News

Clerics To Muslim Faithful: Return Looted Goods In Your Possession For Eid -El – Maulud Celebration Sake

Published

5 years ago

October 29, 2020

Muslim Ummahs who partook in the looting of government and individuals’ properties during the #EndSARS protest have been urged to return all the goods in their possession in the spirit of the Eid – El- Maulud celebration.

Eid – El- Maulud is a celebration by Muslims to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

Muslim clerics, Ibrahim Oyarekhua, chairman, Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Board, and Nurudeen Asunogie, while making the calls in a telephone interview, said those who participated in the looting could only get the rewards of the celebration if only they return the looted goods in their possessions.

The duo who enjoined Muslim faithful to emulate the virtues of integrity, honesty and piety, as epitomized by the Prophet, further urged non-Muslim involved in the act to also do the same by returning goods in their possessions.

The clerics, while condemning the attack, destruction of public and private institutions’ properties in the country, however called on the government to put in place policies to entrench good governance in the country.

Speaking Ibrahim Oyarekhua, who said the #EndSARS protest started peacefully in the country, condemned the way and manner hoodlums hijacked it.

Oyarekhua, opined that many Nigerians believe that the protest would have been able to unite the country against bad leadership.

“We don’t believe that Muslims would have participated in this unwholesome act, and, if they were, and for some of them to have looted whatever they have looted either small or big, the earlier they return the goods to where they looted them, the better for them.

“If they think nobody, saw them when they looted the goods, it will be a burden on them on the day of judgment.

“Whatever they have looted and if they refused to return them now, God the Almighty will surely request for those things from them on the last day, to account for it and if not, they will be punished.

“Muslims do not take what does not rightly belong to them. If you take what does not belong to you, you must return before you seek for repentance,” he stated.

On his part, Nurudeen Asunogie, said government needs to address the imbalance between the have and the have not in the society.

“I want to remind the Muslim Ummahs that there is absolutely nothing unique about celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) if we are not going to adorn ourselves on the virtues of integrity, honesty and sacrifice which the prophet epitomizes.

“I think, generally, we need to address the imbalance in the society because the divides is rather too wide between the have and the have not.

“Those who do not have constitute a very terrible and frightening majority. So, they will also drown those who have caused the state resources to coagulate around themselves.

“I also think government should bring about fair distribution of wealth in the country,” he added.

While urging all those involved in the wanton destruction, looting of public and private institutions’ properties in the country to seek for sincere repentance from Allah, he noted that destruction and stealing of other people’s property are aliens to Islam.

Asunogie noted that once a Muslim deviated from the commands of Allah, he or she becomes irrelevant in the scheme of things in this world and in the hereafter.

“Society is created along two lines. These are the evil and good. If you are not a thief there is no way in the first place you would have destroyed and looted government and private property.

“It is crime. If they escape punishment in this world, they will not in the hereafter, except they sincerely repent and return whatever is in their possessions.

“If there is nothing with them, they should seek forgiveness from those who have suffered in the cause of their actions.

“If they do not, on the last day, they will be carrying the burden for which they will regret endlessly because it has no justification under any guise,” he added.

News

Benin GSM Village Puts Aside Differences, Embrace Peace

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

There was celebration galore at the Great GSM Village, Benin as members in their large numbers and in one accord, agreed to put their differences behind them for the sake of peace and progress of the association.

Addressing Journalists at an enlarged meeting attended by both factions, Mr. Odion Jerry Igbineweka said he was not really happy while the crisis lasted.

He said now that peace has been restored, they should forget about the past and embrace the peace that has come to stay as there is no meaningful development that can be recorded in an atmosphere of rancour and disunity.

And for Mr. Michael Ojiezele, while commending Mr. Odion Jerry Igbineweka for toeing the path of honour to embrace peace for the overall interest of the association, said, henceforth, the association is going to witness a tremendous growth and that as a man who loves and cherishes peace, he would want every member of the association to key into the process and let bye gone be bye gone.

Ojiezele said that there is a lot more to benefit and achieve if everyone could come together as it was in the past maintaining that it is all for the good of everyone.

Speaking also former chairman of the association, Hon. Stephen Osagie Imoukhuede Ohimai, CEO Osagie wireless link Nig Ltd, commended the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, the SA on Security, Peter Akhere, High Chief Lucky Ohimai, Edo State Youth Coordinator, Asiwaju 2027, Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Political Mobilisation and Engagement, Hon Eugene Utubor for wading into the crisis and restoring a lasting peace in the association.

He further appealed to the state government and ministry of Education to partner the association as it has all that it takes to train the youths on GSM repairs instead of bringing people outside the state to train them.

According to the former chairman of the association, “The rate of employment is reducing in Edo State because of Great GSM Village. We are be able to create job for many persons in the state. So, we want the governor to partner with us in the area of ICT and communication. You don’t need to go to China. As we speak, we still have our members in China more than 30 that are working there.

“So, in this skill acquisition he is trying to introduce to school, to students, they should partner with us because we can be of a better help. And we should be able to deliver what the governor want.

“The agenda of the governor is to see that Edo is shining. And by God’s grace, we will get there. Please, I want the Commissioner of Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu to work with us to let us train all those graduates that are coming up during their holiday period.

“We have a school center where we can launch and work together. The MD of Edojob all should work with us so that we’re able to achieve success for the state. It is when you have a better environment, you can have a better state”.

Earlier, the Special Adviser on Security to the Edo State governor, Peter Akhere said his promise to the association at the beginning of the crisis was that he was going to do all in his power to restore peace to the association.

He said that now that such has been achieved, there should be no need to reawaken the crisis but to continue to live in peace and harmony adding that, that is the only way they can make meaningful progress.

Mr. Akhere thanked God that during the period of the crisis, no life was lost stressing that, they must continue with that spirit of sportsmanship and unity for the state to move forward.

News

Bauchi Govt Sanctions 4 Senior Officers For Gross Misconduct

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Civil Service Commission (CSC) has sanctioned four senior officers for gross misconduct in the discharge of their service.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Friday by Mr Saleh Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi state Civil Service Commission.

According to him, the decision, which was made during the Commission’s plenary session, was in its continued effort to sanitise the State’s Civil Service.

He listed the names of the officers that were sanctioned to include; Garba Hussaini, a Director, Education and former Provost, Haruna Umar, a Deputy Director, Administration and Human Resources.

Others included; Umar Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer (Account)- Bursar and Mohammed Usman, Chief Clerical Officer – Cashier, all attached to Bill and Melinda Gate College of Health Sciences Technology in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

Umar explained that the interdicted officers have been placed on 50 per cent of their salaries with effect from 28th October, 2025 until the end of the full investigation.

“The Commission’s decision was taken to allow further investigation into the allegations laid against the officers.

“The Officers were found guilty of misconduct that contradict Bauchi State Public Service Regulations – 0327 (x) and (xxii) and interdicted under rules 0329 (i), (ii) and (iii) to further distance them from their duty posts for seamless and smooth investigation.

“In a light-hearted part, the Commission has promoted 21 officers to their next grades of Deputy Chief Librarian, Assistant Chief Librarians and Principal Librarians to grade levels 15, 14, 13, 12 and 10 respectively.

“Others were Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Chief Confidential Secretary on grade levels 13 and 14,” said Umar.

The Public Relations Officer added that Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chairman of the Commission, reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the rules of law under his watch.

He noted that while promising to continue to uphold integrity, transparency and fairness in the commission, the Chairman also expressed dismay over the nonchalant attitude of some Civil Servants not knowing the disciplinary procedures in civil service and its consequences.

“Chairman also called on all workers to be conversant with the do and don’t in carrying out their assignments to avoid unnecessary offense,” he said.

News

Don’t Take Law Into Your Hands – NYSC Warns Corps Members

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned all corps members serving their fatherland not to take laws into their own hands during and after their service year.

Mr Umoren Kufre, the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC gave the warning during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ stream 1 corps members at the state’s NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

“I urge you to obey all the rules and regulations governing the NYSC. In case you notice any irregularity, do not take the laws into your hands.

“Always ensure that you follow the proper channel of communication to express your grievances.

“Let me assure you again that management will ensure that the basic amenities you need in the camp are provided for you. Your safety and comfort remains our utmost priority,” he said.

Kofre, who explained that a total of 2,050 corps members were posted to the state for the one year compulsory service, said there has not been any serious problem since the commencement of the course and the prospective corps members were participating actively in all camp activities.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his continuous support to the scheme in the state as well as the complete renovation of Corps Members hostels and the construction of a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

The NYSC boss, however, called on the governor to help them rebuild the part of the camp perimeter fence that collapsed about a year ago.

Declaring the orientation camp exercises open, Gov. Bala Mohammed urged the corp members to take the lead and advocate for national development and transformation.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, the State’s Head of Service, Mohammed called on them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieving the scheme’s objectives of national unity and development.

While administering the oath of allegiance, Justice Rabi Umar, the Chief Judge of the state who was represented by Abdullahi Yau, Deputy Registrar, High Court of Justice, charged the corps members to maintain law and order towards the peaceful orientation exercises