Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly urged governors to provide financial incentives to Islamic clerics during the Ramadan fasting period to discourage sermons critical of his government.

Peoples Gazette reports that the president is concerned about potential sermons that could provoke public dissent amid widespread challenges, including hunger, insecurity, and economic crises.

Accordsing to the report, a confidential memo sent on Tinubu’s behalf by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, urged governors to engage religious leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the Nigeria Council of Ulamas to promote peaceful coexistence during Ramadan.

The memo emphasized the need to moderate Islamic preachers to prevent comments that could mislead followers or incite opposition against the government.

The memo highlights the delicate situation in Nigeria, where economic hardships, rising inflation, and security challenges have fueled public frustration.

With the potential for anti-government sentiments to escalate during the holy month of Ramadan, the president seeks strategies to manage dissent and promote a positive image.

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has called on the Federal Government to implement censorship on social media platforms in Nigeria, citing concerns about the abuse of the platforms.

The governor made the call after a photo of him kneeling to greet President Bola Tinubu went viral on social media.

Bago emphasized the need for regulated content to curb misinformation while promoting objective reporting by traditional journalists.

The governor made the remarks during his decoration as the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council.

His words: “As the fourth estate of the realm, journalists should carry out their duties as watchdogs of the society and ensure the objectivity in their reports.

“I call for the introduction of censorship on social media contents to checkmate the spread of fake news and hate speeches.”

There was pandemonium in Kuriga town of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State when bandits invaded LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1), and abducted dozens of pupils.

The number of persons abducted couldn’t be ascertained as of press time, but residents said they were about 100.

Head teacher of the school and some other staff are reportedly among the victims.

Daily Trust gathered that the incident happened at 8:20am immediately after the assembly on Thursday.

The junior and secondary school relocated to the school building inside the Kuriga town a few years ago due to insecurity concerns, abandoning their former school building located outside the town.

A resident, Shitu, confirmed the incident, saying most of the pupils ran out of their classes when they sighted the bandits on the school premises.

Another resident, Lawal Kuriga, also told Daily Trust that abducted victims were marched into the forest.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official reaction from the state government as the Overseeing Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, didn’t react to a text message sent to him.

The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, couldn’t be reached on the phone and is yet to reply to a text message sent to him too.

A gang of suspected terrorists, on Thursday morning, kidnapped a Chinese national and killed one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Obangede, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Information made available to LEADING REPORTERS revealed that the the NSCDC officer who lost his life was part of the security detail assigned to protect the abducted Chinese road engineer.

At the time of reporting, the identities of both the abducted individual and the deceased officer could not be confirmed. When contacted for confirmation and updates on the incident, the state police spokesperson, William Ovye Aya, stated that he would provide further information later.

This incident comes amidst a similar occurrence on February 3, where approximately 14 passengers of God Is Good (GIG) Motors and ABC Transport were abducted in Kogi while en route to Abuja. The incident took place in Inyele Eteke, Olamaboro LGA.

The abducted passengers, who were reportedly traveling from the southeast region, were later released after a few days in captivity.

Reports indicate that the gunmen intercepted the vehicles and forcibly took the passengers captive, demanding a ransom of N15 million from each individual for their release.

Governor Sim Fubara has expressed his willingness to give up his office for peace in Rivers State.

The political crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been ongoing.

Despite an intervention by President Bola Tinubu, the crisis has persisted.

Speaking to AIT, Governor Fubara stated, “No sacrifice will be too big for me to pay for the success of this administration.

The reason is very simple: it is not political love. It is not because I want to gain any favour from anybody. My interest and love for our dear state are genuine.”

He emphasized that his concern lies with the millions of Rivers people who have made sacrifices, and he worries that their hopes are being dashed.

Governor Fubara clarified that if resigning from his position would bring more peace to the state, he is willing to do so.

He underscored that his decision is not about personal interests but about the well-being and stability of Rivers State.

Governor Fubara also acknowledged the importance of maturity in leadership, highlighting his restraint in the face of crisis despite having the power to take specific actions that could have escalated tensions.

“I am the governor. No matter what it is, there are things I could have done, and there would have been a total crisis, but the ability to restrain in the face of crisis when you have the power to do things is maturity,” he added.