The Nasarawa State government has suspended its tradition of sponsoring pilgrims to the holy land of Saudi Arabia.
The decision was taken as a result of the financial crunch plaguing the state due to dwindling revenue.
Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, who addressed newsmen in Lafia today, said that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s decision is aimed at allowing him weigh the prevailing economic situation of the state.
He however revealed that the welfare board has succeeded in retaining the accommodations allotted to pilgrims from the state in the holy land last year as tents and other accommodations meant for Nasarawa pilgrims in the Saudi Arabia were all in good shape.
“The board has approved this year’s Hajj fare at N790,500 per pilgrim which include forms, suitcases, medical screening, uniforms, hijab and Arafat day feeding expenses in order to compliment the National Hajj Commission’s efforts.”
He said that the variation in this year’s Hajj fare rate compared to that of the previous year which was N715,000 was occasioned by the high exchange rate of the naira against the dollar.
The Executive Secretary said that a total of 1,682 intending pilgrims had indicated interest for the journey to the holy land, which showed a sharp drop as against the 1,785 pilgrims that eventually performed the exercise last year. [myad]
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has defended himself over the wide belief that because he helped former President Goodluck Jonathan into power, he (Obasanjo) was part of the alleged failure President Jonathan in office.
Obasanjo remarked: “I have also said that you can help anybody to get a job but you cannot help him to do it. Let us get it clear, there is nobody who has got into any position who has not been helped by one person or more than one person.
“To become Nigeria’s head of state, it was first of all my performance in the war front, now if General Gowon had not sent me to the war front, you won’t know whether I can perform or cannot perform. Now he sent me to the war front, I thank him for it and because I performed we shared the credit, if I had failed, Gowon would not have shared the credit, he would not have shared the condemnation with me, I will be alone.
“Yes as I have said, I believe that opportunity that afforded itself in 2010 for somebody from the minority to become the president of Nigeria, he should never lose the opportunity but what he did with it is entirely to him and don’t forget what he did or did not do with it, will reflect for a long time on that part of the country. And don’t take that lightly, what he did or did not do with it, will reflect for a long time on that part of the country. But again those blaming me, was I the only person that supported him?
“I was not the only 18 million voters who voted for him. You that asked the question who did you vote for, is it not Jonathan? He queried (General laughter in the hall).”
Chief Obasanjo spoke today in a lecture entitled “Effective Education, a Panacea for Societal Development and Transformation,” which he delivered at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City.
He wanted Dr. Jonathan to be blamed for his actions and in-actions while in office and not those who helped him into office, adding that the idea of people like him in 2010 was to ensure that a person from the minority zone is given the opportunity to rule the nation which led to the support he gave to Jonathan.
The former President advised President Muhammadu Buhari to use education to sustain the progress made so far in the war against Boko Haram, even as he attributed the scourge in the North East to poverty and lack of education among the youths.
According to him, the refusal of governors in the North East to pay their counterpart funds when his administration established the Universal Basic Education (UBE) contributed to children in these areas not being afforded the opportunity to enjoy free and compulsory education.
Obasanjo expressed confidence that President Buhari will crush the Boko Haram menace, saying that this is one of the major reasons the President would be traveling to the United States to seek the assistance of President Barack Obama to tackle the menace head on.
He attributed the problem to poverty, unemployment and lack of education, even as he stressed the need to provide compulsory education in the North East and re-orientate the people of the area on the need tackle the Boko Haram insurgency whole heartedly.
“Education is a moral enterprise which we need to re-engage, the issue of Boko Haram President Buhari should also tackle it from the angle of morale education, if we are able to tackle boko haram with education in our schools, both in the social media that they use, we will dilute their messages and positively win their hearts and others who have been swayed by the jihadists messages.
“To succeed with counter messages, we need to be more appealing, and truthful and as intense as those of boko haram if not more. The capacity of all teachers would be strengthened to deliver such messages; morning and afternoon assemblies of our primary and secondary schools should have a strong dose of such messages, our airwaves and social media should also be saturated with such positive messages even if we defeat boko haram on the battle front, we need education to sustain the victory.
“Let me give you an insight, in 2010 there was a survey of education in Nigeria and among the six geo political zones; in the south west, it was 79 per cent that are educated, in the south east, it is about 78 per cent in the North East, where boko haram dominates, it is 19 per cent and that is one of the reasons people believe that boko haram was a menace waiting to happen and it doesn’t matter what we do, we have to reverse that trend maybe the situation has even gone worse in the last five years because people have moved out of school some schools have been destroyed and we cannot fold our arms and say it is up to the North East.
“it is up to all of us in Nigeria, we have to do what should be done to bring parity in the area of education across the length and breadth of the country. The boko Haram insurgency is serious problem which we pray will be a thing of the past soon. There are several factors into the insurgency, I am sure that President Buhari will do the needful to exterminate this scourge. “That is one of the reasons President Buhari is traveling to the US next week to secure the support of the American Government to fight terrorism in Nigeria. As we tackle it from the military front and other angles, we should also tackle it through the power of education which is what you have asked me to talk about today.” [myad]
Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyika has said that Nigeria has been assailed by one of the most ruthless enemies of humanity that the nation has ever known before, in form of Boko Haram, whose members he swore, are not Muslims or defending Islam.
“I do not have to tell you that never was a nation more in need of reflection and selfless re-dedication than at this moment. Whether we choose to admit it or not, we are assailed by one of the most ruthless enemies of humanity that the nation has ever known.
“Boko Haram claim to derive their inspiration and commitment to the religion of Islam, but you and I know that they are nothing more than bloodthirsty liars and blasphemers. Their actions brand them as obsessive enemies of learning, enlightenment and indeed of humanity. My message to you all is straightforward:
“We must not despair, and we must never submit. We must never forget their victims who must now be counted in thousands. We must dedicate ourselves to the recovery of the missing, the rehabilitation of the displaced, and the healing of the wounded and traumatized.”
Soyinka spoke today in his message to the youths who participated in the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange project, 2015 to mark his 81st birthday in his Ijegba forest home town, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He felicitated with Muslims and advised them to join hands in expelling Boko Haram from the society, adding: “no matter to what part of the nation we primarily belong, irrespective of whatever religion we espouse, and no matter where we find ourselves in these troubled times, we must link arms and stand against the forces of irredeemable evil, and be guided by pronouncements that promote our common humanity in defiance of a murderous minority.
“What binds us all together is that common faculty – the mind – a faculty that identifies us as a living species apart from the common herd, such as those rams and goats that will be slaughtered for feasting when this season of fasting and sacrifices is over. We must not surrender.
“We must not even accommodate those who believe that our youth exist only for enslavement and arbitrary slaughter. These creatures are not part of us. They belong to no known community of humans. We must join hands in expelling them from our midst and remain dedicated to that eternal human undertaking – the pursuit of truth and illumination through the exercise of the mind.” [myad]
The Kogi State Police Command has directed all licensed holders of guns and other firearms in the state to report to its headquarters latest by July 22, 2015.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja, capital of Kogi, on Friday by the command headquarters.
It said that the holders of the guns and firearms should report with their firearms irrespective of whether the licence was obtained from the state or any other states, and irrespective of their renewal status.
The Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO), ASP Sola Collins Adebayo, who signed the statement said that the action was informed by the need to revalidate the licences of the existing holders of such firearms.
According to the statement, the exercise has become necessary in view of the proliferation of firearms and the recent surge in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes associated with the use of firearms in the state.
It said that, any holder of firearms that fails to heed the directive, but later found to be in possession of firearms of any calibre would be made to face the law.
“The case will be treated as being in possession of unlawful firearm and such person will be made to face the full wrath of the law, ” it said.
The police in the statement also urged the public to buy into its efforts to rid the state of all forms of crime by supplying it with useful information that may lead to the arrest of criminals in any part of the state.[myad]
Jubilant crowd struggling to catch a glimpse of President at the Eid Ground today
President Muhammadu Buhari who observed Eid-el-Fitr prayer today at the Abuja central Eid praying ground along Airport road was almost mobbed by ecstatic Muslims who breached security and protocol in a bid to catch a glimpse of him.The incident occurred even as security personnel battle to shield the President as they were almost overwhelmed by the jubilant youths.
President Buhari who managed to wriggle out of the situation later narrated his experience when he hosted some residents of Abuja, who paid him Sallah homage at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Today, during and immediately after the prayers, I think I was bombarded by the youths who almost overwhelmed the security.
“I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car, and I was advised to enter the car from the ADC’s side and I refused. I went across trying to wave my hand to the wild youths who wanted to see me.
“On an occasion like this, it shows that after what happened to President Ronald Reagan of the USA, it is only God almighty that protects leaders; because in a mob like this, anybody with a sharp knife can get access and do a lot of damage.
“So, all the policemen and soldiers that were deployed since six o’clock in the morning before I came out two hours later in the rains cannot protect you; only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us.”
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Obinna Chukwu, with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, in attendance.
Addressing members of the delegation, the President thanked them for their “loyalty to the country, as represented by our institutions and to the system.”
President Buhari congratulated members of the delegation for being privileged among thousands others out there, for meeting him and shaking hands with him at the Presidential Villa without hassles.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President, Bukola Saraki at Eid-ground
“I congratulate you for the privilege you have which is only you residents of the FCT that have the privilege to come and meet me and shake hands with me and take picture with me, other Nigerians are envious of you if you don’t know it.”
The President was presented with a giant Sallah greeting card by the delegation, which also included the John Cardinal Onaiyekan of the Catholic Church; Senator Philip Aduda; Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; ?and former Army Chief, Abdurahman Dambazzau.[myad]
The Special Olympics Nigeria has said that 42 athletes and 18 officials would represent the country at the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, United States.
National Director of the body, Naomi Saliu-Lawal, said today at a news briefing in Lagos that the team would depart the country on July 20.
The Games are scheduled to hold between July 25 and August 2 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Saliu-Lawal expressed optimism that after going through series of training, the team would make the country proud at the games.
“Nigerians should expect the best from the team and I’m assuring the country that the athletes will come back home with medals,” she said.
The director also said that the body had signed a contract with Exxon Mobil to empower the special athletes in vocational skills.
She said that the programme would start as soon as the athletes returned from the games.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the association, Victor Oshinbolu, has commended the coaches and sponsors of the team for their support to the athletes.
Oshinbolu said all hand should be on deck to encourage children with disabilities to take to sports.
“We must put in a collective effort to encourage these athletes in order to give them a sense of belonging in the society,” he said.
He advised the media to help in enlightening the society on the benefits of supporting the physically challenged. [myad]
The Imam of the Eid praying ground in Kuje Quarters, Abuja, Ustaz Ishaq Saidu has warned leaders to beware of the fact that God will hold them responsible for the way they lead the people under them. He said that leadership at any level is a big burden which only those with fear of God should undertake. Delivering a sermon today shortly after leading hundreds of Muslims to observe two Rakah (prayer) in celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri, signalling the end of 29-day Ramadan Fast, Ustaz Ishaq said that it is only the ignorants that would be desperate in search of leadership, adding that if people know the burden God places on leaders, they would run away from it. He said that even the wealthy ones would be asked how did they spend their wealth, saying that the burden that God also places on the wealthy ones would make those who fear Him not to be blessed with amassing but just enough to take care of every day living. He quoted Quran as saying that people should look for wealth but not to amass it to the detriment of others. He lamented over the closure of many industries in Nigeria, a situation that had rendered millions of youths jobless, adding that it is dangerous to allow the youths roaming the streets without jobs. “It is also dangerous to deny farmers the necessary implements to boost food production.” Ustaz Ishaq called on the federal, states and local governments to arrest the drift of Nigeria in many socio-economic fronts, including health, education, agriculture and other sectors. He wanted the governments to judiciously use the economic resources for the benefit of all Nigerians. [myad]
With Dr. Ade Abolurin retirement as Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), President Muhammadu Buhari has approved appointed his deputy, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu to replace him. A statement by special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina today said that Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu hails from Muye in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. The new Commander-General holds a B.Sc in Sociology from the University of Sokoto, and a Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The statement quoted the President as wishing Dr. Abolurin a happy retirement. [myad]
President Muhammadau Buhari has sent a warning to those he called ‘successive cabals of corrupt leaders and their cronies’ to stay clear of his government as the business as usual has gone forever. Said the President: “there is indeed much work to be done, but we must do it well and carefully to ensure that the great opportunity which we now have is not lost to the “business as usual” group who selfishly or shortsightedly prefer a status quo that panders to their personal or group interests.” President Buhari, in his Eid-el-Fitri (Sallah) message to Nigerians today, said that he remained wholly committed to giving the required leadership towards undoing the wrongs of the past and to ensure that Nigeria truly begins to unlock its great potential and that the benefits of its immense national resources are shared and enjoyed by all, “not just by successive cabals of corrupt leaders and their cronies. “I was very aware of your high expectations when I assumed office and I reassure you, my fellow citizens, that since my inauguration on the 29th of May this year, I have been working with utmost dedication to meticulously plan and tackle the many national challenges which we identified and promised to resolve. To succeed however, I need your continued support, understanding and patience. “I fully understand and share the thirst of my long-suffering compatriots for corruption-free government institutions that work efficiently to deliver visible development for the benefit of all citizens. I also share the feelings of those who think that we should be moving faster. But I urge them and all Nigerians to trust that my commitment to real and positive change in our nation is as firm as ever.” President Buhari noted that the adverse effects of years of rot, corruption, inept and bad governance on our nation are immense, but that they are not insurmountable if we all resolve now to place the well-being of our nation above all other considerations and work whole-heartedly with the present administration to achieve greater peace and security across the nation, and reposition our country for faster economic development and progress. The President rejoiced with Nigerians, especially those who have successfully completed the Ramadan fast in keeping with the injunction of our Creator. He said that though we have come to the end of this year’s month of Ramadan, but that the acceptance by Nigerians of its key lessons, of self-denial and sacrifice will serve our dear country well as we strive to overcome our present challenges, undo the damage done by years of bad governance and accelerate the pace of national development. According to President Buhari, some commentators and observers have reviewed our dire circumstances and the many missed opportunities of the past and have concluded that this time is Nigeria’s last chance to get its act together and finally begin to fulfill its God-given potential for greatness. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dissolution of the Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Institutions with effect from today, July 16. A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina today said that until the boards are reconstituted, Chief Executive Officers of the affected parastatals, agencies and institutions are to refer all matters requiring the attention of their boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their supervising ministries. The statement said that while the dissolution does not affect Federal Executive Bodies listed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it covers administrative or technical committees and other similar organs established by the now dissolved boards. [myad]
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The Nasarawa State government has suspended its tradition of sponsoring pilgrims to the holy land of Saudi Arabia.
