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Garba Shehu Responds To Daily Trust Editorial On Worsening Security Situation In Nigeria

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RESPONSE FROM THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT BUHARI TO TODAY’S DAILY TRUST EDITORIAL: “LIFE HAS LOST ITS VALUE UNDER BUHARI’S NIGERIA”

Given the seriousness of the issue raised by the Daily Trust today, the Office of the President would like to issue a response.

The growing instability and violence in the North of Nigeria and elsewhere is unacceptable. No one, not least the Presidency underestimates the seriousness of the situation. Everyday, the President holds the victims and their families in his thoughts and prayers. Above all, he wishes to reassure them – and all Nigerians – that tackling the scourge of banditry and terrorism remains this government’s first priority.

Sadly, in this respect, Nigeria is not unique. Violence and terror have risen steadily across the entire African continent over the last decade. The Economist magazine in a recent publication wrote about “The Next Afghanistan,” warning the global community of the horrifying security in our neighborhood, citing specifically the states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. So we understand the frustrations of the Daily Trust and Nigeria’s northern communities about the ongoing challenges of security and the Buhari administration is no less worried. But it is only fair to say that Nigeria’s persistent and continued efforts to suppress that instability have seen results, with the terror group Boko Haram among others reduced to a shell of its former self.

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Yet, now we Nigerians face a new threat: the worst global health crisis in living memory. Even Nigeria that proudly holds the mantle of Africa’s largest economy is not immune from the debilitating economic impact of COVID-19. The economic instability that the pandemic has wreaked has proven an effective recruitment tool for bandits and terrorists across the continent.

Indeed, the Daily Trust has correctly identified the source of the violence as “an amalgam of many complex issues” such as poverty and unemployment. It is equally right to note that, in tackling the violence, “force alone will not be enough.” It is quite wrong, however, to suggest the problem of insecurity is intractable, and more wrong still to claim apathy on the part of the government.

So what is the government doing?

First, our military efforts have not let up. It is true that in the face of today’s growing number of threats from Boko Haram, kidnappers and IPOB to your run-of-the-mill bandits, our forces are stretched increasingly thin. But our dedicated soldiers are working around the clock to keep Nigerians safe.

Second, alongside military force, this government is seeking to address the violence at its economic source. Massive infrastructure projects like the coastal rail and new train from the southern coast through the north-east to our neighbour Niger, aim to expand employment and opportunity across the country, bringing hope to our more remote and poorer regions where bandits and terrorists thrive.

Third, even as the West continues to extricate itself from Africa militarily, we are lobbying our Western allies aggressively for partnership, investment and support in other areas, such as proscribing Boko Haram, bandits and IPOB as terrorist groups, which would severely dent their funding; for investment in trade and infrastructure, to help lessen economic instability; and to help with technical assistance, advanced weaponry, intelligence and ordinance.

This will likely be small comfort to the families and loved ones of those already lost. But make no mistake: this is a battle we are fighting without let up. The Daily Trust’s suggestion that the President exchanges violence for the support he got electorally is beneath a publication that claims any kind of political neutrality or integrity.

Now is not the time for this sort of lurid political journalism. Now our focus as Nigerians must be on coming together and ending the violence. As President Buhari wrote recently of the terrorists in the UK paper, The Financial Times: “We will defeat them, one highway, one rail link – and one job – at a time.”

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 12, 2021

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Bank of Ghana Appoints Prof. Bashir to Chair Islamic Banking Council

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8 hours ago

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August 20, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Bank of Ghana has appointed Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar, a distinguished Islamic scholar from Nigeria’s Bayero University, Kano (BUK), as chairman of its newly constituted council for interest-free (Islamic) banking operations.

Governor Johnson Pandit Asiama formally inaugurated the council members during a brief ceremony in Accra. Professor Umar, a seasoned lecturer in Islamic studies at BUK, will lead the body in ensuring that Ghana’s non-interest banking sector operates in full compliance with Sharia law and its associated ethical principles.

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The appointment marks a significant step for Ghana’s financial sector, underscoring the central bank’s commitment to diversifying its banking landscape amid the rapid global expansion of Islamic finance.

Umar’s selection also highlights the increasing reliance on expert scholarly oversight to maintain regulatory integrity and religious adherence within this growing alternative banking model.

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MURIC Writes ICPC, Demands Access to Elrufai

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August 20, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has formally requested permission from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to visit former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently in the custody of the anti-corruption agency.

MURIC made the request in a letter submitted to the ICPC on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, by the chairman of its Abuja branch.

The group said the visit was intended to enable its representatives to meet with the former governor and assess his condition while in custody.

According to the organisation, a three-man delegation has been nominated to undertake the visit. The delegation comprises MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola; the chairman of the Abuja branch, Ustadh Yunus Salahudeen; and the branch’s assistant secretary, Shehu Ahmad Lemu.

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MURIC urged the ICPC to grant the delegation access to El-Rufai, stressing that the request was made in line with its civil liberties advocacy and concern for the welfare and rights of persons in detention.

The group noted that Mr El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since Monday, February 16, 2026, following his detention by the anti-corruption commission.

MURIC said that, as of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the former governor had spent approximately six months and two days in the custody of the commission.

The organisation did not disclose the specific conditions it intended to assess during the proposed visit, nor did it state whether the request was prompted by any particular complaint concerning El-Rufai’s treatment in custody.

The former Kaduna governor has been under scrutiny by anti-corruption authorities over allegations linked to his administration in the state. His continued detention has also attracted public attention, particularly given the length of time he has spent in custody.

MURIC’s latest request adds a civil liberties dimension to the ongoing case, with the organisation seeking direct access to the former governor through a formally constituted delegation.

The group said it was awaiting the response of the ICPC to its request.

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President Tinubu Appoints Abel Olumuyiwa As Head Of Service

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1 day ago

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August 19, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

Mr Enitan succeeds Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who will retire soon from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

Mr Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.

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He brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.

President Tinubu expresses his profound appreciation to Mrs Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation and for the reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.

The President wishes her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveys the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.

President Tinubu charges the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President further urges Mr Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife. He later attended the University of Lagos and graduated in 1988 with a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking.

In 2015, Enitan obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.

 

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