News
Sudanese cleric warns Nigerians over nationwide protest, says outcome may be grave
A Sudanese cleric, Ambassador Al-Mustapha Bala Assudany, in a recent sermon delivered at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna, cautioned Nigerian youths against participating in the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to August 10.
His warning stems from concerns about the potential consequences of such demonstrations, particularly in light of the economic hardships currently faced by many Nigerians due to rising inflation and other socio-economic challenges.
Assudany shared his experiences as a Sudanese citizen, reflecting on how similar protests in Sudan escalated into civil war. He emphasized that while initial protests may begin with noble intentions—such as addressing economic grievances—they can be infiltrated by opposition groups and foreign entities with ulterior motives. This infiltration can lead to chaos and violence, ultimately resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.
He pointed out that many countries, including Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan itself, have experienced devastating outcomes following protests that started as peaceful demonstrations. In Sudan specifically, he noted that approximately two-thirds of the population has been displaced due to ongoing conflict triggered by protests that spiraled out of control.
Ambassador Assudany said presently 2 out of the 3 percent of Sudan’s population have abandoned their houses and fled the city center, while some fled to other countries due to war.
“Before they started talking about the planned protest in Nigeria, it happened in some Muslim countries like Syria, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and Sudan. I’m a Sudanese citizen and what happened in Sudan was the same thing that happened in other Muslim countries.”
“When I heard about the planned protest in Nigeria, I felt as a Muslim I should share the experience of what I saw in Sudan and what happened in other Muslim countries. Economic hardship was responsible for all the protests witnessed in those countries. That was what led people to protest in Sudan, thinking a solution would come through protest.
“Those that started were Sudanese citizens in an attempt to draw the attention of the government to end their hardship. But the opposition groups that were against the government penetrated them because every government has opposition. This was what led to the chaos in the country.
“Some foreign countries also took advantage of the protest and came into the country. They were the ones sponsoring these youths and supporting them. This led to regime change in the country but despite that there was no peace in the country.
“Many people thought after the regime changed there would be peace in the country but it turned out to cause more chaos across the country. As we speak, Khartoum, which is the capital of Sudan, has been completely destroyed and the residents fled.
“The war spread to other parts of the country. There was crisis everywhere, people being killed in villages, women raped, kidnapped, and sold as slaves in foreign lands. This is why I’m calling on Nigerians, especially the youth, not to allow themselves to be used by the enemies of the country to destroy their country. This is because nothing good will come out of the protest but destruction.
“This is because Nigeria has bigger challenges compared to us in Sudan because in Sudan majority of the citizens are Muslims and yet are killing themselves, what about Nigeria with tribal, religious, and ethnic differences? What do you think will happen if after the regime change? Do you think there will be somebody that can caution the youths against future protest?”
Call for caution
The cleric urged Nigerian youths to reflect on these historical precedents before proceeding with their plans for protest. He warned that Nigeria’s unique ethnic and religious diversity could exacerbate tensions if protests were to escalate into violence. Assudany stressed that enemies of Nigeria might exploit these demonstrations to further destabilize the country.
He concluded his sermon by praying for peace and urging both leaders and citizens to work together towards resolving the economic issues without resorting to actions that could lead to bloodshed or civil unrest.
Government response
In response to the planned protests, various stakeholders—including government officials, traditional rulers, and religious leaders—have echoed similar sentiments as Ambassador Assudany. They have called for restraint among youths and encouraged dialogue rather than confrontation. President Bola Tinubu also weighed in on the situation by stating that those instigating protests do not genuinely care for Nigeria’s welfare.
The government has taken steps to address public grievances by offering job opportunities within state-owned enterprises and reviving youth investment funds aimed at alleviating some of the economic pressures faced by young Nigerians.
News
Guardiola suffers worst defeat of career as Tottenham hammer Man City 4-0
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, suffered the worst defeat of his managerial career as they lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
The Premier League champions were already on a run of four consecutive defeats ahead of the visit of the North London side.
James Maddison scored twice in the first half to set Spurs on their way to a sensational win.
Pedro Porro drilled in a third, before Brennan Johnson got on the scoresheet late in the game.
The result leaves City in second place with 23 points. They could go eight points behind Liverpool by the end of this Game Week.
Guardiola takes his men to Anfield next weekend.
News
FUOYE Re-Marks Exam Papers of Student Failed By Lecturer Over Sex-for-Grade Scandal, Secures Justice
The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, has cleared a female student, Ramota Olahanloye, to graduate following the re-marking of her final-year examination scripts.
Olahanloye had alleged that a lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, demanded sexual favours from her, and when she declined, he deliberately failed her in two final-year courses.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wole Balogun, the university confirmed that Olahanloye’s allegations were investigated, and her scripts were re-marked.
“The young lady’s scripts were re-marked, and she performed fairly better than the scores initially awarded by Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia,” the statement read.
According to Balogun, the university management approved Olahanloye’s revised results, which qualified her for graduation.
“The university management has given executive approval for her results to be processed. She has since commenced her final clearance from relevant units of the university,” the statement added.
Balogun also disclosed that Agbegbedia had been sanctioned by the institution for his misconduct.
Olahanloye expressed her joy over the resolution of the case, saying, “I am happy that I have gotten justice, and I really appreciate the university Vice-Chancellor for setting up the committee that investigated the matter.
“I was shown my entire results, including the graduation list with my name on it. I have started my clearance as a graduating student of the university, and I am truly happy.”
Her father, Rasaki Olahanloye, also lauded the university for its commitment to justice.
“I can confirm to the world that FUOYE has served justice to my daughter. I was shown her upgraded results after her scripts were re-marked, and it is clear that she passed.
“The university fulfilled its promise to ensure fairness, and I appreciate the VC, Prof. Sunday Fasina, and the committee members for ensuring my daughter gets justice,” he said.
News
Northern Elders Again Reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, Back 19 Governors, Monarchs On Withdrawal
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has endorsed the stand taken by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, about the proposed Tax Reform Bill by President Bola Tinubu.
The 19 state governors in the Northern region had aired their strong displeasure on the recent Tax Reform Bill the Federal Government submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
The governors particularly rejected the proposed shift to a Derivation-based Model for Value Added Tax distribution.
They claimed that the proposed model would be at the disadvantage of the northern states and other less industrial regions.
The governors, under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, voiced their strong opposition in a communique issued after a strategic meeting in Kaduna in October.
However, NEF Board of Trustees during its Second Bi-Annual Meeting on Wednesday November 20th, 2024 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, reaffirmed the NEF’s strong opposition to this pernicious policy.
According to a statement, NEF maintained, that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to their unity and national cohesion.
The forum in a communique signed by Professor Ango Abdullahi, its Convener and released on Saturday, condemned the conspicuous loss of voice on the burning issue by the elected lawmakers in the National Assembly from the region.
The communique partly reads; “The meeting unanimously endorsed the patriotic stand taken on the raging national debate about the Tax Reform Bill by the Northern States Governors’ Forum in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, just as it reaffirmed the NEF’s strong opposition to this pernicious policy.
“In addition, the meeting seriously maintained, that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion. The Meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation, without allowing the inputs of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark, thus; confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous Bill.
“The Board-in-session, condemned in very strong terms, the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region, and fiercely warned, that indeed, the days are fast gone, when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would be condoned or even tolerated.”
-
Metro19 hours ago
BusinessDay Journalist Finally Regains Freedom From ‘One-Chance’ Kidnappers In Abuja
-
Metro24 hours ago
Court remands 113 foreigners over alleged cybercrime
-
Metro19 hours ago
Police recover stolen SUV after gun duel with robbers in Abuja
-
News19 hours ago
FG insists Rivers State funds is intact was never stopped
-
News17 hours ago
Igbos to boycott Arise TV over Abati’s uncouth statement
-
News1 hour ago
Simon Ekpa: FG’s attempt to extradite self acclimated freedom fighter may hit brickwall
-
News19 hours ago
Again, Dangote Refineries complains over Naira – Crude oil initiative, slams NNPCL
-
News10 hours ago
NUJ-FCT Elections: Comrade Ike To Flag-Off Campaign With Free Medical Checks, Treatment