₦airaland Forum

On Saturday January  2,2016, Chicago Muslims gathered in front of the Wrigley Building to join thousands around the world to demand the release of Sheikh Zakzaky in Nigeria and condemn the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia. 

Sheikh Zakzaky is the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and was captured in a Nigerian army raid on his home after hundreds were killed when the army attacked a peaceful march. The protestors also joined other protests throughout the Middle East in criticizing the Saudi government for the execution of the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as a “terror suspect.”

Nigerian Army Attack on the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky On Dec. 12, 2015 the Nigerian military killed more than an estimated 1,000 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and attacked their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. The Nigerian army claimed the raid was in response to Islamic Movement members attacking the convoy of the Chief of Army staff, Tukur Buratai. Many were killed after soldiers opened fire on members of the group, who they said put up barricades and blocked the road to be used by the Army chief, which the movement strongly denied it.

The group said Zakzaky’s wife, Zeenat, was killed, but the military said she and Zakzaky were in protective custody. After the attack, the whereabouts of Sheikh Zakzaky is unknown. Three of Mr. Zakzaky’s sons had been killed in a similar attack by the Nigerian Army in July 2014. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is a non-violent, majority Shia group and has a history of being attacked by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian military. The daughter of Sheikh Zakzaky, Nusaibah Ibraheem El Zakzaky, released a statement that echoes a theme throughout these protests, i.e. the attack on the Islamic Movement is not just an attack on the Shia, but an example of oppression by the Nigerian government.

"We are not the Shia Movement of Nigeria; we are the Islamic Movement of Nigeria." She said.

Speakers at the protest condemned the attacks by the Nigerian military and the killings of hundreds of the group’s members.

Masooma Haider pointedly described the lack of media coverage over the massacre of the Islamic Movement members in December.

"It is estimated that more than one thousand people died. Sheikh Zakzaky lost three of his sons. Why is he paying the price? He is a man who fought for peace and democracy, for loving Christians and Muslims in his country…This is a government we support. Where is the news coverage of this massacre? The media and world powers have demonstrated that black lives and brown lives don’t matter. Because when there is any incident in those countries, they don’t report it…We will stand here in America and will be their voice.

We will fight for justice and against oppression." Protestors asked for pressure to be put on the Nigerian government for the release of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat. While preparations for the Chicago protest of the attack on the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the Saudi government executed 47 people who they alleged accused of “terrorism” related offenses. Included in that number was opposition cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr. Last October, a Saudi court sentenced the Shia cleric to death, having been found guilty of seeking “foreign meddling” in the kingdom, “disobeying” its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces. Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr supported mass anti-government protests held in the Eastern Province in 2011 after the start of the pro-democracy uprising in neighboring Bahrain, which was put down by Saudi-led forces.

The US State Department and UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon expressed “dismay” over the execution and said it would heighten sectarian tensions in the Middle East. Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director, Philip Luther said that Nimr had been “executed to settle political scores” and that his trial was both politicized and “grossly unfair, because the international standards for fair trial were grossly flouted…What is going on is an attempt to silence criticism of Saudi Arabia, particularly among the Shiite activist community.” Along with Chicago, protests of the execution were held in Bauchi Nigeria, Tehran, Bahrain, London, Toronto and many other cities around the world. At the Chicago protest, a close relative of Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr, Mustafa Al Nimr, spoke to emphasize that the Sheikh fought for the rights of all people. "He is a scholar, he is a man of religion and dedicated his life to religion, to God, and to his people. He is a humble man, a poor man.

He claimed the rights for his people, for all the oppressed people, not just the Shia. He claimed the rights for the Sunni, Shia, Christians, for anybody…He never spoke of violence. H was a peaceful man…His famous quote was “The roar of the words will defeat the sound of the bullet"". Mustafa Al Nimr reiterated an important point that was mentioned by other speakers as well. The Nigerian military that killed members of the Islamic movement and the Saudi government who executed Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr want to make the issue one of sectarianism – a conflict between Shia and Sunni. But the core issue in both cases is a refusal to recognize the rights of minorities in both countries.

The final speaker, H.I. Maulana Mehboob Mehdi from IEC Hussaini Chicago, also emphasized how Muslim voices are often not heard. "When we speak of terrorism, no one hears us. We are Muslims and Americans. We are against any sort of terrorism whoever is doing it…Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr was a champion of freedom and peace. He was the voice of oppressed people, of those victims of terrorism. But the media is still silent".

The speakers were united in their demand for people to contact the Nigerian, Saudi, British, and U.S. governments to demand the release of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and to demand justice for Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr. The Chicago protest was organized by People United – Chicago and joined by the Midwest Associations of Shia Organized Muslims (MASOM), IEC Hussaini Chicago, and Baitul Ilm Academy.

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Dino Melaye the Senator representing Kogi state Central was on Friday conferred the title 'Jarman of Okuta' by the Emir of Okuta Emirate, Hon. Abubakar Sero Idris Kperogi Afon Serobetete lll.  The award, according to Senator Rafiu Ibrahim representing Kwara South Senatorial District, was another testimony that Dino Melaye is truly a patriotic nationalist.

''His love for the people of Kwara can not be over emphasised as shown in his support and steadfastness to the course of our Distinguished Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and anything that has to do with Kwarans'', Senator Rafiu added. 

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/photos-dino-melaye-rides-on-horseback.html?m=1

afolayanto:
One thing I know for sure is that....Givers never lack. It's a principle that knows no bound. Am impacting lives in my own little ways. Nice one Rita....Where a way to go

God will surely bless her.Givers never lack

PissedOffWeed:
Very nice of her!
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Btw, that 3rd pix shaa......
The woman be like......You never won marry rita mi......God dey heaven(pointing with her finger) dey watch you for 3D oh (demonstrating with her wide open eyes)

lol.U wan marry her?

Destined2win:
Oga Soyinka, learn not the ways of a liar and a propagandist

lol

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Read more. http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/heart-of-gold-rita-dominic-reaches-out.html

Moments ago, screen goddess Rita Dominic shared a heartwarming story of how she spent her Christmas: she visited the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and spent time with the sick.

“I Met this inspiring young man, Africa, a couple of weeks ago,” she captioned the photo of a man in bed at the hospital.

“He is a magazine editor and is teaching me a few things about life and dreams. I pray his next surgery is even more successful.”

A visit to her personal website, ritadominic.net, revealed that the actress through her foundation, the Juliana Dominic Foundation, reached out to people receiving treatment for spinal cord injuries at the Lagos hospital and gave them supplies.

“A smile here, a good laugh there, several words of encouragement, lots of love and good cheer [and] most of all, thanking God for his mercies and keeping hope high for a better 2016,” she wrote on her website.

“God bless the hardworking talented doctors and nurses caring for patients with spinal cord injuries at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.”

“In 2016, one of my goals is to help bring much needed attention to the plight of many living with physical disabilities. Love and Light always.”

See photos from her visit above....

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAUmkeaGXA9/

Another pic

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, paid a courtesy visit to Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on Saturday.

Soyinka hosted Mohammed at his office in Freedom Park, Lagos.

See photos from his visit above.....

pretydiva:
Wish him speedy recovery

Amen

Flavour today visited Nollywood Actor, Harry Anyanwu who was seriously injured after he was attacked by some unidentified youngmen in Enugu on Dec. 11th, 2015. He was accompanied by some of 2nite Entertainment crew like DJ Derekz and others.

See photos above...

ckmayoca:
Na dem choice na. Make dem take gun sef kill em sef over one gov election.

Exactly

4 people including the former speaker of Bayelsa State, Boyelayefa Debekeme, the Special Assistant to the governor of Bayelsa State, Tam Alari and chairman Ekeremor LGA Hon, Billy Tobiyei, today sustained matchete wounds during a fight that broke out between APC and PDP supporters at the governor's lodge in Ekeremor LGA of the state.

Ahead of tomorrow's rerun election in Southern Ijaw LGA,the state is currently in serious tension.Military gunboats were spotted along the creeks,possibly to calm any violence in the state that might arise tomorrow.

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/photos-4-matcheted-during-fight-between.html?m=1

Senator Dr Bukola Saraki on Thursday January 7,2016 paid N2, 650,000 compensation to victims of last year’s fracas at Agbarere and Ita Ajia.Among those who benefited from the fine gesture were those whose vehicles were destroyed by hoodlums who invaded the quarters and caused many damage on their properties. 

Handing over the money to them,the Director General of ABS constituency office, Hon. Abdulwahab Issa, said N50, 000 was approved for each of the 28 victims at Ita Ajia and 25 at Agbarere in the State capital.According to him,Senator Saraki gave the owners of the five houses that were burnt at Agbarere, N500,000 each for the rehabilitation of the property when the incident happened on April 25,2015.He also said Saraki dished out N1,500 to each when he visited the scene two weeks after the incident.N500,000 was also given to the owner of the damaged building at Ita Ajia. The recipients thanked Senator Saraki for the fine gesture and asked God to bless him abundantly.

Hilarious Tweets To All Yam Eaters Of Naija.See photos above

Facebook user Yunusa Hanidu shared these photos on Facebook alleging that petroleum is being diverted into Cameroon through Mambilla border. Mambilla is between Taraba State and Cameroon. Read what he wrote below :



"This is how petroleum is diverted into cameroon from mambilla border. Our customs and other security agents are just there to collect bribe from these dealers and things like this to be happening. This thing has to be stopped. This is what make the product to be sold here at #220 per litre. This is because they make much money to sell it in cameroon than in Nigeria. And the people are paying the prices of all these rubbish"

See photos above

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President Buhari on January 4, attended the Guards of Brigade Regimental Dinner held at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Officers Mess in Abuja.Others in attendance were Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai.

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/photos-pres-buhari-attends-guards-of.html

Lwkmd.I don laugh faint here!

The execution of Shiite Cleric, Sheikh al-Nimr has sparked protests on Sunday January 3rd, 2016 by Shiites in Kano, Northern Nigeria’s most populous city over the recent surge in Shi’a persecution.

Saudi Arabia’s monarchical government on Saturday executed 47 members of the Shiite movement including top cleric Sheikh al-Nimr, from the eastern part of Saudi Arabia who has been a vocal critic of the Saudi Royal family. 

This follows four weeks after the Nigerian military brutally massacred Shiite protesters in the Kaduna city of Zaria with reports of the military burying the victims in secret mass graves. The international human rights community and advocacy groups have condemned both the actions  by the Nigerian military and the execution of Sheikh al-Nimr.

The execution of Sheikh al-Nimr has exacerbated sectarian tensions in select pockets around the Middle East and Muslim world with anger being directed toward the Saudi authorities. 

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/shiite-cleric-execution-by-saudi-spark.html

This man's "uncommon" thinking has earned him a top spot in the heart of many Nigerians. He posted the above pictures few days back on his Facebook page with the caption; If she can hold and back my child why can't I hold her bag? These photos have gotten so many shares and likes since it was posted. See reactions of Nigerians below

Source: http://www.trezzyblog.com/2016/01/photo-of-alhaji-holding-his-girlfriends.html?m=1

HARDBUOI:
yolololoba dont be suprised!

It is nt a Yoruba thing.Girls from all tribes do that

kenedy175:
This girl is ugly. Damn!!

Bros every lady is pretty with money.See her look b4 fame na

Popular female Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, better known as Kaffy, got Nigerians talking after she graced the red carpet of the just concluded Headies Award in Lagos.

The dancer,dressed in a long netty gown,caught the attention of Nigerians not just with her dressing, but with the level of transformation in her skin colour.She looks fairer these days.Many fans said she has bleached her skin just to feel among.

Compare her look now and before

Nigerians, mostly Igbos, have taken to Twitter to criticize President Buhari over the current state of the country.

Using the hashtag “#TyrantBuhari” the social media users expressed their anger.

Mr. #TyrantBuhari constituted himself into a one man Supreme Court and set aside bail duly granted by a Hich court. And statesmen unlook

— Ebube D Statesman @akaebube January 2,2016


You have Amechi in your cabinet and Tinubu bossing lagos and you tell me you are fighting corruption. Bullshit! #TyrantBuhari

— Kene @nnabuchi_kc January 2,2026 


Tyrants oppress their people in a grab for absolute power. For #TyrantBuhari #NnamdiKanu#Dasuki must be oppressed alas Buhari overruled

— iostreamAfrica @iostream_Africa January 2,2016 


“Go through history. Every tyrant has a tragic ending. The determined energy of positivity overcomes darkness and evil. #TyrantBuhari"”

— Jaff Stam @stanlord1 January 2,2016


There’s nothing democratic about GMB. We told Nigerians before now. Check #WeTriumphStill  and read all. #TyrantBuhari

— #IStandWithWike @PrinceCBN January 2,2016


Only a tyrant budgets N1.9B for food in a year #TyrantBuhari

— Ugoo Gomez Nsude @Gomeznsude January 2,2016 


In a land Dat operates on d Principle of Seperation of Powers, an attribute of a Democracy, one #TyrantBuhari Choose to Disobey Court Orders

— OchinanWata 1 @mr_ochonogor January 2,2016


History has taught us that the only thing worse than a Tyrant is an ‘old Tyrant’ #TyrantBuhari

— Mr Stanley Nwabia @MrStanleyNwabia January 2,2016


All those lying Change advocate that Voted #TyrantBuhari should clap for yourself for putting Nigeria into this mess. #Nigeria

— Comrade Justice @Justicemedia1 January 2,2016 


If you are not calling @MBuhari out…. you are on your own mehn! #TyrantBuhari #BuhariMustGo! !

— Gbemisola @gbemy01 January 2,2016


#TyrantBuhari Dat cannot Differentiate BTW *Arms n Tiers of Govt still brags about Disobeying Court Orders

— OchinanWata 1 @mr_ochonogor  January 2,2016


!”@DoSinclair: Nigerians,The obnoxious Decree 4 of 1984 which was used to jail journalists & Gag the media is here today!#TyrantBuhari”

— Gbemisola @gbemy01 January 2,2016


General Buhari must be seen for who he is. An unrepentant despot.#TyrantBuhari

— Thεό @Shalomttheo January 2,2016


A tyrant is that reformed Democrat that says “I have no respect for Court orders, if it’s against my belief”. That’s a tyrant #TyrantBuhari

— NO GOV. LIKE MIMIKO @RadicalYouthMan January 2,2016


@MBuhari might be a tyrant….but he doesn't send our Soldiers to the war front without proper weapons and ammunition..#TyrantBuhari 

— jagaban @dundere5 January 2,2016

Lara Oshiomhole is a very lively woman.During her recent to Internally Displaced Persons camp,she was pictured dancing with the kids at the camp.

One word for the photo above

Gov. Willie Obiano is working and almost everybody is happy.Gov Obiano recently donated a patrol boat  to the Nigerian Naval Outstation Onitsha.He was pictured riding in the same boat with naval officer

JUSTICE AT LAST

My Fellow Good Citizens of Abia State
I am sure that many of you have heard the good news from the Appeal Tribunal that we have finally recovered the mandate of the people, which was brazenly and shamelessly stolen from you a few months ago . This is one good news that travels fast as in the past few hours, I have been inundated with calls, text messages and personal visits from many of you. All well meaning people are rejoicing and there is joy in the land. Praise be to God!

It is said that the windmill of justice may grind slowly but it surely does grind. After more than seven months of tortuous and needless legal tussle, the will of the people has triumphed!

Today’s ruling is the triumph of the abiding will of the people against the principalities of thuggery, barefaced robbery and high handed impunity. It is victory of the silent majority over a noisy, unjust and parochial minority. My fellow Abians, it is your victory!

All through this period, my faith in the nation’s justice system never wavered and I am glad that today’s judgment has justified our steadfast belief in the efficacy of the system. In the face of clear injustice, you kept faith in the system and refrained from self help, even in the face of extreme provocation, denial and injustice. I salute your high sense of civic responsibility.

For all well-meaning citizens of Abia and lovers of progress across Nigeria, the New Year has come a day earlier. On this great day of liberation of the good people of Abia from the bonds of mediocrity and self-centred oligarchy, let us savour the moment that restores our trust in our nation’s judiciary and our undying faith in our heavenly father, whose hand has been guiding this struggle for the return of our beloved state to greatness. You must recall that Abia, until the emergence of incompetent and insensitive “lootocracy”, was the commercial powerhouse of West Africa. It was an industrial centre where multinationals and indigenous entrepreneurs held sway. It was the area that produced such greats men as Alvan Ikoku, Michael Okpara, Dick Tiger, Jaja Wachuku, Nnanna Kalu, OC Ememe and so on. Today, it is a shadow of its former self. Our mission is to restore our beloved state to greatness.

From inception, our guiding philosophy in leading this liberation struggle has been, ’Abia First’! I sincerely believe that it is Abia first, before any sectional, narrow or personal interest. This philosophy will continue to guide all our decisions and actions as we commence this new journey together. For all of us who believe that it is Abia First , I welcome you to come with us to make our state great again. To our opponents including those responsible for what we have gone through in the last couple of months, we extend a hand of fellowship to them as we invite them to join hands with us as we seek to provide credible leadership to our people and restore their dignity.
The journey will not be an easy one but I assure you that the result will be fulfilling.

I shall address you soon in greater detail on our way forward and the challenges we envisage along the way. Meanwhile please savour the good news and have a very happy new year ahead.

Long live Abia State; long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless you all.

Dr. Alex Otti OFR
Governor Elect, Abia State

jonhemma11:
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