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Eid-El-Maulud: Buhari, Wike, Others Charge Muslims On Muhammad’s Virtues
President Muhammadu Buhari, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District and the Kaduna State APC governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani, have urged Muslims to “practice the noble and shining virtues of the Prophet Muhammad”, saying the “best way to honour him is to follow his good examples”.
Buhari, who said this in his message to Muslims on the occasion of Maulud to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, said, “The prophet became famous for his life of humility, justice, and fairness”.
According to Buhari, “the Prophet attracted people to Islam through personal examples of honesty, trustworthiness, justice, patience, and tolerance.”
He stated that Prophet Muhammad demonstrated “a remarkable life of patience under provocation and honoured treaties with non-Muslims for peaceful coexistence.
“Honesty was one of Muhammad’s greatest virtues and every good Muslim should follow his examples,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President further called on Nigerians to join the government in ongoing efforts to eradicate insecurity and corruption, to increase their respect for women, children, and the less able, and to show love and understanding for one another.
He also urged politicians, in this season of elections, to avoid using expletives and cuss words, and to avoid the unwanted culture of demeaning and humiliating opponents.
Buhari, again, promised that he would ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in 2023.
In his message, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, called on the Muslims community in the state to use the celebration of the Eid-el-Maulud, birth of Holy Prophet Mohammed, to advance the cause of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
In the statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor, said that his administration would continue to promote religious tolerance amongst all residents of the state.
Wike advised the Muslim faithful to imbibe the virtues of love, peace, communal living and honesty which are qualities of Holy Prophet Mohammed in their daily lives.
While wishing the Muslim community a wonderful Eid-el-Maulud celebration, the governor urged them to always pray for the government and people of the state.
Similarly, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, felicitated with Muslim faithful as they celebrate the 2022 Eid el-Maulud.
In a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Banigo urged Muslims to celebrate the occasion with decorum and emulate the life style of the Prophet.
The deputy governor said the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike, has provided the enabling environment for all residents to have a sense of belonging irrespective of their religious belief, adding that the policies and programmes of his administration remains beneficial to all.
She urged them to pick up their permanent voter’s card and ensure they vote massively for candidates of the PDP in the upcoming general election.
Also, Senator UbaSani representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District and the Kaduna State APC governorship candidate has felicitated with Muslims on the Eid-el-Maulud, and called for prayers for sustained improvement in the security situation.
In a statement made available to journalists, the Kaduna governorship candidate said, “I wish my esteemed Muslim brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the globe a joyous and spiritually uplifting Eid-el-Maulud celebrations. We thank Almighty Allah for making us see this glorious day, a day set aside to celebrate the birth of our dear Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him).
“As we mark this day, let us remember, cherish and imbibe the virtues Prophet Muhammad (SAW) exemplified. The Prophet exemplified the virtues of patience, love, tolerance and perseverance. He devoted his life to building understanding among people. While pursuing his faith, He had respect for other people’s faiths. His approach and disposition enhanced the search for peace and security.
“Our dear country is still grappling with insecurity. Enemies of the state and other criminal elements have been carrying out acts of destabilization and sabotage against our country and its people. Because of their activities, movement around the country has been difficult and there is the possibility of increased food insecurity. But I am happy to note that our security agencies have risen to the challenge. They have taken the battle to the criminals and have chalked up success after success. The terrorists are in retreat.
“I, therefore, urge our people to devote this Eid-el-Maulud celebration to prayers for the sustenance of the successes that our security forces have been recording against these murderous elements. May the Almighty Allah give our leaders and security agencies the wisdom, strength and courage to prosecute this battle to its end. May peace and security return to our country. May the 2023 elections be a watershed in the annals of our country.
“I pray fervently for peace and security in our dear Kaduna State. Our security agencies have substantially degraded the criminal elements in our state. But more work needs to be done! We must continue to support and pray for our security forces so that they can totally uproot these enemies of the people.
“As the 2023 governorship elections draw closer, I have continued to receive endorsements from critical stakeholders. My campaigns have gained traction. We are confident that with the people and Almighty Allah on our side, victory is assured. Our mission is clear: to take Kaduna State to higher heights. If given the mandate by the people, we shall effectively and efficiently execute our contract with the people. Join us on this journey that will unlock new opportunities for our dear state and people. Happy Eid-el-Maulud,” he said.
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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