STOP INCESSANT FALLING OF TANKERS & CONTAINERS ON LAGOS ROADS – MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC), LAGOS STATE CHAPTER.                                 

(Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence)

https://www.muricnigeria.com

 

Date :  9th Rajab, 2023/ 31st  January,2023.

PRESS RELEASE:

 

STOP INCESSANT FALLING OF TANKERS & CONTAINERS ON LAGOS ROADS – MURIC

 

The Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has bemoaned the death of seven innocent passengers who fell victims of a 20ft container which fell on a commercial minibus at Ojuelegba, Lagos on Sunday, 29^th January, 2023. The group urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to formulate a sustainable and enforceable policy that will regulate the operation and movement  of tankers and heavy- duty lorries on major roads.

The statement was signed by the chairman of Lagos Chapter of MURIC, Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu.

He said: On Sunday, 29th January, 2023, a tragedy occurred in Lagos where seven (7) innocent lives were lost. According to the report, a  truck conveying a 20ft container fell on a commercial minibus at Ojuelegba and killed the occupants (www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/ojuelegba-tragedy-as-container-laden-truck-falls-on-commercial-bus-kills-9-in-lagos/amp/).

"We are sad that innocent lives are taken by heavy duty lorries and fuel-laden tankers unabatedly on Lagos roads. The Ojuelegba incident which happened two days ago was not the first as Lagosians do witness myriads of tanker explosions and the falling of containers on innocent road users. We are asking the LASG when would such calamities be curtailed?

“It will be recalled that barely two weeks ago, one life was lost when a  diesel-laden tanker fell on a stationary towing van at Otto Wharf, along Apapa – Oshodi Expressway, Mile 2, in Lagos (punchng.com/one-feared-dead-as-tanker-falls-in-lagos/%3famp). This incident is just another example of innumerable calamities that have been experienced by Lagosians.  Are we safe again as road users? What are the authorities doing in curbing and averting re-occurence of these avoidable man-made tragedies?

To this end, MURIC urges LASG to formulate a sustainable policy that will regulate the operation and movement  of tankers and heavy- duty lorries on our major roads. The enforcement of such policies has become overdue if they already exist.  

“This could be done in conjunction with all relevant authorities such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Police, Lagos State Ministries of Transportation and  Justice as well as the tankers' owners and drivers associations.

“There must be a framework on how, where and when these trucks and lorries are loaded,  parked and moved around in Lagos to avert incessant loss of lives and properties of Lagosians. It is believed that a stich in time saves nine. Therefore, LASG must not wait until such tragedy is recorded again before taking a proactive step. The time to act is now!”

 

Signed:

Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu.

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

LAGOS STATE CHAPTER.

 

MURIC APPEALS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND DEADLINE OF EXPIRATION of OLD NAIRA NOTES FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS.

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC), 

SOKOTO STATE CHAPTER.

Date: 27^th January, 2023

MURIC APPEALS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND DEADLINE OF EXPIRATION of OLD NAIRA NOTES FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS.

The Central Bank of Nigeria on October 26, 2022 announced its plan to redesign N200, N500 and N1,000 notes. On November 23, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari, subsequently unveiled the redesigned N200, N500 and N1,000 notes and the apex bank fixed January 31 deadline for the expiration of the old notes.

Reacting to this development, the Sokoto State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu has appealed to the Federal Government to extend the deadline by at least two weeks.

However, this week businesses in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States were almost grounded as a result of the 31^st January, 2023 deadline for expiration of old naira notes as a result of refusal to accept the old naira notes in commercial transactions out of fear of possible inability to deposit the old naira notes in commercial banks.

This is because every bank a customer goes he would meet a very long queue of depositors, trying to deposit their old naira notes in their attempt to beat the deadline. Businessmen have to be at bank as early as 6:00 am in order to join queue at commercial banks to have their old naira notes changed. Moreover, because of lack of enough new naira notes in circulation, fear of receiving old naira notes and unsure of whether one could be able to deposit the money he collected from customers at banks before the deadline due to very long queues many businessmen stopped collecting old notes.

Many filling stations and other essential services providers also closed, because of most of their customers come with old naira notes and they are not sure whether they could be able to deposit same to the bank. This has currently made life more difficult to ordinary citizens.  Many Nigerians have lamented the nonavailability and scarcity of the new notes, this is because banks up till today, still give out the old naira notes to customers with the deadline only a few days away.

Sequel to the forgoing, we appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider its decision by extending the 31^st January, 2023 deadline for expiration of old naira notes by at least two weeks to enable Nigerians to swap their old naira with the new naira notes. We also call on the security agencies particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to closely monitor how commercial bank managers handle the new naira notes, they receive from Central Bank of Nigeria, which apex bank has been consistently insisting that the new notes are readily available at the vaults nationwide ready for collection. We call on Nigerians to remain peaceful and stop panicking about the money swap.

 

Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

Sokoto Chapter.

 

MURIC CONGRATULATES OYETOLA FOR VICTORY AT TRIBUNAL

 

27^th January, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONGRATULATES OYETOLA FOR VICTORY AT TRIBUNAL     

 

The Osun State gubernatorial election tribunal today delivered judgement in the legal tussle over the election held in Osun State in July 2022. The tribunal sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke and ruled that former Governor Gbenga Oyetola be issued a new certificate of return.

 

 

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has congratulated Oyetola for his victory at the tribunal.

 

 

In a statement issued on Friday, 27^th January, 2023 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the tribunal’s ruling as decisive, overwhelming and incontrovertible.

 

He said :

 

“Justice Tetsea Kume who delivered the majority decision of the Osun State election tribunal today faulted the results declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) of Osun State. The tribunal declared that ex-Governor Gbenga Oyetola polled 314,921 while Governor Ademola Adeleke scored 290,266 votes. The tribunal therefore ruled that INEC should withdraw Adeleke’s certificate of return and give Oyetola a new certificate.

 

 

“We congratulate Oyetola on his victory at the tribunal. We commend him for his doggedness and reticence. We urge him to continue on the path of truth, honour and dignity. Osun State deserves only men of self-respect, men of noble character and men of discipline. Those given to open exhibition of lasciviousness and those lacking in integrity should stay clear of leadership positions in Osun.

 

 

“We advise Governor Ademola Adeleke to spare the good people of the state the avoidable waste of resources by accepting the judgement of the tribunal in good faith.

 

 

“MURIC commends members of the tribunal for their boldness, thoroughness and

sacrifices.”

 

  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC HAILS SANWO-OLU FOR APPOINTING 2 TUTOR GENERALS

 

26^th January, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC HAILS SANWO-OLU FOR APPOINTING 2 TUTOR GENERALS     

 

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed two school principals, Dr. (Mrs.) Shareefah Adejoke Yusuf and Mr. Amuni Abayomi Mustapha as Tutors–General/Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service.

 

 

The two appointees, who are Muslims, were previously principals in Ansar-Ud Deen Senior High School, Surulere and Araromi-Ilogbo Senior Secondary School, Oko-Afo, Badagry.

 

 

Islamic human rights organization, MURIC, has commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the appointments.

 

 

In a statement issued on Thursday, 26^th January, 2023 by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group described the move as commendable.

 

The full statement reads :

 

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appointed two school principals who are Muslims, Dr. (Mrs.) Shareefah Adejoke Yusuf and Mr. Amuni Abayomi Mustapha as Tutors–General/Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service.

 

 

“The appointments were contained in a circular with reference CIR/HOS/’23/Vol. 1/111 issued by the State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

 

 

“We commend the step taken by the governor. But like Oliver Twist, we will ask for more. Sanwo-Olu has given Muslims two slots out of six. There are six tutor generals in Lagos State and all six had been Christians since Sanwo-Olu became governor. MURIC and other Islamic organisations in the state had been clamouring for a fair redistribution of the six slots for years.

 

 

“In essence, three slots each should go to Muslims and Christians. While we thank him for what he has done so far, the governor still has to boldly redistribute the slots in the name of equal rights, fairness and justice. It was three on each side in the days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola. There is no reason why it should change.

 

 

“If Lagos Muslims want to be rigid, they can even demand all six slots in Sanwo-Olu’s second term because the Christians have monopolized the same six slots for four years. But we are not going to do that. Let the records speak for us.

 

“We call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to balance the equilibrium as soon as he is sworn in for his second term by the grace of Allah by appointing one more Muslim as tutor general. There are more than enough Muslim candidates who are eminently qualified for that post.

 

 

“As we congratulate the newly appointed tutor generals, we charge Muslims in the state to give Sanwo-Olu their full support. This governor deserves our votes in the March 2023 gubernatorial election for two reasons. He has demonstrated goodwill towards us by appointing two Muslims as tutor generals and he has performed excellently as executive governor of the state.

 

 

“Thank you Your Excellency. We will be back for more during your second term.”  

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

CENSUS BETTER AFTER RAMADAN – MURIC

 

25^th January, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

CENSUS BETTER AFTER RAMADAN – MURIC    

 

The chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, has announced March 29 to April 2^nd as the dates for the 2023 census. This has not gone down well with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) which has voiced opposition to a census exercise taking place during Ramadan.

 

 

MURIC spoke through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 25^th January, 2023.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Our attention has been drawn to the date fixed for the 2023 census by the National Census Commission. 29^th March to 2^nd April 2023 may not be good dates for the exercise because those dates fall within the first and second weeks of Ramadan (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/21/fg-fixes-march-29-to-april-2-for-national-population-census/).    

 

 

“Although nothing in our religion says working during the month of Ramadan is prohibited and millions of Muslims do their daily works during the month of Ramadan, the rigorous spiritual exercise in Ramadan cannot be easily combined with the hazards of census for both the citizens who are to be counted and the enumerators too.

 

 

“Experience has shown that the ad hoc workers of the census exercise are usually taken into villages. The work consumes time and energy. It entails training of enumerators, supervisors and other facilitators on how to fill forms for households and field work.

 

“Census ad hoc workers move from house to house and come back in the night to fill certain forms. They continue doing this for five consecutive days. It is obvious that Muslims among the ad hoc staff who are fasting will certainly suffer hardship if the exercise is held in Ramadan. Muslims who are fasting are most active from morning till noon after which the law of diminishing returns takes over.

 

“Census enumerators go to the field in the morning. They move from house to house and compile data in the night. Each worker must cover the area assigned to him or her on a daily basis. More often than not, many of them spend up to five days in the villages without sighting civilization throughout.

 

“But what really makes combination of census exercise and Ramadan fasting unwise and illogical is the odd times sahuur (early morning food) and futuur (meal taken to break the fast) must be taken mandatorily. Sahuur is between 4 and 5 am while futuur is between 6.45 and 7 pm.

 

“Muslims who are fasting will definitely experience untold hardship concerning what to eat and how to break their fast if census is held during Ramadan. They will be forced to take sahuur in strange environments with the attendant difficulties. Worse still, many of them may not find anything to eat at such times.

 

“Census work is rigorous, hectic, tedious and tortuous. The logistics of both exercises contradict each other. It must also be noted that census work necessitates courtesy and cordiality between households and enumerators. Hunger, fatigue and dehydration may not allow those who are fasting to manifest patience and observe necessary decorum when attending to enumerators. This may affect the succecc of the exercise. It is therefore better after Ramadan.  

 

“MURIC wants stakeholders to accept the fact that Nigeria is not a secular state where the opinions of religious groups are inconsequential. It is a multi-religious nation. We must stop planning projects without any input from all interested parties. Wide consultation is necessary when planning events.

 

“For instance, any attempt to conduct census during Easter is ill-advised in the same way that any plan for census in Ramadan is an exercise in futility. The earlier we face reality the better.” #PostponeCensusInRamadan  #RespectMuslimsRights

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC TO NBC, OTHERS : BAN PORTABLE'S 'KUKU DO RITUAL'

 

23^rd January, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO NBC, OTHERS : BAN PORTABLE’S ‘KUKU DO RITUAL’

A pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as ‘Portable’ has released an album entitled ‘Kuku Do Ritual’. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the album for having the potential to encourage ritual killing and misleading Nigerian youth.  

MURIC’s statement was released on Monday, 23^rd January, 2023 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads :

“Popular pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, has released a new album under the title ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ in which part of the lyrics say, ‘Kuku do ritual. If you do ritual you go die. If you no do ritual you go die. Kuku do ritual’.

“We find this song disgusting, detestable and egregious. It is a brazen assault on Nigerian and African values. Portable’s latest song has reduced human life to the level of ordinary ants that can be stamped out under human feet without qualms and without consequences. It is an open invitation to criminality. It makes mockery of law and order. It is an open disrespect for human life.

“This song has the capacity to influence our young ones in a negative manner. It is also capable of destroying the future of the youth. Something must be done urgently. Already, there are several reports of young ones engaging in the shameful act for the purpose of getting rich in their tender ages.

“Three teenagers were caught attempting to kill a 13 year old girl for money ritual in Bayelsa State in January 2022 (https://saharareporters.com/2022/01/04/three-teenagers-arrested-bayelsa-during-attempted-ritual-killing-13-year-old-girl).

“Four teenagers living in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killed the girlfriend of one of them for money ritual (https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/01/29/4-ogun-teenagers-slaughter-girl-burn-her-head-for-money-ritual/). In fact there is a plethora of ritual killings among young Yahoo practioners in the country (https://punchng.com/of-ritualist-yahoo-teenagers-and-a-sick-country/).

“MURIC calls on all men of goodwill, all mothers in Nigeria, Muslim and Christian leaders to rise against the madness called Yahoo Yahoo and ritual killings among young ones whose ambassador has just released this horrendous song in their praise. ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ is nothing but a eulogy to glorify and elevate the names of ritual killers to high heaven.

“This album calls for immediate action from Nigeria’s traditional rulers. They are the custodians of our tradition. We therefore take our cry for help to these royal fathers to speak up on this sacriledgious song released by ‘Portable’. They must put pressure on the authorities to stop the circulation and broadcast of this album on any radio or television station and through any medium whatsoever.

“We invite the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Performing Musicians' Association of Nigeria (PMAN) to take necessary action with military dispatch.

“We see no reason why the security agencies should not investigate the author of this most embarrassing and irrational song to explain the number of rituals in which he has indulged. A scape goat must be made of this album and its artist before the trend escalates.

“Nobody should hide behind artistic priviledge, poetic licence or freedom of expression to launch such barbaric offensive on our culture, our norms and our values. This is beyond free speech. It is criminal speech. It is incitement to commit murder. It is instigation to criminality. It is a bestial invasion on decency and good manners. It is Bohemian.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)