| 9th October, 2012 PRESS RELEASE PATRIOTIC BILL ET AL: KUDOS TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Nigerian senators recently drafted a bill that will disallow public office holders from sending their children abroad for studies. Known as the Patriotic Bill, the move seeks to drastically reduce the common but selfish practice of Nigeria's public officers who sponsor their own children and wards abroad while stinting the education sector at home of essential infrastructure. Exempted from the bill are children of public officers who are adults and fending for themselves; those pursuing courses in areas not offered in any Nigerian institution and those who are already pursuing programmes overseas before their parents got to public offices. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) lauds the Upper House for initiating this bill and for having the courage to debate it and move it forward. It is further proof of the progress of democratic practices in Nigeria. The National Assembly appears in recent times to be focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to ordinary Nigerians. We recall its noble stand on the removal of fuel subsidy in January this year. At present, the National Assembly is locked in a battle of wits with the presidency over the implementation of the 2012 budget. In our humble opinion, Nigerian legislators are waxing stronger in their oversight functions. MURIC however calls the attention of the National Assembly to the need for reviewing the exemption clauses in the bill. We frown at the exemption of public office holders whose children have been studying overseas before they became public officers. We believe very strongly that anyone who aspires to public office should be patriotic enough to keep his or her children or wards in Nigerian institutions. Those who already have children or wards abroad have the option of bringing them back into the country to continue their studies if they need public office at all. The reality is that our public officers abandon Nigeria's education sector because most of them train their children and wards overseas. They must be made to retain their children here so we can all improve the system together. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. How can they know it if they don't feel it? In addition, MURIC suggests that the Patriotic Bill be amended to include banning public office holders and members of their nuclear family from seeking medical attention outside the shores of Nigeria except in cases where treatment of such ailments cannot be done in the country. Our hospitals became public mortuaries simply because government officials show no interest in what transpires there. They go abroad to treat ordinary headache and abandon the poor masses who voted them into power to attend hospitals where drugs are not available and vital facilities are either malfunctioning or not available at all. Millions of poor Nigerians died prematurely as a result of this criminal and reckless behavior. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974 234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter: ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola I remain oppressed  untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered  |
Monday, October 8, 2012
PATRIOTIC BILL: KUDOS TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
PRESS RELEASE ON MUBI MASSACRE
| 3rd October, 2012 MUBI MASSACRE: THE HEIGHT OF BESTIALITY Unknown gunmen went berserk yesterday Tuesday 2nd October, 2012 at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State. About forty eight people were killed, many of them students. Both guns and knives were used as weapons in the melee. The attackers reportedly called their victims by name before killing them. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are still undergoing treatment in different hospitals. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly deplores this barbaric attack. It is the height of bestiality. Whatever may have been the casus belli, the end does not justify the means. It is simply unthinkable that anyone would carry out an attack of this magnitude on an institution of higher learning. Yet what is most worrisome is the ease with which the attackers carried out the killings before melting into thin air. It is a serious indictment on our security agencies. This massacre further amplifies the helplessness of our security network. Nigeria is no longer safe. People are living in fear. The details of the attack further compounds our fear as it becomes difficult to point an accusing finger at any group. Among the victims were Christians and Muslims as well as people of various ethnicities. The Federal Government must look inwards to identify the pernicious policies which have caused this animalistic behavior. Something must be done to fill the empty stomachs of the hungry jamaheer (masses). Job opportunities must be provided for this angry army of unemployed graduates. This violence is scaring away investors both locally and internationally. Aso Rock must put its house in order before inviting foreigners to come and invest in Nigeria otherwise the international community will continue to laugh at us. The violence is killing incentive and creativity in young Nigerians. Talents are being suffocated by conscienceless power. The Jonathan regime is fast losing its moral right to remain in power as it has failed to fulfill a vital part of the social contract it signed with Nigerians, namely, the provision of security of lives and properties. While the ordinary Nigerian lives in fear, President Jonathan recently launched a special arm of presidential guards. This reveals the selfishness of the president. Jonathan is only thinking of himself. He believes everything is fine as long as he remains untouched. Aso Rock keeps digging in, thereby increasingly exposing the jamaheer to canibalisation, dehumanization and untold psychological trauma. MURIC charges Mr. President to wake up from his illusions. We did not vote for him for the purpose of surrounding himself with armoured tanks. There is an urgent need to properly equip the security agencies so as to enable them to perform their primary duty of protecting Nigerians. Jobs must be provided to take the hungry but angry youths off the streets. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974 234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter: ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered |
Saturday, September 29, 2012
INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE
29th September, 2012
NIGERIA AT 52: QURANIC PARABLE OF A BLESSED BUT WASTED COUNTRY
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) congratulates all Nigerians as the country clocks 52 on Monday 1st October, 2012. The only cheering news in our independence anniversary is that we are still alive to witness the occasion and that in spite of all odds, this country is still intact, at least to the ordinary eye.
The Glorious Qur'an appears to have encapsulated the Nigerian phenomenon in its parable of the blessed but wasted city when it says, "Allah sets forth the parable of a city enjoying security and peace, abundantly supplied with its needs from everywhere, yet it failed to appreciate the favours of Allah, therefore Allah made it taste hunger and fear because of the evil handiworks of its people" (Qur'an 16:112).
Nigeria has failed to harness its vast human and material resources and this has resulted in the tragedy staring us in the face today: unemployment, hunger, insecurity, disunity, corruption, bad roads, poor health facilities, epileptic power supply, leadership failure and boot-licking citizenship.
Nigeria has all it needs to be a great nation if both the leaders and citizens change their mindset. Leaders must be prepared to render selfless service. Followers must be transparently honest in places of work. Parents and guardians must properly discipline their children and wards. Above all, the fear of God and the love of our fellowmen must be the first consideration in all our dealings. Until this is done, Nigeria remains a blessed but wasted country.
Friday, September 28, 2012
ADEGBITE'S DEATH: NIGERIA LOST A GEM
| 28th September, 2012 PRESS RELEASE: DEMISE OF DR ADEGBITE: NIGERIA HAS LOST A GEM The sad death of Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite was announced this evening by the Ogun State Government. Dr. Adegbite was until his death the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Seriki Musulumi of Egbaland. He was 79. We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) receive the news of his death with equanimity, submitting to the will of Allah since Islam teaches the philosophy of death as sine qua non. We commiserate with the government and good people of Ogun State, the President-General of the NSCIA Sultan Abubakar III, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, the Federal Government and the generality of Nigerian citizens. Dr. Adegbite was the founding father of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in the early sixties. He also played a vital role in the establishment of the NSCIA in 1973. He lived a life of devotion and piety. He promoted the golden qualities of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Even at the peak of the worst crisis and irrational provocation, he never uttered an angry word. He worked assiduously for the progress of Nigeria. He was a great statesman, a patriot primus inter pareil, a lover of peace, a preacher of love and forgiveness and an exemplary leader. Generous to a fault, Dr. Adegbite was a friend of the weak. He projected the enviable principles of non-violence and constructive dialogue. A team player nulli secundus, he steered the ship of the Muslim Ummah with the dexterity of an egg-vendor and the skill of a juggler simultaneously spinning several breakables in the air yet breaking none. Nigeria has lost a gem. We pray that Allah in His Infinite Mercy will forgive him and repose his gentle soul in Al-Jannah Firdaws. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974 234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter: ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
ANTI-ISLAM FILM: CRIMINALIZE BLASPHEMY
| 26th September, 2012 PRESS RELEASE: ANTI-ISLAM FILM: CRIMINALIZE BLASPHEMY The whole world was recently jolted by news of a film disparaging Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Provoked Muslims in many parts of the world reacted angrily. There were violent demonstrations in several Arab capitals. Libya was worst hit as the American Ambassador in Benghazi was killed along with three of the consulate's staff. Muslim demonstrators also suffered casualties as many of them died during clashes with the local police. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condemns violent demonstrations. We prefer dialogue even in extreme provocations. We believe that superior argument is capable of disarming the worst enemies. Violence is a square peg. Provocation is a round hole. What we fight for is not always what we gain at the end of the day. In fact losses often outweigh the gains in such circumstances. The world today is sandwiched between two hydra-headed monsters: Muslim fanatics and Western extremists. Yet only a change of mindset on the part of Western countries can bring lasting solution. The West asks the Muslim world to check its fanatics but fails to restrain its own extremists from irresponsible publications. MURIC rejects this double standard in very strong terms. It is true that there is freedom of speech, but one man's freedom stops where he starts to breach the liberty of others. Licentious publications and reckless productions targeted at other religions are manifestations of religious intolerance. They constitute palpable threats to peaceful coexistence. Cases abound in which the West defends its own religious fanatics when the latter act recklessly. Salman Rushdie became a baby of Western countries in spite of the outrage in the Muslim world over his provocative Satanic Verses published in the 90s. The author of the Danish cartoon enjoyed the same protection. Now the same West is asking Muslims to ignore this outrageous film. The list of anti-Muslim acts is endless. Pig-heads are thrown inside mosques in the US. Faeces is thrown on the floors of mosques. Hate-pouring graffiti is painted on mosque walls overnight and the US government does nothing to stop all these in its own territory. MURIC is of the opinion that the West is sponsoring Islamophobia. This impression will remain so until countries of the West redefine their concept of free speech. Britain can extradite Abu Hamza to the US to face charges of hate-preaching but the same Britain sees nothing wrong in a hate film. Posterity must judge whether or not the West is guilty of hypocrisy. Chamberlain had earlier remarked that the problem with the world is "brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution". We strongly believe that blasphemy against any religion must be criminalized to serve as deterrent against potential blasphemers. The West must unleash some control mechanism on the advocatus diaboli within its system. We will hold the West responsible for the recklessness of its citizens until this is done. Muslims have suffered immense psychological trauma from this name-calling and witch-hunting. Taking a cue from the unfortunate event which took place recently in Benghazi, Libya, the West must learn the limits of sponsoring and arming dissidents in Muslim countries. Finally, MURIC calls on governments around the world to legislate against blasphemy. We urge the Nigerian National Assembly to take this very seriously and act on it most urgently. We nurse the fear that the world may not be the same again after the next blasphemous act. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974 234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter: ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered |
Saturday, September 15, 2012
CELEBRATE PARALYMPIC HEROES
| 16th September, 2012 PRESS RELEASE: PARALYMPIC HEROES MUST BE CELEBRATED Nigeria's hopes were dashed by the poor performance of its Olympic team which came back home recently with no single medal. But light came at the end of the tunnel through the heroic performance of our physically challenged athletes. They came home with six gold medals and a lot more! The lesson in this must not be lost on Nigerians. It is a reminder that Nigerians must not lose hope in their country. We will survive as a nation. Our industries will come alive again. The education, health and all other sectors will bounce back with full force though with a proviso: we must revive that political will which brought our past heroes together to build a nation where no man is oppressed. The success of the Paralympic team amplifies the existence of great talents and skills in our young ones. Nigeria can still regain its lost glory if we can share the dream of this team that was determined to win in spite of challenges in its way. We can take Nigeria to the next level if we can resolve as a people to stop and shun corruption, materialism, tribalism and religious bigotry henceforth. In the meantime the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly recommends that the Federal Government should reward the Paralympic heroes and heroines. We suggest, among other things, that the juicy portion of land in Abuja over which the former First Lady and the current one are at logger heads be given to the best female Paralympic athlete. Secondly, that the $15 million involved in the Ibori bribery rigmarole should be shared among the athletes without any delay. Thirdly, that all Paralympic athletes who won medals for Nigeria should be given national awards. This will go a long way to prove that the Jonathan administration is not there to spoil political challatans, boot-lickers and court-jesters in Aso Rock, but determined to reward those who toil truthfully for this country. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974 234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter: ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered |
Monday, August 27, 2012
MURIC LAUDS FG-BOKO HARAM TALKS
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC LAUDS FG BOKO HARAM DIALOGUE
The recent confirmation by the Federal Government that it is currently holding talks with the dreaded Boko Haram group is welcome news. The group, otherwise known as the Jamaat as-Sunnah Lil-Da'wah wal-Jihad has engaged in fierce guerilla warfare with government troops and the Nigerian Police for about two years. The most deadly attacks launched by the group include the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja on August 26, 2011 and the Christmas day bombing of a church in Suleja.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcomes the bold move by the Federal Government to engage the sect in talks. This is a step in the right direction as it is most likely to stop the carnage which has engulfed the nation for several months with no solution in sight.
We however note the government's hesitation and precautionary measure as it describes the talks as 'indirect'. We regard this as a small step forward for the administration. We urge the Federal Government to take the giant step forward for the country in its search for durable peace by boldly transforming the 'indirect' talks to direct bilateral talks capable of leading to a general amnesty, disarmament in the volatile region and an economic empowerment programme that will take the gullible and jobless Northern youths off the streets.
The Federal Government must learn from events in other countries. America is currently having problems in Afghanistan because it chose to engage the Taliban in indirect talks via Qatar instead of direct, frank and open discussions with the second party. It is our considered opinion that the Federal Government should take the bull by the horns by holding direct bilateral talks with Boko Haram.
This is possible because we have precedents. Britain dialogued directly with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Italy held frank talks with the Red Brigade. Spain sat down in roundtable discussions with the Basque Separatist Movement. Britain, Italy and Spain are today reaping the fruits of their sincerity and respect for their erstwhile enemies.
It is also on record that this country once sat down in direct talks with the Niger Delta militants. We cannot afford to underestimate any foe. Nigeria needs a peaceful atmosphere to develop its economy. The Federal Government can stoop to conquer. The time for direct talks is now. We must make hay while the sun shines.
Professor Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714
234-803-346-4974
Justice is the soul of peace
