Press Release

All rationale and conscious citizens of this great country, Nigeria should join in condemning the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for recklessly demolishing the Rainbow Town Central Mosque located at the Trans-Amadi Area of Port Harcourt, and for irresponsibly declaring Rivers State a “Christian State,” and claiming to owe no apology to anyone.

Muslims and other right-thinking and peace-loving citizens of this country should come together to condemn, in strongest terms, this irresponsible, reckless, rabble-rousing Governor whose apparent aim is to ignite a religious conflagration, the kind of which has never been seen in recent times.

If a Muslim Governor were to come out openly and declare his state a “Muslim State” and proceed to demolish a church for any reason, all hell would have since broken loose in Nigeria, and sections of the Christian community would have since rushed to the “international community” and even the United Nations seeking protection against Muslims.

The action of Governor Wike is a pointer to his being induced by other than rationale brain waves, as no leader in his right senses would contemplate stoking these embers of discord in a country so religiously, ethnically and regionally charged as Nigeria.

We must repeat that were a Muslim Governor to be reckless to utter even half of what Governor Wike uttered, the fragile peace holding in this country would have since been jeopardized because of the intolerant nature of a section of the citizenry. Yet here we are, with the added tragedy of a cohort Christian clergy lining up to bless and endorse Governor Wike’s action.

Nigeria belongs to all, and no state in Nigeria could claim to be mono religious. It only takes a responsible leadership to carry everybody along. When I held sway as governor of Kano State between 2003 and 2011, we encouraged and guided the people to lead their lives according to the tenets of Islamic Law (Shari’ah). But we neither became power-drunk to demolish Churches nor disregarded the provisions of section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to declare Kano an Islamic State. Our fair dealings with every section of the community earned us commendation, even from Kano State Chapter and National Body of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at different occasions. These Christian leaders are a still alive today to attest to my claim. It may interest Wike to learn that Mr. Tala Ilo from Bayelsa State and Mr. Chris Chibuzor Azuka from Anambra State, (both, born-again Christians) were special advisers in my administration.

Wike’s claim that Rivers is a Christian State is pathological. It suggests that not only are the people of Rivers State 100% Christians, but Muslims and adherents of other religions from other parts of Nigeria cannot make Rivers State their home. It also insinuates that Rivers State operates a government, a constitution of its own, different from the Nigerian Nation. It means Rivers State does not recognize or protect the interests of people like Alabo Mujahid Dokubo Asari, Alhaji Isa Boaima, Alhaji Sani Okiri, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Pe, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Pepple, Alhaji Sulaiman Akani, Alhaji Ibrahim Orlu, Alhaji Musa Brown, Chief Hassan Douglas and Alhaji Mustapha Wakama who are all Muslims and productive citizens of Rivers State.

This is not the first time this Governor would show his reckless side in utterances and actions. It could be recalled that last year, he threatened his own Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) hierarchy that they either hold the party’s convention in Port Harcourt or, as he vowed, risk his destroying the party. Rather than risk the wrath of this single, reckless and irresponsible individual, the party’s leaders sheepishly acquiesced and danced to his whims by going to Rivers for their convention.

These actions and utterances of the Rivers Governor manifest the highest forms of irresponsibility by a so-called elected official in this polity. It is an attempt to truncate this nation’s democracy. It is a serious security threat. We therefore call on the Government at the Centre and all security agencies to call Governor Wike to order, and to hold him responsible for any breach of the peace that his actions and utterances could cause in this country.

In the end, I call on the Muslim community in Rivers State and Muslims throughout Nigeria to remain calm and law-abiding. Let us not copy Wike’s despicable attitude and unruly behaviour. Unlike him, other Christians are fair-headed and peace loving. Let us not lose our sense of decency, as two wrongs do not make a right. We shall however encourage Rivers State Muslim Community to be firm and focused; to pursue their constitutional right in the court of law as they did and won their cases in the past. This time, they will demand the rebuilding of Trans-Amadi Mosque and the payment of compensation. They will also demand Governor Nyesom Wike to unreservedly apologize to Nigerians.

Thank you.

Ibrahim Shekarau, CON, Sardaunan Kano
Senator, Federal Republic of Nigeria
(Kano Central Senatorial Zone)
August 29, 2019

#SenIbrahimShekarauMedia

Professor Jibrin Isah Diso is the first blind professor in Nigeria. He was born a blind man right from his birth.

He has more than 10 publications to his credit in the faculty of education, Bayero University, Kano.

#HausaFacts

#SenIbrahimShekarauMedia

THE President of the FRN, has swear- in Hon. Muhammad Sabo Nanono and Rtd Hon. Bashir Salihi Magashi as senior ministers in charge of Agriculture and Defence respectively in the NexLevel APC cabinet.

It my single honor to congratulate the duo as esteemed colleagues on their inauguration. It is now for us all to join hands across all divides to work for the success of the Kano in particular and Nigeria as a whole as well as the peace and prosperity of our nation.

I am deeply indebted in gratitude on behalf of good people of Kano Central Senatorial District and well-meaning Kano people and other Nigerians to thank and appreciate Mr President.

-MIS

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PRESS RELEASE

It would be recalled that the Court on 5th August, 2019 granted the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem EL-Zakzaky leave to travel to India for medical treatment. Consequently, the Government and its concerned agencies agreed to obey the Order and immediately planned to achieve the success of the Medical trip.

The government went further to arrange a private air craft for the said movement and convenience of the parties but El-Zakzaky turned this offer down and instead preferred to travel on a commercial flight for which he chose the Emirates.

It may further be recalled that in line with the Court Order, El-Zakzaky was supposed to embark on the trip with State officials. His choice to be accompanied by his aides and personal Doctors was not opposed by the government.

On 12th August, 2019, he and other members of the entourage set off on the journey to India via Dubai. It is to be noted that El-Zakzaky particularly chose Mendata Hospital, India. However, on reaching Dubai, El-Zakzaky began to display ulterior motives against laid down procedures.

First, he requested that his passport be handed over to him but the State officials would not budge to his pressure. The situation became worse in India. El-Zakzaky had increased his demands. At this stage, he refused to subject himself to preliminary medical checks including laboratory tests.

He demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds. He requested to be allowed to check into a 5-Star Hotel instead of being admitted in the hospital. But the Indian authorities turned down his 5-Star hotel stay request on the ground that he came into the country for medicals and not as a tourist (more so that his Visa was issued on medical grounds and not on tourism). He demanded that Police protection be withdrawn from him by the Indian authorities.

Against medical ethics and standard practice, he requested to nominate Doctors of his choice to join the ones tasked by Mendata Hospital to perform medical treatment on him and his wife. This, of course, created a stalemate for which the Hospital insisted that he would not dictate to or direct it on the choice of medical personnel to carry the required medical treatment on them.

Frustrated by his antics, the Indian authorities have expressed willingness to return him to Nigeria with immediate effect. This is on the account that they will not allow him use their country to internationalize his group’s activities.

Against this background, the Nigerian government wishes to commend the stand of India and as well apologize to her for the unruly behaviour of El-Zakzaky. Similarly, the attention of the public and indeed the international community is hereby drawn to these unfortunate developments.

The government also wishes to use this opportunity to affirm its readiness to undertake the prosecution of El-Zakzaky through due process if and when he is returned to the country. Therefore, his foul cry that he is being held in circumstances worse than he was in Nigeria should be disregarded.

Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Information,
Abuja
14th August, 2019

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An Empowerment Projects was nominated in 2019 federal budget for Kano Central senatorial district. The budget has since been passed. It was initiative of previous Senate.
As the incumbent senator, I will, God willing take it up with agencies concerned

https://t.co/3Choxb0h1a

From the look of things, Omoyele Sowore – SaharaReporters’ publisher, may likely end up behind bars for a very long time like Dasuki and El-Zakzaky.

No doubt, his call for a revolution, which the authorities interpreted as ‘regime change’, may have landed him into trouble. But this is not the reason I am writing this piece.

To put it matter-of-factly, this call for revolution sounded, to me, suspicious and ‘dangerous’, and here are my reasons:

First, like the braggadocious and rodomontade Nnamdi Kanu who misled many of his kinsmen and suddenly escape to Isreal at a time the country was almost on fire, this same people calling for revolution will eventually flee the country as soon as the revolution turns bloody and Nigerians begin to slaughter one other.

Second, the likes of Sowore should know that there are some evil people waiting to hijack this revolution (should it happen) and turn it into religious or ethnic or intrastate war. And believe me, Nigeria will not survive a second civil war. Any full blown war now would not only lead to the complete disintegration of Nigeria but will also lead to the death of many Nigerians. And take it or leave it, the disintegration of Nigeria could signal the end of Africa.

Third, the likes of Sowore should also know that Nigeria is currently at war with extremists, and Jihadists will quickly capitalise on the attendant chaos and anarchy such revolution will throw the country into by launching massive attacks on key infrastructures of government in order to cripple the country, either economically or militarily, like they (Jihadists) immediately did in Libya during the 2011 Arab Spring revolution which swept away Muammar Gaddafi.

The Arab Spring revolution, which first started in Tunisia, led to armed rebellion and eventual full-scale civil war that is currently engulfing Syria. This is because the enemies of Syria and Jihadists movements like ISIS capitalised on the Syrian crisis and eventually made Syria ungovernable and as one of the most dangerous places on earth today.

Therefore, Nigeria cannot afford to go the way of Libya and Syria. Nigerians should resist any attempt by any individual or group of persons or foreign elements to cause the disintegration of the country. If such happens, what is happening in Libya and Syria today will be a child’s play.

You could imagine the regrets going through the minds of many Libyans and Syrians today. Only few days ago, the Prime Minister of Libya, Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to use Nigeria’s position to restore peace in his country, Libya.

Nigerians should be wise and learn from history.

Christopher Godwin Akaba is a public affairs analyst, peace advocate and social media commentator, and can be reached on (chrisakaba97@gmail.com)

#SenIbrahimShekarauMedia

Below is what your state received recently;

1 Abia state – ₦5,715,765,871.48
2 Adamawa state. – ₦6,114,300,352.68
3 Akwa Ibom state – ₦10,000,000,000.00
4 Anambra state – ₦6,121,656,702.34
5 Bauchi state – ₦6,877,776,561.25
6 Bayelsa state. – ₦10,000,000,000.00
7 Benue state – ₦6,854,671,749.25
8 Borno state – ₦7,340,934,865.32
9 Cross River state – ₦6,075,343,946.93
10 Delta state – ₦10,000,000,000.00
11 Ebonyi state – ₦4,508,083,379.98
12 Edo state. – ₦6,091,126,592.49
13 EKiti state – ₦4,772,836,647.08
14 Enugu state. – ₦5,361,789,409.66
15 Gombe state. – ₦4,472,877,698.19
16 Imo state. – ₦7,000,805,182.97
17 Jigawa state. – ₦7,107,666,706.76
18 Kaduna state. – ₦7,721,729,227.55
19 Kano state. – ₦10,000,000,000.00
20 Katsina state. – ₦8,202,130,909.85
21 Kebbi state – ₦5,977,499,491.45
22 Kogi state – ₦6,027,727,595.80
23 Kwara state. – ₦5,120,644,326.57
24 Lagos state. – ₦8,371,938,133.11
25 Nasarwa state. – ₦4,551,049,171.12
26 Niger state – ₦7,210,793,154.95
27 Ogun state – ₦5,739,374,694.46
28 Ondo state. – ₦7,003,648,314.28
29 Osun state. – ₦6,314,106,340.62
30 Oyo state. – ₦7,901,609,864.25
31 Plateau state. – ₦5,644,079,055.41
32 Rivers state – ₦10,000,000,000.00
33 Sokoto state. – ₦6,441,128,546.76
34 Taraba state – ₦5,612,014,491.52
35 Yobe state – ₦5,413,103,116.59
36 Zamfara state. -₦5,442,385,594.49
37 Federal Capital Territory – ₦684,867,500.04

Total – ₦243,795,465,195,20

Hold your governors accountable and don’t call Buhari’s name when you allow them to misappropriate the fund. Be the watch dog!

– Toks Kenneth Aledare

Press Statement:

-As Kano security summit replicates in Katsina for the zone

Disturbed by the lingering security challenges in North West zone, governors of the seven states from the zone attended a security summit, similar to the one held few months back in Karaye Emirate of Kano state, with the view to finding lasting solutions to the security challenges engulfing the states.

The summit was a larger version of Kano model, as it brought together all governors of the seven states in the zone, the Inspector General of Police Muhammad Adamu, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone One, Kano, all seven Commissioners of Police, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and other critical stakeholders.

Katsina state governor Aminu Bello Masari hosted the governors and other stakeholders at Government House, Katsina. While the meeting was convened by the Inspector General of Police. Apart from the seven governors, the governor of Niger state sent representative, from the North Central.

As the Kano strategic security summit, which included non-security actors, the Katsina Summit also brought together members of Vigilante groups and former bandits, (unlike in Kano, which had cattle rustlers) and repented cattle rustlers.

Ganduje commended the Summit while speaking to journalists and described it as all-important exercise, that discussed thoroughly about the issues at stake. Which he was optimistic that all resolutions reached would be implemented.

While maintaining his stance that movement of herdsmen from one place to another should be stopped, for overturning the long held cultural traits of traditional rearing to become socio-economic practice with the aim of boosting their (Fulani) economy and that of the country as a whole, he opined that they should go with the present day realities.

That as part of the long term plan “…as I see it, is to suggest and come to a reality that, the issue of herdsmen moving from one place to another is no more attainable now. While it is more of a socio-cultural issue, we need to make it a socio-economic issue.”

Adding that, “They should be settled in one place, so as to provide them with education, health care services, security, commercial activities and other social services for their wellbeing. It is through that they can be able to rear their cattle in a modern way. Where they will also have modern way of processing their milk and so on.”

A few year back Ganduje succeeded in causing the repentance of many cattle rustlers who were terrorising Fulani herdsmen in Falgore Forest and its surroundings. After accepting and integrating them into the larger society he empowered them. And since then, cattle rustling became a thing of the past in Kano.

An a governor of the most populous state in the country, who understands the governance in relation to security bottlenecks, he went to the Katsina Summit with many experiences to share with his colleagues on ways to follow with a view to finding lasting solutions.

He discused with the media men after the meeting that, “We have medium and long term plans to overcome this security challenge plaguing our Zone, the North West.”

Another aspect that makes governor Ganduje to be a critical stakeholder in this process is, his ability to make good use of community policing in the state. He believes that working hand in hand with communities in the area of security is not only vital, but necessary for proper growth and development of the society.

“In Kano, apart from the good synergy between our security agencies, all security agencies are getting good and patriotic cooperation from members of the public. We tried our best to let people know and understand that security of our lives and properties concerns all and sundry,” he highlights.

Abba Anwar
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State
Thursday 1st August, 2019

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