COVER
Eid-Maulud: Embrace Peace, Muslim Clerics, Others Tell Protesting Youths
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
As the Muslims, yesterday celebrated the Eid-el Maulud all over the country, prominent clerics, elderstatemen, politicians, governors and groups have called on the youths and Muslim Ummah to eschew violence to ensure a united Nigeria.
Among those who made the appeal for peace were the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI).
ACF Felicitates With Muslims, Urges Peace
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) felicitated with Muslims as they marked the birthday of Prophet Muhammad and urged Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence in the interest of the nation.
The ACF made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe, yesterday in Kaduna.
“The Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, Chief Audu Ogbe and all his members are therefore sending a solemn appeal to all Nigerians to accept peace, patience and perseverance.
“As these are the attributes of Prophet Muhammad that distinguished him and that will bring unity and progress to our country,” it said.
The ACF noted that the Eid-el Maulud celebration was coming at a time Nigeria was going through difficulties, and urged youths in the country to avoid violence.
“Our country is mired in deep crises of violent demonstrations, killings and looting at an unprecedented level.
“The events of the past few weeks do not portray us as a Godly people that we are known all over the world to be.
“The Forum is particularly urging the youth to avoid violent street demonstrations and the unprecedented looting of public and private properties.
“They should rather engage the government in useful dialogue,” it added.
Gbajabiamila, Wase Call for Prayers
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase have congratulated Muslim Ummah on the Eid-el Maulud celebration and called for prayers to exhibit peace and love for one another.
Gbajabiamila made the call in a congratulatory message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, in Abuja, while Wase sent his message through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Umar Puma.
The Speaker said that the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad should be used to pray for peace in the country.
He said that the faithful should also pray for progress and unity, especially at this period of challenges facing the country.
Gbajabiamila advised that the characters and teachings of the Holy Prophet should be the watchword for all.
Wase, in his message, also called on the faithful to promote love, unity and understanding.
The lawmaker felicitated with Muslims and urged religious leaders to use the period to spread love, tolerance and support for the ongoing reforms by the federal government.
“As we mark this year’s Eid-el Maulud, I wish to rejoice with Muslim brothers and sisters and to advise that we take advantage of the occasion to renew our bond of unity.
“I urge that we continue to pray for peace, progress and stability of the nation,” the deputy speaker said.
He further called on the youth to emulate the teachings and virtues of the holy Prophet and always resist individuals or groups that could sow seeds of division.
He added that they should strive to resist hatred from anyone trying to incite violence or instigate them against each other.
According to him, the life of Prophet Muhammad and his teachings were filled with piety, unity, charity, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness.
He urged all to emulate these virtues and live in peace as Nigeria march toward building a nation of our dream.
NGF Charges Muslims on Tolerance
The Northern Governors Forum (NGF)has charged Muslim faithful in the country the uphold the virtue of tolerance as they marked this year’s Eid-el-Maulud as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammed.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Gov Simon Lalong, in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Macham, called on all Muslims to use the occasion and reflect on the virtues of love, tolerance and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet for the growth and development of the country.
Lalong also called for sober reflection among Nigerians stating that the current situation in the country calls for “patience, understanding, honesty, sincerity, kindness and collaboration in overcoming various challenges.”
He sued for calm from the events of recent past, assuring that Government is doing all that is necessary to address the issues raised by Nigerian youths.
He appealed to youths to resist the temptation of engaging in destruction of lives and properties, saying such acts retard development.
Governor Lalong seek the continue prayers of all Nigerians for wisdom and guidance to enable them served the people with the best intentions and visionary programmes that will alleviate poverty and improved the living conditions of Nigerians.
FIWON Calls on Muslims to Pray for Nigeria
The Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), has called on Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid el Maulud to pray for the peace and unity of the country.
Coordinator of the Federation in Osun, Mr Ibrahim Olayinka, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) in Osogbo, saying the prevailing situation in the country required divine intervention.
Olayinka said that the current situation in the country has become worrisome and the birthday of Prophet Mohammed was an auspicious occasion for prayers to be raised for Nigeria.
” The current crises in Nigeria necessitate the need to go on our kneels as Muslims and Christians and pray for the country.
” The unity of this country means a lot to every Nigerians and we must strive to protect it from the hands of ill wishers who are bent on destroying what our heroes past have laboured for,” the coordinator said.
He enjoined workers to pray for wisdom for President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country to the path of greatness in spite of the current agitations from diverse majority.
Olayinka implored the president to implement the demands of the EndSARS protesters in order to sanitise the police force of corruption and other vices.
The FIWON coordinator noted that it was only in the atmosphere of peace and unity could Nigeria experience growth and prosperity.
He also tasked Muslims in the country to cultivate the virtues of love, patience and perseverance as depicted by the Holy Prophet when alive.
Etsu Nupe Wants Prayer for peace, Progress
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has felicitated with the Muslims on the occasion of the 2020 Eid-el-Maulud.
Abubakar urged Muslims to have the fear of Allah and behave in acceptable manner to fellow human beings.
According to him, being a Muslim is not enough but to consistently have the fear of Allah in dealing with all and sundry.
“I want to urge us to revive and rekindle the teachings of the Prophet by preaching peace wherever we find ourselves irrespective of any part of the country we may find ourselves,” he said.
According to the traditional ruler, Maulud is not only for merry making, but also a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad was sent by the Almighty Allah to do for humanity.
“As Muslims who are sincere in their faith, we are supposed to follow all that the Prophet of Islam preaches and teaches.
“Prophet Muhammad preached peace, love and unity, and as true followers of Islam, we should emulate the same virtues, so that we can enjoy the blessings of Almighty Allah, here and in eternity.”
He urged the Muslim faithful to learn how to forgive, stressing that Allah Himself forgives in an unquantifiable manner.
He called on the Muslims to be prayerful as prayer is key to overcoming any situation in which they find themselves, adding that the time we are is indeed challenging.
He then urged Muslims to shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of Islam saying that there is a reward for every action.
The Royal Father charged the Muslim faithful to use the occasion to imbibe and promote the virtues of humility, love, peace, harmony and mutual co-existence which Prophet Muhammad professes.
“I sincerely appeal to Muslims to seize this opportunity to offer special prayers for the unity, progress and prosperity of Nigeria so that the country may overcome its recurring myriad of challenges,” he said.
Abubakar said that Maulud Nabiyi is a special period that calls for sober reflections and special prayers to the Almighty Allah for Nigerian leaders at all levels for Allah’s wisdom and guidance.
“We must also put aside our ethnic, religious and political differences and come together to build a more united and peaceful Nigeria,” he said.
Adhere to Principles of Peace -Bello
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has urged all Muslims to adhere to the cardinal principles of peace upon which the religion of Islam is built.
Bello made the call in his Eid-El-Maulud message to the residents of FCT, in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
“On behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), I congratulate the Muslim Ummah in the FCT on the occasion of Maulud Nabiyy of our noble Prophet Muhammad for the Islamic year 1442 after Hijra.
“As we all know, Maulud is a celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It is an occasion which calls for sober reflection and spiritual rejuvenation.
“As we celebrate this important moment, I urge all Muslims to adhere to that cardinal principle of peace upon which the religion of Islam is built,” Bello said.
He also enjoined all Muslims and other residents in the FCT to join their compatriots across the country to ponder deeply on the challenges currently confronting the nation.
The minister said there is an urgent need for Muslims to imbibe the true meaning of piety, sacrifice, patience, tolerance and fellowship in their relationship and dealings with fellow residents.
“We should not only embrace dialogue in settling our differences, but we should also reject all attempts by unpatriotic individuals or groups to incite violence which in the end is unrewarding.
“It is only by embracing dialogue that we can ensure peace in our polity and in this way, the lessons that Eid-el-Maulud teaches would have served its true purpose.
“We should also remember that the FCT is built on a foundation of unity and tolerance for all Nigerians. As residents of the FCT, we are obliged to imbibe and practice these principles.
“I want to use this occasion, therefore, to appeal to all FCT residents to continue to support efforts of the government to improve governance and revive the economy,” the minister said.
Shun Negative Actions -JNI
The Chairman, Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kogi, Alhaji Usman Bello, has urged Muslims to refrain from all actions that are inimical to the growth of the country.
Bello made the appeal in Lokoja yesterday in a news conference to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
He said that no nation could grow under an atmosphere of chaos and instability.
He advised Muslims to use the period to reflect on the state of the nation and be law-abiding.
Bello called on Muslims to continue to uphold the legacy of peace bequeathed to them by Prophet Mohammed, saying that recent happenings in the country had made it compelling for all Nigerians to work for peace.
“The fundamental message of the Prophet is love, peaceful co-existence and sharing of fellowship with all people of faith,” he said.
He also directed Imams of various mosques in the state to conduct special prayer sessions for the country and all its leaders from local government to federal levels.
Bello also called on leaders at all levels to fear Allah in the discharge of their responsibilities to the citizens, saying that the situation in the country called for a sober reflection on the part of political leaders.
He urged the nation’s leaders to emulate the simplicity, humility and exemplary leadership style of Prophet Mohammed in order to put the country back on track and save it from collapse.
“The well-to-do individuals should show empathy to the poor and the needy in the society and forgive one another in the spirit of Eid-el-Maulud,” he said.
Bello commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the way he had been handling issues pertaining to religion since his assumption of office, especially the establishment of the inter-religious council.
He also commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for his encouragement and support to religious groups in the state.
He urged the governor to continue to ensure peaceful co-existence of the people irrespective of religion and tribe.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
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