Sultan to lead prayer for Buhari, Southern Kaduna

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Jama’atu Nasirl Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, will, on Sunday, lead a special prayer session for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and an end to the Southern Kaduna crisis.

Secretary-General of JNI Khalid Aliyu Abubakar and the Chairman, Kaduna State branch of Council of Imams and Ulama, Sheikh Baban Tune, addressed a news conference yesterday.

They said: “It is a religious duty for us to work together to seek Allah’s intervention to relive us of these ailing moments.

“Preparation is on and come Sunday, the prayer will hold in Kaduna. We pray it brings the state out of this quagmire bedeviling the country and may He grant our president good health to come back and continue steering the country’s ship.

“May Allah relieve the state of this cancer of violent conflicts and bring relive to the Northeast and other parts of the country where we have such skirmishes.”

“Niger Delta not part of agitation to break up Nigeria” – Wike

Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike says the interest of Nigerians and Africans will be better served with the country “remaining as one strong and united nation”.

During a visit to the sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad, at the weekend, Wike said: “We cannot run away from this country. The unity of this country is very, very paramount. The unity of this country is non-negotiable. I am from the Niger Delta, from Rivers state to be specific so I cannot see us in a divided country. No way. We stand for the unity of this country.”

He thanked the sultan “for working tirelessly to ring peace and to bring unity to the people”, adding: “For all of us this is what is meant by one Nigeria.”

Wike said his administration has put a lot of time, resources and energy to protect national assets especially the ones in Rivers state.

“In Rivers you hardly find pipeline vandalisation. We are working at all times to protect national assets in our state. In my state, I am governor for all the people living in the state. I am not a governor of a particular political party, but a governor for all the people of Rivers state,” he said.

While commending the sultan for his leadership of the Muslim community in Nigeria, Wike said he was in the state to felicitate with Sokoto governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who gave out his daughter in marriage on Saturday.

He dispelled the notion that his relationship with Tambuwal had political connotation.

“Tambuwal is my friend for a long time. If anything affects him, it affects me also. If he gives out his daughter in marriage, I have to be here to support him. If any problem happens to him, it affects me as well,” he said.

“Your Eminence I am here to seek your royal blessing. You have blessed me before, that is why I am growing. So let me wish you a prosperous new year ahead.”

Sultan implored Nigerians to live in peace with one another and wished their countrymen and women “a year full of happiness and blessings”.

“God didn’t make a mistake by putting together a country called Nigeria” – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has cautioned those agitating for secession to desist from it in the interest of the country’s unity.

He spoke in Enugu at the grand reception organised by the state government in honour of the Rangers International Football Club.

The sultan said he was committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria, adding that those clamouring for a separation were making a huge mistake.

The monarch warned politicians and leaders to desist from using religion and ethnicity to divide the country.

He said Nigeria would continue to flourish with the contribution and skills of the different ethnic groups, religions and individuals.

He said there was no way the country could break up because all the ethnic groups have intermixed across the country.

“We have Igbo people everywhere in the country and they are industrious and we have Hausa people who have not lived anywhere else except in Igboland. Also, we have Yoruba people in different parts of the country who are contributing their quota to the society.”

Sultan of Sokoto: Politicians can explain how herdsmen acquire Ak 47.

Sa’ad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto, says politicians can account for how herdsmen acquire guns that they use in attacking people.

Speaking during a civic reception, which the Nsukka Socio-Cultural zone in Enugu organised in his honour, the monarch challenged the government to investigate how herdsmen acquire arms and ammunition.

Abubakar said Nigerians had the option to live as one united family, expressing confidence that the various ethnic and interest groups in the country can co-exist peacefully if there is justice.

“They have always asked us how the herdsmen acquired these ammunition, but I throw the question back to the politicians; find out how people acquire the guns,” he said.

“Find out how the herdsmen that move with AK47 riffles acquire them.”

Abubakar regretted that contemporary Nigerians had failed to build on the foundation laid by the country’s founding fathers.

He said there were more cohesion and integration between preceding generations than the new generation.

The sultan attributed the seeming mistrust among Nigerians to misinformation and ignorance.

“As Nigerians we can be the best of families if we want to. We have refused to come together as a nation due to ignorance and suspicion,” he said.

“Our visit here is to strengthen relationships, having started my youthful life in Nsukka 39 years ago.

“My coming here is at the right time, considering the loss of lives due to insecurity in parts of the country.”

Abubakar said no Nigerian would aim at killing an Igbo man in any part of the country for whatever reason, adding that they were only targetted because of their hard work.

“Nobody in the northern part of the country has been aiming at an Igbo man to kill,” he said.

“Miscreants target them because they are the most industrious and the people that move the economy.

“That is why their shops and other businesses are mostly the target during unrests because the hoodlums are sure to find valuables in the shops.”

He said he was overwhelmed at the love shown him by Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governor of the state and residents of Enugu.

Abubakar is on a three-day visit to the state to inaugurate road projects executed by Ugwuanyi’s administration.

Late Dasuki believed in “I chop, you chop” – Jeremiah Useni

Jeremiah Useni, a senator from Plateau state and friend of the late Sani Abacha, who removed Ibrahim Dasuki as sultan of Sokoto, says the late traditional ruler believed in ‘I chop, you chop’, a slangy expression for fairness.

 

Useni, a retired general and former minister of the federal capital territory, said it was unfortunate that Dasuki was removed as sultan of Sokoto by the administration in which he served.

 

He said the late sultan was his friend, and that he was a good man.

 

At a session to honour the deceased at the senate on Wednesday, Useni said: “I remember Dasuki for one thing, he once said: ‘If you chop, I chop, no problem, but if I chop, you don’t chop, there is problem’.

 

“Unfortunately, he was removed by our administration, but I don’t want to go into the details of that?.”

Mild Drama As Ex-President Obasanjo Enters Venue Of #SokotoDurbar

A mild drama ensued at the Shehu Kangiwa Square, Splits, venue of the 10th anniversary durbar of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

Obasanjo, who arrived the venue of the Durbar after President Muhammedu Buhari was already seated elicited cheers from the crowd who hailed his entrance.

He arrived about 10 minutes after President Buhari was already seated at the venue, a development clearly against protocol. The president according to protocol is supposed to be the last dignitary to arrive at any public function.

The cheers from the crowd heralding Obasanjo’s arrival forced the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammad to temporarily halt the welcome speech he was delivering at the time.

Dressed in traditional Sokoto regalia, with green turban, Obasanjo upon his arrival immediately climbed up to the pavilion where dignitaries comprising of President Muhammad Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, traditional rulers from all over the country and other important personalities were seated.

Obasanjo’s entry into the pavilion elicited several round of cheers from the teeming crowd as he moves to exchange pleasantries with some of the seated guests.

As if that was not enough, the former president drew the attention of all when he mounted one of the houses lined for the Durbar.

As the Yanlabai of Sokoto, a traditional title conferred on him by the Sokoto caliphate, he led a delegation of horse riders during the durbar.

Recession Ordained by God, Repentance is the Only Solution – Sultan

Nigerians should seek repentance from God to get out of economic recession, says Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto.


The monarch, who marked 10 years of his reign on Wednesday, said the recession being experienced in several countries of the world is ordained by God.

“The only solution to this is for us to show piety and repent. It is ordained by God. So, Nigerians should seek for repentance from God,” he said, during the distribution of items to 270 widows, orphans and other less-privileged persons.

The Sultan urged Christians and Muslims to use their respective Holy Scriptures as guide for living their lives.

He urged governments at all levels to take effective measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

 

Sultan’s 10th Anniversary Begins Nov. 2

The Sokoto State Government will hold an International Symposium on the legendary Sokoto Caliphate as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III on the throne. ”

The caliphate’s contributions to the economy, politics, leadership and good governance in the sub-Saharan region will be the focus of the symposium.”

Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Bako, made this known in a statement in Sokoto on Friday.

Bako, the Kogunan Sokoto and Chairman of the Publicity Subcommittee of the Local Organising Committee, said the symposium would hold on Nov. 2. According to him, renowned local, national and international scholars are expected to feature at the event.

He said that there would be a presentation on the proposed Nana Asma’u College of Medical Sciences at the symposium and some translated books authored by the founding fathers of the Caliphate like the legendary Jihadist, Sheikh Uthman Bin Fodio, Abdullahi Gwandu and Muhammadu Bello.

Bako further stated that a cultural night to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people would hold on Nov.3, while special prayers for sustainable peace in the state, Nigeria and the world would be conducted on Nov. 4. He said durbar, featuring thousands of horse riders would hold on Nov. 5 as part of activities making the grand finale of the event.

The commissioner urged the people to cooperate to make the event historic and hitch-free. Abubakar the 2oth Sultan of Sokoto ascended the throne of his ancestor in November, 2006.

Credit:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/sultans-10th-anniversary-begins-nov-2/

Sultan Announces Monday, Sept.12 As Eid El-Kabir Day

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced Monday, Sept. 12 as the Eid-El-Kabir Day, 1437 AH.

This followed the declaration of Saturday, Sept.3 as the 1st of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto and made available in Sokoto.

“The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country.

‘ The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH.

‘ The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, Sept. 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

‘ Therefore, Monday, Sept.12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir, it added.

The statement further quoted the Sultan as felicitating with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, as well as blessings.

Read More: dailytrust

Nobody Can Islamise Nigeria- Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has told Nigerians to forget the fears or suspicion of a grand plan to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state.

Abubakar pointed out yesterday that it is not possible for a multi-religious country like Nigeria to be converted into a monolithic religious state.

Speaking while commissioning the International Centre for Inter-Faith Peace and Harmony’s office in Kaduna, the Sultan, who is also a Co-Chairman of the centre, argued that no country survives a religious war; hence Christians and Muslims in Nigeria must imbibe the culture of peace and peaceful co-existence.

While also urging Nigerians to promote issues that would strengthen the country’s unity, Abubakar said ethnic and religious crises in the country ought to have by now become a thing of the past, adding: “No country survives war or war stimulated by religious intolerance.”

According to him, religious practice should be voluntary and not by force, insisting: “We have seen countries where people are killing one another. Obviously, there can be no peace in such countries. Killing is not part of the teachings of the Holy book.”

He called on Christians and Muslims across the world to desist from making comments insinuating that anybody is out to Islamise Nigeria.

The Sultan noted: “Nigeria has a Muslim President and before him was a Christian President. We must see ourselves as one big family. Without that, we cannot have peace.

“It is not possible to Islamise Nigeria. If God had wanted, He would have created all Christians or all Muslims.

“We are not secular, but a multi-religious state, because the people are so religious. We must respect one another and understand the tenets of the two religions.”

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/nobody-can-islamise-nigeria-says-sultan/

Review Anti-people Policies, Sultan Tells FG

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to  review policies and programmes that are not in the interest of the people, noting that if policies do not work, there was nothing wrong in reviewing them.
The Sultan made the call in Abuja while speaking at a town hall meeting/policy dialogue organized by the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, with the theme:  “Towards effective implementation of the 2016 budget.”
He said that when policies and programmes of government are not achieving desired results, they should be reviewed and realigned in line with prevailing realities.
Abubakar admonished those in authority to be conscious of the fact that they hold power in trust for the people, stating that according to 1999 constitution, the primary objective of government is to ensure security of lives and property and promote welfare of citizens.  “Those in authority should appreciate the fact that they hold power in trust for the people. They should listen and be prepared to make policy changes that address the welfare of the common people. Change has been said to be constant. Therefore, there is no problem if government would review policies and programmes.
“If a policy doesn’t work there is nothing wrong in reviewing them. In my view, policies that are anti-people should be discarded and realigned in line with prevalent realities. Where Nigeria has critical problem is in the area of policy implementation.”
The Sultan added: “At times, changes come with difficulties, but it is important that both the government and the governed should accept with clean hearts that after the days of suffering, there would be days of rejoicing. If we get it right in the 2016 budget, every other thing will fall into place.”
The monarch applauded the different efforts of the present administration towards re-positioning the Nigerian economy in the path of sustainable development, stressing that all hands must be on deck in ensuring that government delivers on its mandate.
He, however, encouraged the federal government to utilize the enormous human resources available in the AANI in driving the country towards the path of desired economic progress.

Read More: Sunonline

Almajiri Is Un-Islamic, Says Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III yesterday branded child begging, otherwise known as Almajiri in the north as un-Islamic.

The monarch who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who spoke  at a  meeting between representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Northern State Governments and the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development on development of girl child in Nigeria also dismissed   refusal to educate a girl-child in the name of religion as a total misconception.

The Sultan said Almajiri has nothing to do with Islam.

“We talk about Almajiri in the North, and we keep on seeing it as if it is a religious issue. ‘Almajirinci’ has nothing to do with Islam,” he said.

“It is an issue of poverty and nothing more, and the earlier we all recognized this fact, the better for us.”

He, however, stressed the need for the girl-child to be educated, saying:”we believe an educated girl is better in bringing up better family and citizenry to the world because we all know the importance of our mothers.

“They trained and brought us up. If you check the lifestyle of an individual, if it’s good, check the family background; and if bad check the family background. The women play that important role of bringing up the society.

“Here in Northern Nigeria, we don’t pay much attention to girl-child education. As we all know an educated woman is more an asset than uneducated one or even educated man, you must be knowledgeable to lead. To rule you must be knowledgeable.

“The girl-child education has become very important especially now that the world is facing social problems, and Nigeria is part of that global village,” the Sultan stressed.

In her remarks, the Country Representative, UNICEF Nigeria, Jean Gough described education as the cornerstone of everything, and without education, there cannot be reduction in poverty in any country.

Education, according to him “is the hardest sector to transform. Children in the Northeast have lost two years of education. We know Nigeria is working to achieving the goal of President Muhammadu Buhari in transforming the education sector. We hope this year 2016 will be a year of true change.

“Change can only happen when leaders in Nigeria are in partnership with all second of education and when proper action is taken.”

Credit: Nation

Sultan Urges Buhari To Go After Looters

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday told President Muhammadu Buhari to make sure that he prosecutes every person found to have looted the national treasury.

The Sultan said Buhari should not only prosecute the corrupt and ensure that the proceeds of their corruption are forfeited to the Federal Government but that such persons should be sent to jail.

“We are 100 per cent in support of your fight against corruption in this country, and it is our belief that all those found guilty should not only have their entire assets seized and forfeited to government but also face jail sentences,” he said.

The Sultan also asked the Federal Government to institute a national integrity plan as soon as possible. He however challenged the police and other security agencies to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari government.

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Sultan Helped Me Become Speaker- Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thanked the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, for helping him emerge Speaker.

To emerge speaker, Mr. Dogara defeated his challenger, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was supported by their party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service held in his honour at the Church of Christ in all Nations, COCIN, Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, the speaker said the Sultan intervened in his election despite his being a Christian.

“This victory; what he celebrate here today, won’t have been possible without God, the Sultanate and others across the country,” he told the church congregation. “For us who are Christian minorities in the North, we should acknowledge that this victory we are celebrating here today, was made possible by the intervention of the Sultan and other others. We should know that there is new thinking in the North.”

“We owe it a duty to make sure we unite our own part of the country and other parts of the country. My emergence as Speaker is as a result of the support of all major tribes of Nigeria, and all faiths in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Dogara hails from same part of Bauchi State as Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, late Tafawa Balewa. He did not, however, state how the Sultan helped him win the election.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Sultan Urges Nigerians To Support Efforts To Eradicate Polio

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday, urged Nigerians to support the current efforts by federal and state governments, as well as other stakeholders to eradicate polio in Nigeria.

The Sultan made the call at the inauguration of the four-day Injectable Polio Vaccination campaign organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the Gidan-Igwai area of Sokoto city in the state.

Represented by the District Head of Hamma’Ali, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, the Sultan said “the polio vaccine has been certified to be safe for children.

“This exercise will certainly boost the last minute efforts to wipe out the debilitating disease from Nigeria soon and have Nigeria certified polio-free.

“We should not endanger the lives of our children by refusing them to be administered with the polio vaccine.

“The Injectable Polio Vaccine is very safe for children, just like the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).’’

The Chairman of Sokoto North Local Government , Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, pledged to do everything possible to ensure that targeted number of children were immunised.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise is being conducted in Sokoto North, Sokoto South and Wamakko local government areas of the state.

No fewer than 240,000 children aged between 3-59 months are being targeted in the three councils.

The WHO had set up 411 health camps for the purpose of the exercise, each with no fewer than 10 health personnel, including community and religious leaders.

A NAN correspondent who monitored the exercise in parts of Wamakko, Sokoto North and Sokoto South local governments reports that it had taken off successfully, with high turnout of mothers presenting their children for the vaccination.

A cross section of the mothers also commended WHO and other stakeholders for organising the exercise. (NAN)

President Jonathan In Secret Meeting With Abdulsalami, Sultan & Top Clerics

President Goodluck Jonathan met with  former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami. Abdulsalami led other members of the National Peace Committee to discuss the 2015 general elections with the President.

Members of the committee in attendance included the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Primate Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, among others. The meeting, which took place inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, was held behind closed-doors.

Read MoreDaily Trust