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Sultan Bungles Ramadan, Admits Not Sighting Moon …Those Who Dishonour Ramadan Aren’t Muslims -Amaechi

Published

11 years ago

July 30, 2014

The palace of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar has admitted that the Sultan of Sokoto erred by announcing the end of Ramadan based on claims by some Nigerian Muslims that they sighted the new moon of Shawwal on Saturday night.
The Sultan, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, who is also the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Saturday night, announced the sighting of the new moon.
His pronouncement meant that the day was the end of Ramadan, making Nigeria the only country in the world which celebrated Eid on Sunday.
“The new month of Shawwal was sighted in different places within Nigeria, and therefore, tomorrow (Sunday) is the first day of Shawwal equivalent to 27 July, 2014,” the Sultan said via a message aired on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
But Islamic scholars including the Secretary-General of the organisation, Ishaq Oloyede, a professor of Islamic Studies, openly opposed the declaration, saying he was not aware that the moon had been sighted.
“I spoke to the Sultan about four times tonight and he did not tell me that the moon has been sighted,” Oloyede told newsmen.
“In any case, any such claim is ridiculous and unscientific. It cannot be right. The National Moon Sighting Committee (NMC) has not informed us of any credible sighting of the moon. Rather, they said the moon wasn’t sighted.
“The new moon was only born at 11:45 P.M. tonight (Saturday) and it will take several hours for it to be sighted. Is our own sky different? Is our own moon manufactured in Nigeria?”
Professor Oloyede then urged Muslims to continue their fast on Sunday and prepare for Eid-Fitri on Monday in line with the verdict of the National Moon Sighting Committee.
Similarly, Chairman of the NMC, Hafiz Wali, in his committee report to the Sultan and Oloyede insisted that the moon had not been sighted.
“Assalamu Alaikum. As expected, the NMC has not received any credible moon-sighting report,” Dr. Wali said in a short message report to the NSCIA leaders.
“Our team in Gwandu has reported that the Moon has not been sighted.” Sultan Sa’ad could not be reached as at the time this report was published at 1:56 a.m. on Sunday and it is not clear where he got the report that the moon was sighted.”
But the result of the joint moon-sighting exercise undertaken by the Sultanate Moon-Sighting Committee and the Nigeria National Moon Sighting Committee on Sunday, has now showed that the pronouncement terminating the Ramadan fast was an error.
The Sultan commissioned the joint moon-sighting investigation after his Saturday declaration.
The result of the investigation, also endorsed by the Sultan’s representatives concluded that the claim that the moon was sighted on Saturday was questionable as it was impossible for anyone to see the moon anywhere in the world at that time.
The committee carried out its assignment between 6:45PM and 7:45PM on Sunday.
The report of the joint committee, compiled by Usman Mahmud, a research officer with the National Moon-sighting Committee, reads in part:
“I write to inform you that we (the National Moon-Sighting Committee) and the Sultanate Moon Sighting Committee went to the Sighting of Moon today (Sunday, July 27, 2014).
“The moon was not sighted with naked eye or with telescope and binocular. However, we used some programmes and software applications like Skymap, Stellarium and Virtual Moon to get the details of the moon.
“The details of the Moon are: Age: 19H (hour) 05M (minutes); Hour Angle/DE:04H 45M 11S(seconds)/ +12 21’112 ; Distance between sun and moon: 3.52 .”
Experts say the result of the investigation suggested that the Sultan erred by declaring the end of Ramadan and beginning of Shawwal even when a new moon had not been born.
“It was a big error,” said Sheikh Abdulrazaq Ishola, a member of the Moon-sighting Committee Worldwide, who himself was at the AlBayrouny Observatory in Mecca that Saturday in search of the moon.
“The (Sultan’s) announcement embarrassed Nigeria all over the world because in no other place was such ridiculous claim of sighting the moon on Saturday made.
“How can anyone claim that he saw the moon even when conjunction of the moon and the sun had just taken place? That is impossible. In any case, where should we ask people to find a moon that had not been born?”
Ishola explained that after conjunction takes place, (which he said occurred at 11:47 PM on Saturday), it usually takes about 17 hours for the moon to be sighted with a telescope and between 18 and 23 hours to be visible to the naked eye.
“What happened in Nigeria is disrespect to Islam and Muslims. We are in the 21st century, yet we are still living in the past in Nigeria,” the cleric, who is also a a member of the Abu Dhabi-based Islamic Crescent Observatory Project said.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, says those who kill and maim their fellow humans and destroy properties of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan are not Muslims.
Amaechi said this Monday while addressing a cross-section of the Muslim community in the state who visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitri.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi urged Muslims in the country to use the occasion of the 2014 Eid-el-Fitri to unite against terrorists and other extremists who hide under the Islam religion to perpetrate violence, thereby bringing the holy religion to disrepute.
“It amazes me that people commit evil even in the Holy Month. The month of Ramadan is a sacred month. It’s a month of fasting and sacrifice, totally committed to honouring Allah. Hence, if indeed the things they say they are doing is for Allah, that Holy Month, they would have respected Allah,” he said, adding “the fact that they are doing it and desecrating the Holy Month clearly shows that they are not fighting for Muslims, they are not fighting to protect Islam”.
The governor thanked members of the Muslim community in the state for their support for his administration, and promised to continue to pursue policies that will engender peaceful co-existence in the state.
Earlier, the leader of the Muslim community in the state and Vice President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, said this year’s celebration calls for sober reflection in recognition of the unending terror being unleashed by the Boko Haram sect on Nigerians under the guise of fighting a Holy War.
He thanked the Rivers State Government for creating a conducive environment for Muslims to reside and carry out their lawful businesses without fear of molestation, pledging their support to help sustain the peace and tranquillity the state currently enjoys.

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Information & Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji, Director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Prof. Abdusalami Nasidi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina at a briefing to update the public on Ebola virus in Lagos, last Monday

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Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor