Ramadan: Fayemi greets Muslims, urges prayer for Nigeria.

Ramadan: Fayemi greets Muslims, urges prayer for Nigeria.

As Muslims begin the holy month of Ramadan, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has extended his best wishes and greetings to Nigerian Muslims, encouraging them to use the annual fast as an opportunity for self-reflection, prayer, and to deepen community spirit. 

Dr Fayemi also noted the significance of this year’s Ramadan coinciding with the Christian Lent period. This according to him holds profound significance and illustrates a shared commitment to spiritual devotion and self-discipline by the two faiths. 

He stated that as both Christians and Muslims engage in fasting and prayer during the same period, it provides an opportunity for individuals from the two strongest faiths in Nigeria to empathize with one another and strengthen their interfaith connections. 

According to him, Ramadan is not merely about abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset but a time for spiritual growth, self-discipline, and empathy. 

"It is an opportunity for Muslims to draw closer to God, strengthen their faith, and deepen their bonds with other members of the community," he stated.

He continued: "The true essence of Ramadan lies in the values of sacrifice, humility, gratitude, compassion, and awareness of our duties to our Creator and humanity. As our Muslim brothers and sisters embark on this spiritual journey, may these virtues strengthen their faith and inspire them to be examples of peace, justice, and service to our country.

"The Ramadan Fast should instill empathy for the less fortunate, reminding us of the value of charity and kindness to others, regardless of their background or circumstances.

‘’As we begin Ramadan, I encourage our Muslim brothers and sisters to reflect on the values and ideals of this holy month. Let us strive to instill a spirit of forgiveness, tolerance, and unity in our communities. Rather than focusing on differences, let us work to strengthen the bonds that bind us.

 ‘’In the spirit of Ramadan, let us also remember to pray for Nigeria. May our nation be blessed with peace, prosperity, and unity. May we overcome our challenges and work together towards a brighter future for all. 

‘’As we embark on this journey of spiritual renewal and self-improvement, let us pray that the blessings of Ramadan bring hope, healing, and transformation to our lives and our nation.

‘’Ramadan Mubarak!’’

Oyebanji Greets Muslims As RAMADAN Commences.

Oyebanji Greets Muslims As RAMADAN Commences.

….Urges Support for Less Privileged.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has extended his felicitations to the Muslims Ummah as the holy month of Ramadan commences.

The Governor said beginning the holy month and being alive to witness it is a special grace bestowed upon the faithful by the Almighty Allah which should not be taken for granted.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, urged the Muslim Ummah to utilize the period for prayers, worship, alms giving and support for the poor and the less privileged in the society in order to receive blessings from Allah.

Describing the 30-day fast as an important pillar in Islam, Governor Oyebanji said observing the spiritual obligation draws the faithful to the Creator and deepens piety.

While noting that Ramadan offers an opportunity for spiritual rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation which creates a strong bond between the Almighty Allah and the faithful, the Governor urged Muslim faithful to be more steadfast in their prayers for Ekiti State and Nigeria so that greater level of peace, progress and prosperity can be achieved.

According to the Governor, the rigours of participation in fasting should bear positive fruit in their relationship with Allah and fellow human beings.

"I pray that the Muslim faithful be rewarded with the abundant blessings that come with the month and protect us to successfully complete the fast and retain the blessings of the holy month,” the Governor added.

Ramadan begins today, Sultan seeks prayers against insecurity, hardship.

Ramadan begins today, Sultan seeks prayers against insecurity, hardship.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared today (Monday) March 11, 2024, as the first day of the month of Ramadan.

The Sultan, who is the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, said the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Sunday, “which is the 29th day of the Month of Shaban and thereby signifies tomorrow, 11th of March, as the first day of Ramadan 1445.”

“We got the information from Muslim leaders across the country and we accept the sighting of the moon accordingly,” the Sultan said.

He called on the entire Muslim community in the country to start fast today in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

He urged Muslims to use this month of Ramadan to pray against the spread of insecurity in the country.

He called on all Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the leaders in discharging their duties with fear of God.

He further advised all Muslims in the country and beyond to observe the fast with ultimate fear of God, while urging the wealthy to assist the underprivileged with food during the Holy month.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445.

The governor, who described the holy month as a blessed month in which Allah rewards the worship of the Muslim Ummah, charged Muslims to increase their prayers for the country and the state.

Makinde, in a statement by Special Adviser on Media, Suleiman Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, called for increased prayers for the country amid the economic hardship facing the people, noting that though leaders have been doing everything to turn the situation around, prayers were of greater essence at this time.

“My administration has been doing everything possible to mitigate the effects of the economic hardship and it will not relent until life becomes better for all residents of the state.

“I felicitate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of the commencement of the month of Ramadan 1445. This is another opportunity offered to us by Allah to serve Him and seek His face and I will encourage all and sundry to make good use of the opportunity as always.

“I charge the Muslim Ummah to, as they have always done, pray for our dear state and Nigeria, as we have all come to realize that prayer remains the greatest key for believers to make things happen.

“We do know that our country is in a bit of economic hardship, but while we continue to look up to the leaders to do the needful, we must also support our hopes with prayers to God,” Makinde said.

Also, a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Dotun Babayemi, has urged the Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan month to pray for the country.

Babayemi made the call in a statement issued by his media office obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, calling on Nigerians to have a positive attitude about the country.

 “It’s our collective responsibility to see that Nigeria succeeds.

“This we can achieve by being relentless in our tangible efforts and through constant supplications to God, especially as offered by the opportunities inherent in the fasting period,” he said.

Ramadan: Katsina to feed Muslims with N10bn grains.

Ramadan: Katsina to feed Muslims with N10bn grains.

The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the 34 local governments, has allocated over N10bn for the purchase of grains for distribution to vulnerable residents during Ramadan.

The Muslims’30-day Ramadan fast begins today (Monday), according to the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Governor Dikko Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, disclosed the government’s plan to purchase N10bn worth of grains in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the governor has inaugurated committees, at both state and local government levels, to oversee the distribution of the foodstuffs.

At the moment in the country, Nigerians are grappling with high costs of foodstuffs over the all-time high inflation.

The Katsina governor said the state aimed to feed about 72,200 people each day of Ramadan, which, he said, translated to providing food assistance to approximately 2.1 million residents throughout the period.

Besides, the governor said the state would subsidise the prices of maize, millet, and guinea corn to N20,000 per bag.

He said to ensure even distribution, the subsidised grains would be sold at 10 measures per buyer.

He said 33,000 elderly and vulnerable families selected from across the state would “receive free of charge, food items along with some cash donations.”

According to the statement, the governor emphasised the importance of accountability in the distribution process, directing local government committees to remit proceeds from grain sales to the state committee for deposit into government accounts.

Fresh protest over Shaibu’s impeachment plan, cleric warns Obaseki.

Fresh protest over Shaibu’s impeachment plan, cleric warns Obaseki.

Hundreds of supporters of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, again, took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the plan by the state House of Assembly to impeach the deputy governor over the allegation of leaking government secrets.

This was as the parish priest of St Francis Catholic Church, Benin, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Obiyan, appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to halt the impeachment move.

The Edo State House of Assembly had last Wednesday commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu accusing him of perjury and leaking the government’s secrets.

The impeachment move is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Obaseki.

There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.

The House, at the proceedings, directed its Clerk to serve the impeachment notice on Shaibu while it gave him seven days to respond.

However, as of Sunday, The PUNCH learnt that the House had yet to serve the impeachment notice on the deputy governor.

Shaibu’s supporters, under the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement, had first protested last Thursday.

On Sunday, they converged again at the popular Jattu Junction, Etsako West Local Government with placards in the early hours of the day.

The protesters, who marched round the major streets of the local government, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: “We say no to impeachment of Philip Shaibu”; We say no to persecution of Philip Shaibu,” among others.

The leader of the protesters, Festus Owu, advised the Assembly to focus on providing good legislation for the Edo people rather than engage “in fruitless ventures of impeachment that bring no food to the table of hungry Edo people who suffer the brunt of bad governance and poor representation in the state.”

Owu said, “Every man has the right to contest an election; Philip Shaibu has expressed his willingness to contest to be Edo State Governor and anyone stopping it is deliberately returning the state to the era of godfatherism.

“The Edo State House of Assembly should focus on providing good legislation for the people.

“Governor Obaseki few years ago said that anybody, including himself, should be stoned whenever he makes an attempt to become a godfather in the state. The governor won’t be stoned but left to be tormented by his own conscience.

“Agbebaku (Assembly Speaker) should not become a puppet and rubber stamp Speaker in the hands of enemies of our state who do not mean well for the people. Also, the silence as the NWC is questionable, unacceptable and looks like they are part of the ongoing evil in the state. I will urge the NWC to do the needful.”

Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, Very Rev. Fr Obiyan also called on Obaseki to halt the impeachment move.

The cleric said, “I make a humble and passionate appeal to Your Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, I entreat you because I regard you as a civilised and enlightened man. May it not be in the annals of Edo political history that there was once a Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, impeached under your watch for his aspiration. It will be perceived as a sting of ‘betrayal’ and it will invariably redefine ‘loyalty and aspiration’ as antithetical.

“Please, don’t get me wrong because this is far more polite than you can imagine. This is the kernel of my entreaty: Leave your deputy alone to deal with his issues and resolve them without initiating impeachment.

“Reconciliation is always a prosperous option. Listen to your kind heart. I am not insinuating he must be governor. Yet, we cannot justify an impeachment without putting a wedge on the path of positive advancement in other spheres of life.”

Obiyan urged Obaseki to “talk to Edo State House of Assembly to discontinue the impeachment process.”

“Honourable members must ensure that legislation prohibits any move that bears the semblance of retaliation. Do yourselves a favour because you don’t know the next victim in sudden political twists and turns,” the cleric said.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Aziegbemi, on Sunday, said the House of Assembly was an independent arm of government capable of taking care of its activities.

Aziegbemi added that the impeachment move would not scuttle efforts by the PDP National Working Committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

 Aziegbemi said, “What I can tell you is that the House of Assembly is an independent arm of government and whatever they are doing does not affect the peace move by the national body.

“The reconciliatory committee will be in Edo on March 16 and 17 and I can only imagine that they will do their best to ensure that the party remains intact as we prepare for the September 21 election.”

LASG committed to workers’ welfare, says Sanwo-Olu.

LASG committed to workers’ welfare, says Sanwo-Olu.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the state workers have been receiving N41,500 as the minimum wage, far higher than the N30,000 that was prescribed for workers in the country.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement through his Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, at the South-West geopolitical zone public hearing of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.

Due to the rising cost of living and agitations among labour unions in the country, President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member panel on January 30, 2024, to review the current N30,000 minimum wage.

Speaking during a public hearing, Agoro insisted that Lagos State had always prioritised the welfare of its workers in line with economic realities and as situations demanded.

He said, “The subject of the National Minimum Wage is not just a matter of social policy, it is a reflection of our dedication to ensuring that the hard-working men and women who continue the posterity of our great nation are treated with the dignity and fairness that they deserve.

“In Lagos State, we have always prioritised the welfare of our workers, recognising that a well-compensated and motivated workforce is essential to sustainable development. One notable accomplishment of the state has been the regular review of the minimum wage.

“I am proud to announce that Lagos State has implemented a minimum wage of N41,500, surpassing the standard set by many other states in the region. This step is a testament to our commitment to providing a living wage that reflects the economic realities facing our citizens.”

In 2019, the governor announced the approval of N35,000 through a circular that was issued by the then Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, as the minimum wage.

The statement had read, “In his determination to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants in Lagos State, he graciously approved the implementation of the new minimum wage (N35,000) with effect from November 1, 2019.”

UN plans $860m aid for Borno, Yobe, Adamawa.

UN plans $860m aid for Borno, Yobe, Adamawa.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says it requires at least $860m to reach 4.4 million of the most vulnerable persons in Nigeria’s northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe in 2024

OCHA revealed this in an overview of its soon-to-be-published Humanitarian Response Plan for the year.

$860m, the lowest target in four years, is expected to reach millions of locals in need of food, healthcare and shelter, among other forms of intervention in the three states. This population comprises Internally Displaced Persons, returnees and inhabitants of host communities.

However, it warned that “Humanitarian funding for Nigeria is predicted to decline significantly in 2024,” even as 63 per cent of its funding target for 2023 was unmet.

“In 2023, the humanitarian response in the BAY (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) states has been challenged by severe funding and access limitations. Of the $1.3bn requested to assist six million people, only 37 per cent, or $479.8m, has been received at the end of October.

“This significant funding shortfall, compounded by persistent security challenges and movement restrictions, hampered delivery, leaving many acute needs unmet.

“Despite these challenges, 130 partners have reached 3.4 million people through humanitarian interventions,” the UN revealed.

OCHA said its Humanitarian Country Team “foresees an even tighter funding environment, predicting a sharp decline in humanitarian allocations for Nigeria” in 2024.

“In the face of these anticipated financial challenges, humanitarian partners aim to support 4.4 million people, setting a funding target of about $860m, which includes estimated funding requirements of $45m for anticipatory interventions to address in particular climate-related shocks such as flooding and cholera outbreaks,” it added.

Fourteen years after Boko Haram and other terrorist groups began gory campaigns in Nigeria’s northeast, OCHA says the ensuing humanitarian crisis remains one of the most complex globally.

In June 2021, the United Nations Development Programmes estimated at least 350,000 deaths from conflicts with Boko Haram since 2009. It cited damage to agriculture, water, trade, food and healthcare, concluding that “Many more have died from the indirect effects of the conflict.”

At least 66,768 lives were lost in states most hit by the conflict—Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna Benue and Plateau—a September 2023 survey by the Council of Foreign Relations revealed.

However, direct deaths make up only a portion of the conflict’s impact.

Boko Haram, which aims to banish Western influence and create a Salafi-Islamist state in Northeast Nigeria and the entire nation, has also displaced over three million people, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees said.

In October 2017, then-president Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the establishment of the North East Development Commission in October 2017, to lead the reconstruction and development of Nigeria’s northeast.

NEDC earmarked N31.01tn in its 10-year North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan in September 2022.

It said the amount is to be sourced from “a robust partnership with humanitarian actors such as International Non-Governmental Organisations, INGOs, captains of industries and investors worldwide.

In its 2023 dashboard, OCHA said, “To date, the Humanitarian Response Plan is now 70 per cent funded. Of the $1.1bn requested funding, some sectors remain vastly underfunded, forcing response partners to prioritise interventions in communities ranked highest on the severity scale.

“Despite this funding shortfall, 124 humanitarian actors are responding to the most acute needs. Together, they delivered some form of humanitarian assistance to 4.7 million people since January 2022, accounting for 84 per cent of the estimated people identified for assistance.”

However, it forewarned that “if the funding deficit continues, a number of life-saving programmes across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states will have to scale down or shut down completely.”

Although the Office did not specify what areas or locations its operations suffered the most hit, it said, “certain areas remain inaccessible to humanitarian partners, diminishing the overall humanitarian footprint.”

The most capital-intensive areas in 2024 are likely to include camp coordination and camp management, early recovery and livelihoods, education, food security, health, nutrition, protection, shelter & non-food items and water, sanitation and hygiene.

From January 2022 to June 2023, OCHA said it received $9m on Camp Coordination and Management despite targeting $51.4m, $22.5m for early recovery & livelihoods despite a $133.6m target, $14.7m on education while needing $194.2m, $454.4m on food security with an initial target of $921.1m.

Health gulped $117.6m with an initial target of $221.5; nutrition, $120.2, initially targeting $277.5. OCHA received $31.7 for shelter and non-food items and $8.7m for water, sanitation and hygiene from its 123 partners.

When reached for comments, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rhoda Iliya, declined to provide a statement.