed up.

He also said that tertiary health institutions in Nigeria have been equipped to handle any emergency that may arise from the disease.

Also, drugs and medical consumables are pre-positioned while the health ministry is working with all the states across Nigeria to contain the situation.

However, the minister admonished Nigerians to be vigilant, ensure personal and environmental hygiene and also report any suspected case to the nearest health facility.

He also said that emergency operation centre have been established and coordinated by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, advising Nigerians to call 08023210923, 08097979595 and 07067352220; or email ebolainfo@health.gov.ng for inquiries.

The epicentre of Ebola is Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone where more than 900 people have been infected so far with the deadly virus with 630 deaths. There is no drug or vaccine to treat the virus and it has up to 90 per cent fatality rate.

Ebola is transmitted from fruit bats and apes to humans who hunt them for food and is further spread to other humans when they come in contact with the blood or body fluid of an infected person.

Symptoms include, fever, headache, chills, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Later symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and bloody rashes all over the body.

Lagos State government issued an alert last week advising people to observe high hygienic standard including washing of hand and thoroughly washing and cooking their meat before eating.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/165576-suspected-ebola-patient-dies-in-lagos.html

Half of a Yellow Sun: The film

Half of a Yellow Sun:NFVCB opens up on the movie

on June 21, 2014   /   

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

Until the producers of the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s novel, Half of a Yellow Sun are ready to do the needful, fans of the best selling novel may have to wait for a long time before thronging the cinemas to see the film in Nigeria.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This is the position of the National Film and Video Censors Board,NFVCB. It is coming weeks after the promoters of the film, The Film One Distribution Limited, wrote a letter to the Director-General of NFVCB,Ms Patricia Bala, expressing dismay about “the delay in receiving a formal response from the Board on the status of our application or determination of same.”

The board, in a statement signed by Mr Caesar Kagho, Acting Head, and Corporate Affairs of NFVCB, in Abuja,maintained that the big-budget film will not get its approval for public release until certain aspects of the film that bother on ‘national security’ are expunged. It, however, reiterated that it did not ban the movie as widely speculated.

The Board insisted it had communicated the details of its decision to the promoters of The statement reads thus: “It has become necessary for the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clear the air and set the records straight on the status of the movie, Half of a Yellow Sun and the attendant interest in certain quarters on the matter.

The NFVCB restates its position that the movie is not banned as speculated and that the board has dutifully exercised due diligence consonant with section 36 (1) (b) of NFVCB Enabling Law ACT 1993, CAP N40 LFN 2004 which stipulates that “ a decision on a film shall ensure that such a film is not likely to undermine national security.”

The Board has duly communicated the exhibitor of the movie in a letter dated May 27th, 2014 explaining the status of the film and requiring the distributor to

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/06/half-yellow-sunnfvcb-opens-movie/#sthash.KaNHyyC0.dpuf

Presidency Strikes Back At Kwankwaso

Posted by: foluso on June 15, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday responded to the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso’s allegation that the President wants to assassinate him. 

The response which was conveyed through two ministers suspected to be acting on behalf of the President, criticized Kwankwaso in separate statements issued in Abuja by Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information as well as the Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan.

 The ministers described the governor as being desperate and paranoid; pointing out that his allegation against Jonathan was the peak of irresponsibility and an indication of a failed governor.

Maku, challenged the governor to explain to the people of Kano the role him and the All Progressives Congress played in the emergence of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, instead of dragging the President to it.

It would be recalled that Kwankwaso on Wednesday accused the President of being responsible for the conflicts that trialed the appointment of the new Emir, Sanusi. He also stated that the President should be held responsible for whatever happens to him, his family or the people of the state

According to the statement issued on behalf of the information minister by his Chief Press Secretary, Joseph Mutah, he said Kwankwaso was trying to smear the image of the president and the Federal Government.

“It is a known fact that the appointment of traditional rulers is within the purview of state governments and it is surprising why Kwankwaso has chosen to drag the name of the President into the succession crisis rocking the Kano Emirate.

“Instead of throwing tantrums and casting aspersions on imaginary enemies, Kwankwaso should face the people of Kano and explain to them the role he and APC leaders played in the imbroglio.

^{Minister of Information, Labaran Maku}

“The Police in Kano have offered explanations why officers and men were deployed to guard the palace of the emir, yet Governor Kwankwaso decided to further his unbridled campaign of blackmail against the President and the Federal Government.

“The recent outbursts of Kwankwaso have lent credence to observations in some quarters that the governor is now afraid of his own shadow as the people of Kano become increasingly impatient with his years of one-man rule under which he imposes his will on the state in total disregard to the wishes of the people” Maku said.

However, Kwankwaso, on his Twitter page on Wednesday, insisted that he followed the same procedure which Ibrahim Dankwambo, the Gombe State governor adopted in appointing the new Emir of Gombe, and questionedwhy the President should cause crisis in his state, as well as accused him of plotting an agenda which is not good for this country. He urged the Jonathan-led administration to focus its attention on the security challenges bedeviling the country and not him.

^{Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso}

Maku went further to say that: “After the recent denial of freedom of choice for the people of Kano by imposing local government chairmen and councillors on them, he then took on the late Kano monarch shortly before his demise.

“Governor Kwankwaso, as is well known to the public, then went on a highly politicised selection process, turning the ascension to the throne of Kano into a partisan political enterprise during which prominent All Progressives Congress leaders and some governors moved to Kano reportedly to influence the outcome.

“The result is the outpouring of anger and protests in the ancient city of Kano with the unfortunate breakdown of law and order.

“Governor Kwankwaso is therefore singularly responsible for the violence in his state. The selection of successors to other traditional institutions in other parts of the North in recent years has not witnessed the kind of public anger and protests and violence that greeted the exercise conducted by Kwankwaso at the Government House in Kano.

“The police authorities in the light of the violent opposition to the highly political selection process for the new Emir of Kano only helped to restore law and order and to protect the historic palace of the throne of Kano from being razed or destroyed by aggrieved people of Kano.

“To turn round to blame President Jonathan or the Federal Government for the crisis is the height of delusion and irresponsibility on the part of Kwankwaso. He is the architect of the crisis and violence and if he has a conscience, he should examine his role in this unfortunate and needless crisis into which he has plunged the ancient city of Kano and its respected traditional institution in recent weeks.

“The latest claim by Kwankwaso is wild and outlandish and does not fit into the character of President Jonathan or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The Federal Government urged the people of Kano to remain peaceful and law-abiding, as well as shun violence “in spite of the highhandedness of Governor Kwankwaso and his associates” Maku said.

Similarly, Police Affairs Minister who also berated the governor, said it unfortunate that instead of Kwankwaso to be thankful for the efforts of the officers who maintained peace during the crisis, he was busy insulting the president.

In a statement issued by Adesiyan’s Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, the minister stressed the need for Kwankwaso to be educated on the role of security agencies in the country.

“Police have the mandate to protect the lives and property of every citizen of Nigeria and Kano State cannot be an exception.

“When there is protest, the police should be able to protect people’s lives so that it will not lead to a major crisis and that was what the police did in Kano to stop youths who were dissatisfied with the appointment of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

“But instead of appreciating the efforts of security agents in bringing about peace in the state, Kwankwaso was abusing Mr. President.

^{Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan}

“I think Kwankwaso needs to be educated on the role of police and other security agencies in the society as well as the functions of the President of Nigeria in order to give him an insight into their operational procedure” Adesiyan said.

The minister described the governor’s outburst against the President as an indication of a failed governor who acts against the will of the people.

“It is rather unfathomable that Kwankwaso could use the protest that followed the appointment of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano as an opportunity to insult the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the way he likes.

“His recent outburst is an indication of a failed governor who acts against the will of the people.

“Have you ever seen the opposition party insulting the President of the United States of America, or the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, or Chancellor in Germany?

“It is only in Nigeria that those who lack patriotism like Kwankwaso can insult the President at will.

“Rather than reflect and ever remain grateful to PDP for giving him the platform to become a governor and a minister, Kwankwaso now has the audacity to abuse the President.

“While I recognise the inalienable right of citizens to hold opinions and identify with political platforms of their choice, I find it very difficult to understand the type of bitterness that has taken hold of an elected person like Governor Kwankwaso who hugely benefitted from the PDP on which platform he was twice elected governor in addition to being appointed minister.

“Kwankwaso has not only shown his aversion to the unity of the nation but also the agenda of his party, the APC, to attack well-meaning individuals and leaders as a means to cause confusion among Nigerians and destroy our oneness as a people” Adesiyan added.

When Kwankwaso was asked to respond to the ministers’ statement, he said he had no comments, while his media aide, Baba Dantiye, later said: “We have no more comments on this. We are busy with the convention.” 

PROF. DORA AKUNYILI (RIP)

PROF.DORA AKUNYILI .....RIP

Ex Gov Peter Obi Releases Statement on Dora Akunyili’s Death

Posted on Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at 4:31 PM

By BellaNaija.com

Former Governor of Anambra state Peter Obi has released a statement confirming the death of NAFDAC reformer Dora Akunyili.
Read;

On behalf of the Akunyili’s family, I wish to officially confirm the death of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR, in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning at 10 am, Nigerian Time, after a two-year battle with cancer.

In spite her illness, Prof. Akunyili was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria. That was why she defied her condition and was part of Anambra State Handover Committee and the National Conference.

The last time I visited her in India, even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of concern for the abducted Chibok girls, security and other challenges facing the country and told me that she remained prayerful for the release of those girls and for God to helpPresident Goodluck Jonathan to overcome all the challenges facing the Nation. She therefore urged all Nigerians to remain prayerful and committed to building a better society for our children. We all prayed together and I promised to be visiting her every month.

We thank all those who remain fervent in prayers for her recovery and urge them to remain prayerful for the peaceful repose of her soul.

Mr. Peter Obi, CON
Saturday, June 7, 2014

YOU CAN DO IT !!!!! (Bring them back and alive)