Following rumors and deliberately fabricated intelligence reports doing the rounds that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria are going to invade Kaduna and even attack clerics that supported the ban placed on the IMN by Nasiru El-Rufai, we find it necessary to relate our stance to the general public.
The IMN has no such plan of invading anywhere or attacking anybody, anywhere as it is not in the character and practice of the Movement to engage in any form of violence or intimidation even as it is a victim of such.
The Ashura event is a symbol in which adherents of the Islamic faith commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). It takes place every tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, beginning with the first ten days period of mourning, reaching its peak on the tenth day with the Ashura procession.
Indeed we are coming out in large numbers to join the world in marking Ashura Day. This is not the first time we are holding such a peaceful procession; those living along the route we normally take during the marching knew that it has always been peaceful for the past several years. The one coming up tomorrow across most of the state capitals of the federation will not be different.
We call on the public to dismiss such rumors intended at causing chaos and disrupting peace and serenity by creating unnecessary tension with the intention of painting the IMN black by its adversaries that include the Kaduna state government and its Wahhabi partners.
We also wish to say categorically that should anybody be attacked, intimidated or threatened through any manner or any means, the blame should go to Nasir El-Rufai, his cabinet and their Wahhabi partners that have concocted and are spreading the rumor to justify their evil intention of banning the IMN.
The essence of the Ashura march is to remind people of conscience, the brutal oppression suffered by Imam Husain (AS) at the hands of the tyrannical ruler Yazid bin Muawiya in the year 680AD.
The Karbala tragedy that happened on that day is difficult to fathom, but looking at what happened to Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and the IMN in December, 2015, it is easy to understand that there are really some wolfs in sheep clothing among humans.
We will use this opportunity to still press it on the authorities holding our leader Sheikh Zakzaky illegally to release him immediately so that he can attend to his medical needs.
As demonstrated by the recent wave of attacks, terrorists find ways to thwart counter-terrorism defenses. However, for leaders who seek it, there is a simple and cost-effective solution to create lasting peace known in military circles as Invincible Defense Technology (IDT). This method comes from the fields of social sciences and quantum unified field theory — not from conventional approaches utilizing weaponry, and not from the field of politics. (See: http://www.gusp.org)
Although militaries are adopting IDT, unfortunately no concrete action has yet been taken by leaders in other troubled, highly stressed areas. Obviously, current counter-terrorism approaches are not working and may actually inspire even more terrorism. Here is a way to prevent terrorism by deploying a simple, proven, advanced human resource-based military technology, with minimal costs and training needed to implement it. For most countries, it would cost less than one modern fighter jet.
How does it work and how is it applied?
Military personnel, functioning as a societal coherence-creating unit, practice the non-religious practice of Transcendental Meditation and its advanced practices together in a group twice a day, seven days a week. This specially trained military unit, an “IDT Prevention Wing of the Military” uses IDT to neutralize the buildup of stress in the national collective consciousness that ultimately fuels terrorism, war and crime. As collective stress and frustration subside, government leaders and citizens alike are more capable of finding orderly and constructive solutions to the issues that have separated them for generations.
Experience with IDT in highly stressed areas of the globe have demonstrated increased economic incentives and growth of prosperity. Individual creativity and entrepreneurship increase as well. With greater civic calm, citizens’ aspirations rise and a more productive and balanced society emerges. Such a society naturally disallows violence as a means for change, or as an expression of discontent. With this, the ground for terrorism is eliminated. Moreover, this positive change in social trends takes place within a few days or weeks after IDT is introduced. The changes are measurable from such statistics as reduced terrorism, crime rates, accidents, hospital admissions and infant mortality.
The IDT approach has been used during wartime, resulting in reduction of fighting, reduced war deaths and casualties, and improved progress toward resolving the conflict through peaceful means. IDT is totally unlike any other defense technology in that it does not use violence in an attempt to quell violence. Not only is this a more civilized approach, but also the IDT defense technology supersedes all other known defense technologies (which are based on electronic, chemical, and/or nuclear forces). Therefore, militaries that deploy it gain the ultimate strategic advantage. And it has the added advantage of being extremely cost-effective, requiring minimal time and training to utilize.
If leaders establish Prevention Wings of the Military, they will ease the current high tensions, reverse centuries of mistrust and hatred, and permanently prevent future unrest. These IDT units will create genuine and lasting reconciliation and friendship where there was once only hatred and conflict. The powerful IDT human-resource-based defense technology disallows negative trends and prevents enemies from arising. No enemies, means no terrorism and full security, as well as a normal, happy, productive life for everyone.
Extensive scientific research objectively shows that this approach works. When large assemblies of civilian IDT experts gathered during the years 1983-1985, terrorism-related casualties decreased 72 per cent, international conflict decreased 32 per cent, and overall violence was reduced in nations without intrusion by other governments.
Recent events show that IDT is desperately needed. There is truly no other solution. Leaders must act now.
Dr. Leffler is the Executive Director at the Center for Advanced Military Science (http://www.strongmilitary.org) and lectures and writes worldwide about IDT.
Abuja (Nigeria) — David Aiyedogbon, ex-husband of missing Abuja business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon, has dragged Lagos – based Lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what he described as unprofessional publications against his person.
A letter dated 22nd August, 2016, captioned: “Petition against Emeka Ugwuonye for Unprofessional Publications and False Allegations”, addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, urged the professional body to investigate the matter and invoke appropriate disciplinary actions against the lawyer.
Confirming the development, reliable sources in the NBA National Secretariat, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, acknowledged the Petition, assuring that it is receiving adequate attention.
One of the sources said: “I can confirm to you that the NBA National Secretariat is in receipt of a Petition by Mr. David Aiyedogbon against a lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye. Necessary actions are being taken and the matter will be investigated thoroughly.”
Acknowledging receipt of a letter from the NBA on the matter, Lagos lawyer, Ugwuonye made a post on his Facebook group, Due Process Advocate (DPA) on the 9th of October, 2016 expressing concerns over the development.
“…the camp of Chacha’s husband and children have not stayed quiet at all. They have mobilized against me in ways, some of which are listed here. The last of their efforts was to report me to the Nigerian Bar Association.”
“Mr. David Aiyedogbon did not take kindly the fact that I named him as my suspect for the killing of his wife. He has taken various steps to silence me, and I list below the various steps he has taken to punish me for blaming him for his wife’s death.”
“Since August, 2016, it has always been rumoured that Aiyedogbon has been trying to use the Nigerian Bar Association to get at me. I did not want to respond to mere speculations about the Bar. That was why in all my communications prior to now, I never adverted to the threats of using the Bar Association against me.”
“Two days ago, however, I received a letter from the Nigerian Bar Association containing the petition Aiyedogbon wrote against me. The Bar asked me to defend myself against the allegations of Aiyedogbon.”
Ugwuonye has posted severally on the DPA, claiming to have evidence of the involvement of the missing Chacha’s ex-husband, David Aiyedogbon in her sudden disappearance.
“I now have overwhelming evidence that Mr. David Aiyedogbon killed his wife, Chacha. David has an idea of the kind of evidence at my disposal.”
In another post, he said: “this is the headless and dismembered body of Charity Aiyedogbon (posting a corpse on his DPA Facebook handle). DPA has been able to identify this as her body within the limits of resources at our disposal.”
Continuing, on the 28th of June, 2016, he asserted: “To reciprocate the gesture, I will describe David as a low-life and cold-blooded murderer of his own wife. The only reason I would not go further to describe David in the most despicable language that he rightly deserves is that I would rather focus my argument on points that would lead to justice for Chacha.”
Impeccable sources say Aiyedogbon’s lawyers may be headed to the Law Court to seek redress against Mr. Ugwuonye for accusing him of being responsible for the disappearance of his estranged wife.
In an earlier reaction to Ugwuonye’s allegation, David Aiyedogbon washed his hands over the disappearance of the woman and wrote his accuser, through his lawyers, demanding an apology, failure which he would institute a suit against him for defamation of character.
The letter titled: “Defamation of the character of David Aiyedogbon; demand for apology,” signed by his lawyer, Obiora Ilo and made available to newsmen, expressly states: “It is our instruction to demand an unqualified apology from you to our client through our chambers for the defamatory publications you have made of and concerning our client.”
Kenya and South Africa today agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and security with the Presidents of both countries committing to forge stronger ties between two of Africa’s biggest economies.
The announcement was made at State House, Nairobi, after President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Jacob Zuma held bilateral talks. The two leaders agreed to progressively remove all trade barriers to enable the two countries to benefit from their untapped trade potentials.
President Kenyatta and his South African counterpart, who is on a three-day State Visit to Kenya, said the first measure to expand their trade and economic ties is to enable the free movement of people. They directed the respective ministers responsible to work out the plan to reduce visa restrictions for Kenyans visiting South Africa. “This is a privilege that Kenya already extends to South African nationals. In our view, there is no reason why both our countries cannot agree on exemption of visas for each other’s citizens,” said the President.
President Kenyatta said they had agreed to increase the trade between the two countries by progressively removing all barriers to trade starting with non-tariff barriers that prevent Kenya from exporting agricultural produce to South Africa. “South Africa understands the anxiety about non–tariff barriers that prevent us from exporting tea, coffee or soda ash. Mr. President, I applaud your commitment to urgently resolving this outstanding matter,” said President Kenyatta.
As part of the efforts to expand the economic and security ties between the two countries, the two Presidents oversaw the signing of six bilateral agreements. The signed MOU’s are on Police and Defence Co-operation, Trade and Investment, Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Ordinary/Service Passports and MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. The fifth agreement was on South African investment in the development of the LAPPSET project. President Kenyatta said the commitment of South African investment in LAPPSET, a pivotal project for Kenya and the whole continent was encouraging.
“Investment in Africa by Africans is critical to the growth of intra-Africa trade and investment,” said the Kenyan Head of State. The two Presidents agreed to establish a strategic framework which would be used to implement signed MOU’s to deliver optimal benefits for the citizens of the two nations. The two leaders agreed to broaden counterterrorism partnership to focus on new areas such as cyber security, financing of terrorism and stemming radicalization.
President Zuma, who is the first State Visit by a South African Head of State to Kenya, said Kenya and South Africa need to work together more closely in order to benefit their citizens and also other African countries. “We are working for a strategic partnership anchored on trade and security,” he said, adding that stronger ties between Kenya and South Africa are beneficial to the two countries’ neighbours.
President Zuma said they had, during the bilateral talks, discussed security issues in South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and DRC.
He said they oppose, in the strongest terms possible, calls for violence in South Sudan and urged former Vice President Riek Machar to go back to the country and participate in its reconstruction instead of calling for war.
A woman who was charged with selling illicit liquor that caused the death of eight people in Ruiru five years ago has been sentenced to death.
Daily Nation reports that, High Court Judge Jessi Lesiit convicted Jennifer Wanjiru to death following the death of five people in 2011 who had taken chang’a at her selling joint.
She was charged with eight counts of murder but has been convicted for the deaths of five people namely Jane Wambui Kamau, Festus David Nzuki, David Karanja, Samuel Waweru and Julius Kariuki.
The judge ruled that the illicit liquor was laced with ethanol and methanol at lethal levels and resulted to the death of the five.
The judge also pointed out the fact that despite the deaths many others were hospitalized with their lives in danger after taking her illicit brew.
Lady Justice Lesiit said that Ms Wanjiru sold her illicit drink to unsuspecting customers therefore her prescribed sentence is that of murder.
The presidential candidate for Ghana’s opposition All People’s Congress (APC) is promising an all-inclusive government, which, he says, is the only way to solve the myriad of problems Ghanaian face.
Hassan Ayariga, who launched the APC less than six months ago says he is confident of winning the presidential election, after launching his manifesto at the Aviation Social Center in the capital, Accra.
In an interview with VOA, Ayariga says he is confident Ghanaians will support his plans to transform the lives of citizens across the country.
“We are promising Ghanaians job creation, all-inclusive governance that’s the only way to Ghana’s prosperity. Because over the years we have seen the change of government from NDC [National Democratic Congress] to NPP [New Patriotic Party] and from NPP back to NDC, and yet Ghana still struggles with economic crisis. That specifically tells us that one political party alone cannot be able to manage our country,” said Ayariga.
“It also comes to note that when you divide your front as a nation, you lose the strength and the power that you need to transform your country. Over the years, we have divided our front and for that matter our human resources, capital resources [are] not enough for us to make good use of because we have actually neglected each other, abandoned one another and we call it politics. But this is a very dangerous politics that we are practicing. This is not the normal democracy that we are practicing.”
There are two main parties in Ghana, the ruling NDC led by incumbent President John Dramani Mahama and the main opposition NPP led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. They have been prominent since the re-introduction of constitutional rule in 1992 winning and losing presidential elections to each other.
Critics say the dominance of the NPP and the NDC makes it unlikely for Ayariga and his APC to win this year’s presidential vote. Ayariga disagreed with the assessment.
“Over the years these two major political parties were given the mandate to manage our economy, but where is our economy? In crisis. So that means that these two political parties, no matter how gargantuan they are, they have failed in trying to achieve prosperity and trying to find solutions to our country’s problems. So, automatically, we have to reject them,” said Ayariga.
“The issue in Ghana here is that instead of us voting for political leaders that have the vision and the policies to transform our country, we rather define ourselves to political parties and voting [for] parties instead of leaders. So because we have been voting [for] parties over the years, the leadership of all these political parties are not good enough to transform our country… So the APC is presenting a young leader, a vibrant leader, a competent leader, committed and dedicated leader with a lot of wisdom, policies and strategies to transform our country.”
Some supporters of the main opposition NPP says it appears Ayariga is being funded by their opponents to undermine and destabilize the party before presidential, legislative and local elections. They said recent unprovoked media attacks have hurt their presidential candidate, Akufo-Addo, and shows their opponents are desperate and afraid to lose the upcoming polls.
“When you tell Ghanaians the truth, it’s painful. But the issue is that if we all say John Mahama is not the best man, are we now not going to scrutinize the three or four of us who think that we are the best? If we say we are the best, then let’s scrutinize the leaders that are going to lead us, not the parties. And that is why I said look at the individual leaders and their leadership qualities and what they can do for the country not just the political parties.”
Meanwhile, local media reports that Ayikoi Otoo, the former head of the NPP legal and constitutional committee, has accused Ayariga and his APC of plagiarizing parts of his party’s yet to be launched manifesto. NPP supporters say it seems the document was leaked to Ayariga, which they said accounted for his haste to release his manifesto before the NPP’s scheduled launch next week.
“…NPP is saying I have stolen their policies. What kind of policies do they have? And where is their manifesto for me to plagiarize, where is that manifesto? No one has seen a manifesto from the NPP. They should be serious,” said Ayariga.
He also says the NPP is to blame for its recent internal troubles, which led to the suspension of the party’s chairman and deputy chairman as well as the general secretary. Ayariga questioned the rationale behind the decision to suspend the leaders of the party before the December elections.
Ayariga called on Ghanaians not to pay attention to the criticisms of plagiarism, because he says they are without merit.
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum Cum Borno State governor Kashim Shittima, has said all IDPs camps in Borno state will be close before May 29th, 2017.
Shittima Made this known while speaking at a two day annual Pan-Northern summit organized by the Northern Elders Forum in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria.
He stressed that the State is making serious effort to rebuild the state so as to enable the refugees return to their homes.
According to him, Bama, Gwoza, and Damasak communities would be rebuilt before the end of 2016.
On total number of orphans and widows in the state, the Governor noted that, the state has a record of over 50,000 widows while Mungonu alone has about 18,000 orphans.
He however posited that the Boko Haram group who are terrorizing the state have been degraded to an extent they can no longer constitute a threat to the existence of the state.
Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ite has said it would not be intimidated by the declaration of the Kaduna state government banning its activities in the state, declaring its society as unlawful.
The Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai had on Friday issued a statement banning the activities of the IMN, declaring the society as unlawful. The statement also noted that, any IMN (Shi’ite) member that goes against the provisions of the law risks 7 years imprisonment.
Secretary of the IMN Media Forum Abdulmumin Giwa, while reacting to the declaration said, the declaration did not come as a surprise to them. He pointed out that, government is trying to push them to violent actions which the group has been avoiding.
According to him, “What the government has been trying to do is to push us to violent and mob action which we have been averting. For the past 10 months, we have conducted our activities peacefully despite the fact that our people have been killed and buried; our leader put in detention since last December without any charge. So now I don’t see any logical reason why the government will wake up one day and declare us banned, except that was the initial plot of why they attack us.
“We will continue with our activities (Ashura, Arbaeen trek, Maulud) as usual because they are embedded within the concept of the religion we practice. There is provision in the law to freedom and practice of one’s religion, as such our activities cannot be stopped,” he emphasized.
El-Rufai through his spokesperson Samuel Aruwan in the statement said the action is taken in the exercise of the government’s duty to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and groups are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its Constitution.
The statement further noted that, the Kaduna state executive council approved the making of this order following deliberations at its meeting of Thursday, 06 October 2016.
Below is the complete statement of the Kaduna state government.
The Kaduna State Government has issued an Order declaring the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society.
This action is taken in the exercise of the government’s duty to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its Constitution. The Kaduna state executive council approved the making of this order following deliberations at its meeting of Thursday, 06 October 2016.
The Order, which has been signed by the Governor, draws on powers vested by the Constitution and the laws of Kaduna State. Section 45 (1) of the Constitution categorically vests in the Governor the powers to take such measures and actions as are necessary for the promotion and protection of: public safety, public order, public morality or public health; orthe rights and freedom of all persons in Kaduna State.
Section 97A of the Penal Code (Cap 110, Laws of Kaduna State, 1991) empowers the Governor to declare as an unlawful society any organisation whose activities are dangerous to the security and good governance of the state.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria Clashes of 12-14 December 2015 found that the IMN is not a registered organisation, that it has a paramilitary wing and that its members do not recognise or respect the laws of the country and the duly constituted authorities that have the responsibility to secure and administer the country.
“The Declaration Order noted that since the regrettable events in Zaria which resulted in the loss of 347 lives, the IMN “has overtly continued with unlawful processions, obstruction of public highways, unauthorized occupation of public facilities including schools without regard to the rights of other citizens and the public peace and order of the State”.
The Order noted that “these acts, if allowed to go unchecked will constitute danger to the peace, tranquillity, harmonious coexistence and good governance of Kaduna State”.
The Declaration Order, which comes into effect on Friday, 7 October 2016, provides for the prosecution of persons that may be in breach of its provisions under the laws of Kaduna State:
“Whoever manages, or is a member of the said Society under any appellation or mutation with the propensity of causing the breakdown of law and order, or operates in a manner dangerous to the good governance of the State shall, from commencement of this order, be prosecuted in accordance with the Laws of Kaduna State.”
Sections 97A and 97B of the Penal Code prescribe a penalty of imprisonment for seven years or a fine or both for any person convicted for belonging to an unlawful society.
The Kaduna State Government reaffirms its vigorous commitment to upholding the right of citizens to practice the religion of their choice. These are rights fully protected by Sections 38 and 40 of the Constitution.
Such rights to freedom of thought and worship must however be exercised in ways that do not infringe on the rights of others, and should not subject other people to distress and inconvenience.
