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Khalid And The Crazy Commotion Caused By The Clerics

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Sheikh Nuru Khalid

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

By their calling, clerics are expected to be good ambassadors of the Prophets, through the preaching for peace, love and things that would bring greater unity among the people. Should any cleric choose to go in the reverse, he or she must be ready to be damned, and consequently condemned by God, with the likelihood of suffering eternal punishment in hell, God forbid.

Since last week, when the former chief Imam of Apo Juma’at Mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid was suspended, pursuant to his slap-happy sermons, the airspace was thrown into a state of confusion, with comments and counter comments coming in chorus.

The commotion became more intense, when Senator Muhammadu Saidu Dansadau, Chairman of the mosque Committee announced that the mosque had finally expelled the Sheikh, for not being remorseful.

While the congregants are saying Khalid cannot lead them in prayers, because he is partisan, and a mosque is a place of worship and not an arena for politics, Khalid is adamant, insisting that, he would rather be carrying load for pay, than to stop telling the truth.

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The intention of this article therefore, is to arrive at the true meaning of the truth, or make the truth be seen in accordance with facts or realities on the ground, and juxtapose it with the preaching of an Imam. That’s the prism, through which I intend to peruse the pulpit, and the practice of people like Imam Khalid, alongside the character of people like Senator Saidu Dansadau.

I used to pray in Imam Nurah Khalid’s mosque, but from his sermons, I long concluded that he is more of a grandstander, than an Imam that can provide Islamic guidance. He picks good topics for his sermons quite alright, but almost always, because of the calibre of people in attendance, mostly high profile politicians of the opposition, he behaves in a way that is meant to attract their attention, or even impress them. Sometimes I even have the suspicion that he may be amongst the beneficiaries of the infamous Dasuki Armsgate scandal.

Such behaviour does not tally with that of a man intending on telling the truth.

To support the argument that Khalid’s behaviour does not tally with that of a man intending on telling the truth, the controversial sermon was condemned even by a fellow controversial cleric, and prominent Buhari critic that is based in kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who described it as sentiments overriding in intellect.

This is a suggestion that Imam Khalid is not on the same page with the claimed truth.

To also buttress the lie in the assertion that Khalid was fired because he is critical of President Buhari, many have given names of sheiks and priests, that are critical of the President, including Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi, who described Imam Khalid as the PDP Imam on the pulpit, saying there’s Sheikh Bello Yabo of Sokoto, who is worse in terms of criticism of the President, but no one stopped or sacked him as Imam. He listed the uncommon transformation and support given to the military for the fight against insurhency by Buhari, which Imam Khalid refused to see.

Again this is a suggestion that Imam Khalid is not on the same page with the claimed truth.

As for the character of Senator Saidu Dansadau, the Chairman of the mosque Committee that sacked Imam Nurah, it may interest the reader to know that he is a front line politician that is adjudged with the strong virtue of integrity. Dansadau is a known critic of Buhari, and one that one time rejected a brand new car gift offered to him by then Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State.

Although a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, the then party of Buhari, he declined to return to the Senate in 2007, and together with like minds, formed the National Rescue Movement, NRM, with the intent to rescue Nigeria from misguidance.

So Imam Khalid and Dansadau may be pursuing the same objective of changing the change, but with a difference. While Imam Khalil is doing it from the pulpit, Dansadau is doing it on the platform of a political podium.

So Dansadau is closer to reflective reality, while Khalil can be said to be far way from the claimed truth.

This is not the first sermon of Imam Khalil that generated commotion, there was one particular one last year, where he showed his party affiliation on the pulpit, saying Buhari should return Nigeria to how he met it, impliedly Nigeria under PDP, or Allah will punish him.

I found the response of Cham Faliya Sharon appropriately suitable to the circumstances of the crazy commotion caused by clerics, and without his permission, which I would seek later, I hereby reproduce it:

WHEN ALLAH GRANTED HIM HIS WISH AND HE BECAME ANGRY!

In August last year, Sheik Nuru Khalil said Buhari should return Nigeria to how he met it (PDP Nigeria) or Allah will punish him. But because Allah doesn’t want to punish Buhari, He simply took us a little bit into how Buhari met Nigeria – acute fuel scarcity and the bombing of a train – yet the Sheik and his supporters became angry! Or is he going to tell lies against Allah that Buhari didn’t meet Nigeria with regular bombings and monthly fuel scarcities?

That was the Nigeria Buhari met, and that was exactly what Sheik Nuru Khalil wished for. But when it popped up briefly, he got mad instead of appreciating Allah for granting him his request. Which means he knows that the way Buhari met Nigeria was totally unpalatable. He couldn’t even make sermons criticising anyone in a mosque, and if he doubts me he should remember late Sheik Albany and others who were specifically targeted in their mosques and killed for daring to preach truth to power. That was the Nigeria Buhari met.

Once again, let’s ask Sheik Nuru Khalil whether he truly wants Buhari to return Nigeria to the way he met it. If so, then he may wish to install a whole new set of bomb detectors in his new mosque, because that’s how Buhari met Nigeria. And if not, then he owes us – those of us without short memories – a long apology.

And I add, a long apology for telling lies, which do not tally with the calling of a cleric.

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End of an era: Reader’s Digest UK closes after 86 years

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Reader’s Digest UK has ceased operations after 86 years of publication. The monthly magazine, known for its health tips, financial advice, and recipes, closed due to the “unforgiving magazine publishing landscape” and the company’s inability to withstand the financial pressures.Once a market leader with a circulation of over 1 million copies per month in the UK in 2000, the publication’s readership had declined sharply in subsequent years, dropping to under 200,000 copies recently.The closure marks the end of an era for the iconic magazine, which was founded in the US in 1922 and first published in the UK in 1938.The editor-in-chief cited the “relentless change” in the media industry and the need for companies to “continuously seek out and implement innovations” to survive.The closure of Reader’s Digest UK serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adaptability in the face of a rapidly evolving landscape.

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Air Chief Commends Kano Government’s Support for Security Operations

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The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Hasan Bala Abubakar has applauded the support of Kano state government under the stewardship of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf towards strengthening it’s operational mandate in the state.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature, said Air Marshal Abubakar made the commendation on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at Government house in Kano.

The Chief of Air Staff disclosed the joint force of his troops with sister security agencies in combating internal security in Kano yielded tremendous successes and maintained peace and stability in the state.

Air Mashal Abubakar noted the impact of Nigerian Airforce personnel in several operations that led to arrest of bandits and kidnappers on wanted list of DSS in Kano. He reassured the state government of NAF readiness to sustain internal stability.

The Kano born Chief however raised concern over encroachment of NAF land and re-allocation of its property. Abubakar pleaded for restoration of the land dedicated for its future expansion.

He also craved the Governor’s support in connecting the Kano state water facility to the NAF Base in the state for access to water supply.

Responding, Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf pledged readiness to strength partnership with Nigerian Air Force in the discharge of its operational mandate of ensuring internal peace and stability in the state.

The Governor Yusuf disclosed the critical role of the Nigerian Airforce in securing the nation’s air security component and providing cover to the ground troops against the internal and external enemies.

The Governor stressed the contribution of Air Force and sister military agencies in sustaining stability in Kano, reassured his administration’s commitment to build on the institutional relationship.

He however sought the consideration for Kano indigene in the recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Air Force, indicating the large percentage of youth population in the state.

The Governor equally requested for the establishment of Air Force Girls Comprehensive Secondary in Kano to complement the existing Boys Comprehensive Secondary School which is located in Kwa, in Dawakin Tofa, a long Kano-Katsina express way.

According to him, ” The government of Kano is proud of you and we are proud of your appointment which was based on professionalism and track record. Kano is also proud of your efforts to tackle the security challenges especially the menace of kidnapers, bandits and other criminals.

” Since we took over the mantle of leadership, the administration has enjoyed tremendous relationship and support from Air Force and sister security agencies and that was responsible for the peace and stability in Kano.

” We assured you, our administration will sustain support to the airforce in Kano especially in the area of operation and welfare of your personel for optimum performance of your statutory mandate. We also want to request for special consideration of placement into the air force consider our population which is estimated at 25 million.

” It is also noteworthy to request the reture of Girls Comprehensive secondary school to Kano. We are aware the girls were relocated due to the security challenge. We are also in need of more personnel to strengthen human capacity of the troops in Kano” Gov. Yusuf noted.

 

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50 Civil Society Groups Criticize Withdrawal of Police at Kano Anti-Corruption Agency

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Civil society groups have raised concerns over the withdrawal of police personnel from the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, criticizing the move during a press conference held in Abuja.

The groups said the withdrawal of approximately 40 police officers, responsible for security and investigative tasks, has not only hindered the commission’s work but also raised questions about the impartiality and independence of law enforcement agencies.

According to them the action is perceived as an attempt to impede ongoing corruption investigations involving Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All-Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Kano State.

The civil society groups have also issued recommendations to address corruption effectively in Nigeria.

They emphasize the need for autonomy and integrity within the judiciary, urging the National Judicial Council to monitor its members diligently.

They also call for transparency and accountability in governance, urging political parties to denounce and suspend members facing corruption allegations.

They also call for adequate resource allocation to anti-corruption agencies and also highlighted the essential to uphold their independence and efficiency.

Furthermore The groups called on religious leaders, community leaders, and opinion influencers to promote ethical behavior and combat corruption within their spheres of influence.

The reinstatement of police personnel withdrawn from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission are urged to facilitate the commission’s duties effectively.

The Civil society organizations also reaffirm their commitment to the fight against corruption and call for collective action to build a corruption-free Nigeria.

The withdrawal of police personnel from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission was allegedly ordered by the Inspector General of Police on April 25th. The move has sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability in law enforcement actions related to anti-corruption efforts.

The groups are as follows

1. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
2. Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre)
3. Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED)
4. Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
5. African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
6. Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)

7. BudgIT Foundation
8. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
9. State of the Union (SOTU)
10. Tax Justice and Governance Platform
11.Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)
12.Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)
13.Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)
14.Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE)
15.Centre Democracy and Development (CDD)
16. Accountability Lab, Nigeria
17. Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID}
18.Say NO Campaign – Nigeria
19.Femi Falana Chamber
20.Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
21.Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
22. Good Governance Team
23.21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative
24. OCCEN-Kano
25. Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Centre ( MAMA Centre)
26.Social Action
27.Centre for Transparency Watch
28.West Africa Civil Society Forum WASCSOF
29.Global Rights
30 African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)
31.Partners West Africa
32.Order Paper
33.Say No Campaign
34 Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria. ERA
35.Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity
36.Amnesty International Nigeria
37. RULAAC – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre
38. Connected Development (CODE)
39. Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT)
40. Praxis
41.CLEEN Foundation
42.Spaces for Change
43.Abuja School of Social and Political Thought
44.Yiaga Africa
45.Policy Alert
46.Socio Economic Research and Development Centre
47.Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative
48.Media Rights Agenda
49.MEDIA INITIATIVE FOR TRANSPARENCY IN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES (MITEI)
50.Centre for Social Justice

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