*Cleric’s comment false, malicious, cheap blackmail – MMWG
*Tasks Nigerian leaders on economy
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Muslim Media Watch Group has joined yet another widespread condemnations of Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Fr Matthew Hassan Kukah, over the statement credited to him that only Christians and Christian schools are being targeted by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers terrorizing the people of Nigeria, describing it as false, malicious and a cheap political blackmail.
In its reaction, the group said Bishop Kukah knew very well that victims of all criminal attacks in Nigeria are not targeted at any particular religious group.
Rather, it said, victims are attacking diverse tribes, religions and culture while over 90 percent victims have been muslims.
“Why should a religious leader lie to the people? This is not part of any faith but a political propaganda to cause, disunity, violence and peace-loving people of Nigeria!”
According to a Sallah Message dated 9th Dhul-Hijja, 1422 AH equivalent to 19th July, 2021 and issued by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) also tasked leaders in the country over economy and insecurity.
“As the Nation celebrates this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, has called on Federal and State Governments all over the Country, not to play politics with security and economic well-being of the people.
“In a strongly-worded Sallah Message released by the Group and signed by its National Coordinator Alh. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Group condemned the worsening security situation in the Country and tasked Federal and State Governments to up-scale their security strategies so as to reduce the violent crimes of terrorism, banditry, arson and kidnapping in the Country.
“The Group commended the Niger State Government for its latest on-slaught on the criminals killing and kidnapping people in the State for raising combatant teams to fight them in various Communities in the State where lives are property are being threatened; adding that it is unimaginable to know that crimes are committed with criminals in hundreds riding in vehicles and multitudes of motorcycles in some States in the North West and North Central States such as Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna Sokoto and Niger to mention a few. It is well-known, the Group stated that with heavy military bombardment in North-East, criminals have shifted to these two Regions.
“The Group called on Federal Government not to delay further its Police Reform Agenda, Mass recruitment of Police and Military Personnel, acquisition of sophisticated arms and ammunition to fight crimes, training and re-training of police and Military personnel as well as creation of massive employment opportunities for millions of job youths all over the Country.
“On the economy, the Muslim Media Watch Group called on Federal Government to intensify its anti-corruption fight as it is one of the basis of the current crime waves. It warned that there is need to review its social investment programmes with a view to make positive impact on the generality of the people such as tackling inflation, creating jobs and catering for IDPs who are now in millions and scattered round the Country including Abuja – the Nation’s capital. An holistic housing programme that would return them to their homes such as the ones put in place in Borno State by Former the Governor – Senator Kashim Shettima and sustained by current Governor – Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is now desirable for Federal Government to be initiated and put in various States for the IDPs for them to return home. The Federal Government socio-economic programmes should also tackle the current inflationary trends of almost all commodities with a view of relieving the suffering masses.
“Still on economy, the Muslim Media Watch Group condemned most of the activities of the State Governors for engaging in blame-games instead of serving their people with Fear of God. According to the Group, most of them are not responsive to yearnings of their people, instead they politicise the issue of security, economy and unemployment to the detriment of the well-being of their people, while their citizens continue to languish in poverty, penury and diseases. MMWG declared: Genuine Taqwa i.e Fear of God would make responsible leaders to take good care of their people instead of playing politics and amassing illegal wealth. History of happenings in Nigeria is yet to teach most of our leaders any lesson, the Group stated.
“MMWG therefore called on all the Nigerian Governors that are yet to do the followings for their workers and pensioners to do them:
“(i) Payment of approved National Minimum Wage
“(ii) Increase of monthly pensioners’ allowance in line with existing regulations
“(iii) Regular payment of monthly pensions and off-setting of the accumulated gratuities of pensioners gradually and promotion of public service workers as at when due as well as consider the need to pay as from this year 13th Month salary and pension to workers and pensioners on their Payrolls like Lagos State since it is done once in a year.”
The Group commended the Federal Government on the full implementation of the National Minimum Wage and the recent increase in monthly pension allowances of all those on its Federal Pensioners Pay-Roll under PTAD in line with the existing regulations.
On Kukah it said: “Meanwhile, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has condemned Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah over the statement credited to him that only christians and christian schools are being targeted by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers terrorising the people of Nigeria, describing it as false, malicious and a cheap political blackmail.
“In its reaction the Group said Bishop Kukah knew very well that victims of all criminal attacks in Nigeria are not targeted at any particular religious group, rather victims are attacking diversed tribes, religions and culture and that over 90% victims have been muslims! Why should a religious leader lie to the people? This is not part of any faith but a political propaganda to cause, disunity, violence and peace-loving people of Nigeria!
“Records show that over 137 children were kidnapped in a single day in an Islamiyyah School (Madrassah) in Tegina – Niger State. Uptill today, not up to 10 of the children have returned! Also hundreds of students were kidnapped at Kankara (Katsina State), Same for Kagara (Niger State) and that of Zamfara State. These are predominantly muslim children! The isolated private Greenfield University and Bethel Secondary School kidnapping does not warrant the falsehood peddled by Bishop Kukah.
“It is highly unpatriotic for any religious leader to embark of spreading falsehood within and outside the Country for whatever gains it is highly irreligious and un-Godly. With all the crimes perpetrated against the Muslims by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, Kukah remained silent until isolated cases of the two above-named Schools occurred. The divisive and destructive tendencies of Bishop Kukah is well-known not only to the muslims but christians alike.
“Instead of condemning crimes generally irrespective of those affected, Kukah takes pleasure in stigmatising the Federal Government and peace-loving people of other faith other than christianity for political gains. This is unpatriotic and unbecoming of a true religious Leader. The Bishop has continued to fan embers of religious hatred, disunity and disaffection instead of joining other responsible christian leaders to preach peace and pray for peace.
“Kukah’s political blackmail taken to Foreign Parliament is highly condemnable, sacrilegious and irreligious. Instead of being part of our solutions to insecurity, Kukah is gradually becoming the problem Nigeria is to manage as he has embarrassed the Christian faith enough with his regular falsehood and hate-speech. Nigerian christians and muslims are wiser than Kukah and by the special grace of Allah Muslims and Christians will never take arms against themselves in Nigeria as we are brothers and sisters to each other, the Group stated.
“Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria concluded its Sallah Message by calling on Bishop Kukah to learn and imbibe the lessons of religious tolerance, peace and unity of muslims with christians in Nigeria from Nigerian Muslim Leader – Sarkin Musulumi – His Eminence, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar – the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) who do not only preach peace between muslims and christians but spend his hard-earned personal resources to promote and sustain peace among adherents both Faith’s including travelling round the Country and abroad to promote same,” it said.
