Thanks For Your Support, Jonathan Greets Senate President At 66
Sen. David MarkPresident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed personal gratitude to the Senate President, Senator David Mark for the support he has accorded his government’s transformation agenda.
In a message he sent today to Senator Mark on his 66 birthday tomorrow, President Jonathan said that the successes recorded so far by his government are traceable to such support.
The message, signed by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, acknowledged the patriotic dedication of Senator Mark to national unity, peace and progress.
President Jonathan also expressed his appreciation of the Senate President’s unflinching support and contributions towards the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation.
“As you mark your 66th birthday anniversary, I extend very warm felicitations to you on behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to keep and prosper you, especially as you continue to patriotically give of yourself in support of our transformational efforts and in dedicated service to our fatherland.”
He wished the Senate President a very happy birthday.
Even before the 492 members of the National Conference could find time to settle down to look at various issues of national interest, Senate majority leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba has already cast dark veil on the final outcome from the conference.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has revealed that Delta state government had to settle the kidnapers of Chief Edwin Clark’s son, Ebikeme, before he was left off the hook at the weekend.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has rejected recommendation of the Stephen Oronsaye’s Committee on the restructuring of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related matters Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Anti Corruption Tribunal be merged.
Nigeria Army is not only angry with an unknown soldier who alleged that some military officers are fighting on the side of Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, but that it is now investigating the person behind such allegation.
Persecution Of Innocent Muslims by Military Men In Operations In Nasarawa And Zamfara States By Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu
The dimension of extra judicial killing of Muslims by the Military, on a mere whim of unsubstantiated suspicion, leaves much to be desired. It clearly depicts that Muslims have become endangered species as they are murdered and maimed indiscriminately in the guise of fighting terrorism.
The sad incident of Keana 15 is another scenario where the settlements of innocent Muslims were mercilessly massacred. These are people who have been exonerated by the State Governor as being peace loving people and law abiding. It is questionable that an operation of this magnitude would be carried out without the knowledge of the Chief Security Officer of the State, nor other relevant security bodies. JNI is concerned that the perpetrators of these genocidal acts against Muslims may go scot-free as it was the case with Apo Killings and other similar heinous acts.
The Benue State Governor and his deputy have recently extoled the Fulani of Benue for the long outstanding relationship and social cohesion between them. The social relationship between them had been sustained for almost a century.
How can all these suddenly changed whereby Fulani in the next neighbour were accused of simplicity?
The various reports of human right abuses and massacre of hundreds of Muslims in Maiduguri by the Military, as reported by human right groups, is painful and unacceptable.
Criminals, on one hand and the supposed protectors of the innocent on the other, have hemmed in innocent muslims.
We have found the usage of the term Fulani herdsmen, hiding their religious identity as an attempt to wipe out Muslims in the guise of fighting terrorism. This is absurd.
Why is it that when a Christian commits a crime it is not called a Christian crime or terrorism? The fact remains, crime is crime.
It is sad to note that a Muslim milk-maid who was a mother of five, was raped and killed by a military man around Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory.
We are not aware of any step taken by the military authority on the matter. As usual, they will buy time and the case will die.
We can say without any fear of contradiction that there is a grand agenda to destabilize the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. If any Nigerian is in doubt regarding the hidden grand agenda to destabilize Muslims in Nigeria, the Zamfara State incidence is a case in study.
An event where vigilante personnel working to restore peace would be the subject of a grand massacre, tells much about the chaos and insecurity some enemies want to push our states into. We call on all our Governors, politicians and indeed every well-meaning citizen to do something before it gets out of hand.
Where is the human right compliance and rule of engagement by the military personnel involved in maintaining peace and security? Why are the defaulting military personnel not brought to book as deterrent to others and forestall future occurrence?
The military should know that it is extremely dangerous to polarise security agencies along religious line. It will have far reaching negative effect in the country, especially at this time, when efforts of all are required to cushion the effect of the pains we are passing through.
JNI unequivocally condemns the extra judicial killing of 15 Fulani Muslims in Keana, the raping and subsequent killing of Binta Usman, the milk maid and all the human right abuses on innocent Muslims in Maiduguri.
We strongly call on government to bring to justice, the perpetrators of all these transgressions against innocent citizens who have the right to practice the religion they chose.
Dr. Khalid Is Secretary-General of Jamatu Nasril Islam