News

‘Anti-govt’ Sermon: Outrage Over Abuja Imam’s Suspension

Published

4 years ago

April 3, 2022

Condemnations have trailed the suspension of the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Shiekh Nuru Khalid, over a sermon considered to be “anti-government”.

In the sermon, the cleric lambasted government over killings in Nigeria, advising Nigerians not to vote leaders who cannot guarantee the safety of lives and properties during the 2023 general election.

Though many Nigerians commended the Imam for speaking truth to power, the steering committee of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque accused Khalid of “inciting” the electorate against politicians.

Many Nigerians condemned the action of the mosque committee headed by Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, describing the suspension as an “oppression”.

While calling for the reinstatement of the Imam, they urged Khalid not to be intimidated.

Khalid, popularly known as Digital Imam, had after hissuspension said, “God is the most powerful. He gives (enthrones) and takes away power (dethrones) from whomever He wishes”.

Reactions as compiled by The PUNCH:

Senator Shehu Sani @ShehuSani:

Sheikh Nuru Khalid dusted the mirror the Clergies used to show GEJ and he showed it to the President and his colleagues couldn’t stand it.Khalid has demonstrated fidelity to his faith,to his conscience and to his conviction.
Many religious clergies lose their gospel voice or dilute their sermons when the oppressor is of their faith or denomination.

Reno Omokri @renoomokri:
The Chief Imam of Apo Jumat Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has been suspended for criticising Buhari over the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing. Yet, nothing has been done to the terrorists! They punish critics and victims.

The mosque steering committee said the sermon was “inciting” and in violation of “Islamic tenets.” But when Muslim clerics all over the North used to routinely curse and preach against Goodluck Jonathan in mosques for his inability to contain the intensifying insecurity in the country at the time, which pales in comparison with what we’re seeing now on Buhari’s watch, it was neither “inciting” nor against “Islamic tenets.”

In fact, there is a famous video clip of Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami crying like a baby during a sermon where he blamed Jonathan for being singularly responsible for the mass deaths of northern Muslims in the country. Now, his eyes are as dry as the Sahara desert even when more northern Muslims than ever before are being murdered daily as a result of Buhari’s dreadful ineptitude and unconcern.

The hypocrisy is galling! When/if a southern Christian becomes president next year, I can bet you that criticising a president would no longer be considered “incitement” or a violation of “Islamic tenets.” I don’t know how these people are able to live with this quantum of disgustingly reprehensible double standards.

FS Yusuf @FS_Yusuf_:
So, a popular Imam in Abuja is getting suspended for criticising Buhari over the Kaduna train bombing? So, it would have been acceptable if he had come to the mosque to praise Buhari for the killing and kidnapping of passengers? What are you people actually telling the world?

Kescambro@lordkeke:
It’s a shame that all our so-called fathers of faith in this country are silent about the suffering of Nigerian people. Abuja envelopes and contracts have closed their mouths to the death, poverty and suffering of the people. Thank you Imam for speaking the truth, you are a hero.

Technokrat @maestro_chimex:
I heard that a Sheikh, The Chief Imam of an Abuja mosque was suspended for calling out the government over insecurity in Nigeria. This should teach us that the battle is between the masses and the political elite and not regions or religion.

News

JUST IN: Defence Minister, Badaru Mohammed Resigns

Published

21 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has resigned his appointment with immediate effect.

His resignation was contained in a letter addressed to President Tinubu and dated December 1.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this on Monday.

The presidential spokesman said Abubakar resigned on health grounds.

News

Police Deny Opening Recruitment Portal, Warn Nigerians Against Fake Adverts

Published

1 hour ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has debunked reports circulating on social media and several unofficial websites claiming that it has opened a portal for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission described the publications as fake, warning that they were created by fraudsters seeking to deceive and exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the PSC said it had not commenced any recruitment exercise.

“The general public is hereby informed that these publications are fake and entirely misleading.

“They are the handiwork of fraudsters attempting to exploit innocent citizens,” the Commission said.

It added that no recruitment portal had been opened by the Commission.

“There is currently no ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Police Service Commission has not opened any portal for such an exercise,” the statement added.

The PSC stressed that whenever recruitment begins, the announcement will be made strictly through authorised platforms.

According to the statement, official channels include advertisements in reputable national newspapers, announcements posted on the Commission’s verified website (www.psc.gov.ng), and formal press releases.

“We urge Nigerians to rely only on information published through these official channels.

“Any recruitment portal not listed on our website is fraudulent and should be reported to the police,” the commission said.

The PSC advised the public to ignore the fake recruitment claims to avoid falling victim to scams.

The PUNCH had reported that the Police Service Commission has cautioned Nigerians seeking a career in the Nigeria Police Force to beware of fake recruitment adverts circulating online, insisting that it has not yet commenced the 2025 recruitment exercise.

News

FG Begins Free Liver, Kidney Tests For People Living With HIV

Published

1 hour ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Monday announced that it has begun providing People Living with HIV/AIDS access to free annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said this during the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, and other partners in Abuja, themed, “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.”

World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote global solidarity, and review progress in combating the epidemic.

It also serves as a platform to reinforce commitment toward eliminating HIV and ensuring access to treatment for all affected individuals.

Salako said, “We are beginning to provide people living with HIV/AIDS with access to annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.

“We are also moving steadily towards full integration of HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme in Nigeria as one service that can be accessed in one location at any point in time.

“This integrated approach will ensure that children and adolescents can access multiple essential services during a single visit, thereby improving health outcomes.”

He noted that during the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar, the consent age for voluntary HIV counseling and testing was reduced from 18 to 14 years to increase testing rates among adolescents, leading to earlier diagnosis, better access to care, and a reduction in transmission.

The minister added that the NCH also approved the institutionalisation of the National Clinical Mentorship Programme within the health system and urged states to integrate clinical mentorship activities into their annual operational plans and budgets.

“This is going to help ensure that persons living with HIV remain on treatment and prevent loss to follow-up.

“I call on all stakeholders—states, partners, civil society, communities, and the private sector—to strengthen collaboration, scale innovation, and accelerate our march toward the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.

The Director General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, stated that despite unprecedented disruptions—including the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, fluctuating donor support, and shifts in global health financing—Nigeria is on track to meet the 2030 target of ending HIV.

“We have maintained an impressive 87–98–95 performance toward the global 95–95–95 targets, demonstrating significant progress in diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression across the country.

“Eighty-seven per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status; 98 per cent of those who know their status are on life-saving treatment; and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression—meaning they cannot transmit HIV.

“In the last decade, Nigeria has recorded a 46 per cent decline in new HIV infections, and more Nigerians living with HIV are enrolled and retained in care than ever before,” she emphasised.

The President of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, advocated for domestic HIV funding and stressed the need to address gaps in PMTCT, improve community engagement, and promote viral load testing.

“Drugs are available, but there are elements that need more attention, such as community engagement for retention.

“We need to discuss adherence, counseling, psychosocial support, follow-up for those who miss their appointments, and improve access to viral load testing,” he said.

Also speaking, the UN Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, advocated for domestic financing, protection of human rights, community empowerment, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s health system to enhance resilience, increase efficiency, and expand equitable access.

“Together, we will sustain the response. Together, we will overcome distractions. Together, we will build a future where every person can live with health, dignity, and hope,” she noted.