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Ramadan: No division among Muslims in Nigeria, says MURIC
Ramadan: No division among Muslims in Nigeria, says MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed fears of division among Nigerian Muslims over the issue of Ramadan.
In a statement circulated on both social and conventional media on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the Islamic human rights group described those who recently fixed the date of the commencement of this year’s Ramadan as Islamic scholars engaging in sheer academic exercise.
The statement which was signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, went on to explain that the Islamic scholars merely partook in calculating the movement of celestial objects as done in astronomy to determine the date of the appearance of the crescent.
He said, “The attention of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been drawn to a notification for the commencement of Ramadan on 1st March, 2025 given by the League of Alfas and Imams in Yorubaland.
“The notification which was given media hype was also portrayed as a sign of division among Nigerian Muslims as well as a challenge to the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto (https://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/252110/yorubaland-starts-ramadan-on-march-1-dumps-sultans-tradition).
“We affirm that it is not unusual to find academics coming together to rub minds on issues of scientific, economic or social matters. They are trained to agitate minds and agree to disagree. This is exactly what those who announced the date of the commencement of this year’s Ramadan have done.
“They came together as Islamic scholars engaging in sheer academic exercise. They merely partook in calculating the movement of celestial objects as done in astronomy to determine the date of the appearance of the crescent. It should be made clear that academic exercise and scientific experimentation is allowed in Islam.
“What is noteworthy is that those who made the announcement did not claim to be doing so as leaders of Nigerian Muslims but as Islamic scholars of a particular region. It is scholarship. It is intellectual engagement.
“It should also be noted that this is not a new development. They do it every year. Exempli gratia, the same League of Imams fixed the date of Ramadan for April 25 in the year 2020.
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“They mean no harm but the press just elected to sensationalise it.
“Even the League of Imams and Alfas has dismissed unsinuations that the organization announced the date to confront the Sultan (https://punchng.com/declaring-ramadan-fast-not-to-tackle-sultan-yoruba-league-of-imams/).
“We therefore assert clearly, emphatically and unequivocally that the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is fully in charge not only of matters relating to the commencement and termination of Ramadan but all matters affecting Muslims in Nigeria as a whole.
“Let it be known from the West to the East and from the North to the South that when the come comes to become, when the time comes to announce the beginning of Ramadan, we are going to wait until we hear from the Amiirul-Mu’miniin (the Commander of the Faithful), the Sultan of Sokoto, even if he announces another date different by one or more days from March 1, 2025. On the Sultan’s mandate we shall stand.
“Any suggestion that there are rumblings in the camp of Nigerian Muslims is therefore laughable, divisive and provocative. We are all united under the able, visionary and exemplary leadership of the Sultan. Muslims have always been known for their discipline.
“However, we are constrained to disown an individual who has been claiming to be the chief Imam of Yorubaland. It is only towns and Islamic organisations that have chief Imams. Any so-called office of the chief Imam of Yorubaland exists only in the figment of imagination of the author and his promoters.
“It is like somebody calling himself the Bishop of Yorubaland. That office does not exist. It is a sham. It is fraudulent. We urge the press to stop encouraging perfidy. Anyone parading himself as the Chief Imam of Yorubaland is therefore a joker, a clown and a court jester. He should be ignored.”
Ramadan: No division among Muslims in Nigeria, says MURIC
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Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda
Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda
ARISE News Channel’s The Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni, has firmly dismissed reports alleging that he was suspended from the international broadcaster, describing the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The rumour, which gained traction across social media platforms, claimed that Oseni had been suspended from Arise News following an alleged disagreement with a senior colleague. However, the journalist debunked the claim in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, where he described the report as “APC propaganda.”
“Rufai Oseni suspended by ARISE News? Lies, APC Propaganda,” he wrote, rejecting the viral narrative.
Providing clarity on his absence from the popular breakfast programme, Oseni explained that he is currently in Berlin, Germany, attending a series of international conferences and professional engagements.
He further disclosed that he is scheduled to appear at the Bundestag, also known as the German Parliament, located in the historic Reichstag building, where he is expected to participate in discussions and engagements.
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Oseni noted that his trip is aimed at gaining insights and experiences that could be beneficial to Nigeria, particularly in governance and institutional development.
The suspension rumour was reportedly linked to a social media post attributed to High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro, which alleged that the broadcaster had a confrontation at the station, including claims that he banged his fist on a table during a disagreement.
However, there has been no official statement from ARISE News confirming any disciplinary action against Oseni, further reinforcing his position that the report is unfounded.
Industry observers note that similar rumours have surfaced in the past, often coinciding with Oseni’s temporary absence from television broadcasts due to travel or official engagements.
Known for his fiery and assertive interviewing style, Oseni has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken television journalists, frequently engaging political figures and public office holders in robust debates.
His approach has earned him both praise and criticism, making him a prominent voice in Nigeria’s media and political discourse.
Despite the controversy, Oseni remains part of the core three-man anchor team of The Morning Show, one of the flagship programmes on ARISE News.
The latest clarification is expected to quell speculation, as the broadcaster continues his international engagements with plans to return to Nigeria after completing his scheduled appearances.
Rufai Oseni Dismisses Suspension Rumour, Labels It ‘APC Propaganda
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Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute
Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute
Tension erupted on Wednesday in Osogbo as protesters stormed the Osun State High Court over the ongoing dispute involving Osun State local government funds and alleged non-compliance with court rulings on the release and control of allocations.
The demonstrators, who marched from the Government House axis to the court premises at Lameco, demanded strict adherence to judicial pronouncements amid rising concerns over governance and legal authority in the Osun LG funds crisis.
The protest is linked to an ongoing legal battle involving allegations that a commercial bank released funds allegedly used in the reinstatement of All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen. The Osun State Government had initiated proceedings at the Magistrate Court over the matter.
However, the Osun State High Court in Osogbo, presided over by Justice Matthias Agboola, had earlier issued an ex parte order quashing the criminal proceedings against United Bank for Africa (UBA) and its officials at the Magistrate Court level.
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Despite the High Court ruling, proceedings were reportedly allowed to continue at the Magistrate Court, a development that triggered fresh protests by reinstated local government officials and their supporters.
Carrying placards with inscriptions calling for respect for court judgments, adherence to the rule of law, and protection of judicial integrity, the protesters accused relevant actors of disregarding valid court decisions.
Security operatives were deployed across the court premises to maintain order and prevent any breakdown of law and order as the demonstration unfolded.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Hon. Maaroof Ogundipe, representing reinstated council executives, warned that continued legal actions against bank officials despite higher court rulings could escalate into a broader constitutional crisis.
He also disclosed that the group may petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), arguing that the situation raises serious concerns about judicial compliance and institutional integrity.
“It is worrisome when court decisions appear to be undermined,” he said.
Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olayanju Kolapo, also weighed in, stating that aspects of the dispute had already been addressed by earlier rulings, including a Supreme Court judgment delivered in December 2025.
He cautioned that continued disregard for court decisions could heighten political tensions and destabilise local government administration in Osun State.
The dispute over Osun local government allocations has continued to generate legal confrontations, competing interpretations of court orders, and political tension across council areas in the state.
Authorities are yet to issue an official response to Wednesday’s protest, but security presence around the High Court remained heavy throughout the demonstration.
Tension in Osogbo as Protesters Demand Respect for Court Judgments in LG Dispute
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Nigerian Air Force Releases BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist, Fixes Kaduna Interview Dates
Nigerian Air Force Releases BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist, Fixes Kaduna Interview Dates
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the list of successful candidates for the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 46/2025 selection board, marking the next phase of its ongoing NAF recruitment exercise for new airmen and airwomen.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, April 15, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, the shortlist comprises candidates who passed the Zonal General Aptitude Test conducted across 15 Nigerian Air Force bases on December 5, 2025.
The Air Force said only candidates whose names appear on the official recruitment portal have been selected to proceed to the next stage of the process.
Kaduna Selection Interview Begins April 27
NAF confirmed that all shortlisted candidates are invited for the Selection Board Interview for Trades and Non-Tradesmen/Women, scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.
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The interview will run from April 27 to June 13, 2026, and candidates must report strictly according to their assigned batch schedules as published on the official portal.
The Air Force warned that failure to report on the specified dates will result in automatic disqualification from the recruitment process.
How to Check NAF BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist
Candidates are advised to visit the official NAF recruitment portal at https://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng/updates/ to:
- Confirm their inclusion on the BMTC 46/2025 shortlist
- Check their assigned interview batches
- Access official instructions for the next stage
NAF stressed that only information published on its official platform should be trusted.
NAF Warns Against Recruitment Fraud
The Nigerian Air Force reiterated that the entire NAF recruitment process is free of charge, warning applicants not to pay money to individuals or groups claiming to offer assistance.
It urged candidates to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities linked to recruitment scams.
About BMTC Recruitment
The Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) is the entry-level training programme for recruits into the Nigerian Air Force, designed to prepare successful candidates for military service as airmen and airwomen.
The ongoing BMTC 46/2025 recruitment exercise follows a structured process including online application, aptitude testing, and final selection interviews before enlistment.
Final Phase of Screening Begins
With the release of the shortlist, the recruitment exercise has entered its final phase, where candidates will undergo verification and interviews before final selection into the Force.
NAF urged all applicants to strictly follow official guidelines to avoid disqualification and ensure smooth participation in the selection process.
Nigerian Air Force Releases BMTC 46/2025 Shortlist, Fixes Kaduna Interview Dates
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