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Eid-el-Kabir: FEC, VC, Sultan, Others Seek National Unity
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has felicitated Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
FEC urged Muslims to continue to promote national unity in order to enhance growth and development in all sectors of the country’s economy.
It made this known via a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, last Sunday.
The statement read: “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) felicitates with the Muslim faithful on the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“It urges the adherents to use this opportunity to continue to reflect on its lessons which include love, obedience, sacrifice and compassion among others.
“FEC, therefore, implores believers to continue to promote national unity, peaceful co-existence for stability in order to enhance growth and development in all sectors of the nation’s economy.
“It wishes Nigerians a happy and successful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill, also felicitated with the Muslim community on the occasion of the 1443 AH Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In a goodwill message he personally signed in Port Harcourt, Georgewill said, “We heartily felicitate with all Muslim faithful in the University of Port Harcourt and beyond.
“As we mark this year’s festival, we would like to reiterate the significance of Sallah which is obedience to the Almighty God and sacrifice for the good of one another. We pray that these virtues are sustained during and after the festivity.
“May this celebration bring about a renewed faith, love, understanding and good neighbourliness amongst ourselves and humanity at large.
“Equally, let me use the period to thank staff and students, and indeed, the entire university community for the wonderful support this administration has enjoyed since assumption of office in July, 2021, and to reassure you all of my commitment to make a more prosperous UNIPORT by the grace of God.
“Finally, we wish to use this medium to call on all Nigerians to come together, irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political differences to contribute our own quota to the development of this country, I have no doubt that Nigeria will be the envy of other nations if we do so.
“On behalf of the University Management, I wish you all a wonderful celebration”, the VC said.
Also, the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and sacrifices among one another.
Abubakar, who made the assertion in his Sallah message to Nigerians in Sokoto said, Muslims should hold on to the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir.
“We should continue to thank the Almighty Allah for His blessings and gift of life to celebrate this great moment.
“The security challenges we are facing in our country has continue to remain a source of concern and worrisome.
“As such we should use this period of worship to pray for our leaders, security agencies and the nation to prosper.
“Moreover, as leaders we will not get tired of calling on the citizens to continue to pray for our country, therefore, we should sustain more prayers for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
“Our security agencies should always be appreciated and encourage for the sustained effort and commitment to address our current situation,” he said.
The Sultan further called on Muslim Ummah in the country to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect leaders of their desire.
“Our PVC is the only weapon we have to elect leaders we desire, as such I urged on all Muslim who are eligible to get their voter cards to be able to vote the leaders we deserve in the country,” he said.
He appealed to politicians to be fair to Allah, and ensure peaceful electioneering processes in the country.
Abubakar appreciated the Sokoto State Government for its sustained support to the needy and vulnerable in the society.
He also appreciated security agencies for their dedication in addressing security challenges in the country.
Also reacting, the national leadership of both the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) congratulated Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid Muburak celebration.
Their statements were signed by the NAWOJ National President, Ladi Bala; and NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, in Abuja, last Saturday.
In her statement, Bala said, “While thanking God for the spiritual ceremony, NAWOJ appeals to Nigerians especially Muslims to imbibe the lessons of generosity in love, sacrifice and kindness as demonstrated by Prophet Mohammed (PBH).
“The association notes that Nigeria at this critical point more than ever before, needs divine intervention to overcome most of the challenges confronting and threatening its existence and unity.
“It is, therefore, important for Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration to pray to God concerning most of the national issues for a peaceful and United Nigeria.
“NAWOJ notes with concern the neglect of family values by many parents for the pursuit of wealth, hence the unacceptable negative behaviours in some children.
“NAWOJ, therefore, appeal to parents particularly mothers to pay more attention to their children and wards by instilling the needed and proper values and fear of God in them for a better Nigeria.
“The association equally pray God to release the blessings of Eid Muburak upon all our Muslim Ummah and lead Nigeria to a peaceful and successful 2023 General Election”.
In his Salah message, Isiguzo said, “The National Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists extends its warmest wishes to all Muslims in the country on this solemn festival of Eid.
“We pray that the blessings of Almighty Allah will fill your lives with peace, joy and good health. Barka Da Sallah!
“We advise all Muslim faithful to act upon the commandments of Allah, and also about the duties they have to perform to become good Muslims.
“At these hard times, we urge all Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Eid-Al-Adha celebrations which encourage them to forgive, give, share and care for one another.
“Just like Prophet Ibrahim did, when he believed God, took control of his life, and guaranteed his heart desires; same way if we can trust God Almighty, He is going to take care of us.
“While encouraging cohesion and peaceful coexistence, we should all remember that Islam appreciates diversity in the society, and thus, the need for respect and tolerance among Muslims and between Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“We charge all Nigerians to learn the habit of doing good at all times to promote peaceful coexistence in the country”.
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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