News
Islamic Cleric Maqari hails nationwide Protest Organisers, Says Its Fear Has Prompted Positive Changes In Nigeria
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, an Islamic cleric and member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has praised the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest for driving substantial changes in the country within the shortest period of time.
“If it is my wish, I will tell youths ‘Thank you, well done, and I appreciate,’” Maqari stated in a video seen by SaharaReporters.
Maqari emphasised the significant impact the fear of the protest has had on Nigeria’s development.
“The fear of the protest alone has brought so many changes and development in Nigeria that with all the preaching of the clerics, and advice from other experienced politicians combined with both the administration of the previous opposition parties, Nigeria has not witnessed such achievement,” he noted.
The cleric credited the President’s proactive measures to the looming protest.
“Just because of the fear of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, the President has done so many things that is enough for Nigerians to say ‘thank you, God,’” Maqari remarked.
He highlighted the positive outcomes from the changes, saying, “It is a very good and nice development to the country if the successes recorded as a result of the fear of the announcement of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest can be sustained. We pray for its sustainability.”
In the video clip obtained by SaharaReporters, Maqari advised youths to understand the importance of timing in their actions.
Humans are supposed to understand that there is time to scream and there is also a time to keep quiet,” he said. He suggested that, given the significant changes already achieved, the protest should be paused to give the government time to address further issues.
“The youths should withdraw from protesting and give the government stipulated time to fix things,” he recommended. “For example, from this month to this month, the government must do this and that.”
He underscored the pivotal role of the youth in Nigeria’s progress.
“Youths are the only hope of this country now,” Maqari asserted.
He warned that reducing the pressure on the government might expose the youths’ vulnerabilities.
“Reducing backout from the protest might lead the government to know and understand the strength and weaknesses of the youths and that might cost the country more harm,” he explained.
Despite the criticisms from opposition parties, Maqari argued that only the youth could effectively voice the people’s concerns.
“No matter what or from which angle a political leader from an opposition party will say, the ruling elite will tag it a mockery.
“It is only youths that can now speak for us,” he stated.
Maqari pointed out that the youth-led movement had already led to significant legislative successes.
“Because of this protest, the Senate has passed the minimum wage bill that labour union and the civil servants have been struggling to achieve for many years all because of fear of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest scheduled for August 1-10,” he concluded.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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