The National Board For Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Recognized in the year 2011bu the National Council on Education and assigned a supervisory role over Research and Development (NERDC) in 2013 has come under intense criticisms and different shades of accusations, from the feeble to the unfounded, overtime by various commentators in the country.

However, thoughtful observation prudence point strongly to the complicity of it’s rival body in the whole treacherous saga and/or machinations. Put starkly, the National Examination Council (NECO) seems to be the biggest, if ever there another force throwing it’s weight behind these evil attempts to condemn the innocent board to the dustbin of history.

If anybody were in doubt, NECO has cleared such with an open letter addressed to the Honorable Minister of Education and dated 13th September, 2022 where in it came up with some frivolous arguments.
The letter NECO stated, was sequel to an invitation to present comments on a bill captioned thus;
A BILL FOR AN ACT TO PROVIDE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES TO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY AND ITS DUE ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR RELATED MATTERS (HB. 1728).

NECO thus tried to specify the mandatory functions or powers of the NBAIS and made what it deemed a good case for the dispensability of the board.

It will interest you to have a perusal of it’s three feeble arguments, which are as follows, according to the council;
(i) The eligibility to present certificates at the Higher Education Level should be limited to disciplines strictly related to Arabic and Islamic studies, such that the certificates offered to candidates do not contain conventional subjects as in the case of either NECO, WAEC and NBTEB.
(ii) No mention of the word ‘Examination’ in the name of the board in the proposed Act. This make the name not being explieit but incomplete, and hence sounds very ambiguous if it is an Examination body.
(iii) There is the possibility of not having a national outlook as an Examination body since it may not capture some states or geopolitical zones where Arabic and Islamic studies are not sufficiently studied.

After enumerating it’s stipulated functions, NECO ended the letter with a prayer this; We plead with the Federal government to avoid duplication of functions of the existing examination bodies by clearly demarcating the functions of NECO as presented above, in order to avoid proliferation of examination bodies in Nigeria.

To say the least however, the council has based it’s three lines of arguments Ina very week and wobbly foundation as for the first, by implication from the foregoing, NECO wants to argue that the body in question crosses its stated boundary when its covered subjects include conventional ones outside those under Arabic and lslamic studies.
But this is a gross error miscalculation that shouldn’t have emanated from the protesting body.

For instance, among the stipulated functions of NBAIS are “creating an avenue for collaboration with relevant agencies in the process of designing a suitable integrated curriculum that encorporates both Western and Islamic systems of education” and ” supervision of all Arabic and Islamic schools for purpose of ensuring effective implementation of the integrated curriculum in those schools”.

The point missed by NECO her is that where interdisciplinary integration is concerned, there is every need for NBAIS to entertain both its peculiar and conventional subjects formerly outside its purview for the such integration to take place in other words, if NBAIS is meant to play the role of “integrating Western and Islamic studies” and ‘supervise the effective implementation of such integration`, it must treat both Islamic and conventional subjects.

For the second point, where the absence of the word’examination’ in NBAIS becomes NECO’s strategic weapon, one finds the body’s argument reduced here to dramatic circumstances.
How could NECO forget and ignore similar cases in the names or acronyms of say national Board for teachnical Education (NABTEB) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)? why hasn’t such problem stopped these from being incomplete and ambiguous as NECO alleges on NBAIS?

Thirdly, the claims that there is possibility of not having a national outlook because some states where Arabic and lslamic studies not sufficiently conducted may not be covered is as fallacious as the other arguments.
The nationality of its outlook is already established by state powers and official approval, which cover every state, those ready at present and those coming up to join in the beta future.

Finally, NECO’s blunderous conclusion and plea against duplication of functions by existing bodies is off the mark given the stark disparity between the councils assigned roles as outlined in its written letter to the Minister of Education and those of NBAIS.
For example, NECO claims to among other things revise public interest in examinations for admission into federal colleges and allied institutions; collect and disseminate information on matters relating to such admission; conduct and control national common entrance examination; conduct aptitude test for candidates; monitor and keep records of continuous assessment; control conduct of internal and external senior secondary School certificate examination; conduct standard national assessment of education performance and report such standards and related matters to the minister from time to time.
These contrast sharply with the integratory roles of NBAIS; its collaboration with states and relevant agencies on special programmes; mainstreaming of Madarasa and Tsangaya curricular; conduct of of final examination for Arabic and lslamic school and ensuring compliance throughout with the provision of the National policy on Education (NPE).

In fact, if any examination body is to be disearded , given its recurring cases of rampant malpractices every year, it is the National Examination Council, NECO, whose notoriety has since pushed many commentators to demand its total dissolution.

But NBAIS is a clean body as for as its establishment, operational activities and objectives are concerned; therefore, let us not deny the large population its beneficial role and the future generation its huge potential simply out calculated prujudice or hidden rivalry and ideological differences.

COMRADE MOHAMMED MUSA MOHAMMED
EDUCATIONAL WRITER AND ANALYST
musamohdeen@gmail.com

Our attention has been drawn to a frivolous, mischievous, false Allegations, Misleading and highly embarrassing Press release making the rounds on social media dated 18th October 2022 and captioned,“ TIMI FRANK CALLS FOR UBA SANI’S ARREST OVER ATTACK ON PDP SUPPORTERS IN KADUNA”.

We members of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Uba Sani Supporters in Kaduna want the public to know that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are engaged in wild propaganda, cooked up tales and deliberate falsehoods to mislead the public.

The allegations contained in a press statement delivered by a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Timi Frank who is now a member of PDP, that Senator Uba Sani the Gubernatorial candidate of APC, sent thugs to disrupt PDP’s presidential rally, which are false misleading and highly embarrassing statement.

We the members of ruling party in Kaduna want to alert Nigerians to know the fact that APC and Senator Uba Sani Supporters didn’t attacked the PDP members, but it was a case between the PDP thugs.

“It’s group of thugs, who had positioned themselves at strategic locations at the Ranchers Stadium kaduna, were given a bail of money which triggered the fight”.

“Some of the thugs was sighted running away with the money as others went after them, trouble started, they were eventually caught and mercilessly beaten”.

So, the outbursts by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna was a clear indication that it has already conceded defeat ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Therefore; Timi Frank should immediately retract his libelous statement and offer an unreserved apology to APC and Senator Uba Sani.

Signed:
COMRADE MUSA MOHAMMED
PRESIDENT WEST AFRICA POLITICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION

The preservation and restoration of health are integral parts of any healthy and well-functioning society.

Professor Ahmed Hamidu innovation, hard work, and devotion changed the face of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika.

His achievements is remarkable in every sense. People are bound to wonder. It’s the kind that fables are made of.

we are keenly aware of the work that you’re doing to help patients across Nigeria.

The Chief Medical Director, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Prof. Ahmed Hamidu have delightfully and patriotically risen to the task. The ABU Teaching Hospital Shika, is the only federal government owned tertiary health facility in Kaduna state, which also renders medical services nation wide .

The CMD effectively has proven to be an uphill task as virtually at preceding Medical Directors can attest. The hospital is perennially plagued by shortage of personnel, especially medical doctors, drugs, facilities and restive medical unions.

With lean resources, it takes the grace of God to create impact in the management of the medical facility to satisfy public yearnings for qualitative and affordable tertiary health care delivery to the citizenry.

However, an astute administrator and prudent manager of resources, Prof. Ahmed Umdagas Hamidu, who was appointed the MD on 24th May 2019 by the president of nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, is gradually daring the odds, breaking the barriers and creating unexpected impacts.

His judicious application of meagre resources has set the hospital on an unprecedented path of development, attracting public applause to his credit.

Prof. Hamidu stands tall from his predecessors, with glaring and uncommon development strides and impacts on the medical facility. What arrested public instant attention recently, he improved sanitary condition of the health facility.

Clean wards, beddings, flowery and scintillating environment, with inviting fragrance were alluring. Staff discipline has also improved, as services were speedily rendered to patients and with an unusual politeness.

This is a marked departure from the culture of the past when staff were more at home bullying patients.
Or put differently, their uncouth official behavior was capable of worsening the health condition of an already traumatized patients battling with life.

Aside improving the working atmosphere and interaction between staff and patients, the incumbent administrator has delved into providing special services not offered by the hospital before now.

For the first time in the history of the hospital, medical services that have never been provided that had to spend huge sums of money to access the services in Abuja or elsewhere, but PROF. AHMED HAMIDU has ended the nightmare.

Majority of the people in Zaria, kaduna and neighbouring states excitedly how they have been relieved from the burden of seeking such specialized services at exorbitant costs in far places and praised the foresight and dexterity of the new leadership at ABU Teaching Hospital Shika led by Prof. Ahmed Hamidu.

Therefore, we understand that those who are disciplined enough to impact with little resources, can perform incredibly even when they are trusted with more funds.

I am impressed that Prof. Hamidu has demonstrated commitment to the development of the hospital and he is uncompromisingly determined to reposition it as one of the best of such health facilities in the country.

That he has been able to minimize the industrial restiveness in the hospital from medical unions alone is an indication of his unbeatable suave in leadership.

I hope to see more of such positive results sprout from this health facility.

Comrade Musa Mohammed is a Media Practitioner (Kaduna Based Journalist) write this Article

PRESS RELEASE

A hearing between the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) and the National Assembly committee which took place on 19th September 2022, is a sconscious manipulation.

The hearing, which took place at the National Assembly Complex, was to interrogate issues of revenues and remittances of NBAIS.
This press release is clearly a response to this well orchestrated attempt to destabilize the NBAIS activities/programmes and the registrar from being focused on his determination to leave a long lasting legacy for generation unborn.

The senate committee on finance led by Senator, Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, in its usual grandstanding of putting the cart before the horse and apportioning blames ‘harsh-hosted’ the management of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).

The Senate committee projected statistics without having a comprehensive understanding of the revenues that were generated, how the money was used, or perhaps even what percentage of the anticipated cash eventually reached the NBAIS’ account.

And this is an intimidation strategy and conscious manipulations of facts adopted by the committee members, whereby NBAIS registrar, Prof. Mohammad Shafi’u Abdullahi on the orders of Senator Adeola was asked to switch off his microphone midway when he tried to clear issues of revenues and remittances of the agency.

How could one be expected to explain, and clear issues when no attempt was made to avail the person an opportunity to do so? How could facts and figures be proven when a head of a government agency was ordered to switch off his mic? It was a simple psychological warfare strategy aimed at taking your target off-balance and thus having an edge over your target.

The Senate committee brandished figures without detailed knowledge of revenue that accrued, how funds were utilized and possibly how much of the expected revenue hit the purse of the NBAIS.

This is not to deny the fact that there are many government chief executive officers whose stewardships to the Nigerian people are still questionable. But in the case of the senate committee on finance and NBAIS, the committee denied itself and Nigerians the opportunity to be availed of that stewardship report by the management of NBAIS.

The national Assembly committee allowed itself to be swayed by emotions and thus created room for any discerning mind to puncture its allegations with facts and figures. Invariably, one could still believe that the intimidation strategy adopted by the committee was a deliberate action aimed at being heard, hailed, seen and held as a pro-people committee.

“Following the incident, I delved to ascertain if the claims by the senate committee chairman and his team during the agency’s budget performance hearing were anything to write home about. Unfortunately, as it turned out, the session was laden with more fuss than a fact-finding exercise.

The Prof. Safiu Abdullahi was one of the chief executives invited by the committee to make a presentation on the agency’s annual budget performance. During the hearing, the committee had made several allegations suggesting injudiciousness in the management of funds that accrue to the agency.

“Senator Adeola alluded that ASUU strike was a result of reckless spending and a lack of accountability by university authorities. He went as far as suggesting that the federal government should withdraw from funding the salaries of lecturers since according to him, the universities’ authorities have not been accountable for the revenues that accrue to them.

Instead of explanation around the figures brandished by the committee, he was confronted with questions that did not seek to unravel the issues on hand, but were laden with sensational questions such as ‘Is it the Federal Government that funds your agency 100%?’ A question that suggests that the committee did not fully understand the workings of the agency vis-a-vis revenue generation, utilization and remittance. Even though the registrar accepted that the agency was fully funded by the government, the question was as irrelevant as the confrontation.

Another question that tended towards sensationalism rather than fact-finding is the question of whether N410 Million were recorded as collected by the agency for the year 2022.

If the committee was diligent and willing to get facts rather than arouse sentiments, they would have ascertained how the ‘controversial’ sum of N410 Million was collected from the state governments and private individual schools across the country.

“They would have understood firsthand that owing to the non-payment of the students’ examination fees by some state governments from 2018 – 2021, the agency was plunged into huge debt burdens with their contractors, and suppliers of examination materials.

Why didn’t the Senate committee unravel that and possibly aid the agency in its efforts at debt recovery from the state governments running into hundreds of millions of Naira?”.

Arewa Media Practitioners have took time to investigate the activities f the National Board For Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). The Association comprises of both Muslims and Christians that are actively involved in the practice of journalism for decades, we faulted the senate Committe.

The registrar no doubt, he is a God~fearing man that has refused to be disturbed by threats. We encourage a dispassionate investigation and report, devoid of emotions rather than what appears to be a clandestine moves to thwart a quiet revolution that is meant to restore the NBAIS to its original mission and vision. Truth, according to Uthman Dan Fodio is an open wound, only conscience can heal it.

Mischief makers, detractors and enemies of the NBAIS must realize that their campaign of calumny against the the board has failed and will always failed.

NBAIS remains a spectacular success story and nothing can change all the evidence of dramatic progress and development in the past and present.

This has obviously not gone down
well with the system as some of them have vowed to fight the registrar.

In fact, the Registrar should be commended, he has achieved massive development and repositioning for which he is being applauded.

In conclusion, we challenge authorities outside the management to undertake an independent investigation on happenings in the NBAIS. Both members of Academic and Non academic staff should be interviewed to have an informed position and not this, we understand clearly that it’s an intimidation strategy to undermine the efforts of the registrar and the NBAIS to turn things around.
Enurf is enurf.

Signed:

1. Arewa Media Practitioners
2. Northern Muslim and Christian Journalists Forum
3. Youth Media Forum
   4.West Africa Educational Writers Association (WAEWA)
4. Arewa Publishers
5. Lead Times Africa Foundation For Research and Development.
6. Africa Crime Reporters Association (ACRA)
7. Media Focus and Transparency Group

By Muh’d Rabo Aliyu Abuja

Sep 21, 2022

NANS says ruling betrays equity 

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted to the order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) that asked its members to call off the seven-month-long strike.

The union in a statement signed by the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, quoted the National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, as saying, “our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment.”

ASUU reaction 

According to the statement titled, “NICN back to work order on ASUU: Be calm”, Osodeke urged the aggrieved university teachers to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back-to-work order delivered earlier today.

“Members should remain resolute and strong. A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise,’’ he stated.

Judgment betrays equity- NANS 

In a similar development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the Industrial Court judgment as a black market judgment.

The national student body’s spokesperson, Giwa Temitope, described the NICN ruling as a “black market judgment”.

Temitope said the ruling lacked equity because the Federal Government should not have taken ASUU before the industrial court from the beginning. 

He explained that the only solution to the ongoing strike is for the government to meet the demands of the union, which they willingly entered into with ASUU.

“Our attention has been drawn to news of a court judgment mandating the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its 7-month-strike. As an association, we feel disturbed to read the news of the judgment because we believe that it betrays equity.

“Ordinarily, the federal government is not meant to have dragged ASUU to the industrial court. But, the fact that they had to drag ASUU to court is a signal that this government cannot handle crisis. 

“And, we want to state categorically that the court cannot force members of ASUU back to lecture theatres.

“And, as it stands today, with that court judgment, we maintain that the court has not resolved the problem and we reject the judgment in strong terms. 

“The court could have said that the federal government should go and pay rather than say that lecturers who are on strike should go back to classrooms.

‘’We were expecting the court to have understood that lecturers are on (a) contract of personal service hence; they cannot be compelled to render a service they don’t want to render. 

“The only remedy to this strike action is for the federal government to accede to the demands of ASUU which the government willingly entered into with them and properly fund education, ” Temitope stated.

The Medical Director Federal Medical Centre Keffi Nasarawa State, Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu was conferred with the Epitome of Humility in Healthcare Service delivery award in recognition of his administrative skill by Arewa Media Practitioners.

The award presentation ceremony took place at Federal Medical Centre Keffi Nasarawa State, on Wednesday.

According to the National president, Comrade Musa Mohammed, journalists are not pessimists, who only point to the ills of the society, they also commend those who contribute to the development of the society.

He said the Arewa Media Practitioners bestowed awards on those that make appreciable impact in various sector in Nigeria.

“The prestigious award presented to Medical Director was in recognition of his hard working and selfless services over the years”.

Responding, the medical director Dr Yahaya Baba Adamu ably represented by the head of servicom Dr. Jonathan Isah, expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the awards and commend the Arewa Media Practitioners for choosen his MD and the institution for such an award.

He described the award as a testimony of the selfless work which is collective by the staff of the Federal Medical Centre Keffi.s

He said the centre will soon become the best in the north on medical services.

“The award will further enhance the centre moral toward medical service delivery in the state”.

Dr. Jonathan said the success recorded at the centre was as a result of team work.

August 26, 2022

According to LOGMA the local government chairman was nominated for the 2022 merit award for his outstanding roles and contribution in grassroots development.

We’re attracted by the chairman commitment to service delivery and high sense of accountability, despite dwindling financial resources to the council and security challenges in the country, are very commendable. The statement said.

In the letter sent to the chairman on August 16, 2022 by the Co-ordinator of the association said hon Musa Shuaibu Muhd Guri have demonstrated responsible and accountable political leadership that have made positive impact on the lives of ordinary people in the local government and Nigeria in general. Particularly, outstanding achievement in the areas of Health and Empowerment. According to them the award is therefore packaged to celebrate excellence and enhance the chairman present and future political endeavors. He added

The Source Reporters learned that the award ceremony is expected to hold any moment from now in Abuja.

LOGMA management Congratulates the hon chairman for being worthy among the Chairmen to be honoured at the 21st edition of the award and wish him many more to come.

What earned him the award according to source

The Chairman of the local government hon Musa Shuaibu Muhd Guri spend 90 million naira on execution of four developmental projects in the area.
The project include construction of Dagana clinic, Musari Jumu’at mosque, renovation of Adiyani Jumu’at mosque and construction of Guri district palace.

In a short moment, another contract awarded worth twenty -five million naira for the execution of some projects.
The project awarded include construction of official quarters for midwives at Takazza and Madamawa villages at the cost of five million naira each as well as construction of market stalls at Guri and Kadira towns at the cost of eight million naira.

All within seven months, other projects was approved include renovation of Lafia Izala Jumu’at mosque at the cost of one point seven million naira and the earth filling of the proposed Guri new market at the cost of four point nine million naira.

In another development, the chairman of Guri local government hon Musa Shuaibu Muhd Guri said all the contracts awarded are in hundred percent completed as you can see some of the pictures above.

Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has restated his commitment towards enhanced quality of life of the people.

The governor stated this through his Senior Special Assistant on Higher Education, Dr. Usaini Akilu (Jarma), at the seventh Arewa Media Practitioners Annual Award for national development and Lecture on Good Governance in Leadership, held at Murtala Mohammed Library Kano.

Governor Ganduje said his administration has accorded priority to human and physical Development to improve the quality of lives of people of kano state.

He added that emphasis was also shifted towards transforming the Education and health sectors to promote Development in all ramification.

The governor how ever described this year’s awards and Lecture series by the Arewa Media Practitioners as commendable and encouraging towards national development.

He assured of his administrations continuous support and announced One Million Naira donation to the organization to boost it activities.

Also speaking at the occasion, Professor Garba Shehu chairman of the occasion,band Executive secretary kano state Education Development support showered encomiums on the leadership of the arewa media Practitioners for excelling in the noble Journalism profession, and in uniting the Society.

He noted that poverty, unemployment, inequality, illiteracy and poor governance are causative agents of in security.

In a lecture titled “NIGERIAN ECONOMY AND THE CHALLENGES OF INSECURITY :- ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE” By Professor Daud Mustapha on behalf of the Vice Chancellor federal university Dutshinma, Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, described the occasion as timely towards promoting peace, security and good governance in the country.

He described that despite it wealth and abundant resources Nigeria is one of the poorest oil producing countries and the headquarters of poverty in the world.

In his remark, the President Arewa Media Practitioners, Comrade Musa Mohammed said the annual lecture and awards organized by the organization is targed at promoting cohesion and national unity.

Comrade Musa Mohammed therefore extolled the virtues of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his transperant leadership and in transforming Kano state.

Babbar Harka Resources and Global Links Limited producers of “Babbar Harka Fertilizer”, awarded with award of excellence by the West Africa Agricultural Development Writers Association as “Icon of Community services”.

The award was presented to the Managing Director/ CEO of the company, Alhaji Nasiru Babbar Harka in Kaduna, on Monday in the presence of the company Directors

Maharazu Mukhtar, Surajo Aliyu Kurfi and other staffs.

Babbar Harka Resources and Global Links Limited, produces fertilizer and Agro inputs for farmers in different parts of Nigeria.

Presenting the award, the president West Africa Agricultural Development Writers Association Comrade Musa Mohammed, said it’s due to proficiency of Babbar Harka Fertilizer brand integrity, customer retention and prompt service delivery, that’s why the award selection committee considered the company and bestowed the award.

Receiving the award, the MD/ CEO, said, the company’s objective is to boost organic Farming in Nigeria and make Agriculture a very viable business.

He said awards will inspire their company journey of standard quality-driven success.

Alhaji Maharazu Mukhtar the Deputy Managing Director, and Alhaji Surajo Aliyu, the consultant of the company, both expressed delight at the recognition and commended the organizers for creating an invaluable platform for awarding the company.

For those who vehemently hold that the local government council account is been pocketed by state governor’s in Nigeria, there insistence did not find expression place in Guri Local government area of Jigawa state and handful others that our researchers were able to visit.

In Guri LG , were the popular wish of the people was not brazengly thwarted during the last local government election, Hon Musa Shaaibu Guri happened to take control as new chairman with new revolutionary ideas. Almost a year now, the young vibrant former health worƙer is proving his capacity and credibility to his electorates.

While the situation in some local government councils remains unresolved, especially on issues boadering water, health facilities and education sector, Hón Musa Shaaibu has gone far in redressing his multi installations in terms of water, education, foods and health facilities.

This leaves Guri as the number one local government aréa that bags the name ” the next hotspot of public private partnership infrastructural projects” across Jigawa state and beyond. Our facts findings is almost ready at hand to publish the multiple projects executed by this Honourable chairman of Guri LGA.

In addition to numerous projects executed by the honourable chairman of the local government, he also partner with security operatives to tackle the insecurity situation within and outside the local government. He added