Kaduna killings: CAN tears El-Rufai apart over threat to arrest Dunamis Pastor, Enenche
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed worried over alleged threats in some online media by governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai on his determination to get the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enrnche arraign in Kaduna over alleged hate speech.
Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai allegedly claimed that Dr Paul Enenche’s hate speech escalated the recent killings that rocked Kasuwan Magani on October 18, 2018 that was followed by the assassination of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Galadima on October 26, 2018.
CAN, in a statement through the Special Assistant, Media and Communication to CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji said, “The attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to a threat issued by Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State in some online news media over his determination to get the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche arraigned in Kaduna over “hate speech” that he allegedly claimed escalated recent killings that rocked Kasuwan Magani on October 18, 2018 that was followed by the assassination of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima, on October 26, 2018.”
The statement observed, “While CAN abhors hate speech in whatever form, it is becoming very difficult to determine what constitutes “hate speech” and who should be responsible for assessing what constitutes the hate speech. It has become much difficult to know whose speech is to be regarded as hate speech and which speech should not.
“We have carefully read the threat by Governor El-Rufai and his claim to know who is responsible for the “hate speech” that promoted the crises in Kaduna State and his vow to get Pastor Enenche arrested and prosecuted in Kaduna State.
“We have also examined the video clip of the Pastor and are abreast of all the facts concerning the Kasuwan Magani killings, among others.
“The main subject of Dr Enenche’s clip which Governor el-Rufai is alleging to be a “hate speech” to us is an outright condemnation of the fate that has befallen the Adara people and Christians in Southern Kaduna through the creation of new emirates namely; Lere, Kagarko and Kujuru. By the creation of these emirates, especially that of Kajuru, the Adara people have been subjugated.”
“From a careful study of the speech, Pastor Enenche is not the originator of what he spoke about. He said; “ about the middle of this year we heard a Christian first class Chief, that they were told from the news report we heard…” hence the video, he was speaking about was what he read or heard from the news.”
CAN said while it continues to condemn hate speech by religious leaders and other Nigerians, it added, “We cannot stand and watch our respected leaders being set up for molestation, humiliation and prosecution for an unfounded “hate speech.”
“We have also followed the speeches of Governor El-Rufai and have felt strongly that he has been engaged in making inciting speeches, but several efforts deployed to draw his attention have been fruitless.
“His statement that his government had paid herdsmen to stop the killing in his State without any due compensation to the victims of attacks is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. The questions in the minds of the church is; why is it very easy for government to identify those lamenting over the unabated killings of Christians in Kaduna and other states in the middle belt for persecution?
“Why is it easy by government to seek to apprehend and prosecute the crying victims and almost an impossible task to bring killers to justice? Why is it easier for the El-Rufai government to know and get “the agents of careless statement…” but most expensive and almost impossible for him to identify the Kaduna killing agents despite years of such continuous killings? Have the killers of Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, been apprehended? How long will it take the Governor El-Rufai to apprehend them?
“Any attempt to arrest and harass any of our pastors again will be considered as an attempt to silence the voice of the Church and reasoning in our nation.
“Let the government defines clearly the difference between what is considered hate speech and advocacy for dying victims of continuous killings in Nigeria. What do you expect from a church leader whose members and fellow citizens are being killed daily without any satisfactory measures to abate the killings? Are we to keep clapping for government while people are being massacred in cold blood?”
CAN explained, “While we appreciate the fact that no government will want her citizens to be killed, we will admonish Governor El-Rufai to channel his strength towards getting the sponsors and perpetrators of the heinous crimes going on in Kaduna State arrested and prosecuted rather than chasing good Nigerians who are contributing immensely to the peace, growth and development of the nation.
“We will encourage the police not to be distracted by those who are after hunting innocent Nigerians but to be focused on getting criminals who are wasting the lives and property of innocent Nigerians with the view of arresting and punishing them and averting further polarization of the nation.
“The polity is already heated up and polarised along ethnic and religious divides. All of us in leadership have had an inappropriate news item carried or published about us before; it is part of the burden of leadership.”
The leadership of CAN noted that the best that could be done in such a circumstance was for the governor to debunk inaccurate news items like he has done.
“On the basis of the above, we again caution that care must be taken in handling what Pastor Paul Enenche read which he wanted people to pray over.
“The idea of making Christians endangered species must stop for the sake of peace and unity of this country. We have had enough of troubles in this nation in the past years. We deserve to have our peace,” CAN explained.
Abuja Three Years Without Bombs And Still Counting
By Lilian Nwachukwu
I sat in anxiety as the yuletide season approached us. Thoughts ran riots in my head. I played out many scenarios as regards the likelihood of a disruption of the festive season by men of the underworld, as in times past. I refreshed my memory to the bomb blasts the rocked previous years on Christmas day and in churches and recreational centres in the FCT and its environs. I could only but nod my head in absolute disbelief.
Disbelief you might want to ask. Yes, I meant every bit of the word disbelief because of how time flies and indeed how when there is a will, there would always be a way. I counted three with my fingers (2016, 2017 and 2018) and not a single disruption of the yuletide season in Abuja. Not a single bomb detonated anywhere. There was no uproar amongst merry seekers in recreational spots all around the FCT and its environs. People went about their normal businesses without fear. This is unprecedented.
I have longed told all that cared to listen that God indeed loves Nigeria. The outcome of the 2015 elections that produced the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed a divine intervention in my opinion. I believe the discerning minds would agree with. It is also not by accident that we have had three consecutive years of peace and tranquillity in the festive season in Abuja. And it is also not luck. Some people somewhere have paid the price, and this brings me to the very essence of this piece.
In some quarters, some have always questioned the constitutional role of the Nigeria Army in the sustenance of peace in any given society. They have also erroneously believed that the role of the army in Nigeria should and always be confined to the barracks. They haven’t given a thought that the enthronement of internal security and peace falls within the purview of the Nigeria Army. And this much they have strived to achieve from time immemorial. But the last three years have seen a more proactive and robust Nigeria Army in the enthronement of internal security and peace in Nigeria, and Abuja is just a case study.
If anyone told me some four years ago that there would be such a time where the security architecture in Abuja would be top-notch that people would go about their various business without fear, I would doubt it because of the reign of terror that has accompanied festive periods in the FCT. This fact is corroborated with the way and manner many people relocated from Abuja due to the high level of insecurity. I recall I stumbled on a piece written by a former Abuja resident who had to relocate in the wake on the high level of uncertainty but recently returned to Abuja.
As mentioned earlier, these things didn’t happen by chance, somewhere and somehow the price was paid just like Jesus Christ paid the price for us sinners on the cross of Calvary. If no one gave credit to President Muhammadu Buhari, I would give him high credit. If no one would also appreciate the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I and my household would appreciate him. Some might be wondering why I am particular about President Muhammadu Buhari and Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. Some might also be wondering what it was a spectacular thing that they have done to deserve such high praises. But I would say that, and just like I have always said that the solution to the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria is when our political leaders exhibit that political will. And once that is done, there would always be a way.
And one of such ways that President Muhammadu Buhari has exhibited a political will is in the appointment of the service chiefs, especially that of the Nigeria Army, which has never been so engaged in the enthronement of internal security in the annals of the country as in the past three years. In the past three years, the Nigeria Army has stretched beyond the elastic limit with various operations around the country simultaneously. But yet it didn’t flop. From the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorist in North East Nigeria to the militant Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in South East, and others too numerous to mention. The Nigeria Army has stayed true to its constitutional responsibility.
They have sacrificed their all to keep the country safe and secured. They have decimated the Boko Haram, even at great sacrifice with the number of casualties recorded. While this is unfortunate, it just goes with the terrain in warfare situations. They have also kept other violent groups in check. They have done quite a lot to keep the country safe and secured. And like I mentioned earlier, when there is a will, there would always be a way.
In my opinion, the best we can do in the very circumstances is to continually remind the troops that they are the real national heroes of Nigeria. And their sacrifices would never be in vain. For every night they patrol and lie in trenches keeping watch over us as we go to sleep, for the long days and months they spend away from their families and loved ones, every tears they shed for Nigeria, the majority of Nigeria and Nigerians would forever appreciate. It is only those that are ignorant that would not see this great work. And it also those that are myopic that would not agree that indeed President Muhammadu Buhari is God sent to rescue Nigeria from the brinks of collapse. If not for anything, let us learn to call a spade and spade in Nigeria. This is just a word of encouragement to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and his soldiers.
Nwachukwu is President, African Mothers of Virtue.
Pro-democracy group berates PDP, others for politicizing national security
Leading pro-democracy group, National Democratic Front has berated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over calls for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs as a clear attempt to pollute the national security architecture with bad politics.
According to the group, the inglorious attempts by politicians to drag the service Chiefs into politics is not good for our democracy and should be discouraged by all Nigerians.
The group wondered why a party like the PDP who created all the troubles in Nigeria will forget its locust years and suddenly wake up to start hauling tantrums on those who have helped to savaged the situation.
Dr. Bolaji Abdulkadir, the group’s Secretary General, made this known in a presser on Thursday in Abuja.
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the service chiefs citing the bandit attacks that left several people dead in Zamfara state. On the surface this demand by Nigeria’s opposition party sounds logical and is even the natural order of things in certain climes. But to the extent that this call came from the PDP it is suspect and must be evaluated against the backdrop of the antecedents of this party and its chieftains.
“Let us be clear, what happened in Zamfara state is not acceptable under any dispensation. But the cry of the PDP over Zamfara is similar to the popular adage of a witch that has killed a baby at night crying during the day. It has no place in the modern world.
“The party is simply trying to benefit from the blood that has been spilled in Zamfara by trying to use a tragedy to achieve goals that threaten the nation worse than the bandits that they have already unleashed on the people. We are going to raise two instances that should make Nigerians go after PDP with all the venom they can muster.
“First, there had been allegations before now that the PDP teamed up with disgruntled elements from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unleash the bandits on the people of the state in order to disrupt the peace before the election.
“It is suspicious that the same bandits somehow disappeared into thin air when these same politicians were attending to their primary elections. PDP should explain to Nigerians how this is so and why the same bandits suddenly surfaced now that its members are citing insecurity as one of their campaign points against the present government.
“Secondly, there has been allegations in the past that the PDP is eager to see the service chiefs fired so that they can compromise their replacements to compromise our democracy after the this party loses the general elections.
“Could the PDP have then facilitated the killing of innocent people in Zamfara state simply to get the excuse to demand for the sack of the service chiefs? The party’s obsession with getting the service chiefs fired continues to lend credence to the claim that they are desirous of a leadership change in the military in order to carry out a coup after the elections.
“We find it the height of insolence that the PDP could grandstand as it is doing. It is common knowledge that the present government would have much better if it did not have to clean up the mess it created.
“If the country had run on the correct template in the years that the PDP was in power there would have been no need for the military to be deployed for what ordinarily should be the jurisdiction of civil police. It is therefore sheer shallowness to be assessing the effectiveness of the military service chiefs based on assignments that ordinarily is not theirs.
“The National Democratic Front is asking the Federal Government to without further delays set up a high powered probe into the activities of bandits in Zamfara state with a view to formally expose those that are employing these killers to cut short the lives of Nigerians. It is important to get to the bottom of this wickedness because it is the guaranteed way of putting an end to the needless bloodletting by perpetrators of the acts.
“The wisdom here is that of cutting off the head of the monster to ensure that it is dead, the killers are merely the hands that pull the trigger, the brain that decides when, where and how the trigger is pulled should be the focus of the government.”
UNICEF worries over 10.5m out-of-school children in Nigeria
Nigeria still has 10.5 million out-of-school children – the world’s highest number the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says
It reiterated that in 2018 the primary school enrolment had increased in recent years, with net attendance of about 70 per cent,
It said: ‘’Sixty-nine per cent of those children are in northern Nigeria, just as 60 per cent of the out-of-school children are girls.’’
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Pernille Ironside also confirmed the figure, adding that a ministerial strategic plan states that Nigeria has 10.5 million children aged 6-14, out of school.
In her statistics, Bauchi State has the highest number with 1.1 million children that are out of school followed by Katsina with 781,500.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Mr Hamid Bobboyi said that the number of out-of-school children had increased between 2010 and 2015 from 10.5 million to 13.2 million.
Bothered by the increasing rate of out-of-school-children in Nigeria, Eat’N’Go Limited in partnership with Slum2School Africa have earmarked N50 million for 1000 out-of-school-children to return to school in 2019.
With this initiative, the duo aim at providing access to quality education for 1000 undeserved Nigerian children through targeted funds raised from 1st December 2018 to 30th November 2019.
Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Eat’N’Go Limited, Patrick McMichael said: ‘’This initiative seeks to directly contribute N50 million generated from proceeds of select products from Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pink Berry Gourmet Frozen Yoghurt.’’
According to him, for every Cinnastix purchase from Domino’s Pizza, N100 will be donated to this cause; for every waffle purchased at Cold Stone Creamery, N100 will also be given back while Pink Berry will donate N100 on every bubble waffle purchase.
While explaining that the sponsorship for each child was valued at N50,000, he noted that the 1000 children would receive quality education, coupled with psychosocial support encompassing school needs such as; instructional materials, uniforms, shoes, books, excursions, medical support, extra-curricular classes, tech classes, teacher support, and more.
On Eat’N’Go’s partnership with Slum2School Africa, (a volunteer-driven developmental organisation that provides quality education to disadvantaged children), McMichael said: “We understand the value quality education contributes to an economy and it is our responsibility to ensure we expand our support in partnership with NGos like Slum2School who can help us achieve these goals.
“We believe that as individuals and corporate organisations, we have a collective role to play in improving the state of education in the country.
“We are thankful for this opportunity to lend our support to the development of the educational system for children in Nigeria and we cannot wait to do even more.”
In his remarks, Otto Orondaam, founder of Slum2School Africa quoted UNICEF as saying, “Nigeria records the largest number of out-of-school-children in the world.”
This, he noted, remains a looming threat to the economic prosperity, social security and developmental sustainability of the nation.
According to him, every child has a right to quality education, adding: “That’s why we partner with organisations across the world to support as many disadvantaged children in Nigeria as possible.
“We are grateful to be working with Eat’N’Go which supports our “Hope For Every Child” initiative, and we hope that in the coming years, our goal would increase to cover thousands more.”
Through the collaboration, Orondaam pointed out that Eat’N’Go has demonstrated a hands-on approach in combating one of the most challenging issues in Nigeria today, which is quality education for children.
“The organisation has further showcased its commitment to impacting Nigeria, and making it a better place one cause at a time,” he added.
Nigeria: 40 Americans on a mission to discover opportunities
A group of 40 American millennials has embarked on a trip to Nigeria to experience first-hand, the limitless opportunities of the country.
The Director of Discover Gidi, organisers of the annual trip to Nigeria, Mr Ugo Obilo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the group would be in Nigeria from Thursday to Jan. 2. 2019.
According to him, Nigeria has limitless opportunities for the millennial, aiming to have a great time, adding the trip will increase the number of people that have been to Nigeria.
Obilo said: “We wanted to give them the opportunity to enjoy more of that in different ways with their friends, to see different things culturally.
“As we started promoting things, a lot of non-Nigerians wanted to come as well. We started out because a lot of young Nigerians are not excited to go back to Nigeria.
“So we wanted to give them the opportunity to go back with young crowd and enjoy and see Nigeria in a new way so that we can generate excitement about it again.
“This is because our generation needs to be the one that is giving back to the community, being able to fund the economy in different ways.
“But to our surprise, a lot of non-Nigerian millennials decided that they wanted to visit and travel there as well.”
According to him, when the 2017 group visited Nigeria, it was made up of half Nigerians and half non-Nigerians and they had a very good time and enjoyed themselves.
Obilo said in 2018, when the organisers started promoting the trip, it was overwhelming that a lot of non-Nigerians wanted to come and see and experience Nigerian culture first-hand.
“So we have about 40 people coming this year. Mostly, they are people that have never been to Nigeria, non-Nigerians themselves.
“We have a well-structured itinerary, a good balance being able to see the culture, enjoy Nigerian nightlife, being able to see a lot of the historical aspects of the country as well.
“We intend to go to the Badagry Slave Port, we’re going to have a cultural night at Terra Cotta, they are doing a Language Lesson, we have a day to go to the beach and enjoy.
“We’re going to Nike Art Gallery, we’re going to Lekki Conservation Centre, we’re going to different places on the Island to see the beaches in the Victoria Island, and a service day on the mainland.”
He said the participants would also have a naming ceremony where each of them would elect to receive a traditional Nigerian name.
According to him, the idea is an effort to afford people of all backgrounds and nationalities the opportunity to experience the beauty of the African Diaspora.
“Out of necessity, we wanted to change the conversation and eliminate reservations individuals have regarding travelling to Africa and African cities.
“As a Nigerian, I wanted to be at the forefront of a movement that would encourage my peers to not only travel to Nigeria, but also lead them to invest in Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Obilo said the annual trip was named ‘Discover Gidi’ as a literal ode to the pre-existing beauty of Nigeria and Lagos, adding, the mission is to allow others to discover the beauty that Nigeria has to offer.
According to him, the trip sets out to appeal specifically to Nigerian-Americans looking to travel home in a curated group-trip format.
HR said there had been an influx of non-Nigerians particularly, millennials of different backgrounds, who wanted to see and experience Nigeria for the first time.
KEPC worried over cases of political violence
Kano Election Peace Committee (KEPC) has expressed concern over cases of political violence in the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Civil society organisations (CSOs), religious leaders and the academia, who form the committee, are especially worried over the death of four persons during a recent rally in Bichi and Rano areas of the state.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, leaders of the committee said that the “unhealthy political rivalry in Kano” where human lives were lost remained a bad omen in the country’s democracy.
The group also hinted its plans for a peace accord where top political aspirants would be invited to commit themselves to peaceful conduct of the elections.
According to the co-chairman of KEPC and Catholic Bishop of Kano, Dr. John Niyiring, the committee demands thorough investigation into the reported killings in Rano and Bichi councils to serve as deterrent to potential killers.
The police had indicted a House of Representatives member for Wudil/Garko, Mohammad Wudil, for allegedly mobilising thugs to the rally where fracas erupted and persons killed.
Said the bishop: “Let me remind our political actors, particularly the office-seekers and their supporters, that democracy is a game played through laid down principles.
“The ultimate benefit of every political leadership is how maximally the lives of the electorate are improved, secured, protected, preserved and empowered, not destroyed. We, therefore, want the police to investigate the killings in Rano and Bichi, and bring the perpetrators to book.”
Another leader of the committee, Prof. Ibrahim Umar, noted that the group was inaugurated as replica of National Election Peace Committee to midwife peace among the key political parties and their candidates, for the overall interest of peace and tranquility in Kano.
Prof. Ibrahim stressed: “Part of our objectives is to get flag-bearers of political parties to abide by the rules as enshrined in the constitution. We shall conduct public awareness where advocacy will be raised on the importance of peaceful co-existence during and after the elections.
“We would also, through the CSOs, monitor activities of all the political parties and their candidates to ensure compliance with the peace accord.”