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Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Acting Director General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), says the introduction of Islamic banking will further threaten national security.
Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Acting Director General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), says the introduction of Islamic banking will further threaten national security.
Akinterinwa made the remarks in Lagos yesterday at the NIIA fifth brainstorming session on Islamic Banking in International Relations: The Case of Nigeria.
“While Islamic Banking does not constitute a major source of threats to national security elsewhere, it does in Nigeria of today,” he said.
According to him, if Muslims are threatening the use of force to ensure introduction of Islamic banking in Nigeria, there will be chaos if Christians respond that no one has monopoly of violence.
Akinterinwa said that this would only bring chaos and that Islamic banking would not thrive in disorderly situation.
“The controversy is being largely driven by religion rather than viability of the bank or by the extent to which Islamic banking can assist national economic growth and development.
“The opponents of Islamic banking have the fear that its introduction will provide a platform for Islamic propaganda to the detriment of the interest of non- Muslims in Nigeria.
“Interestingly, one major fear of those opposing Islamic banking in Nigeria is the place of Islam.
“It is rightly or wrongly being considered that Muslims are looking for all manners of ways to Islamise Nigeria,’’ he said.
He said that the CBN guidelines talked about Islamic banking and non-interest banking at the same time, but the two are not necessarily synonymous.
Akinterinwa said that the banking decree and laws in Nigeria did not allow the use of religious name for any bank.
“ There is nothing wrong in having Islamic banking as an additional or alternative banking system, but it is necessary to separate it from religious colouration,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Dogarawa, a Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said that Islamic banking was being demanded by Nigerians and its establishment would make the sector more competitive.
He said that the Islamic banks would compel conventional banks to improve their services.
Ahmad said that the success of Islamic banking would provide platform for funds moblilsation and employment generation for unemployed youths.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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