MURIC CONGRATULATES PANTAMI FOR BAGGING NEW AWARD

 

7^th May, 2021

PRESS RELEASE :

MURIC CONGRATULATES PANTAMI FOR BAGGING NEW AWARD

 

A leading media house in Nigeria, People and Power Magazine, has conferred the prestigious award of the Most Outstanding Minister of the Year Award on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. The ceremony took place yesterday, Thursday, 6^th May, 2021.  

 

 

Reacting to the development, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the minister. In a statement circulated among pressmen on Friday, 7^th May, 2021, the human rights group described the award as meritorious and heart-warming. The statement was signed by the director of the human rights group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

“We felicitate with the honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on the occasion of the conferment of the prestigious award of the Most Outstanding Minister of the Year 2021 by People and Power Magazine. It is meritorious and heart-warming. It is the greatest news of the year and the best gift of the media in 2021.

 

 

“People and Power Magazine has put the cap on the head that fits. The magazine has vehemently affirmed that not all Nigerians subscribe to the PHD (pull-him-down) syndrome. We commend this media house for coming out boldly to stand up for the truth at a time when many are playing to the gallery and making attempts at crucifying an innocent, highly gifted and hardworking man.

 

 

“This award is not for Pantami alone. It is another feather in the hat of President Muhammadu Buhari. Just as it takes the deep to call to the deep, so does it take the jewel to identify and associate with the gem among other collections. The award is also for all Nigerians of goodwill, for all men and women who stand for justice, fairness and objectivity. It is equally for those who believe in rewarding merit and shunning mediocrity. It is for those who stand up for the truth.

 

 

“MURIC is proud of Pantami. He is indeed a rare breed. We are greatly delighted to see an Islamic scholar perfectly combining Islamic intellectual brilliance with a robust appetite for information technology skills that has made him a nulli secundus asset dishing out first class services to Nigerians and pulling the rug off the feet of criminals and enemies of the people. It is quite noteworthy that those who gave the award mentioned the minister’s innovative projects in the ministry he supervises as the reason for the award.

 

 

“Our message to the Honourable Minister, Shaykh Pantami, is this: This is another motivation for you. Do not be downcast. You must forge ahead. Do not allow detractors to make you lose focus. Many are praying for you and despising your enemies. This award is an indubitable proof that millions of Nigerians appreciate you.

 

 

“Two verses of the Glorious Qur’an are most apposite here as they appear to be speaking directly to Shaykh Pantami. The first one says, ‘Is there any other reward for goodness other than good?’ (Hal jazaau al-ihsaan ilaa al-ihsaan? 55:60). The other complements and answers the hypothetical question as it responds, ‘Eat and drink to your heart’s content as a reward for your good work. This is exactly how We (Allah) reward those who do good’ Inna kadhaalika najzil-muhsiniin 77:43 - 44).

 

 

“The reward for Shaykh Pantami’s diligence, commitment to duty and patriotism is just beginning. Time will tell. There will come a time when Nigerians will look back and say, ‘We have a man who can do it. He has done it before’. The Glorious Qur’an says, ‘And remember Idris in the Book. He was a truthful prophet and we raised him to a lofty height’ (Wa rafa‘naahu makaanan ‘aliyan 19:56 – 57).”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

RESPECT NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY - MURIC TELLS CLARKE

 

6^th May, 2021

PRESS RELEASE :

RESPECT NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY - MURIC TELLS CLARKE

 

An elder statesman, Chief Robert Clarke, has suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari should delegate his executive powers to the Chief of Defence Staff who should thereafter declare a state of emergency in all the 36 states of the federation in order to bring the state of insecurity to a halt.

 

 

However, an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the suggestion as outright balderdash. MURIC spoke on Thursday, 6^th May, 2021 through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

The statement reads:

“Chief Robert Clarke’s recent suggestion that President Muhammadu Buhari should delegate his executive powers to the Chief of Defence Staff who should then declare a state of emergency in all the 36 states of the federation for the purpose of bringing Nigeria’s security challenges to a halt is, to say the least, nauseating, preposterous and egregious. It is outright balderdash.

 

 

“We are grossly disappointed that a learned fellow of timber, calliber and caterpillar, a SAN, would offer such an outrageous suggestion. How consistent is his suggestion with the provisions of the constitution which, ceteris paribus, should be his major area of concern?

 

 

“It may have been 22 years away since 1999 when the military ceded power to civilians, but we have not forgotten the woes visited on this country by the military. The travails of Nigeria today can be traced to military misadventure in politics.

 

 

“They militarised our youth, introduced totalitarian dictatorship, legalised extrajudicial killing, and institutionalised the dehumanisation and humiliation of Nigerians. The criminal neglect of the education sector began under the military while massive corruption and waste were its major signposts.

 

 

“The annulment of the June 12, 1993 election by the military was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Nigerians can never forgive the military for the killing of the winner of that monumental election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola in military detention and the brutal assassination of his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. This aspect of Nigerian history portrays the military as an institution that has no respect for civility, probity and accountability.

 

 

“Chief Clarke should bury the thought. Neither should the Nigerian Army swallow the bait because no decent Nigerian will buy military rule for 10 kobo. Although the army has rebuffed Chief Clarke, we wish to reiterate the fact that military involvement in politics is out of fashion, toxic and anachronistic. Nigerians will rather be free men in their graves than live like puppets and slaves. We say ‘No’ to another banana republic. It may not be perfect yet, but Chief Clarke should respect Nigeria’s democracy.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

MURIC LAUDS ABIODUN FOR REWARDING LASU BEST STUDENT

 

29^th April, 2021 

PRESS RELEASE :

MURIC LAUDS ABIODUN FOR REWARDING LASU BEST STUDENT

 

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, recently gave the best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Oladimeji Shotunde, an indigene of the state, a two-bedroom bundgalow and N2 million cash on behalf of the state goverment. The gifts were presented at a ceremony in which the state government celebrated twenty three (23) outstanding teachers and learners of the state tagged ‘Ogun Academic Laureates 2021’.

 

 

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the governor for this action. The group spoke on Thursday 19^th April, 2021 through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

“This is quite laudable. Governor Abiodun is giving priority to academic pursuits. He is fully aware that no nation can rise without education. He is therefore giving recognition to scholars and teachers. We need such encouragement at a time like this when the young ones are taking the fast road to wealth through rituals, Yahoo Yahoo, gambling, etc.

 

 

“Academics is hardwork and many of our youth are not ready to burn candles. They think nobody will recognise them in the education field. But Governor Dapo Abiodun has come out boldly to give credit to whom it is due. Thus, he has ignited a fress desire for educational pursuits and hardwork in the hearts of our young ones. The governor deserves encomiums for this.

 

 

“He has made up for the shortfall which we pointed out last year when on 7^th October, 2020, the governor gave a bungalow and N5 million cash gifts to the winner of Big Brother Naija, Moshood Olamilekan Agbeleshebioba. He also appointed him the Ambassador of the Youth in Ogun State.

 

“MURIC lauds the latest action of the governor. We must not continue to live in the past. Besides, if we are quick to criticise our leaders when they take false steps, we must not hesitate to notice them when they perform well. Only thus can we balance our interventions in public space. We must also admit that those who take correctional steps in governance demonstrate immense courage.

 

 

“The governor’s recognition of academics and learners is worthy of emulation by other leaders. We charge the Nigerian youth to see wisdom in educational pursuit, hardwork and honesty. Oladimeji Shotunde has suddenly become the proud owner of a house and plenty of cash today due to his persistence in education and hardwork. We urge every young Nigerian to eschew cultism, materialism and dishonesty”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

PANTAMI: ALLOW NIGERIA TO MOVE ON - MURIC

 

27^th April, 2021 

PRESS RELEASE :

PANTAMI: ALLOW NIGERIA TO MOVE ON - MURIC

 

Sequel to the furore over past pronouncements of the Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and the confidence-imbuing statement issued on him by the presidency, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Nigerians to allow the country to move on.

 

 

The call was made on Tuesday 27^th April, 2021 by MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement circulated to the media.

 

MURIC said:

 

“In a tweet dispatched yesterday 26^th April, 2021, Dr. Ben Gbenro (@bengbenro) opened another vista to the Pantami discourse. He disclosed how he was trained in martial arts and weapon handling for the church in the past but that he no longer subscribes to the idea. ‘I was once an impressionable young man. I was a member of CAN brigade trained in martial arts and weapon handling to fight for d Church in late 80s & early 90s, I was a strong advocate of Nigeria's break up in mid 90s, today, I no longer subscribe to any of these ideologies.’ (https://twitter.com/bengbenro/status/1383678818569789450?s=20)

 

 

“This is a very honest disclosure of one’s past which no longer has any influence on the speaker. We expect Dr. Pantami’s critics to have a better understanding of the Pantami affair if they can juxtapose his own case with that of Dr. Ben Gbenro who sent the above tweet.

 

“Although today was born from the wombs of yesterday, it can still effectively sustain an independent life and character which is completely different from the previous day. History is a continuum. It has a remote past, an immediate past and a present. You cannot amputate the remote past for use as parameter on the actions of today without considering the immediate past and the present. Otherwise you would have mutilated history and done tons of injustice to homo sapien.  

 

 

“What the minister’s critics tried to do was to hold on tenaciously to his remote past of twenty five (25) or more years ago and to cut off his immediate past and the present. The radical statements were uttered in the remote past when he was still easily impressionable. He made up for these more than ten (10) years ago by condemning violence and terrorism. He also challenged the tgerrorista to debates at that time, and actually engaged them. At present, he is into a project that is expected to debilitate terrorism and criminality (NIN) and the terrorists themselves have threatened to kill him because of it.

 

 

 

 “It is not healthy for our country to find that a large chunk of his critics come from one part of the country and from a particular faith while his supporters come mainly from another part of the country and from the other religion. It does not portray us as people who are objective.

 

 

“The desperate attempts to nail him made by critics who go as far as circulating fake documents are ludicrous. How far can we go to ensure that we implicate an innocent man? When will Nigerians learn to allow meritocracy? When shall we stop sacrificing excellence on the altar of mediocrity? Who did this to Nigeria?

 

 

“We call on Nigerians to allow the country to move forward. We have dissipated too much energy on this debate. It is time to move on. In the words of Richard Paul Evans, ‘I think the secret to a happy life is a selective memory. Remember what you are most grateful for and quickly forget what you are not.’ According to Raquel Cepeda, ‘For some, excavating the past isn’t an adventure, it’s more akin to tearing a Band-Aid off an open wound.’

 

 

“MURIC commends the presidency for its bold statement on the matter. We can watch open debates and listen to criticism without feeling hurt. But there comes a time when the leadership must demonstrate indisputable clairvoyance and guide the citizenry to objectivity and what is best for the nation.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

 

CALL AMACHREE TO ORDER: MURIC TELLS DSS

 

23^rd April, 2021 

PRESS RELEASE :

CALL AMACHREE TO ORDER: MURIC TELLS DSS

 

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised the Department of State Services (DSS) to call Dennis Amachree to order. Amachree, a former assistant director of the DSS, recently averred that the DSS warned the Federal Government (FG) before the Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Dr. Isa Pantami, was appointed minister.

 

 

MURIC’s advice was contained in a press release issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 23^rd April, 2021.

 

 

The statement reads:

 

“Mr. Dennis Amachree, a former assistant director of the DSS, recently revealed that the DSS warned the Federal Government before the Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Dr. Isa Pantami, was appointed minister. He didn’t stop there. He went ahead to disclose the process of screening prospective government appointees by the DSS (https://theeagleonline.com.ng/fg-senate-told-of-pantamis-religious-bias-before-appointment-ex-dss-director/).

 

 

“We believe that Amachree spoke too much and revealed too much. He may not know it, but he has given future nominees tips on the need to cover their tracks.  A trained security officer does not behave like this. He must be reserved. He must protect official secrets if indeed he has one. But Amachree allowed his emotions to run wild. His religious sentiment must have beclouded his sense of discipline and made him to forget the need for him to protect his former employer, the DSS. Amachree simply played to the gallery.

 

 

“The danger here is that some of the unnecessary information about the modus operandi of the DSS can be used by smart Alecs to beat the system in future. This constitutes a threat to national security. We believe that security officers should be cautious about the kind of information they release in and out of office.

 

 

“Therefore, there is need for the DSS to call Amachree to order otherwise others in his shoes may do worse in future. These officers have access to sensitive materials and personal secrets of important personalities. Imagine a DSS officer attached to a governor revealing steps taken on a daily basis to ensure the safety of his principal. Such an officer has not only exposed his principal to danger but has opened a floodgate of security threats to other governors.

 

 

“Besides, Amachree was excessively flambouyant. He even attempted to speak for the US Embassy and the US security agencies when he said, ‘Now, people are talking about him and that has come to the attention of the United States Embassy in Nigeria already. Now, they will do a deeper dive into his background. They will catalogue him and now they will start watching him and if it comes to a very critical level, they will place him on a no-fly zone.’

 

 

“Must he go this far? Does a ‘shadow’ allow his target to know he has a ‘tail’? He was simply teaching criminals how to go underground and how to beat international security agencies at the game. On second thought, he may be sending a coded message to international security agencies. But we will like Amachree to know that innocent and law-abiding citizens can never be scared by this gimmick. It is too raw, too kindergarten.

 

 

“Although it is reassuring that the DSS has issued an official statement disowning Amachree’s position, the Department should go further to advise him on a safer, more professional and more mature way of handling such matters. It is not enough to just distance the DSS from his utterances. He needs to be cautioned.

 

 

“A situation like this is also a wake-up call. The need to overhaul the security agencies is long overdue. FG should ensure that no arm of the security agencies is dominated by a particular ethnic group or religion. Focus in this area should be on the DSS and the mobile police.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

PANTAMI : CALL FOR RESIGNATION AFTERTHOUGHT, BELATED

 

22^nd April, 2021 

PRESS RELEASE :

PANTAMI : CALL FOR RESIGNATION AFTERTHOUGHT, BELATED

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused critics of the embattled Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Dr. Isa Pantami, of nursing an afterthought and dissipating energy on a belated issue.

 

 

This was contained in a press statement circulated to the media on Thursday, 22^nd April, 2021 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

MURIC said, “The call for the resignation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Dr. Isa Pantami, over remarks made as a teenager and long before he became a minister is quite worrisome. The question we are asking is ‘Why now’? Why were those radical remarks not mentioned before now?

 

 

“This man is not new in government. He headed a federal agency for four good years and he has been a minister for another two years. Where were those critics when he was appointed as Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) six years ago? Where were they when his status was upgraded and he became a minister?

 

 

“Both appointments require screening by Senate. This means he has been screened twice. Anyone who had anything on him at that time could have blown the whistle but nobody did. He was screened and cleared after satisfying all righteousness.

 

 

“Another important thing to note is that none of the nouveau critics who are yelling today has mentioned any official misdemeanour committed by Dr. Pantami while in office as DG of NITDA or since he started serving as minister. The call for his resignation is therefore an afterthought. It is belated and it should be ignored by patriotic Nigerians.

 

 

“It is our contention that the brilliant initiative of NIN which is capable of exposing rogues and criminals is behind the attacks on him and calls for his resignation. They saw the NIN as a threat to their nefarious activities. That is why out of the blues we started hearing that he had expressed radical views as a teenager and in his undergraduate days. It is sheer afterthought. This is balderdash.

 

 

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the rantings of Pantami’s critics. We advise Mr. President to read between the lines. The idea is to rubbish the best communication minister Nigeria ever had. But it is more than that. They want to score a cheap political point with their demand for Pantami’s resignation. It is also a ploy to weaken this administration. The NIN initiative which came from Pantami is giving unscrupulous elements sleepless nights and their desire is to stop it. They want our state of insecurity to continue. Mr. President must not allow enemies of Nigeria to have their way. Pantami is not the real target. President Buhari is the ultimate.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)