Kaduna-based renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has heavily criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his recent meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria in his office.

Gumi in a video sermon shared on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, referred to Wike as a malevolent individual for his meeting with the Israeli ambassador and discussing potential collaboration with Israel regarding security matters in Abuja.

Gumi alleged that the FCT Minister aimed to transform Abuja into an annexe of Tel Aviv, adding that there would be efforts to prevent President Bola Tinubu from serving for eight years.

The cleric asserted that Muslims occupying prominent security roles are merely symbolic figures and lack actual control over military command and operations. He argued that Christians and individuals from the Southern regions hold the reins of authority in Nigeria’s national security apparatus.

Gumi additionally characterized those Nigerians who vigorously promoted the concept of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as being of no genuine principle, labelling them as insincere hypocrites driven by avarice, solely pursuing financial gain for personal gratification and worldly interests.

He said: “The Minister of the FCT is a Satanic person; I said it before when he was appointed and some people were grumbling. He has gone and brought the Israeli Ambassador, that’s what someone sent and I am yet to watch it.

“But what is confirmed is he said they will collaborate with the Israelis on Abuja’s security issues. Abuja will now become an extension of Tel Aviv and when they see anyone with a beard like us, they will say it is Bin Laden and we will be killed.

“Where are those that worked for the Muslim-Muslim ticket? Hypocrites and worthless people. Abuja is becoming an extension of Tel Aviv and security is the bastion of the people.

“Have you not heard the silence? They know what they are doing. One Miyetti Allah leader came and told me that if they came to me with a proposal of negotiation with bandits, I should not be part of it, that I should leave it alone.

“It is a decoy. Muslims are the heads of the Ministry of Defence, of what significance is it? The real people in charge of Command and Control, those holding the guns and shooting, are we the ones? We are not the ones; they are playing us. There is an agenda. All means of money and economic power have been hijacked by them, they are planning to deceive us for four years and get eight years. They will not InshaAllah.

“I want to tell you, there is no way Northerners doing their legitimate business will get one billion nairas. Our rich people cannot get anything except those they trust. They only trust them because they are doing what they want. Anyone whose loyalty they are not sure of, will crush him in a few months.

“They will only come during elections like it is done to spread grains to chickens. If they spread grains to chickens, that’s all. Giving spaghetti to people is the solution, this spaghetti issue is a big deal. We are being cheated in this country and in a real mess.

“If Israelis enter this country, there will be a clandestine operation against any outspoken Islamic cleric; we have seen the signs. Why was Sheikh Jaafar killed? May his soul rest in peace, why did they kill Sheikh Albany? You can see how they are killing; there’s a hit list and we have known this for long.

“For you to understand, they will bring the MOSSAD into our country. Because of this, Tinubu should know that we know their plan, he must choose. He should remove the Minister of Abuja; if not, we will collide with him. On the day of a bath, the navel is not hidden.”

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Roni Local Government, Jigawa State, has been suspended by the party.

Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel, the chairman, released a statement on Thursday to disclose the suspension.

Last Wednesday, NewsNow reported the arrest of Saleh Idris, a 56-year-old man, on allegations of raping his housegirl.

In response, the APC stated that “Following the allegation of rape and impregnation of a minor and the preliminary investigation carried out by the state chapter, the party has reached the following resolutions:

“Your actions are in violation of section 21.2 (viii) and (x) of the APC 2022 Constitution, as amended, hence the need for further investigations.”

The statement noted that based on these findings, the State APC has suspended the party chairman until the investigation is concluded.

The party has instructed him to hand over the party’s affairs to the vice chairman of the local government.

The Lagos state government has alerted residents downstream of the Ogun River of the likelihood of experiencing flood this month (October).

The government then directed residents of about 18 areas to relocate immediately.

In a statement, spokesperson for the ministry of environment, Kunle Adeshina, identified the affected areas as Alagbole, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos Lagoon boundaries.

“The latest alert which emanated from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is a follow-up to a public statement issued by the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority on Monday showing rainfall and average water released monthly for the Years 2021, 2022 and 2023 till mid-October and warning of possible inundation by flooding which is already happening.”

“Lagos floods: List of areas at risk Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah, and Lagos Lagoon boundaries.”

Furthermore, Adeshina said the safety of the lives and properties of residents is paramount to the government and is the reason for the urgent call for citizens’ relocation

The Police Service Commission (PSC), on Thursday, justified the recruitment of “repentant thugs” as part of the police officers drafted to fight crime in the nooks and crannies of Kano State.

Daily Trust had reported how controversy trailed absorption of about 50 “repentant thugs” into the Kano State command of the force.

Nigerians had expressed displeasure and called on the authorities to be circumspect when recruiting for the force.

But defending the decision in a statement issued in Abuja, spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, argued that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised that crimes do not pay.

According to Ani, their (thugs’) engagement was obviously for visibility and to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state, adding they had gotten adequate training on policing system in the country.

The PSC spokesman added, “It is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as special constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorising the place.

“Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realised that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.

“The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their local government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.”

Ani further argued that the special constabulary were not policemen and that they are not recognised by the commission and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that the PSC would continue to recruit such persons since Police Act captured that.

He stated, “The commission wishes to state categorically that the special constabulary are not policemen and not recognised as such by the commission and the government.

“The commission, however, notes that the constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.

“The commission is in touch with the Kano State Police command and is aware that the use of the constabulary is to support the police in building a crime free Kano State.”

Ani quoted the chairman of the commission, Solomon Arase as saying that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian while calling for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria.

[DailyTrust]

kraine intends to supply 57,000 tonnes of grain to Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia as humanitarian aid, Ukrainian Deputy Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Markiyan Dmitrasevich said at a meeting with Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program Carl Skau.

Dmitrasevich and Skau discussed plans to dispatch ships with Ukraine's humanitarian grain cargo for Nigeria (25,000 tonnes) and Sudan (32,000 tonnes) under the Grain from Ukraine program, Ukrainian media said, citing the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's press service. The possibility of supplying Ukrainian grain to Somalia as humanitarian aid was discussed as well.

The parties also discussed preparations for the next international summit on food security in Kiev.

"In particular, it is possible to expand the geography and the range of supplies as part of the Grain from Ukraine initiative," the ministry said on its website.

[interfax]

Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has provided insight into his decision to leave the Senate chamber during a plenary session on Tuesday.

Ndume’s departure followed a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the session.

He had attempted to draw the Senate’s attention to what he perceived as violations of the Standing Orders of the Senate.

During the session, Senator Ndume cited procedural infringements, stating that they violated established parliamentary protocol.

However, Senate President Akpabio ruled him out of order, claiming that the order cited by Ndume did not apply to the matter he was discussing.

Ndume then left the chamber in apparent frustration.

He later clarified his reasons for leaving in an interview with BBC Hausa, in Abuja, noting that the situation arose when Senator Kawu Sumaila introduced a motion regarding the closure of the Nigeria-Niger border, which he claimed was urgent.

“At first, it was argued that the motion was not urgent, but the president of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say.

After hearing the motion, it was agreed that, since it related to security, it should be suspended,” explained Ndume.

Senator Ndume added that he wanted to explain the importance of the motion but was not granted the opportunity to speak.

He clarified that the closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS.

He stated, “In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.”

Senator Ndume clarified that he left the session to pray, a fact that was misinterpreted by his colleagues and the media.

“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure.

Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit,” Ndume said.

[Tribune]

The Federal Government on Thursday announced closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, Oct. 21 to midnight of Sunday Oct. 22 to carry out repairs.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, in a statement, said the government was ready to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge starting with repairs of the critical portions.

Kesha said the federal government wished to inform the motoring public that it was currently working on plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of Third Mainland Bridge.

“However, in order to alleviate the pains currently being experienced on the bridge, the Ministry would be carrying out palliative works on the most critically failed sections along the Adeniji bound carriageway on Sunday, Oct. 22 preparatory to the comprehensive repair works,” she said.

She advised motorists to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed for seamless movement.

“However, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes where possible during the period of the palliative works as the Adeniji bound of the bridge will be closed to traffic from Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, 22nd 12.00 midnight,” she said.

[TNG]

I grew up thinking that a judicious mix of crime, sex and money might not only help a publisher turn a good profit but could also be the catalyst for a better society. But my friend, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of NaijaTimes, Ehi Braimah, subscribes to a slightly different model.

When he sent me a collection of the editorials by the online newspaper to review, it was obvious that he believes it is possible to change society – for the better – by using a genre different from my old, familiar mix. Which is a bit of a surprise because in his former life, Ehi was old school. 

He has had such an extraordinarily buoyant social life as a younger man, he appears to be afraid of getting old. That’s probably why instead of reproducing the old school journalism that extolled sex, money and crime, he is charting a different pathway for a better society, as you would find in the new book from the stable of NaijaTimes.

My first impression of the book, For A Better Society – A Compilation of Editorials Published in NaijaTimes from September 2020 to July 2023, published by Bookcraft and released this year, is that it reflects the importance the author puts on newspaper commentary with the notion that it holds a crucial place in the overall objective of news production.

Newspapers – print and online alike – use the weight of their editorials to achieve any or all of these three objectives: 1) influence public opinion, 2) promote critical thinking, and 3) cause people to take action.

Perhaps it might be useful to give a sense of the analytics of the NaijaTimes website. According to open-source statistics of the site as of October 13, 2023, it currently ranks 1,142,571 globally, with a country ranking of 12,882 and trending up.

That’s not bad, considering that the brand is still in its infancy. Ten percent of its users, which is the highest percentage, comes from Nigeria; 7.56 percent from Antigua and Barbuda; 2.72 percent from the Maldives; 2.46 percent from the United States; and 2.39 percent from Jersey. Other parts of the world, combined, account for 74.79 percent.

Perhaps a far more relevant statistic would be the demographics of the users of NaijaTimes, especially those who read its editorials. Unfortunately, since I’m not a staff, I’ll need to use a hacker’s ingenuity to reach the backend, a skill that is obviously against the ethos of a better society!

We can argue that traditional newspapers with both hardcopy and online presence appear to stick more to publishing daily editorials as part of their content. Many strictly online news platforms do not dedicate much energy and time to editorial publishing for reasons ranging from mode of operation, a lack of proper editorial board, the virtuality associated with content production, and a lack of commitment. The ones that do, publish editorials at intervals – say, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Not NaijaTimes!

In 35 months, NaijaTimes published 115 editorials broadly covering nine areas, each of which constitutes a chapter in this book – governance, politics, economy, education, security, health & environment, international affairs/diplomacy, sports and tributes/obituaries.

The major events that define the period covered by this book are: COVID-19, the #EndSARS protests, the 2023 general elections, and the state of the Nigerian economy. And, maybe we should add notable deaths around the world, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to the mix?

You don’t have to travel far into the pages of For A Better Society before we are thrown right into one of the most defining moments in our recent history. On Page 4 of the book, the editorial: “End SARS protests: Time to address the hard facts,” published on October 18, 2020, the newspaper draws readers’ attention to perhaps why the massive protests eventually yielded little.

It reads: “While those in the South are in support of a complete disbandment of SARS, those in the North are not; rather, they are calling for a comprehensive reformation of the squad… Of course, this kind of argument is expected in a plural society like ours, but we call for caution so that the differences in approach do not distract from the essence of guaranteeing the rights and privileges of members of the society and saving them from the brutality of security agencies.”

In Chapter Six, four out of the nine editorial publications under the Health and Environment deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. No single event highlighted 2020 like the pandemic, and because NaijaTimes itself was launched just around the peak of it, the newspaper rightly uses it as the peg of its evaluation of the year.

The other editorial “Crisis in APC and PDP: Do Nigerians need an alternative in 2023?”, published on August 15, 2021, captures the exasperation with the two dominant parties, which set the stage for the emergence of Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Obi’s eventual performance as the best third-place finisher in decades in the election was probably a vindication of the newspaper.

One of the most controversial issues in Nigeria’s economy has been the removal of subsidy on petrol announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. The newspaper supports the call for subsidy to be removed and for the government to speedily deregulate the oil and gas sector to allow “free but monitored market interactions to determine exploration, exploitation, processing and supply of petroleum products in the country.”

You know the rest of the story: Subsidy is gone! Subsidy is back!

Perhaps it would be useful to talk briefly, at this point, on the use of language. In my experience, apart from their general staleness and lack of authority, one of the other reasons why a number of readers tend to ignore editorials is the use of ponderous language, like the one I have just used – ponderous!

You may say this collection of editorials looks at the government of Tinubu with rose-tinted glasses. But you cannot say its language is ponderous or ambiguous. It adopts clear, straightforward language and examples in making its case for a better society.

Tribute editorials, for which global brands such as the Times of London and The Economist, are well-known appear to be going out of fashion in our province. Chapter Nine, the final chapter of this book, has a rich array of tributes and obituaries not only because many iconic personalities coincidentally died within the time of its compilation, but also because there is the consciousness to document their journey. From JP Clark to Jerry Rawlings, Diego Maradona to Pele and Queen Elizabeth in-between, For A Better Society got them all covered.  

Except, of course, for brevity and uniformity of length, the book is a compilation of what an editorial should be. The newspaper set for itself, the lofty goal of seeking a “better Nigeria with strong institutions, respect for the rule of law and defending the public interest.” This is not a three-year goal, never mind one that can be achieved easily in a society where almost everyone is talking, few are listening, and fewer still are doing right.

But let me borrow the words of Singh A. and Singh S. (2006), in their book, What Is A Good Editorial?  “A good editorial should express an opinion without being opinionated. It should teach without being pedagogic. It should transform without being evangelical. It should engulf without drowning. It should motivate to action without making you dictatorial. It should enlighten without getting you dogmatic, prejudiced and egotistical.”

This book is a solid reference material for policymakers and those who seek knowledge in various fields or those who simply want to read balanced and informed commentaries about specific topics.  And it doesn’t matter whether you’re the old school of Ehi’s variety or a product of the Arab spring!

And when Ehi has made his money, he should not forget to pay tithe to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, whose newspaper, Champion, has the proprietary right of the mantra, “Towards a better society!”