Headlines

Economic Recession: Bleak Sallah Celebrations

Published

9 years ago

September 13, 2016

- So Many Rams Very Few Buyers As Muslims Lament
- Fewer Nigerians perform Hajj Amidst Economic Hardship
- Borno Gov Flee Domain To Evade Public Odium

Evidence that Nigerians are passing through difficult times could be seen from the fact that so many MuslimsS could not afford the sacrificial lamb, usually slaughtered to mark the annual Eid El Kabir Islamic festival, no thanks to the economic recession, characterized by huge public and private deficits, even as Muslims have continued to lament lack of empowerment to fulfill their religious obligations.

Our correspondents across the country report that, while ram dealers have flooded the market with hundreds of thousands of the sacrificial animals, most Muslims could not afford to buy them, with dealers attributing the decline in patronage to the harsh economic realities in the country.

Unlike in the past when politicians and other more privileged citizens in the society buy the rams and distribute to their political associates and the less endowed ones, the celebrations this year were without such largesse, as the conditions remain similar across socio economic strata of the society.

Im Abuja, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, Yobe, Katsina, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi and other Northern states where such practices of ram exchange amongst muslims were common, reports indicate that, even state Governments have not been able to extend the usual gestures, as the Governors operate at low scale while some have fled their domains to escape pressures from people who were used to getting free rams.

Our correspondent reports from Borno that, hundreds of ram dealers were stranded with their animals across the ram markets in Maiduguri, the state capital as people, especially politicians and civil servants who form the bulk of their customers have either gone under from public view or have demonstrated that they cannot afford what they used to do years back.

The State Governor, Kashim Shettima was able to approve N5 Million each for the Local Governments as Sallah honorarium, while N2 Million was given to each of the State Lawmakers, with Commissioners and other political appointees getting between N1 million and Five hundred thousand naira each. This is far less than what they usually get at this time of the year.

In the midst of public odium against his person over his alleged roles in the theft of relief materials meant for displaced persons, and osyensibly to avoid public embarrassment at the Eid ground, Governor Shettima hastily left Maiduguri for Bama to celebrate the Sallah. In Bama, the Governor envisages that there will be less pressure.

In the last few weeks, security around the Governor Shettima had to be stepped up following series of booing at public functions and reports of further mischief on Sallah day. A song specially composed on the scandalous rice theft to which the Governor is shown dancing to ridiculous tunes had gone viral in the social media, suggesting possible further embarrassment.

In Kaduna, Governor Nasiru El Rufai was said to have told all those expecting rams from the State Government that they have a long wait to make as he has no plans to extend such gesture to anybody, because celebrating the Sallah is their private businesses and not the Government’s obligation.

El Rufai, our correspondent reports has not been forth coming on such gestures since he came on board, even when his predecessors had made it a tradition of some sort, by giving rams to select individuals.

The situation is not different in Kano, where dealers were noticed pulling rams along main streets, but people do not seem to be so enthusiastic about buying, even as State Government vehicles have been noticed distributing some rams to a few individuals in Kano, but not with the usual fanfare associated with such practice in the past.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.