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CGN calls for Christian Communication Minister bizarre, suspicious – MURIC

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2023

MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

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

Related Topics:CGN Featured Minister MURIC

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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Published

8 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

Published

8 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Published

8 hours ago

December 28, 2024

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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”