Tag: Sultan

  • Sultan: I’ll always speak Truth to Power

    Sultan: I’ll always speak Truth to Power

    The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said he will continue to speak the truth to power even though some Nigerian politicians are not comfortable.  He charged leaders to take his advice as someone who is concerned about the well-being of the people.  

    This is as the former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, Professor Patrick Lumumba, told Nigerian leaders to always strive to do the right thing, warning that if they failed to do the right thing there would always be a day of reckoning.  

    Both leaders gave the advice at the 10th Memorial Anniversary Lecture of Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki on Monday in Abuja.  

    The Anniversary with the theme, “The Leadership and Followership Debate,” was well attended by dignitaries from the two main political parties in the country – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  

    Sultan, who chaired the occasion, said the topic chosen by the organisers was apt and important. 

    He said, “We are into political activities and we are looking for leaders to steer the ship of State to an excellent destination, we must look at who a leader should be, what leadership should not be, what we should do as followers to ensure we have a good leader.”  

    “Sometimes when we say the truth as it is, some leaders don’t feel so good about it, but we will continue saying the truth in whatever we do and whatever we say. 

    “When we do so, leaders should take such comments, as advice from people who are so concerned about what happens to the people that the Almighty Allah place under their care as leaders, so that you can discharge and acquit yourself most honorably here on earth.”

    The monarch tasked leaders to always uphold the truth, be honest, transparent and accountable. 

    Delivering the memorial lecture, Lumumba said it was time that Nigeria and African leaders do away with the vestiges of colonialism and did what was right for the African continent.  

    He said leaders had a duty to lead the people by serving them diligently and not to be served.

  • Sallah: Sultan Directs Muslims To Look Out For New Moon

    Sallah: Sultan Directs Muslims To Look Out For New Moon

    Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah as from Wednesday.

    The Sultan made the call in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, advisory committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

    “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Wednesday, June 29, which is equivalent to 29th of Dhul-Qidah 1443AH, shall be the day to look out for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1443AH.”

    “Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new moon on Wednesday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” the statement read.

    He also prayed to Allah to assist the Muslim Ummah in discharging their religious duties.

    Dhul-Hijjah is the 12th and the last month in the Islamic calendar where the Holy Pilgrimage (Hajj) takes place as well as the Eid Kabir – festival of sacrifice.

  • Look Out For Ramadan Moon on Friday, Sultan Tells Muslims

    Look Out For Ramadan Moon on Friday, Sultan Tells Muslims

    The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across the country to look out for this year’s Ramadan moon after sunset on Friday.

    The Director of Administration of the council, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    “Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, April 1st, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1443 AH.

    “If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, 2nd April as the first day of Ramadan 1443 AH.

    “If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Sunday, 3rd April, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1443 AH,” the statement read.

    The council prays that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah (worship) exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.

    It also urged Muslims to contact the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, and also some members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) to report a credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH.

    The council added that one of the special devotional activities in the month of Ramadan is Tafsir, which is meant to enlighten humanity, particularly Muslims, on the treasures and blessings of the Quranic messages.

    The council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in this month of (Ramadan), to help the country, the world in general and leaders in particular to overcome the current challenges confronting them.

    “Furthermore, the council urges Muslims and non-Muslims alike to be vigilant and take extra security and health measures to protect ourselves, loved ones and neighbours.”

    “Fasting brothers and sisters should ensure they have enough rest and consume sufficient fluid after each day’s fast,” the statement read.

    He listed established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the NMSC who can be contacted for information and clarification to include Sheikh Dahir Bauchi (08036121311), Sheikh Karibullah Kabara (08035537382), Mallam Simwal Usman Jibrin (08033140010), Sheikh Salihu Yaaqub (07032558231), Mal. Jafar Abubakar (08020878075), Alhaji Abdullahi Umar (08037020607), Prof. J.M. Kaura (08067050641), Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar (08036509363), and Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke (08035050804).

    Others are Dr Ganiy I. Agbaje (08028327463), Gafar M. Kuforiji (08033545208), Prof. Usman El-Nafaty, (08062870892), Mallam Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu (08038522693), Prof. Z. I. Oboh Oseni (08033574431), Nurudeen Asunogie (08033533012), Sheikh Bala Lau (08037008805), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir (08065687545), Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad (08023141752), Sheikh Sulaiman Gumi (08033139153), Alhaji Yusuf Nwoha (08030966956), Prof. Kamil K. Oloso (08023098661), and Malam Yahaya Boyi (08030413634), among others.

  • Sokoto NUJ Condoles Sultan, Governor, Families Of Magajin Garin Sokoto

    Sokoto NUJ Condoles Sultan, Governor, Families Of Magajin Garin Sokoto

    By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

    It is with heavy heart and sublime submission to the divine will of Almighty Allah that we received the news of the demise of Alhaji Hassan Danbaba (Magajin Garin Sokoto), Board Chairman, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA).

    This was contained in a release jointly signed by the Sokoto Council NUJ chairman and Secretary, Dalhatu Abdullahi S/Magori and Muhammad Nasir Bello respectively.

    This great loss has given an edge not only to the people of Sokoto state and Nigeria but global community

    On behalf of all working Journalists in Sokoto state, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, wishes to use this medium to condole with the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, His Excellency Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR (Matawallen Sokoto), his immediate family and the entire people of Sokoto state and Nigeria for the loss

    May Almighty Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and his entire family as well as his associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • FG Will Honour Agreements With ASUU, Buhari Tells CAN, Sultan

    FG Will Honour Agreements With ASUU, Buhari Tells CAN, Sultan

    The Federal Government will honour promises made to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prevent disruptive strikes, encourage uninterrupted academic programmes and improve funding of educational institutions.

    This is according to President Muhammadu Buhari who gave the assurance on Tuesday at the presidential villa, Abuja while receiving members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev’d Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

    The President commended the leadership of NIREC for intervening in the year-long strike by ASUU and holding consultations with the parties, saying no society which wishes itself well neglects its educational system and all its component parts.

    This is even as he urged the council to tell ASUU that his administration regards them and the service they provide to the nation very highly.

    “’However, they should be cognizant of the fiscal pressures that we are currently facing. Nevertheless, we remain committed to honoring our promises,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.

    “For their part, I would like to encourage ASUU to continue to work with us towards finding resolutions to the challenges that confront us.

    “My administration is committed to this engagement and dialogue, and I urge them to stay the course towards a joint resolution in the best interest of our children and nation.”

    Buhari also responded to the issued raised by NIREC on finding sustainable solutions to the perennial and disruptive strikes that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the nation’s university system.

    According to him, he had directed his Chief of Staff, the Honourable Ministers of Labour and Employment and Education to make resolving this issue a priority.

    The President said he had received briefing from the Minister of Labour, detailing where we are today given the various interested parties, and he apprised the meeting as follows:

    He added, “’To show our commitment, several payments have been made over the last 6 months, addressing several of the issues you raised – details of which the Minister of Labour and Employment can make available to you.

    “’Funding has also been provided for infrastructure development across several public universities and several of them have begun drawing down on this facility to improve their level of infrastructure.

    “Finally, and perhaps the most contentious of issues regarding the decision to use either the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) or the University Transparency Accountability Solutions (UTAS).

    “As you may be aware, IPPIS was introduced as a means of blocking leakages. Through IPPIS, the Federal Government was able to save over N100 billion annually from the core civil service alone. In view of the resistance from ASUU we devised UTAS which is now on the table.”

  • PMB, Sultan, Fayemi, Tambuwal Sue For Peace On Plateau, Nigeria

    PMB, Sultan, Fayemi, Tambuwal Sue For Peace On Plateau, Nigeria

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    …as stakeholders Interrogate the FG Over Nation’s Maladies
    … PMB: Peace Must Return To the Plateau

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged all parties in the intractable conflict that engulfed Plateau state recently to sheathe their swords and let peace reign in the interest of all.

    President Buhari made the call in Jos, Plateau state at a dialogue forum organized by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in conjunction with the Federal government and the country’s governors to discuss how to resolve the Jos crises and show concern over the unfortunate events that occurred in parts of the Plateau recently..

    Stakeholders at the gathering also interfaced on peace on the Plateau and how to forge ahead by deepening peace building process taking cognizance of what has been happening in the past.

    Às contained in a release by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to governor Tambuwal, Muhammad Bello, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Gida Mustapha, the President while conveying his heartfelt condolence to the state government, the victims and their families, pledges to mobilize all resources to bring the perpetrators to book.

    According to him, the current security situation in the entire country calls for constant dialogue and the strategy for overcoming such problems should be all inclusive.

    He admonished NIREC, community leaders and religious leaders to sustain their current intervention as government alone cannot succeed in the fight against crimes and criminalities without the cooperation of the people.

    Stating that the “task of this meeting is to build upon what has been raised in order to halt the circle of violence,” in the state and beyond, President Buhari said the federal government will continue to collaborate at all levels to ensure that peace returns to the Plateau and other parts of the country, further assuring that: “peace must return to the Plateau. That is our prayer.”

    The co-Chairman of NIREC, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who narrated that he was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos when he became a monarch, expressed gratitude to the Federal government and the incumbent Governor of Plateau for keeping the peace.

    He affirmed his belief that the Governor should be encouraged to do more, indicating that the meeting was not a jamboree but a concerted effort to make the state remain as part of the nation.

    “Plateau people should know they’re part of Nigeria. The whole country is here to talk to ourselves about how this came about. While the two religions enjoin brotherly love, why have politicians divided the people? Is killing people a religious revelation by God?, the Sultan asked, posing that: “If the evil being perpetrated isn’t nipped in the bud it will further escalate.”

    The monarch, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also encouraged Gov. Lalong to continue with the good work he is doing, stressing that “unless government wakes up, these crises won’t end.”

    “It hurts when we hear things being said on the pulpits-either as Christians or Muslims; and we allow it. We’re in a very bad situation but we have hope. Only Nigerians can stabilize the country not anyone from abroad, the Sultan emphasized, further stressing that the earlier the government address the many problematic issues bedeviling the country, including the resolution of the industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other negative things, the better for all.

    He urged politicians to close ranks and put politics in the background until electioneering campaign begins; and tasked Nigerians to have patience. “We cannot continue killing one another in the name of religion or ethnicity,” he submitted.

    Corroborating the Sultan, himself also a co-Chairman of NIREC, Olasupo Ayokunle, said those involved in the killings on the Plateau are Muslims and Christians, to whom he appealed that they should allow dialogue to prevail, failing which the government should come in.

    “Nobody has the monopoly of violence. If you get advantage today don’t assume same it will be the situation tomorrow. God is love because he gives man free will and the opportunity to live. To know God, you must love your neighbor,” he said, asking Nigerians and the law enforcement agents to ensure that peace reigns.

    He also said for peace to become a reality justice should not be delayed and efforts should be made by the federal government to ensure that modern technology is deployed in fighting against the unfolding criminality, which is itself sophisticated in nature.

    “Government should react to the plight of victims of conflicts. The people of Plateau who have witnessed the mayhems for so long should speak out with love about the causes- remote and immediate,” he advised, observing that Nigeria can’t develop with shameful and embarrassing conflicts ravaging it.

    The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, Kayode Fayemi who led his counterparts from Sokoto and Niger states to the meeting said they were in Jos to physically demonstrate concern of the governors to the government and people of the state.

    “We’re experiencing challenging times. But we can draw lessons from the adversities. Plateau has learnt a lot.

    “The work of the state PEACE COMMISSION has been remarkable. The government of Plateau should not be distracted from the pursuit of peace and good governance,” he said.

    He said the Forum have irrefutable values intended to strengthen the unity of the country. “Whatever stands in the way should be addressed. As residents you know that Jos is a globe that binds as many Nigerians have lived here for over a century,” he explained.

    Applauding Gov. Lalong for doing his best to keep the peace and bond between Nigerians, he said his colleagues, the governors, will not fail in associating fully with community and religious leaders who have shown commitment in difficult times.

    In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, noted that all the Nigerian governors are worried about the latest ugly trend of violence in the Plateau.

    He recalled that in March 2017 his entire cabinet,
    along with the Sultan and other prominent citizens of the state, came to Plateau for a retreat. “This was to demonstrate to the world that peace has returned to the Plateau back then. It was to prove to the world that Sokoto people, like other Nigerians, were at home in Plateau.

    “We must continue to live together as brothers and sisters. None of the two major religions encourages killing. Why are we pretending to be killing in the name of religion or ethnicity?,” he indicated.

    “Why can’t we follow the trajectory of what gives us peace? Nobody will come to Nigeria to invest when there’s no peace. It is in our collective interests to live in peace. Security agents can’t help if we are not working together, he said while appealing to Nigerians to embrace the real teachings of our religions.

    Pointing out that the monumental loses occasioned by conflicts over the years have shown that violence is counter-productive, Gov. Tambuwal, who is also the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party- Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) admonished religious leaders to step up their efforts in this regard.

    Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state, who recalled with nostalgia his fond memories of Jos, which we use to know was a peaceful place, “with warm and friendly people…like London,” have suddenly changed over the years.

    “It is saddening that all that have changed. There is no need for religious animosity because we are all who we are in terms of religion by accident of birth. What should matter now is that characters must blend for people to live together. Plateau is an economically viable state with a large tourism potentials.

    Gov. Bello, who is also the Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, observed that if not for the orgies of violence being expressed across the country, “by now we should be way ahead of where we are at the moment. We should continue to talk about peace and avoid conflicts.

  • Sultan To FG: Tell Us Where Recovered Loots Are

    Sultan To FG: Tell Us Where Recovered Loots Are

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III on Tuesday urged the Federal government to explain to Nigerians how much loots it had recovered and what they were being used for.

    He spoke in Sokoto at the zonal dialogue with stakeholders on the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, organized by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission for the northwest zone.

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    The Sultan, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, said keeping mute on the recovered loots would spell doom for the fight against corruption in the country.

    “The government owes Nigerians an explanation, we want to know how much billions of naira was recovered from our past leaders. Where the monies are and what are they doing with them?

    “This explanation is necessary considering the state of our education and other infrastructure like roads which need serious government attention,” he said

    He said the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate had written many books on corruption and how it could be addressed using Islamic ways.

    The Sultan urged Nigerian leaders to obtain copies of those books in order to be guided in getting to tackling corruption.

    The zonal head of ICPC in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Ibrahim Alkali said the national ethics and integrity policy was a child of necessity as “it was conceived and delivered out of the urgent need to resuscitate and rejuvenate our lost values of honesty and integrity as a nation.”

    Also on Tuesday, the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the status of all recovered loots, movable and immovable assets from 2002 to 2020 demanded the details of the accounts of the recovered loots from the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who also appeared before the committee, said: “All these assets as recovered are indeed lodged with the CBN Account on Assets Recovery and the receipts of the amounts have been confirmed by the CBN.

    “Recovered assets have constituted budgetary item that has been appropriated by the NASS and among other monies.”

    Malami said the government the government had recorded some modest achievements regarding asset recoveries.

    He said: “In that respect, we had succeeded in December 2017 to recover $322m from Switzerland. That asset recovered is known as Abacha loot.

    “Again in May 2020, we succeeded in recovering $311, 797, 866.11 from the Island of Jersey and indeed UK. In October 2020, we recovered 5, 494, 743.71 Euros from the Republic of Northern Ireland in Nigeria known as Abacha Loot. And of recent, we succeeded in May 2021 in recovering £4. 214, 017 from UK known as Ibori loot.”

    He said there were multiple dimensions to the status of recovered assets, both foreign and local.

    Malami said the delay in the passage of the Proceeds of Crimes Bill by the National Assembly affected the recovery efforts of the Federal Government.

    “As at the time we came into office, we realized there was no coordinated way through which recovered assets were being coordinated in terms of disposal and associated things.

    “What we did was to put in place a legal framework to consider the possibility of having a legal framework and develop the Proceeds of Crime Bill which was transmitted by the executive to the National Assembly as far back as 2017.

    “Embedded in the POCA Bill was the assets management and recovery agency and I regret to state that as far back as 2017 to 2019, up to the present moment, that legislative framework could not be achieved on account of the fact that the POCA was not passed by NASS.

    “If indeed the NASS has passed the POCA Bill, I cannot be here scampering and perhaps scouting for information relating to the recovered assets because that bill has indeed put in place and effective mechanism in terms of database, disposal, processes and procedure.

    “So, the starting point is to state that there has been inaction on the part of the NASS with particular regards to having in place a coordinated legal framework and assets tracing and disposal management,” he said.

    Malami, however, noted that despite the challenges, the recovery efforts had been yielding positive result as funds were being recovered.

    The Accountant-General, Ahmed Idris, told the committee that the recovered £4.2m Ibori loot had been paid to Delta State.

    He said recovered funds should be paid to the states from where the funds were stolen, noting that the Federal Government had, in the past, paid Plateau and another state when funds stolen from there were recovered.

    “I know there was a time recovery was made on behalf of Plateau State. There was one for Bayelsa. There was one for different states, even Delta. Such recoveries go specifically to those states.”

    When asked by the chairman of the committee about the recent Ibori loot received from the United Kingdom. The Accountant-General responded: “It has been paid to the state. It was paid to Delta State.

    “Any recovery arising from looted funds from a particular state goes to the state. The state governors would not even allow this to fly.

    “They’ll take Federal Government to court for holding their money. So, we don’t joke and we don’t play with that. We pay them their money,” he said.

    “There’s need to identify and address these matters so that they’re not left under lacunas. We’re the treasury, and the treasury has specific functions in line with the extant rules and regulations.

    “Documentation, custody of accounts, management of accounts, maintenance of accounts, making releases to the arms of government is the function of the treasury of the federal republic of Nigeria and I head the treasury. So, I take responsibility for all these,” he said.

    The committee demanded clarifications on some transactions regarding the recovery and other accounts being operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The chairman of the committee, Adejoro Adeogun, directed the Accountant-General should furnish the committee with all the necessary documents on the operations of the TSA, the recoveries as well as other accounts being operated by the CBN.

    The Accountant-General is to appear before the committee on Friday; while the EFCC, the ICPC and others are to appear before the committee between Wednesday and Thursday.

  • Absence of Sultan, other stakeholders mar kaduna Northwest Governors, traditional, Security meeting

    Absence of Sultan, other stakeholders mar kaduna Northwest Governors, traditional, Security meeting

    By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Sa’ad, other traditional, religious and opinion leaders were conspicuously absent Monday at Arewa House, venue of the NorthWest Governors and traditional rulers town hall meeting with security with the new security chiefs, led by the Defence Chief, General Leo Irabor.
    Apparently marred by low turnout, the parley convened to address security challenges in the region had only Emir of Zazzau Ambassador Nuhu Bamali and all the Governors of the NorthWest.

    The participants however went into a close door meeting with the military leaders before, addressing the general gathering to convey the decision that the town hall meeting has been rescheduled due to poor turnout of other critical stakeholders.

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai who addressed the gathering said the new leadership of the military chiefs, is in the State to discussed with stakeholders in the North West zone, on why they should join hands together in putting an end to the insecurity in the region.

    According to him, the military leaders have mapped out “a new security architecture that would end the security challenges, adding that it was commendable, “and we are satisfied with this show of commitment”.

    El-rufai told the security leaders that they’ve confidence “under your leadership and based on your past record to end the affliction that have affected our families, livelihoods and our nation”.

    However, the Governor lamented over why the town hall meeting could not hold as scheduled, saying, “this town hall meeting is not possible to be completed, with the absence of most key stakeholders and because of the short notices”.

    “You can see that it is only the Emir of Zazzau that represents all the Emirs and traditional rulers in the North West States here. Each of the traditional and religious leaders in the seven States in the North West are supposed to be here, but they are not”.

    “Other stakeholders that are supposed to be here are not here, because they are going round, trying to calm down the very tensed situation we are facing in most parts of North West. This is because of events happening not only in the North, but in other parts of Nigeria”.

    Governor El-rufai remarked: ” there are fake video clips circulating the country that have raised tension and agitation. And most of us as Governors have in the last few weeks , going round talking to stakeholders and appealing to religious and Community leaders to calm people down”.

    “And many of our traditional leaders are also engaging in that. Not only in our States but in other places. That is why many of them are not here”.

    El-rufai argued that the seriousness of the security challenges in the country is the reason “why the NSA and the new service chiefs felt this town hall meeting should be reconvened, in the next week’s or so, and we give people adequate notice, not only to consult with the grassroot, but to be here to consult with local intelligence so that our new security chiefs can plan better”.
    The Governor further lamented the havoc caused by armed bandits, saying “even the members of the armed forces are loosing their lives daily”.

    “The bandits are becoming bolder, they even have the ordersity now to attack security tanks, ambush those on patrol, and lives are being lost”.
    “We need to support our military and police so that we out this problem behind us”, he added.
    Meanwhile, speaking at the occasion, the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Babagana Mongunu, said that gave reason for the prolong security challenges in the country, pointing out that “the nature of the 21st century warfare is complex.

    ” That is why we need a multifaceted approach in dealing with the current security challenges”, he noted.

    Mongunu said: “I don’t want to believe some pessimists that we are not trying to end the insecurity. President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to bring an end to the insecurity in our country and that is what we are doing”.

    Among those who were present at the Arewa meeting was a prominent Northern cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

    It was also learnt that Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was in the meeting for the first after his rift with el-Rufai over romance of later with the deposed Emir Sunusi Lamido Sanusi Il, forced them to held the meeting at arewa house and later moved to government kaduna.

  • Seven to eight kidnappers out of ten arrested are Fulanis, but not every Fulani is a criminal – Sultan of Sokoto

    Seven to eight kidnappers out of ten arrested are Fulanis, but not every Fulani is a criminal – Sultan of Sokoto

    Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said seven to eight out of every ten kidnappers arrested in Nigeria are Fulani.

    However, the monarch said that it was wrong to label all Fulani criminals or use ‘Fulanis herdsmen criminal’ to explain developments because of the misdeeds of some of them.

    He said, “I am a Fulani, and I am not a bad man. I am also not a criminal. Those engaged in one forms of crimes or another are across the country. It is not proper to refer to any tribe to describe individuals’ crime.

    “For example, when they collected N10m, where and how do you spend this amount in the bush? The money is back in the city. I have told the Inspector General of police to check this; we are not saying Fulanis are not part of the kidnappings as mentioned by the Secretary of Miyetti Allah, seven to eight kidnappers arrested are Fulanis, but that doesn’t mean ever Fulani is a criminal, no they are not.

    “We must put hands together to bring an end to this problem. We are going to approach the President to talk to our West African neighbours where we have Fulanis like Senegal, Niger Republic Guinea and Mali, to help us because most of these bandit cross from neighbouring countries conducted their criminal act and run back.”

    The meeting comes in the wake of tensions, especially across the South-West states which many have attributed to criminal Fulani herdsmen.

    A Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, had given Fulanis in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State an ultimatum to leave following allegations of criminality.

    Videos shared on social media showed Igboho holding a well-attended rally where he swore to drive out Fulani herdsmen from the entire Yorubaland for causing insecurity and banditry.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State also issued a quit notice to all herdsmen to vacate government reserve forests in the state.

  • 60th Anniversary: Tambuwal, Sultan, Indonesian Ambassador Pray For Peace, Security

    60th Anniversary: Tambuwal, Sultan, Indonesian Ambassador Pray For Peace, Security

    By Muhammad Goronyo,Sokoto
    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Friday led hundreds of Muslim faithful in the state to pray for peace, security and integrity in the country.
    The Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Hon. Usra Hendra Harahap, was also at the event as a special guest of the Sokoto state government.
    Other high profile guests include the Speaker House of Sokoto State House of  Assembly (SOHA), Rt. Hon. Aminu Muhammad Acida, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Alhaji Saidu Umar, members of the state security council, the state Chief Judge, Justice Muhammadu Saidu Sifawa, the state Acting Grand Khadi, Shuaibu Sodangi Acida and other government functionaries.
    The ensemble graced the special prayer organized by Sokoto State government as part of activities to mark the 60th  independence anniversary of the nation.
    Gov. Tambuwal and Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad prayed to God to guide the country’s leaders in making decisions that would affect the lives of many Nigerians positively and assist the country to overcome some of the challenges it is facing, especially in the areas of insecurity, corruption and economic development.
    The Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Jumu’at mosque in Sokoto, Sheikh Malami Liman Akwara led the special prayer session after leading other Muslim faithful in a two raka’at obligatory congregational prayer