How? .....I know him very well, the dude cannot engage in any decent conversation without finding a way to sneak in SE or Peter Obi....very low..making the forum a minefield of hate.
seunmsg: What’s the obsession of the opposition and majorly people from the south east with Rivers state affairs? In 2015, you made a lot of noise about Rotimi Amaechi and why he must be screened out. Still, common sense prevailed and he served gloriously as a minister for almost 8 years.
We are now in 2023 and you’ve all moved to making noise about Wike and shouting that he should not be confirmed. Do you have the numbers to stop him? Why should one of the best performing governors in the last 8 years he screened out? Is it by force to support Peter Obi Pandora the loser? Must every Rivers state governor support whoever you guys are to supporting?
Wike will be screened and confirmed. He will serve as a federal minister for 4 years and move the entire PDP structure in Rivers state to APC. Even if you cry from now till the next 30 years, APC will still win Rivers State again in 2027.
Did the commentator wear SE toga? You are such a messed up fellow. How are you better off with this myopic opinion of yours.....you grow erection whenever you mention SE and become unproductive in your bank acct. Better get a life.....SE hatred will neither give you GWR nor Grammy award, better work on your finances and experience life without rancour and hate....na sapa hold you bound.
See the no nonsense coupist gave financial minister 48hours to give account or face execution by firing sqaud....
Minister of finance in Niger Republic given 48hrs by the coup plotters to account for the stolen money of Niger people or face execution by firing squad. We're back to square one! pic.twitter.com/V4MiEkdk49
Farooq Kperogi: Why Yoruba and Hausa Muslims reacted differently to music video shared by Davido
Islam in Yorubaland hasn’t quite evolved from the accommodationist character it previously shared with Islam in pre-jihad Hausaland.
Music star Davido’s social media promotion of a new song by Logos Olori (whose real name is Olalekan Emeka Taiwo) titled “Jaye Lo” where men dressed in stereotypical Muslims robesgyrated into a sudden burst of frenzied dancing shortly after performing the Muslim prayers near a mosque has incensedMuslims in Hausaphone northern Nigeria but doesn’t seem to bother Yoruba and other Nigerian Muslims.
The differential reactions to the music video—and to most other issues involving religion— among Nigerian Muslims can be traced to the history and character of the evolution of Islam in the North and in the Southwest
It is not often known that Yoruba and Hausa Muslims share a common, age-old heritage even though the manifestation of Islam in the lived experiences of the people is fundamentally different, which is magnified by the often acrimonious political differences between the two groups in contemporary Nigeria.
The emergence of Islam in both societies is not only fairly co-extensive, it is also from the same West African source. Islam came to Katsina, Kano (and in much of Hausaland in Nigeria’s northwest) in a sustained, systematic form in the 1300s. It came to Kano when Yaji I was king of Kano— and to Yorubaland in the 1450s during the reign of Oluaso, the defunct Oyo Empire’s longest reigning monarch on record.
Tarikh arbab hadha al-balad al-musamma Kano, the Arabic-language palace diary known to us in English as the Kano Chronicle, which recorded biographical profiles of Kano’s kings from the 10th century until the Usman Dan Fodio Jihad in the early 1800s, is the first known written account to state that Islam was brought to Kano by the Wangara people of Mali during the reign of Yaji I who ruled from 1349 to 1385.
Islam also came to Yorubaland (and surrounding areas such as Borgu and Nupeland) through the same Wangara people of Mali, which explains why Islam is called “Esin imale” in the Yoruba language, which literally means “religion of Mali.” Note that the Wangara are also known by such names as Mande, Mandinka, Malinke, Mandingo, Dyula, Bambara, Soninke, etc.
Although Islam has existed in Yorubaland since at least the 1400s, the first mosque wasn’t built in Oyo-Ile, the ancient capital of the Oyo Empire, until 1550, and in Iwo, a historic Yoruba Muslim town, until the 1600s. While Islam took enough roots in Yorubaland that Sharia courts were established in some towns, traditional modes of Yoruba worship coexisted with Islam for centuries.
Former Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda pointed out on April 26, 2013, that “the first Sharia court [in what is now Nigeria] was established in Iwo, in Osun State.”
Many Yoruba Muslims repeat this claim both to show that Islam in Yorubaland has a historical edge over Islam in the North and to persuade the Nigerian government to allow the implementation of Sharia for Yoruba Muslims who desire it.
But the claim is probably an exaggeration. Sharia courts seem to have existed in Hausaland before they appeared in Iwo, but their appearance in Yorubaland obviously did precede colonialism by at least 100 years.
Other Yoruba towns that had sharia courts decades before colonialism are Epe, Ikirun, and Ede(incidentally Davido’s hometown), which are all located in what is now Osun State. (Davido’s grandfather, Alhaji Raji Adeleke, was a respected Muslim leader in Ede who had the title of Baba Adini of Ede, that is, the Chief Protector of Islam in Ede town).
So, Islam in Yorubaland and Islam in Nigeria’s extreme north share similar Malian-inflected historical trajectories, and neitheris a direct consequence of the other, although there are interesting historical overlaps between them. For instance, several Hausa (and pre-Dan Fodio Jihad Fulani) Muslim scholars traveled to Yorubaland to preach and share Islamic knowledge.
This inspired a robust linguistic and cultural interchange between the two groups.
Prior to Usman Dan Fodio’s 1804 jihad, Islamic practices in both Hausaland and Yorubaland were similar in their syncretism.
That is, they blended traditional African religions and Islam. In his book Imale: Yoruba Participation in the Muslim Tradition. A Study of Clerical Piety, Patrick Ryan characterised Islamic practices in Yorubaland as “accommodationist” and pointed out that Usman Dan Fodio would have condemned Yoruba Muslims as “mixers”—as he did Hausa Muslims of the time.
So, Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad was the defining point of departure between Islam in Hausaland and Islam in Yorubaland. The jihad didn’t just extirpate the accommodationist, syncretic brand of Islam previously practiced in Hausaland, it also laid the grounds for a new syncretic ethnic identity in Hausaland.
Over the years, Islam has become not just a religion but an intrinsic constituent of an evolving, increasingly expansionist, politically consequential, and largely non-primordial Hausa Muslim identity.
This fact has made Hausa the most ecumenical ethnic identity in Nigeria, by which I mean anybody can be “Hausa” provided they are Muslim, speak the Hausa language with native proficiency, dress like the Hausa, disavow allegiance to competing identities, and subscribe to the cultural consensus of the people.
That is why for most “Hausa” Muslims, Islam isn’t just a faith; it’s also an encapsulation of the totality of their identity and being. That explains why they are more emotionally invested in it—and react forcefully when it is, or perceived to be, attacked, undermined, or ridiculed—than Yoruba and other Muslims are.
Islam in Yorubaland, on the other hand, hasn’t quite evolved from the accommodationist character it previously shared with Islam in pre-jihad Hausaland. And because Islam has been caked into the Hausa ethnic identity and constituted as the most important building block for identity formation in Northern Nigeria so much so that “Hausa” and “Muslim” have become misleadingly synonymous in the Nigerian popular imagination, Yoruba Muslims have been compelled to privilege their ethnic identity to fend off equivalence with, and to establish difference from, “Hausa” Muslims.
In other words, the association of Islam with Hausa—or Hausa-Fulani—has led to its recalibration in even historically Muslim polities in southern Nigeria such as Yorubaland and northern Edo.
As John Paden noted in Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto: Values and Leadership in Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello, Northern Nigeria’s first premier and great-great-grandson of Usman Dan Fodio, actively promoted Islam as Northern Nigeria’s official religion before and after independence. Professor Sakah Saidu Mahmud, in his 2004 article in the African Studies Review titled “Islamism in West Africa: Nigeria,” also pointed out that Islam in northern Nigeria emerged as “the source of identity and a medium of competition for resources and political power.”
He added that
“The regional leaders were in competition with each other as they worked to consolidate their local powers, and Islamisation was a means for promoting regional identity.” (It also caused dissension in the North and intensified the struggles for a separate “Middle Belt” region for Northern Christians). This reality put Yoruba Muslims in Western Nigeria on the spotsince the North instrumentalised Islam for identity and for competition with southern Nigeria, including Yorubaland.
Perhaps as a consequence of this, many Yoruba Muslims in pre- and post-independence Nigeria chose to conceal their Muslim names even when they were practicing, believing Muslims, just to distinguish themselves from Northern Muslims who have ethnicized Islam.
For example, a prominent pre-independence Ibadan politician by the name of Adelabu Adegoke who was famous for his electrifying oratory changed his family name from Sanusi (which he bore throughout his educational career) to Adegoke.
The fact that the Sultan of Sokoto is recognized in Nigeria as the permanent leader of Nigerian Muslims, whether or not the Sultan is knowledgeable in Islam and against the merit-drivenprinciples of leadership in Islam, hasn’t helped.
It should be noted that these are broad-brush characterisations that overlook many exceptions. There is a minority of Yoruba Muslims, for instance, who have more allegiance to Islam than they do to their ethnic identity.
For example, at a gathering of Yoruba Muslims in Akure on June 19, 2021, Sheikh Imran Molaasan, national president of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen and Iwo native, reportedly said, “If Nigeria breaks up, Yoruba Muslims will suffocate” in an Oduduwa Republic, and even implied that the resentment against the Fulani in Yorubaland masks sneaky anti-Muslim designs by Yoruba leaders who are mostly Christians.
There is also a minority Hausa ethnic nationalists who resent the “dilution” of their ethnicity with other ethnicities in the name of Islam, and there are Fulani nationalists who agonise over the progressive decline of their language, culture, and identity, but these groups are, for the most part, marginal.
Nonetheless, the foregoing background explains why most Yoruba Muslims see Logos Olori’s music video as mere harmless art not worth their time and Hausa Muslims see it as a mockery of “their” culture over which they must fight.
Prigozhin celebrates Niger coup, says his Wagner group can help
While the international community, including many African states, have condemned the coup in Niger, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has his own take.
In a long message posted to social media, Prigozhin blamed the situation in Niger on the legacy of colonialism and alleged, without evidence, that Western nations were sponsoring terrorist groups in the country. Niger was once a French colony and, before this week’s putsch, it had been one of the few democracies in the region.
Prigozhin still appears to be at large despite leading an armed rebellion against the Kremlin in June.
The short-lived uprising ended when Prigozhin and his troops agreed to head to Belarus but the militia leader was seen in St. Petersburg on Thursday meeting with an African dignitary on the sidelines of a summit between African nations and Russia.
Prigozhin’s missive was also something of a business proposition. He said that his private military company, Wagner, was capable of dealing with situations like that playing out in Niamey, the Nigerien capital. Hundreds of Wagner contractors are in neighboring Mali, at the invitation of the country’s military junta, to confront an Islamist insurgency that is strongest in the area where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger meet.
“What happened in Niger has been brewing for years,” Prigozhin said. “The former colonizers are trying to keep the people of African countries in check. In order to keep them in check, the former colonizers are filling these countries with terrorists and various bandit formations. Thus creating a colossal security crisis.”
Prigozhin then continued with his typical sales pitch.
“The population suffers. And this is the (the reason for) love for PMC (private military company) Wagner, this is the high efficiency of PMC Wagner. Because a thousand soldiers of PMC Wagner are able to establish order and destroy terrorists, preventing them from harming the peaceful population of states,” he said.
A number of CNN investigations, and others by human rights groups, have established Wagner’s involvement in and complicity with atrocities against civilian populations in Sudan, Mali and the Central African Republic, where they have been employed to assist local defense forces against rebellions and insurgencies, and suppress opposition.
Prigozhin’s comments on Friday were at odds with the view of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which called for the “prompt release” of President Mohamed Bazoum by the military.
These are unprivileged, inconsequential,uncommissioned and unrecognised profit-less self oppointed nairaland town criers and defenders of the Elites, that barely care about their clear and present welfare.....quite unfortunate and ridiculous.
The governor is likely to submit more nominees to the Assembly.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has nominated Lloyd Ekweremadu, son of a former Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, as a commissioner.
Apart from Mr Lloyd, a lawyer, Mr Mbah, in a letter addressed to the State Assembly, also nominated 14 others as commissioners.
Mr Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a doctor were convicted of organ trafficking by a UK court in March.
They were found guilty of facilitating the travel of a young man to Britain with a view to his exploitation after a six-week trial at the Old Bailey.
While Mr Ekweremadu was later sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison, his wife bagged four years and six months jail term. The couple are currently serving their prison terms in the European country.
More nominations
Former commissioner for lands in the state, Okey Ogbodo, and his counterpart in rural development, Kingsley Udeh, are among the nominees.
While Mr Ogbodo served under the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani, who governed the state between 1999 and 2007, Mr Udeh served in the immediate past administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
A popular broadcast journalist, Akachukwu Eze of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, was among the nominees.
The list, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chididebere Onyia, was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker of the assembly, Uche Ugwu, on Friday.
Other nominees in the list include Ndubueze Mbah, Ngozi Eni, Lawrence Eze, Sam Ugwu, Emmanuel Obi, Chika Ugwoke and Ben Ugochi Madueke.
Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama, Malachy Agbo and Adaoro Chukwu were also among the nominees.
Three professors were among the nominees.
The portfolios for the nominees were not indicated in the letter.
“While this may not be the exhaustive list, I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration,” the governor told the lawmakers in the letter, indicating that more nominees would be submitted for consideration.
Apostle Suleman threatens to return Happie Boys to Nigeria if…
The General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries Apostle Johnson Suleman has threatened to facilitate the return of two former security guards known as Happie Boys if they dare to speak one more time against their benefactor Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere of Omega Power Ministries (OPM). Chibuzor has been in the eye of the storm over allegations and counter-allegations by the former security guards who were on an OPM scholarship to Cyprus after they dragged him last month for allegedly abandoning them.
The displeased cleric offered them scholarships to continue their education in Nigeria, Ghana or Benin Republic, urging them to return as he had booked return tickets for them.
But the Happie Boys in a recent video after apologising for their actions taunted the clergyman for planning their return to Nigeria.
“See OPM say he don pay una flight ticket to come back Nigeria,” said a man videoing the moments.
Reacting heatedly, one of the Happie Boys screamed into the phone screen: “See dem no born you. OPM comot body; tahh!! OPM, comot body! You dey jonse?”
Furious at the young men and the entire episodes, Suleman accused them of being the most ungrateful and entitled pair.
Amid the full display of ingratitude by the Happie Boys and a couple of other stressful situations, Chibuzor collapsed at the Lagos airport a couple of days ago.
Reacting to this, Suleman questioned why they should make such befall one who’s shown them immense benevolence.
Addressing his congregation in a video, he swore to bring back the ‘entertainers’ should they challenge or direct any word against their benefactor.
He said: “I know Cyprus very well. I know how to bring them back. I’m not joking. And if they’re watching me now and I hear pim from them, I’ll bring them back.
“How can a man of God collapse because of you? How can you open your mouth….somebody who helped you.
“I have told you in the church, anybody who you have eaten from, even if they hurt you tomorrow, walk away; leave it for Jesus.”
sarkinbauchi: I hereby call on all Muslims faithfuls nationwide to as a matter of urgency boycott and stop using Infinix Phones as long as Davido is their brand Ambassador
We have also banned all Davido and Wizkid songs from our communitiee. Any youth or DJs caught playing their songs at any occasion will be flogged and charged to Sharia court for prosecution. If you don't like our decision, go to court
IconicR: This skit people should know their boundaries please, they should stop behaving anyhow like their skit master Peter Obi. I'll never forgive Peter Obi for having the guts to challenge Asiwaju in court. I'll only let go when he apologizes and withdraw from the court and finally congratulates Asiwaju.
zoedew: He should be man enough to own up to his criminal actions. The video is all over the internet and speaks for itself! When you beat your chest it must be with the knowledge of your brain!
He really messed up......common sense is not common, see how his loose tongue and social chestbeating put him in cage....see how his ego is being deflected by constituted authority.
ganisucks: This is another example of bad behaviour from Obidients. I don't understand this idea of going after supporters of your electoral opposition.
The supporters of a politician are not the politician. They are simply people who share his views or like him. There's no need to berate or shame someone for choosing to follow a political discourse different from yours.
Rather, you should debate and discuss, not disgrace. This is one thing that Barack Obama did wrong. By saying Elections have consequences, he embedded in the American voter the idea that Elections are a battle, a sort of competition, instead of it being an exchange and weighing of ideas.
Nigerians should stop treading on this part. It is destructive and dangerous. Our elections and electoral journey are not a flimsy diminutive beer parlor discussion like Ronaldo is better than Messi. Once again, this is another bad behaviour from Obidients.
You shouldn't written all these when you know you are not explaining nothing.....if the words that you are about to say is not as beautiful as silence, do not say it.
This is the result of some of the supportive comments they read online. They already know we are divided in opinion and united in suffering, so they can throw any poo at us.
Aufbauh: The only Person I've eagerly wanted to see his name in the ministerial list and I wasn't disappointed is Comrade Nyesome Wike.
The man that logistically promised to deliver Obi but ended up delivering Jagaban realistically. If he wasn't in the list the Obidenses would have gone to town by now, mocking and taunting their silent nemesis.
Forget Obidients and focus on your welfare......you are not better than most of them.....Be objective, "likes "on nairaland you seek are not bank acct figures. You are not Elite, that's for sure.
PrincessofDSS: The poor has become an object of ridicule in this regime
Watch how the poor on nairaland will jump out and bear their fangs to defend them and call them heroes......Yarimo, Helliues and Co, oya the floor is open.
Meanwhile this is Niger 🇳🇪 Republic, Buhari's cousin country. The poor are finally breathing and the political Elites are suffocating..
Politics › Re: Ministerial Nominees: Senators Disagree On Mode Of Screening by Morbeta11(m): 9:02am On Jul 30, 2023
