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CGN calls for Christian Communication Minister bizarre, suspicious – MURIC
CGN calls for Christian Communication Minister bizarre, suspicious – MURIC
An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has countered the demand by the Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) over the appointment of a Christian as communication minister.
MURIC described the demand by the CGN as bizarre, suspicious and motivated by a sinister design.
MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola and made available to Newsbreak Nigeria.
His full statement reads: “The Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) has asked President bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a Christian as the minister of communications. The demand was made yesterday, Saturday, 15th July, 2023 (https://punchng.com/appoint-christian-as-communications-minister-group-urges-tinubu/).
“We are bewildered by this strange demand. It is bizarre, suspicious and motivated by a sinister design. It is unfortunate that a so-called professional body is making a most unprofessional demand. We urge the president to ignore this call.
“It is an open secret that Christians dominated and monopolized the secretarial and computer professions for decades. But this privilege was grossly abused as they used it to intimidate and block Muslims from entering into the profession while secretarial and computer services sought by Muslims for Islamic matters were rebuffed. They turned the profession into a cult until very recently.
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“CGN tried to distort and shorten human history when it limited its examples to only the two Muslims (Adebayo Shittu 2015 – 2019 and Professor Ali Isa Pantami 2019 – 2023). What happened before those two? Was Nigeria not in existence before those two or was the ministry of communications newly created in 2015?
“CGN elected to conveniently forget that there must have been yesteryears if there were yesterdays. But when a child rejects pounded yam for dinner, his parents will narrate the story of how his mother was married into that family. We are therefore constrained to go down the lanes of history.
“The ministry of communications is almost as old as Nigeria itself. Arthur Prest was the first minister of communications (1951 – 1954) and the first four ministers were all Christians (Arthur Prest, Mbadiwe, Akintola and Akinfosile from 1951 to 1964, a period of fourteen years).
“Nigeria had fourteen ministers of communications from 1951 to 1983. Out of this figure, eleven were Christians and only three were Muslims. Four of the eleven Christians held office back-to-back, i.e. in a row, without any Muslim coming between them.
“Again from 2003 to 2015, a period of twelve years, six Christians were appointed in succession to the ministry of communications and Nigerian Muslims did not complain (Chief Cornelius Adebayo 2003-2006, Engr Dr. Obafemi Ani-Baba 2006 – 2007, John Odey 2007 – 2008, Prof Dora Akunyili 2008 – 2010, Labaran Maku 2010-2011, Omobola Johnson 2011-2015).
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“But all hell has broken loose now because just two Muslims have occupied the ministry. When will CGN learn to be professional? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not return Nigerian Muslims to secretarial slavery and a world of computer illiteracy. Nigeria belongs to all of us.
“It would have been a horse of another colour if the Muslims who occupied that ministry had underperformed. In fact, the last occupant, Professor Isa Ali Pantami revolutionized the ministry and his programmes took Nigeria to the next level in a highly competitive digital world. Most noteworthy was the 112 toll-free number commissioned in March 2020 and the mobile application that linked the National Identity Number (NIN) to the SIM.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should therefore ignore the call made by the CGN for lacking merit. That request arouses suspicion. Why communications of all ministries? Is there more to this than meets the eye?”
CGN calls for Christian Communication Minister bizarre, suspicious – MURIC
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JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and organisations alleged to be involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to disrupt funding networks linked to insecurity across the country.
The list was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), the inter-agency body responsible for enforcing financial sanctions in line with Nigeria’s counter-terrorism financing (CTF) and anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks.
According to the committee, the designated individuals and entities are suspected of providing financial, logistical, or operational support to terrorist organisations operating in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and other security-affected regions.
The list reportedly includes individuals connected to proscribed organisations such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Ansaru, and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Among those named are Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa, Abdulsamad Ohida, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Itare, Francis Nmaduabuchi, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, and others listed in the official document.
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Security and financial intelligence sources said the designation is part of strengthened efforts to enforce targeted financial sanctions against terrorism sponsors, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international security and financial monitoring standards. The sanctions framework allows authorities to impose measures such as asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and travel limitations on individuals and organisations identified as being involved in terrorism financing activities.
Officials said the move is aimed at cutting off funding channels that support insurgent groups and separatist-linked violence in affected parts of the country. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee explained that the publication of the list is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security by targeting the financial infrastructure behind terrorism.
It added that identifying and sanctioning individuals linked to terrorist financing is crucial to weakening the operational capacity of groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces. Authorities also stressed that the listings are part of ongoing investigations and do not replace judicial proceedings, noting that further legal and enforcement actions may follow where evidence is established.
The development comes amid intensified military operations against insurgent groups across the country, as well as increased coordination between security agencies and financial regulators to monitor suspicious transactions and disrupt illicit funding flows.
Officials reiterated that combating terrorism requires both military action and sustained efforts to dismantle the financial networks supporting terrorism in Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued additional details beyond the published list, while reactions are expected from some of the individuals and organisations named.
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
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42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
A 42-year-old woman declared missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has been found in a hotel room in Ugbe-Akoko, sparking widespread reactions and renewed concerns over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The woman reportedly left her matrimonial home in Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area without informing her husband or family members, prompting fears that she had been abducted or harmed.
Her husband was said to have raised the alarm after repeated attempts to reach her failed, leading to concern among relatives and residents of the community. The development triggered a search effort as anxiety grew over her whereabouts.
According to sources familiar with the case, the woman was later traced to Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, located about 124 kilometres from Ilara-Mokin. The journey between both locations typically takes over two hours by road.
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She was reportedly discovered in a hotel in the area in the company of a 55-year-old man. Both individuals were taken in for questioning by relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding their presence at the location.
Preliminary findings suggest that the woman may not have been abducted as initially feared but might have left home voluntarily without informing her family. However, officials are still working to establish the full details surrounding her movement and activities before she was found.
The incident has generated mixed reactions among residents of both communities, with many expressing shock, confusion, and concern over the circumstances that led to her disappearance and eventual discovery in a hotel.
Security agencies are continuing investigations to determine whether any offence was committed and to clarify the nature of the relationship between the woman and the man found with her.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from law enforcement authorities, while the case continues to attract attention across Ondo State.
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
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ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of political bias linked to controversial old social media posts, while also threatening civil disobedience if he remains in office.
The opposition party said its position follows growing concerns about the neutrality of the electoral body ahead of future elections, insisting that the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria must not be compromised.
The controversy centres on alleged archived posts on X (formerly Twitter) attributed to an account bearing Amupitan’s name, which critics claim contained expressions perceived as supportive of the ruling All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The allegations gained wider attention after US-based Nigerian scholar Farooq Kperogi referenced the purported posts in a public commentary, arguing that they raise questions about the independence of INEC leadership. The claims have since sparked heated debate across social media, with supporters of the electoral commission questioning their authenticity while critics insist they undermine public trust in the institution.
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In response, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, cautioned against misinformation and impersonation, warning that cybercriminals may be using fake accounts to circulate false narratives. He reaffirmed that INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, urging the public to rely only on verified communication channels from the commission.
Reacting to the controversy, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the allegations as a serious breach of public trust and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity, arguing that an electoral umpire must not only be neutral but must also be seen to be unquestionably impartial. According to him, the allegations—if proven true—undermine confidence in the leadership of the electoral body. Abdullahi further alleged attempts to manipulate or alter digital records linked to the controversy, describing the situation as a “calculated assault on truth and accountability.”
He said: “The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he is supposed to officiate.” The ADC insisted that Prof. Amupitan must resign immediately, warning that failure to do so would trigger escalated action, including civil disobedience protests across Nigeria. The party also said it would update petitions to relevant professional and international bodies, including the Nigeria Bar Association (Nigeria Bar Association), as part of efforts to intensify pressure on the electoral commission.
The controversy adds to rising political tension surrounding the leadership of INEC, as opposition parties increasingly scrutinise the commission’s neutrality ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Analysts say the situation highlights ongoing concerns about trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions, especially in the digital age where social media content can significantly influence public perception.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued a fresh statement addressing the ADC’s latest demand for the chairman’s resignation or its threat of civil disobedience.
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
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