A Sharia court in the state of Kano on Monday said it had found a 22-year-old musician, Yahaya Aminu Sharif, guilty of using derogatory expressions against the Prophet Mohammed in one of his songs and sentenced him to death by hanging.
Sharif had reportedly circulated the song on WhatsApp in March, prompting angry demonstrators to burn down his family house.
Media reports said that it wasn’t immediately clear how the lyrics violated the local blasphemy law and Sharif may appeal the verdict.
The spokesperson for the Kano region justice ministry, Baba-Jibo Ibrahim, said that Sharif had legal representation during the trial that went on for four months.
The trial was reportedly held behind closed doors for security reasons.
Sharif is the second person to be handed a death sentence for blasphemy since several states in northern Nigeria reintroduced a stricter version of the Sharia law in early 2000s.
Many have also had their limbs amputated under the law.
Kano is one of the regions in the north where the Islamic law runs parallel to the state and federal justice system.
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday gave strong assurances that security will be restored to Borno State, the Northeast and the nation at large, following the recent adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with the five Northeast State Governors, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of intelligence agencies, President Buhari said:
“Things will improve very soon. We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some are being cleared, and others still coming. We need patience with acquisition of equipment. You need to train the trainers for their usage ahead of their deployment to the field.”
“I have listened to your presentation,” he told the Governors, who spoke through their Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, adding, “I assure you, the Northeast Governors, especially that of Borno, that we go to bed and wake up thinking about you, how to secure our country, that is the responsibility of every government. Our party campaigned in 2015 on three major objectives, among which is Security. We said the same thing in 2019 and Nigerians believed us. We are doing our best and we will continue to do even better.”
The President lamented the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, making scarce resources even scarcer, coupled with its severe impact on the supply chain of military equipment and spare parts.
“Our government is doing its best on the question of equipment and the military know. We have equipment coming from some countries. The acquisition of military wares and spares is not easy, especially if you are not the manufacturer,” he emphasized.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Adviser and all the Service Chiefs who spoke in support of the President, assured that things will get better soon. They made a strong case for strengthening ties among the military, state governments, traditional institutions and all communities and the residents of the region.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai gave an assessment of the current efforts, stressing that Boko Haram terrorists have been flushed out of all the States in the region, leaving Borno State as the last stop.
According to him, “There are no Boko Haram terrorists in neighbouring states. They have been pushed out, and now cornered in Borno State. We are coordinating with civil and traditional authorities, mobilising and reinforcing and all we need is patience. We will not relent.”
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, briefed the meeting on the acquisition of military aircraft, stressing that the imminent arrival of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, known as drones with more than 10 hours of flying time, would strongly reinforce the battle front.
Briefs were also received on equipment needs of the Police as well as the changing alliances between criminal gangs and terrorist groups in the region from the Intelligence Community.
In their address at the beginning of the meeting, the Northeast Governors noted that the security situation in the region has now greatly improved, compared to the time the President assumed office.
While commending President Buhari for the establishment of the Northeast Development Commission and the take-off of Mambila Dam Power Project, they however, called for attention to the condition of most of their roads.
They also warned of the consequences of a “War Economy” and the need to address the root causes of the insurgency.
According to the Governors, “A large population in the region, especially in Borno State, have no access to their homes and farmlands,” while calling for efforts to curtail the “increasing trust deficit between the population and the armed forces.”
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has responded to the criticisms that have trailed his controversial condolence message on the passing of former Senator, Buruji Kashamu.
Obasanjo had said that late Mr Kashamu, who was wanted in the U.S for alleged drug offences, was able to escape justice but could not evade death.
“Senator Esho Jinadu (Buruji Kashmu) in his lifetime used the manoeuvre of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria,” Mr Obasanjo said.
“But no legal, political, cultural, social or even medical manoeuvre could stop the cold hands of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.
“May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he added.
Standing by his earlier position, Obasanjo said on Monday, “when I was growing up, in our community, when anyone known with bad character died, we usually only mourn him and bury him. No eulogy. No praise-singing.”
He added: “There is an English saying that urges us never to talk ill of the dead. But in this case, we are not talking ill of the dead. We are only drawing lessons from the life and history of the dead. I am not gloating over his death. It is sad for anyone to die and we must mourn him.
“But we must learn from such a passage. There will be bad lessons. There will be good lessons. But we should not just be praise-singing or eulogising the dead, especially when there is no need to do so.
“We should not cover up bad histories and conducts so that the right lessons can be learnt.
“As you know, I say my mind as truthfully as I know them and in line with my convictions. People are free to say whatever they want about my comment. I don’t begrudge people for holding opinions on whatever I say or do.
“Let people say whatever they like when I transit. Now that I am alive, am I not being abused? Whenever I transit, let people say whatever they know or think about me. Let them say it as it is. What my maker thinks of me is what matters most,” he said.
Mr Kashamu, a controversial politician who for years was wanted by the U.S government for alleged drug offences but managed to beat repeated extradition attempts, died in Lagos Saturday from coronavirus complications.
He was buried on Sunday in his home town, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun state.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has accused the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of being the reason for under development in the state.
In his words: ”I have decided to take the final decision as the executive Governor of Abia state.
“Nnamdi Kanu has done harms to Abia State! He is the reason I didn’t develop Abia and complete some of the projects I promised to do because each time I go to the FG to demand money, they always tell me that my state is harboring terrorists.
“Nnamdi committed an offense and ran away before the unfortunate death of his father. Now it’s time to make a decision.
“If after 21 days from now and he fails to come back and be crowned the king of Ibeku, I will have no option than to appoint a king myself and whoever I appoint must remain till I leave the office.
“I am the most powerful man in Abia and whatever decision I take must stand,”
Sunday evening, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola and his wife, Mrs. Kafayat Olaitan, hosted Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) and other senior army officers to a State dinner.
The Governor said he was indeed honoured and proud to welcome home an illustrious son of Osun and the pride of the nation’s military, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun.
He described Lt. Gen. Adeosun as a mentor for our teeming youth and role model in discipline, service, and leadership, adding that the officer remained an abiding hope and a signpost for a better and sustainable Osun that the current administration is strives to build.
Governor Sani Bello of Niger state has called for quick establishment of a Naval Base in Shagunu, Borgu Local Government Area of the state to tackle the influx of bandits.
Bello, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs Mary Berje, in Minna made the call when he visited Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ina, Chief of Naval Staff.
He said that having a naval base would tackle the influx of bandits from neighbouring countries into some parts of the state.
The governor said that the base would further help in securing lives and property.
He said that the state government was working on provision of basic infrastructure and social amenities such as road, water and power.
He added that the presence of a naval base in Shagunu would improve the socio-economic activities of the area.
He said it would also serve as security check to transnational crime since it was a border area with other West African countries.
In his response, Ibas assured the Governor that the issue will be revisited with a view to expedite actions towards the establishment of the Naval Base in the State.
He commended the Governor for his proactiveness towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents of the state.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Prophet Ebenezer Ajigbotoluwa, the Founder and General Overseer of The Church of Lord, Olomore, Abeokuta, for defiling and impregnating two under age sisters (names withheld).
The suspect was arrested following a report to the police by the mother of the victims.
According to the spokesman of the Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the mother reported at Lafenwa Police Station that she fell sick sometimes in 2018 and was taken the church for spiritual healing.
She stated further that Ajigbotoluwa took advantage of her sickness and asked her entire family of six to move into the church premises to avoid being afflicted with the same sickness.
There and then, the prophet allegedly started having sex with her daughters, aged 16 and 13, unknown to her.
The pastor impregnated the two underaged girls and went on to procure abortion for them in a private clinic.
Aside from this, Ajigbotoluwa also defrauded the family of N2 million, which he took for what he called spiritual cleansing.
Upon the report, the DPO, Lafenwa Division, CSP Muraina Ayilara, led his men to the church, but the place had been deserted.
The CP then directed that the suspect be hunted for and brought to book.
In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO and his men embarked on intelligence and technical based investigation and their efforts paid off when the prophet was arrested on August 6, 2020 at about 5am.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of most of the allegations leveled against him, adding that he ran away when he heard that police were looking for him.
Recovered from his home were assorted dangerous charms.
The Commissioner of Police, Edward A. Ajogun, has ordered the suspect to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
Ajogun also warned those hiding under the umbrella of religion to perpetrate evils to desist from it or meet their Waterloo.
The CP therefore appealed to members of the public to beware of those wolves in sheep skin masquerading as men of God as they were out to milk them dry before destroying their lives.
The recent appointment of the governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum as the Chairman of the newly created North East Governors Forum is indeed a welcome development. It can only be hoped that the vision behind the creation of the forum is achieved given the security challenges in North-East Nigeria.
I have longed advocated for a body that would assist in finetuning strategies that would lead to the implementation of policies that would address the security challenges in the region as well as bring about the much-needed reconstruction of a region that has witnessed phenomenal destruction since the Boko Haram insurgent group began its violent campaign in 2009.
I do not know whose brainchild is this. However, if the motive behind the establishment of the forum is indeed for the best interest of the people and not an avenue to score political gains, then North-East Nigeria would be better for it.
I recall that in some forums, it has been speculated that one of the challenges of the region is the lack of commitment from the political authorities in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. It was also posited that there had been a lack of cooperation from the governments of the states in the region with the military authorities in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram insurgency.
I am glad the North East Governors Forum is coming up now even though there hasn’t been any clear cut mission statement other than the fact that the governor of Borno State was elected as its pioneer chairman for a period of two years and the headquarters of the forum situated in Maiduguri, Borno state.
Suffice to mention the meeting was attended by governors of Adamawa- Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Gombe- Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, Borno- Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Bauchi- Sen. Bala Mohammed, Deputy Governors of Taraba- Engr Haruna Manu and Yobe, Idi Barde Gubana.
Like I mentioned earlier, this is a fantastic initiative but in all honesty, not the way to go because this is not the time for political grandstanding of any sort given the myriads of challenges in North-East Nigeria, with Borno State the worst hit.
I had expected that the emphasis should be more on asking critical questions on why the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have continued to fester in Borno state, unlike other North-Eastern states that have recorded fewer cases of Boko Haram attacks in the past years. We must ask critical questions because nothing happens in a vacuum. We must also ask questions as to what the governors of other states in the North-East states did that reduced activities of the Boko Haram group in their domains drastically.
Make no mistake, that Borno state remains the only state where Boko Haram has continued to operate raises a red flag. While some have questioned the political authorities in the state, some have also alluded to the fact that there may be some level of conspiracies that have continued to bolster the activities of the terror gang in the state.
This is my challenge and why I have issues with the governor of Borno State, who seems to be more interested in media grandstanding that facing the real issues on the ground. I expected that as a professor, he should have deployed his intellectual proficiency to researching on why Borno State has remained the haven for Boko Haram insurgents.
I also expected that the governor of Borno State ought to have done more by convoking a parley where Borno elites and technocrats would be in attendance to deliberate on the issues affecting the state and proffering a solution to it because as they say all politics is local.
I make bold to state that one of the reasons why the Boko Haram activities has festered in Borno State is a function of misplacement of priorities and living in self-denial. This is on the heels that other states in North-East Nigeria that experienced the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group have been able to galvanize the needed support and resumed their normal lives while Borno State continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons.
The fact that the governors of Yobe and Taraba states sent in representatives indicate that they probably have moved on to other ventures in the task of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. In contrast, Borno State has remained the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency despite the efforts of the Nigerian military.
My take is this: Governor Babagana Zulum and others of the Kanuri ethnic stock have either by commission or omission refused to come to terms with reality to understand that the task at hand is to ensure that Borno State becomes uninhabitable for the Boko Haram insurgents, just like other states in North-East Nigeria.
It must be realized that indeed charity must begin at home and home is Borno state because it is no longer tenable why other states in North-East Nigeria have nipped in the bud the activities of Boko Haram, while the state continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons. It is either the governor is accusing the military or undertaking ventures that does not address the issues at hand.
We cannot run away from our shadows because the Boko Haram members are not spirits. We cannot also walk before crawling. That would be the height of self-deceit and essentially my grouse with the governor of Borno State.
I had expected a more proactive approach that would translate the hopes and aspirations of the millions of Borno indigenes that have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. I had also expected that the governor would have drawn from lessons from other states to find a lasting solution to the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group in the state.
Charity must indeed begin and this much governor Babagana Zulum must come to terms with as the Chief Security Officer of the State. I dare say that the solution to the Boko Haram crisis in Borno State lies in Borno State and this much the political elites must admit. They must also acknowledge that the people have suffered untold hardship hence the need for the sincerity of heart and purpose in the governance of the state. I don’t want to believe that the political authorities do not know what to do in the state with regards to bringing the activities of the Boko Haram group to an end.
As mentioned earlier, the establishment of the North East Governors Forum is a good start but not the way to go for now. In my opinion, it should be the overarching medium for the entrenchment of peace and development in the North East region, but not after the Boko Haram insurgency has been adequately addressed in the state and the region.
The various stakeholders in Borno state should begin the process of convoking a summit to address the issues at hand. The religious and community leaders must be called to question, and they must justify the positions they hold in the state. The political leadership must also put the interest of the people at heart in the governance of the state. They must act where they need to and admit their shortcomings over the years instead of engaging in a blame game that serves no good to the deprived and famished people of Borno state.
They must also take a position to end the Boko Haram conflict in the state. Not after all of these are in place, nothing else would make sense to the people of the state that have witnessed years of sorrow, tears and blood. This is possible if only the governor spearheads the process of rebirth. He should look no farther because charity must indeed begin from home. This is my take.
Bulama is a UN trained peace facilitator based in Damaturu.
The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has called on Government to release adequate funds directly to the schools to cut off ‘middlemen’s taxes’, to enable them prepare for and sustain the care of the students who are preparing for exit examinations in the COVID-19 era.
NAE also appealed for public-Private arrangements to help with direct donations to schools, stressing that supplementary school feeding is needed at the time of examinations.
The Academy in a statement jointly signed by its President, Elizabeth Eke and Publicity Secretary, Owoicho Akpa made available to journalists in Abuja, advised that in the interim, the other measures on training of teachers and improvement of learning environments should take place before any other classes join.
According to the statement, COVID-19 has ushered in a new normal for all and there is need for adaptation of mentality to be able to cope for both private and public schools, their proprietors and stakeholders.
It said since all the examinations will be taken in the next four months, the total number of the children moving around and involved in different examinations will be huge and they must be properly cared for.
“On this occasion, parents have the final responsibility to decide whether their children return to school or not although with all the examinations scheduled, the temptation to follow the tide may be very strong. Those who decide to send their children should not be deterred from doing so for lack of funds to rather they should be enabled to follow through with their decision.
“The school authorities and management should ensure that the guidelines are followed. Orientation for teachers and students no matter how brief is essential. Students and teachers are expected to be tested. The school as a whole should be sanitised (fumigated), social distancing observed especially in the examination arrangements, masks made available, sanitisers, running water and soap provided.
“For those schools without pipe borne water in the rural areas, tanks ought to be provided. Verification checks and continuous monitoring are necessary both through self-assessment and with external inspectors.Schools in areas that are physically insecure, should be provided with armed security.
“NAE is hosting 3 webinars from August to discuss comprehensive strategies for dealing with short and long term effects of the coronavirus”, it read.
NAE appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education decision which has saved the country the embarrassment of an open fractionalisation of the Nigerian front as some states exercised their concurrency rights in education and decided to send in their students for the WAEC examinations.
It observed that:”opinions are sharply divided as to whether or not the resumption should take place. As on the global scene, arguments hinge on balancing the health implications arising from the continuously spreading Covid 19 pandemic, especially in the face of inadequate response strategies and shortcomings in testing, against the need to make progress in education and reopen the economy.
“The fear is that the resumption may exacerbate the situation and lead to higher casualty. Some have even expressed fears about the heightened level of insecurity, the inadequacy of preparation for the examinations and shared concerns about mass failure with attendant consequences.
“We in the NAE do not wish away the profound arguments but we have the professional responsibility to accept the resumption and advise on how best to circumvent a worsening situation. As a people, we must also ensure that this decision turns out to be beneficial to Nigeria and does not lead to regrets. We note that schools’ resumption in other climes e.g. many states in the United States, worsened the spread of the virus. Out of those experiences, precautionary measures have been learnt.
“The FME has very detailed, well thought out and relevant guidelines. The dissemination of the contents and preparedness to follow them, however, cannot be guaranteed. Judging from government inability to enforce the general NCDC endorsed guidelines and many Nigerians’ tendency towards indiscipline and levity in obeying directives at this time, the guidelines may not be observed. Resumption of schools must be seen as a very grave responsibility by all”.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, has charged the newly commissioned Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers of Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2020 to positively deploy the knowledge acquired during their training to defend the territorial integrity and national interests of Nigeria.
The President gave this charge Saturday, 8 August 2020, during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of 114 DSSC officer cadets held at the NAF Base, Kaduna after 6 months of rigorous and intensive military training at the NAF’s Military Training Centre (MTC).
he successful completion of military training of the officer cadets, which comprised 2 medical consultants, 14 medical and veterinary doctors, 20 nurses and 78 other medical specialists, is another laudable step taken by the current NAF leadership as part of its human capacity building initiatives to meet the Nation’s security challenges.
While congratulating the newly commissioned officers for withstanding the rigours of the training, the Reviewing Officer/Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) at the colourful POP, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, reminded them that the occasion was just the beginning of yet another challenging but rewarding career as young officers in the NAF. He further reminded them that the military profession requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work, among other virtues.
He noted that these virtues were even more critical at this crucial point when the Nation is battling with the challenges of insecurity and the NAF, along with sister Services, is expected to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians to peacefully pursue their individual legitimate aspirations. “Such noble service demands exceptional courage, commitment and patriotism and Nigeria will continue to demand such qualities from you”, he added.
Speaking further, the SGOH emphasized that the Government was doing so much to confront the security challenges bedeviling the nation by taking necessary measures to safeguard lives and properties and to drastically cut off all forms of criminality. “I gladly inform you and indeed all Nigerians that the NAF is consistently supporting these Government efforts.
Therefore, as you graduate, I urge you all to positively deploy the training that has been inculcated in you to defend the territorial integrity and national interest of our dear country”, he reiterated.
The SGOH also urged the young officers to do their best to further enhance the NAF’s efforts towards boosting qualitative healthcare for personnel, their dependants and members of NAF’s host communities, including sustaining medical outreaches for civilians and victims of insurgency and banditry.
“This pragmatic approach to promote civil military relations will go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of the communities, thus assisting in timely containment of insurgency, banditry and other security challenges”, he said.
The newly commissioned officers were further reminded of the need to subject themselves to both military and civil laws and protect the Nation’s growing democracy.
While urging them to be vigilant and guard their utterances and conduct at all times, the SGOH also reminded them of the need to know the limits of their freedom of association and expression which must be matched with responsibility to maintain national security.
“You must also not allow yourself to be used by some elements in the society to compromise national security or act in ways capable of denting the image of the Armed Forces.
Your duty is to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic background or religious inclination. Your loyalty must therefore never be in doubt at any point in time as an officer”, he added.
The SGOH commended the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for supporting members of the Armed Forces operating within the State. He also commended the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his judicious use of available resources and robust capacity building initiatives responsible for a disciplined, highly professional and timely deployable air force.
He equally extolled the efforts of the Commandant MTC and his team of officers and men for the successful completion of yet another training, whilst assuring them of his continued support to sustain their training efforts.
One of the highlights of the POP was the presentation of awards to deserving passing out cadets.
Among the award winners were Cadet (now Flying Officer) Mbam Ndubisi who won the President, Commander-in-Chief’s Award for coming first in order of merit, while Flying Officer Lekon Mustapha won the Honourable Minister of Defence Award for coming second in order of merit.
Other award winners were Flying Officer Samaila Yusuf, who came third in order of merit, winning the CDS’ Award, and Flying Officer Ummu Muhammed, who won the CAS’ Award for coming fourth, while Flying Officer Abdulkadir Ahmad won the Commandant MTC’s Award for exhibiting exceptional leadership qualities in the course of training.
After the colourful parade, the passing out cadets were conferred with the Presidential Commission into the NAF and decorated with their new ranks of Squadron Leaders, for the consultants, and Flying Officer, for all others, by their respective family members and well-wishers.
After administering the oath of allegiance on the newly commissioned officers, the SGOH presented them with their parchments of commission.
Another major highlight of today’s event was the Research and Development (R&D) Exhibition/Display which featured some of the recent R&D breakthroughs of the Air Force Research and Development (AFRDC).
These included a locally developed Hexacopter capable of carrying weaponized payloads; locally designed test bench for hydraulic accumulator diaphragm of the L-39ZA aircraft and a locally produced voltage/frequency converter for aircraft ground support activities.
Other R&D feats displayed were the 6-tube rocket launcher developed by AFRDC for the Bell-412 helicopter; locally produced heat shield protective cone for Alpha Jet rocket pods as well as the locally designed and produced 30.1mm rocket launcher/rockets.
The SGOH was also briefed on the progress of work on the development of 18-tube rocket launcher for the Alpha Jet aircraft as well as other Armament-related R&D efforts.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was represented at the event by the Commissioner of Internal Security, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
Other dignitaries present were the Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, Distinguished Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah; the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Air Force, Honourable Abbas Adigun; the Director Air Force, Ministry of Defence; Representatives of Chiefs of Army and Naval Staff and the Inspector General of Police as well as the Representative of the Emir of Zazzau, along with many other senior military officers and families and friends of the newly commissioned officers.
Other activities held in honour of the newly commissioned officers, as part of the week-long ceremonies, were the Regimental Dinner Night held on 4 August 2020 and the Beating of the Retreat, which took place on 5 August 2020.
