Sultan Honours MURIC Founder Ishaq Akintola for Decades of Religious Rights Advocacy

• MURIC Congratulates Ishaq Akintola on Sultan’s Special Recognition Award

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has conferred a Special Recognition Award on the Founder and Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, in recognition of his contributions to religious freedom, justice and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

Sultan Honours MURIC Founder Ishaq Akintola for Decades of Religious Rights Advocacy

The award was presented to Akintola on Monday, November 2, 2026, during the 13th Usman Dan Fodio Week and the 20th Coronation Anniversary of the Sultan, held at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa, Sokoto State.

The ceremony attracted an array of distinguished personalities, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, Islamic scholars, academics and other eminent Nigerians from within and outside the country.

Following the presentation, MURIC Oyo State Chapter congratulated Akintola, describing the honour as well-deserved and a recognition of his decades of commitment to protecting religious rights, promoting justice, defending the oppressed and fostering peaceful coexistence.

In a congratulatory statement dated November 5, 2026, the chapter said the recognition reflected Akintola’s consistent efforts to defend religious freedom, particularly the rights of Nigerian Muslims to practise their faith without discrimination, intimidation or persecution.

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The statement, signed by the chapter’s General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, noted that Akintola had remained a prominent voice in the advocacy for religious rights through his leadership of MURIC.

The chapter also expressed particular appreciation for Akintola’s decision to dedicate the award to Muslims facing religious persecution in Nigeria.

It described the gesture as evidence of his selfless commitment to the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah and his determination to ensure that the challenges confronting persecuted Muslims receive sustained attention.

MURIC Oyo said the award should not be regarded merely as a personal achievement but also as an honour to the organisation, the Nigerian Muslim community and everyone committed to justice, equity and religious freedom.

The chapter prayed for continued good health, wisdom, strength and steadfastness for Akintola, expressing hope that the recognition would inspire him to intensify his contributions to Islam, humanity and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.

“May this recognition inspire greater commitment to the struggle for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The chapter concluded by congratulating the MURIC founder and praying for Allah’s continued guidance and blessings upon him.

Sultan Honours MURIC Founder Ishaq Akintola for Decades of Religious Rights Advocacy

Omoda and Jaecoo Race Past 1.4m Sales, Expand Push into AI, Electrification

Omoda & Jaecoo have surpassed 1.4 million cumulative global vehicle sales in just three and a half years, marking a major milestone in their international expansion as the automotive brands step up investments in electrification, artificial intelligence and autonomous mobility.

The achievement, announced following the 2026 International User Summit held in October in Wuhu, China, underscores the brands’ rapid growth and ambitions to strengthen their position in an increasingly technology-driven global automotive market.

With operations spanning 79 markets worldwide, Omoda & Jaecoo are now looking beyond vehicle sales to develop an integrated mobility ecosystem built around intelligent technologies, alternative powertrains and improved customer experiences.

The summit, themed “DRIVE TO THE NEXT VIBE,” brought together customers, media representatives and business partners to showcase the brands’ latest innovations, future product plans and expanding research and development capabilities.

One of the major attractions was the global debut of the OMODA X, a futuristic cross-off-road vehicle designed to combine urban practicality with a bold, adventure-inspired exterior. Its unveiling was accompanied by a global user co-creation initiative, allowing participants from different markets to contribute ideas and interpretations of the new model.

The initiative reflects the company’s growing emphasis on customer participation in product development and brand building.

Intelligent mobility technology also took centre stage, with demonstrations of the Super Intelligent Valet Parking system (SIVP), which features automated vehicle summoning, parking-route planning and obstacle avoidance.

Another innovation, the Super Intelligent AI Space (SIAS), showcased voice-controlled cabin technology capable of processing multiple requests through a single instruction. The system also demonstrated personalised digital experiences, including music recommendations based on users’ moods.

On electrification, the Super Hybrid Marathon provided an opportunity to assess vehicle performance across urban roads, highways and mountainous terrain.

According to the manufacturer, the OMODA 5 NEXT SHS-H recorded fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres and achieved a maximum driving range of 1,015 kilometres during the exercise.

The company said the evaluation went beyond fuel efficiency to examine power delivery, cabin insulation and passenger comfort under varying driving conditions.

Beyond conventional vehicle development, Omoda & Jaecoo also outlined their ambitions in autonomous transportation through a purpose-built Level 4 Robotaxi programme.

The initiative involves proposed cooperation with UAE-based K2 and is designed around an integrated service model covering digital bookings, vehicle dispatch, cabin preparation, autonomous journeys and fleet maintenance.

The summit also highlighted the wider technology ecosystem associated with the brands through AiMOGA, which unveiled Mobo, a home companion robot, and opened global pre-orders.

Designed to recognise family members, remember individual preferences and support everyday interactions, Mobo illustrates the company’s ambition to extend artificial intelligence and robotics beyond the automotive environment into domestic life.

Supporting these initiatives is increased investment in research and innovation. Omoda & Jaecoo disclosed that research and development expenditure by its parent company, Chery, reached RMB 6.672 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 28.3 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2025.

The latest sales milestone follows the brands’ achievement of their first one million cumulative global sales earlier in 2026, highlighting the pace of their expansion across international markets.

For Omoda & Jaecoo, the next phase of growth will depend not only on expanding their geographical footprint but also on translating technological innovation into practical benefits for customers.

Although some of the technologies unveiled at the summit remain at different stages of development and commercial introduction, the event offered a glimpse into the brands’ long-term strategy as competition increasingly shifts towards intelligent vehicles, electrification, connectivity and autonomous mobility.

National Assembly Fires State Police Bill to Tinubu as 29 States Defy Status Quo

ABUJA — Nigeria’s long-running debate over the establishment of state police has reached a significant legislative milestone following the endorsement of the proposed constitutional amendment by at least 29 State Houses of Assembly.

The National Assembly on Wednesday announced plans to transmit the State Police Bill to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the endorsement of the proposal by more than the constitutionally required two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed the development during plenary, describing the support secured from the state assemblies as a major step towards decentralising Nigeria’s policing system.

Kalu said the Clerk to the National Assembly would transmit the bill to the President on Wednesday for the next stage of the process.

“The State Police Bill has received the backing of 29 State Assemblies. Later today, the Clerk to the National Assembly will transmit it to the President for assent,” he said.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states.

The 29 approvals announced by the Deputy Speaker therefore exceed the required threshold, moving the proposed reform closer to the establishment of state police services across the federation.

The development follows weeks of legislative consultations after the proposed constitutional amendment was forwarded to all 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, had earlier confirmed that 28 state assemblies had approved the proposal as of Tuesday, November 3, following the verification of reports and accompanying votes and proceedings submitted by the state legislatures.

The proposed amendment seeks to create a constitutional framework for State Police Services, allowing individual states to establish their own police structures alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force.

The proposal has gained renewed attention amid persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence in different parts of the country.

Supporters of state policing have consistently argued that decentralising the police structure would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security and enable faster responses to criminal activities.

They also maintain that state-controlled police formations would be better positioned to understand local languages, customs, geographical terrain and security threats.

However, the proposal has continued to attract concerns over the possible misuse of state police by politically powerful governors, inadequate funding, human rights violations and the potential use of security agencies against political opponents.

The debate has therefore centred not only on the establishment of state police but also on the need for effective oversight, accountability and safeguards against political interference.

Although the National Assembly has indicated that the amendment will be forwarded to President Tinubu, the precise constitutional procedure surrounding presidential assent and the final authentication of a constitutional alteration remains an important issue to watch.

The development does not mean that state police operations have commenced. Further formal steps, including the completion and publication of the constitutional alteration and the development of the necessary implementation framework, will be required before the proposed system becomes operational.

Nigeria currently operates a centrally controlled police structure under the Federal Government, with the Nigeria Police Force responsible for policing across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The proposed reform is expected to introduce a dual policing arrangement, with federal and state police services operating under their respective legal frameworks.

For now, attention has shifted to the next steps by the National Assembly and the Presidency as the country moves closer to a potentially significant restructuring of its security architecture.

National Assembly Fires State Police Bill to Tinubu as 29 States Defy Status Quo