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The Fake Mosque Demolition Report
Some days ago, two major national newspapers led in the publication of total falsehood against the government and people of Rivers State. The Nation and Daily Trust Newspapers. The Reporters of the two newspapers reported that the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning had demolished the Trans-Amadi Mosque. This was the worst form of falsehood, with the capacity to inflame tensions.
Daily Trust, a pro-North Newspaper and The Nation, a Pro- APC Newspaper quoted one AlhajiAbdullahi Musa Tobaco, as claiming that the Rivers State Government demolished the Trans Amadi Central Mosque. It was this premeditated and mischievous falsehood that several misinformed groups latched onto.
The falsehood by The Nation and Daily Trust which almost misled the entire country exposes the fundamental challenge facing journalism in the country today.
For a matter as sensitive as religion, these reporters made no attempt to cross check their facts. As senior journalists covering Port Harcourt, the country’s headquarters of oil and gas, they refused to go to the site of the demolition. Their editors never requested for pictorial evidence of the said demolished Mosque.
Instead, both newspapers concocted photographs to illustrate the falsehood. They set the online space on fire and waited patiently for the country to burn. The truth frustrated their deadly scheme.
If you ask me, this was not a mere error of judgment on the part of the Reporters and their Newspapers. If it was, they would have apologised since the truth came to light.
None of the originators of this false report has been called to order by their Newspapers. They will be encouraged to carry out this line of false journalism next time.
The location of the disputed land is accessible by well-constructed Road. Yet they displayed journalistic laziness and relied on the words of one Alhaji Tobacco. They rushed to break sensitive news without caring to investigate the facts.
Governor Wike personally took some journalists to the location and they saw that no Mosque existed there. The video evidence has been widely circulated, both online and on national television.
Of course, reactions to this falsehood by these Newspapers have come in various forms. But some politicians with waning careers have seen this misinformation as a means of attracting cheap attention.
The bone of contention was the definition of the status of land title that the illegal developers claimed to have. The Court ruled that the title in the possession of the illegal developers cannot be superior to the State Government title on the said land.
Despite not having any approval, they started petty fencing and digging up of trenches, but there was no Mosque at the said location. Those claiming the existence of a Mosque should provide the pictorial and video evidence of the Mosque before the Rivers State Government intervened.
The decision to stop work on the site was taken, officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning met with those illegally excavating a foundation on the said land and directed them to stop work in line with earlier notices served on them.
The issue of trying to get an approval to construct a Mosque on the said land started in 2012. There was no approval given for the construction of a Mosque.
Justice G.O Omereji of the Rivers State High Court ruled that the disputed land belongs to the Rivers State Government. This was in 2018. The judgment followed a suit filed by the Registered Trustees of Trans-Amadi Mosque, Port Harcourt. They had approached the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt in February 2012, after the then Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration through the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning stopped them from erecting a structure on the disputed government land without approval.
Justice Omereji held that: “The Statement of Defence and the evidence of the defendants by two witnesses show that the land, the subject matter of this suit is State Land acquired for public purpose by the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1959 under the Public Acquisition law as evidenced by the Certificate of Title dated 27th Day of June, 1961 Registered as Number 26 on Page 26 in Volume 2 of the Land Registry, Enugu, now in Port Harcourt and whose assets the Rivers State Government inherited which is Exhibit K.
“The evidence also show that the claimants had no approval from the Rivers State Government to make use of the said land, prior to the use of the land for any religious or other purposes and that the defendants did not destroy any property belonging to the claimants.
“The said area where the claimants use for religious activities falls within the area acquired by the Rivers State Government as in the Exhibit K. The evidence shows that the claimants acquired nothing from Chief Dr Edward S. Amadi since Chief Edward S. Amadi cannot give what he does not have because the land in dispute has been acquired and has been State land since 1959”.
It is rather disheartening that major national newspapers would be involved in deliberate falsehood evidently sponsored by political mischief makers masquerading as religious leaders.
One thread of propaganda has been heightened in the entire chain of misinformation. Why did Governor Wike declare Rivers, a Christian State? It appears this was the reason behind the planting of this report in The Nation and Daily Trust. These politicians challenging Governor Wike’s declaration forget that there are Muslim States in the country that officially practise Sharia.
Like every plot, this one has failed. Those who sponsored these journalistic misfits to generate the false report should hide their heads in shame. Rivers State will continue to make progress under the leadership of Governor Wike.
Even as the media holds Government to account, so should newspapers hold their reporters to account. When senior reporters sweep ethics of journalism under the carpet, the society bears the brunt.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.
Simeon Nwakaudu.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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