MURIC TO FG : BORROW A LEAF FROM 2021 SALAH HOLIDAY

 

15^th May, 2021

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO FG : BORROW A LEAF FROM 2021 SALAH HOLIDAY

 

An Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to borrow a leaf from the just concluded 2021 Salah holiday which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.  According to the group, this last holiday taught us a lesson in the prudent management of national holidays as Nigerian Muslims were only able to enjoy one out of the two days declared as holidays.

 

 

MURIC is therefore advocating reduction in the number of days declared as holidays. The human rights organisation is also seeking the understanding of religious groups who are in the habit of engaging in rivalry over the number of days declared as holidays.

 

 

This was made known in a press statement issued on Saturday, 15^th May, 2021 by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

MURIC said:

 

“The last Id al-Fitr holiday has taught us a lesson in careful planning and prudent management of holidays. This came about because although FG actually declared two days, Wednesday 12^th and Thursday 13^th, 2021 as holidays having speculated that Wednesday would be the Salah day, Ramadan did not end on Tuesday. It ended on Wednesday. As a result of this, Thursday became Salah day. This rendered the holiday declared on Wednesday superfluous, redundant and extraneous.

 

 

“The Muslims ended up enjoying only one day which was the second day (Thursday, 13^th May, 2021). But did heaven fall? No, it didn’t. Neither did the Muslims register any official complaint because they know that FG had satisfied all righteousness by declaring two days for them.

 

 

“But that may not be the issue. MURIC is calling the nation’s attention to the lessons inherent in this incident. First, any religious group which falls victim of this kind of natural and inadvertent holiday shortfall in future should learn to show tolerance and understanding instead of threatening hell and brimstone. Secondly, this incident has taught us that a single day may sometimes be enough as holiday for our religious festivals.

 

 

“It is hightime we realised that every single holiday comes with a cost. Unfortunately we do not seem to know this because we are a fun-loving, holiday-grabbing and merry-making people. Unfortunately we do not count the cost, and that is where we missed it as a nation.

 

 

“This country enjoys about fifteen (15) holidays annually and loses about N9.74 billion per annum to public holidays. This humongous amount can provide jobs for thousands of unemployed Nigerians. It can give us a well-equipped teaching hospital or build another macadamised dual carriageway in any part of the country.

 

 

“There appears to be a symbiotic relationship between our love for holidays and our culture of waste. You cannot separate time from productivity. Time is money and productivity translates to Gross Domestic Products (GDP). This is the time to choose between laziness and productivity. The fascinating products of the West which we are enjoying today were results of hardwork and sacrifice on national scale. Our superfluous holidays are simply consuming the future of coming generations.

 

 

“It is high time we took a radical look at this angle considering the poor and fragile nature of our economy. With a 0.11 GDP growth rate and $2,386.90 (2019) per capita income, it is very doubtful if we can afford the luxury of frivolous holiday declarations and reveling in the pay-day euphoria of the prodigal son.  

 

 

“We must tighten our belts. Holiday matters should be part of restructuring discussions. We can agree on reduction from two to one day only for religious holidays so long as they are fairly and equitably distributed. Christmas and the big Salah (Id al-Kabir) alone should attract two days each. All others should be restricted to one day each while religious festivals that fall on weekends should attract no extra day or days.

 

 

“The economic losses arising from our numerous holidays forced the adoption of this policy in the days of late General Sanni Abacha (rtd) and it worked. Only Allah knows why we relapsed again. The National Bureau of Statistics should make public the losses we run per day of every vacation observed in this country. Such information should be in the print, electronic and social media the day after every holiday. Perhaps this will enable us to know the value of each vacation and alert Nigerians to the danger of having too many holidays.

 

 

“This advocacy does not amount to double-speak. While it is true that we have been calling for the declaration of 1^st Muharram (the first day of the Hijrah or Islamic new year) as a public holiday in parity with January 1^st, we believe that our request can still be accommodated with equity and fairness as government’s focus.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

SALAH MESSAGE: INSECURITY: RECRUIT MORE POLICE, SOLDIERS

 

13^th May, 2021

SALAH MESSAGE:

INSECURITY: RECRUIT MORE POLICE, SOLDIERS

 

As Nigerian Muslims join their brethren in faith across the world to celebrate the Id Al-Fitr today, Thursday, 13^th May, 2021, an Islamic group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to recruit more policemen, soldiers and other security agents as a means of bringing the spate of insecurity to a halt. The group also canvassed for the procurement of state of the art equipment for all the security agencies.

 

 

The advice was contained in a Salah message sent to the media on Thursday, 13^th May, 2021 by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

“The present state of insecurity requires drastic solution. One area of our weakness is inadequate number of security men. Whereas the United Nations recommends at least one policeman for every 450, 499 or 500 citizens, the numerical strength of the Nigerian Police falls below this world standard.

 

 

“We had just 317,000 policemen as at 2009. We had less than 100,000 soldiers and about 33,000 men of the Department of Secret Services (DSS). Unfortunately no new recruitments were made from that period until 2016 when 10,000 policemen were added to police population. This has been an annual exercise and the number may have jumped to around 377,000 as at 2021. Another 70,000 would have been added if previous administrations had employed 10,000 more policemen per annum since 2009. But they did not.

 

 

“With the projected 377,000 policemen in the country as at today securing a population of 210 million people, Nigeria can only boast of one policeman to every 557 citizens. But that is in theory. In reality, the ratio is poorer than that because more than half of our police population are on special duties trying to secure very important personalities (VIPs). In some cases, more than six policemen are assigned to protect a single official. The theory of ratio 1:557 crashes in the face of this reality.

 

 

“Even at 1:557, Nigeria’s situation still falls below global best practices. With a population of 58.56 million people, South Africa’s police-civilian ratio is 1:439. The US 2019 population of 328.2 million has a 1:420 ratio. Britain’s population which is 66.65 million (2019) has 124,784 policemen, i.e. 211 policemen per every 100,000 citizens.

 

 

“What makes Nigeria’s case worse is the fact that a large number of the available officers and men are posted to guard politicians, judges, company directors, bank executives, etc. Although this is not the time to advocate full withdrawal of such protection from their current posts, this must be done as soon as the security situation improves.

 

 

“If it is true that cities are conquered by numbers, we recommend the recruitment of at least 25,000 additional policemen and 20,000 soldiers this year 2021 alone with an annual recruitment of no less than 20,000 per annum over the next five years in order to overwhelm all criminal and separatist elements. We also advocate faster pace of training and the procurement of state of the art equipment, particularly communication gadgets.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

 

2023: ON YORUBA MUSLIM PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WE STAND : MURIC TELLS OBASANJO

 

11^th May, 2021

PRESS RELEASE :

2023: ON YORUBA MUSLIM PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WE STAND : MURIC TELLS OBASANJO

 

Amidst rumours that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is trying to draft the current president of the African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, into the 2023 presidential race, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded the former president that the next Yoruba presidential ticket must go to a Yoruba Muslim in the name of fairness, justice and equity.

 

 

The human rights organisation based its stand on the fact that whereas three Yoruba Christians have occupied Aso Rock villa, no single Yoruba Muslim has held the post of president or vice president since independence.

 

 

This was made known to newsmen in a press statement issued on Tuesday, 11^th May, 2021 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director and Founder of the organization.

 

 

According to MURIC, “Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly making attempts to draft the current president of the African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, into the 2023 presidential race. We object to this move. Obasanjo wants to waste all the efforts put in place by the Nigerian government to get Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to that continental position.

 

 

“We remind the former president that as a Yoruba Christian, he has led Nigeria twice. He spent 3 years and 258 days as a military head of state (1976 – 1979) and another 8 years as a civilian president (1999 – 2007). Two other Yoruba Christians have also occupied Aso Rock. Chief Earnest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan was the interim head of state from 26^th August 1993 to 17^th November, 1993. The current vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is also a Yoruba Christian.

 

 

“Obasanjo’s attempt to drag Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who is also a Yoruba Christian into the presidential race negates the principles of fairness, justice and equity. It is an attempt to rob Yoruba Muslims of the presidential slot and it violates a cardinal principle of democracy, namely, inclusiveness.

 

 

“It is an open secret that Yoruba Muslims who form the majority of the population in the South West are being denied their Allah-given fundamental human rights. This has led to complaints and court cases initiated by Muslims across Yorubaland over political and religious persecution. Yoruba Muslims are at the receiving end of deprivation of civil liberties. It is our contention that another Yoruba Christian presidency will usher in another opportunity for Christian hegemony and the marginalisation, stigmatisation, repression and persecution of Yoruba Muslims.

 

 

“Let Obasanjo tell us how many Yoruba Muslims were ministers in his administration. Even in Kwara State which is also a predominantly Muslim territory, Obasanjo picked two Christians as ministers (C. O. Adebayo and Funke Doyin). But he could not extend such ‘luxury’ to Yoruba Muslims in the South West.

 

 

“MURIC rejects this grand design to keep Muslims in Yorubaland in perpetual bondage. There are many Yoruba Muslims who are eminently qualified for the post of president. We also believe that the interest of the Yoruba people will be best served if they will channel their grievances towards ensuring that a Yoruba man emerges president instead of pursuing a separatist agenda that may lead them nowhere.

 

 

“We advise ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to relax his grip on the Nigerian jugular vein. He should stop pushing Yoruba Muslims to the background. Christians are not the only human beings in Yorubaland. Fair sharing spreads goodwill. Monopoly generates rancour and ill-feeling. There is no true democracy where there is no inclusiveness. The political party does not matter to us. What is important is that the next Yoruba presidential ticket must go to a Yoruba Muslim in the name of fairness, justice and equity.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

MURIC COMMISERATES WITH ADEBOYE OVER SON’S DEATH, SAYS IT IS A TEST OF FAITH

 

10^th May, 2021

PRESS RELEASE :

MURIC COMMISERATES WITH ADEBOYE OVER SON’S DEATH, SAYS IT IS A TEST OF FAITH

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a message of condolence to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, whose son, Dare Adeboye, died in his sleep on Tuesday, 4^th May, 2021.

 

 

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, 8^th May, 2021, the Islamic human rights organisation described the death of Dare Adeboye as a test of faith for his father and his followers. The statement was signed by MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

The statement reads:

 

“We are deeply touched by the death of Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s son, Dare Adeboye, at 42. But we know that it will pass. This is a trial to test the faith of Pastor Adeboye, his family members and his followers. We must be strong in tribulation. We must not be shaken because it is written that we may have to suffer various trials (I Peter 1:6).

 

 

“MURIC commiserates with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, his family and the entire members of the Redeemed Church. May Allah give them the strength to bear the loss.”

  

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

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)