Mujeeedah's blog

Don calls for religion enlightenment for a peaceful nation

Prof. Akiti Alamu, of the Department of Religious, University of Ilorin has called for overall religious enlightenment, for a peaceful nation.

The Don made the call during the 304th Inaugural Lecture, titled, “The Six Blind Men and The Nigerian Elephant”, on Thursday, in Ilorin.

Alamu said that across major world religions, enlightenment is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, as it represents how a person sees the self, the world and the divine.

He said that the quest for knowledge would epistemologically help individuals to navigate to the top and the compulsory enlightenment was meant for religious leaders and various stakeholders of the nation’s governmental functionaries.

The Inaugural Lecturer noted that comparative religion is a relatively new subject that gained currency in the 19th century, when evolutionary theory pioneered by Charles Darwin was applied to the study of religion.

“It is a discipline that started on February 19th, 1870, when Frederick Max Muller delivered his monumental speech on the science of religion.

“With the recognition of comparative study of religion today, so many religions in the world are easily known as the world gets smaller and closer by virtue of information and communication technology,” he said.

Alamu mentioned some popular religions, like African Religion, Hinduism, Judaism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism.

“The essence of Comparative Religions is to understand the various religions and to as well identify their similarities and differences.

“Comparative Religion is a comparative study of the important features of the different religions of the world in a perfectly scientific spirit.

“It is an aberration for a student or a scholar of comparative religion to be biased or one-sided in treating or dealing with all living religions,” he said.

The expert noted that the six blind men include religion: the Nigerian mentality, colonial legacy: an evil incubator, ethnicity: a toxic disconnect.

Also, politics: a Nigerian trademark of cash and carry, constitutional ambiguities: a product of blindness, and socio-economic issues with Medusa face.

“These six blind men are products of ignorance because every blind man acknowledges the place of partial or relative knowledge without seeing the elephant in its entirety.

“The study shows that all these six blind men take solace in religion to showcase their ignorance-agnotology,” he said.

Alamu called on Nigerian leaders and religious stakeholders of all shapes and sizes to be enlightened, to correctly understand and interpret the content of any text, context and hypertext of any books.

“The path to a better Nigeria does not require us to abandon or compromise our faiths, but it requires us to live it more fully and intelligently.

“The power of religion and leadership to motivate civic responsibility presents a tactical opportunity for cultural transformation.

“It is worthy of note that these convergent ethics extol virtues of the ages such as love, empathy, compassion, justice, communality and responsibility which all require pragmatic expression through intelligent actions,” he said.

Monthly sanitation holds Saturday

The Kwara government has announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise for the month of July will come up on Saturday, across the state, between 7 a.m and 10 a.m.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued from the Office of the state Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa-Buge.

The statement enjoined members of the public to participate fully in the sanitation exercise as there will be no vehicular and human movement across the state during the period of the exercise.

The Commissioner further stated that waste management trucks will be made available for waste collection and subsequent disposal at government approved dump sites.

She said that security agents and environmental officers have been detailed to apprehend offenders and move them to the nearest mobile court for prosecution.

Musa-Buge warned residents against dumping refuse on pedestrian walkways, road side, drainages, canals, and all other unapproved dump sites.

She emphasized that wrongful disposal of refuse is a punishable offence under the state environmental law.

The Commissioner, therefore, enjoined the residents to utilize the opportunity to remove overgrown grasses, bushes and clean up their homes, business premises, drainages and any identified sources of nuisance or hazard, to sustain a clean and safe environment in the state.

Kwara NSCDC handles over 100 gender-related cases in 6 months

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command, has handled over 100 gender-related cases between January and June 2026.

This was a notable success in the fight against gender-based violence and the protection of vulnerable persons across the state.

The State Commandant, Commandant Abbas Nda-Mohammed disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday, in Ilorin.

Nda-Mohammed said that the command secured a life imprisonment sentence against a convicted sexual offender during the period under review.

He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to ensuring justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

The Commandant revealed that the Gender Unit recorded 36 cases of domestic violence, with 12 currently undergoing mediation.

He said that the command also handled 19 child custody disputes, of which 15 had been resolved, while four remained pending.

“We received 38 cases of child abandonment, with 6 successfully resolved, while efforts are ongoing to conclude investigations and ensure the welfare of the affected children.

“Nine abduction cases were reported during the period under review, while four victims have since been reunited with their families through the timely intervention of the corps,” Nda-Muhammed said.

The Commandant stated that eight cases involving rape, sexual assault and child molestation were before competent courts for prosecution.

He stressed that the command remained resolute in ensuring offenders are brought to justice, in accordance with the law.

Nda-Mohammed urged members of the public to promptly report cases of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual offences and other forms of gender-based violence to NSCDC for swift intervention.

He assured their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women, children and other vulnerable members of society.

Emir commends scholar for translating Holy Quran into Yoruba, English

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has commended an Ilorin-born Islamic scholar and media practitioner, Dr Daud Awwal, for translating the Holy Quran into Yoruba and English.

A statement issued on Monday in Ilorin by the Emir’s spokesman, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, said that the commendation was made when the Islamic scholar paid a courtesy visit to the palace to present copies of the translated Quran to the traditional ruler.

The project comprises a complete translation of the Holy Quran from Arabic into Yoruba and English, as well as a transliteration version designed to assist non-Arabic speakers in reciting the Quran with correct pronunciation.

Speaking during the visit, Sulu-Gambari described Awwal as a worthy ambassador of the Ilorin Emirate and a distinguished member of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom.

He praised the scholar’s consistency in promoting Islamic scholarship, moral values and religious education despite his engagements abroad.

“This is a landmark achievement that will go a long way in preserving the Islamic scholarly heritage of the Ilorin Emirate and making the divine message of the Holy Quran accessible to a wider audience, particularly those who are more proficient in Yoruba and English,” the Emir said.

He added that the translation and transliteration project aligned with the Emirate’s long-standing tradition of scholarship, tolerance and pursuit of knowledge.

According to him, such intellectual efforts are vital to combating ignorance, strengthening faith and ensuring that younger generations remain connected to their religious and cultural heritage.

The Emir, who is also the Chairman of the Kwara Traditional Rulers Council, prayed for Allah’s continued blessings, wisdom and strength for Awwal in his service to Islam and humanity.

He also urged other sons and daughters of the Ilorin Emirate, both at home and in the diaspora, to emulate Awwal’s commitment to community development and the promotion of Islamic values.

In his remarks, Awwal expressed appreciation to the Emir for his fatherly support and encouragement to scholars.

He said that the project was conceived to bridge language barriers and enable Yoruba and English-speaking Muslims to better understand, recite and reflect on the teachings of the Holy Quran.

According to him, the transliteration version is specifically intended to assist those who cannot read Arabic script but desire to recite the Quran with proper pronunciation.

Awwal disclosed that the project took 22 years to complete.

He added that proceeds from the translated editions and their distribution would be dedicated to Islamic education, Da’wah activities and the support of Qur’anic schools.

He further said that two million copies would be distributed across Africa, while one million copies each would be distributed in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Copies of the translated Holy Quran were formally presented to the Emir during the visit.

FRSC calls on motorists to drive calm to avoid accident

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Command has called on motorists to be patient and drive calmly to avoid accidents.

The Ilorin Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Ann Oladayo made the call on Monday, while speaking with newsmen on the highway in Ilorin.

Oladayo said that there is a Special Intervention Patrol at the instructions of the Corps Marshal and top management of FRSC, targeted at reducing road crashes on the highways.

She said that the patrol was a data driven intelligence enforcement, and it cuts across all the 12 zones of the FRSC in Nigeria.

“We decided to visit the scene of an accident that occurred two weeks ago at Oko-Olowo Area of Ilorin, to further analyse what led to the crash.

“This is also in relation to the special intervention patrol that we are presently carrying out at Oko-Olowo Area, one of the flashpoints in Ilorin.

“We discovered that there is really nothing attached to the area, unlike it is insinuated that the place is bedeviled, it is just inpatient and fatigue that led to the accident,” she said.

The Zonal Commanding Officer noted that most of the drivers plying the road have their own faults, saying that some of them are tired and sleepy while driving.

Oladayo further said that some drivers refuse to obey the traffic rules and regulations, which is leading to accidents.

She said that FRSC would continue to sensitize the public and educate them, adding that there was a need for motorists to be very patient whenever they are plying the road.

“We are appealing to motorists to calm down, start their journey early, avoid overloading and desist from loading goods and passengers together in a space.

“What happened two weeks ago in Oko-Olowo Area was as a result of loading goods and passengers together in which 48 people were involved.

“It was a lone crash that claimed 15 lives. These types of accidents are avoidable. So drivers should be patient while driving and make sure that their vehicles are in good condition,” she said.

The Zonal Commanding Officer said that the intervention patrol will be continuous for 72 hours, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Customs releases N7.6 b to pay 4,237 retirees

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has released N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retirees.

The Comptroller-General (C-G) of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retirees, where he reaffirmed the service’s commitment to improving the welfare of its retired personnel.

NCS’s Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the C-G announced that the funds had been disbursed to the PFAs for onward payment into the retirees’ individual accounts.

Maiwada said the meeting followed ongoing efforts to improve the pension of retirees following the Federal Government’s decision to review the statutory provisions governing pensions.

This includes Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

He said that according to the breakdown presented at the meeting, Access-ARM Pension Managers accounted for 1,223 beneficiaries, Premium Pension 2,268, Leadway Pensions 403TrustFund Pensions 156FCMB Pensions 144.

Others are Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, and Fidelity Pension Managers four, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.

Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi underscored the need for the service to remain strong and financially capable of meeting its obligations to serving officers and retirees.

He emphasised that the welfare of officers who had dedicated decades to the NCS was integral to the institution’s future.

The NCS boss urged the retirees to sustain constructive engagement with the service, describing it as necessary to foster mutual understanding.

“I acknowledged your (retirees) concerns and suggestions raised, and it is in view of this we called for this dialogue.

“This is to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the service and its retired personnel,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that retirees thanked the C-G and his management team for creating a platform for direct engagement.

They also urged the service to sustain the dialogue as part of efforts to strengthen the relationship between serving officers and retired personnel.

Police arrest 2 foreigners for alleged kidnap plot in Kwara

The Nigeria police have arrested two foreign nationals, Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara, for alleged kidnap plot.

The foreign suspects were from the Republic of Togo and allegedly threatened to abduct a resident of Nigeria unless he paid a whooping sum of N22 million.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

The PPRO said that the suspects were apprehended after the complainant, S. Ismaila reported to have been receiving repeated threatening telephone calls.

He said that the caller had threatened to abduct the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom was not paid.

Ejire-Adeyemi stated that the Okuta Police Division collaborated with the Intelligence Response Team and successfully traced the suspects using technical intelligence.

“A mobile phone allegedly used to make the threatening calls was recovered from one of the suspects,” he said.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism, noting that their intervention prevented a significant security incident.

Adekimi reaffirmed the state command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and vowed that all members of the criminal network would be tracked down and prosecuted.

The Commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to sustaining peace and security across Kwara.

Kwara commences distribution of 2 million mosquito nets across 16 LGAs

The Kwara Government had commenced the distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) across the 16 Local Government Area of Kwara.

The Wife of Kwara Governor, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq disclosed this on Tuesday in Ilorin in her opening remark at the Flag-Off of the Integrated Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Mass Campaign (SMC)/ITN 2026 Campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is organised by the Kwara Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; as well as other Partners.

AbdulRazaq noted that Malaria remains one of the greatest health challenges facing the nation, adding that it continues to disproportionately affect pregnant women and children.

According to her, Nigeria bears approximately 24.3 percent of the global malaria burden.

“In Kwara alone, over 807,324 children under the age of five depend on us to protect them from this preventable and treatable disease.

“The health and wellbeing of our children is no doubt the foundation of every happy family and every prosperous society, hence every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, attend school regularly, and realize their full potential,” she said.

AbdulRazaq explained that the integrated campaign brings to the communities two proven and highly effective malaria prevention interventions.

She explained that about 2 million ITN will be distributed free of charge across all communities in the State to ensure that every household has access to this life-saving protection.

The Governor’s wife pointed out that owning a net is only the first step, while the real protection comes when the net is properly hung, and every member of the household sleeps under it every night.

“At the same time, eligible children aged three to 59 months in the designated LGAs will receive SMC medicines during the 2026 malaria transmission season.

AbdulRazaq added these medicines stand to provide an additional layer of protection, significantly reducing malaria infections, severe illness, hospital admissions, and deaths among young children.

She assured that both the ITN and SMC medicines are safe, effective, scientifically proven and provided completely free of charge.

“I therefore, appeal to our traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, women’s groups, parents and caregivers to warmly welcome our healthcare workers and community volunteers as they visit your communities and homes,” she appealed.

Also in her welcoming address, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam stated that the initiative marks another significant milestone in the State’s collective efforts to eliminate malaria as a major public health challenge.

She pointed out that the State remains a beacon of hope in Nigeria’s fight against malaria under the visionary and proactive leadership of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“This year, we shall be distributing 2,086,568 ITNs across 766,469 households and Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to 665,057 children under five years of age.

“This integrated campaign is a strategic response towards building a Resilient and Sustainable System for Health (RSSH).

“The ITN Mass Campaign seeks to achieve universal household coverage through the free distribution of quality long-lasting insecticidal nets across all 16 LGAs.

El-Imam explained that the programme consists of four monthly treatment cycles during the peak malaria season, beginning with a supervised first dose of SPAQ, followed by Amodiaquine on the second and third days.

“Every year, this intervention provides additional protection to over 600,000 children, significantly reducing malaria episodes, severe illness, hospital admissions and preventable deaths,” she said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor explained that the integrated campaign marks a vital step in the continued commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its partners to protecting every citizen of Nigeria.

Ogbulafor who was represented by Mrs Mary Esema, the Head of Integrated Vector Management, noted that the intervention is crucial to the vulnerable population including children under five years of age and pregnant women against malaria through the ownership and consistent use of ITNs.

“Malaria is a disease that has had a profound impact on the health and prosperity of millions of Nigerians.

“Since 2011, over 7.4 million ITNs have been distributed across the State through mass distribution campaigns,” she said

Ogbulafor further explained that the 2026 campaign will integrate community-based childhood TB screening with the ongoing integration of ITN distribution and SPAQ administration across the 11 integrated LGAs in the state.

Kwara commences distribution of 2 million mosquito nets across 16 LGAs

NSCDC nabs 2 suspects for theft, vandalism in Kwara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command has arrested two suspects over alleged theft, vandalisation and unlawful removal of electrical materials.

The materials belonged to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Abbas Nda-Mohammed disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday, in Ilorin.

Nda-Mohammed said that the suspects, identified as Ishaq Kazeem, 43, and Abubakar Jubril, 41, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation that was carried out by the Command’s operatives.

“The suspects were arrested on July 10, at a mechanic workshop in Zango Area, near Oke-Andi Junction, after Bravo Filling Station, Ilorin.

“They were dismantling electrical materials suspected to have been stolen from the TCN,” he said.

The Commandant said that preliminary investigations indicated that the brand-new electrical equipment was unlawfully removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba, before being transported to Ilorin, for destruction and eventual sale as scrap.

He noted that the operatives of NSCDC Intelligence Crack Squad stormed the location after receiving credible intelligence and caught the suspects using a grinding machine and sledgehammer to break down the materials and extract iron components.

“Items recovered from the scene included a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi), a mini truck with registration number ABJ-739-FX (Abuja).

“Also, vandalised heavy-duty electrical insulation materials, metal conductor poles, iron bars, a generator set, grinding machine, a sledgehammer, a suspected burnt copper rod and other electrical components believed to be government property,” he said.

Nda-Mohammed said that investigations had been expanded to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate as well as ensure that everyone involved is prosecuted.

“I have declared war against vandals, economic saboteurs and all criminal elements bent on undermining the efforts of the government and threatening our critical national assets and infrastructure.

“Under my watch, there will be no hiding place for criminals in Kwara.

“The Command will continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone found engaging in acts of vandalism, theft of government property or any other criminal activity,” he said

The Commandant Mohammed reassured residents tha NSCDC remained committed to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.

“We will not relent until criminal elements are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he said.