A non-governmental organization – the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has hailed the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR as he clocked 68 years.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Alh. Ibrahim Abdullahi and the National Secretary Dr. Nasir Balogun, the group described the monarch as a wonderful personality that has recorded great achievements since his enthronment as Sultan of Sokoto and Sarkin Musulumi.
Some of the achievements the group said, include strengthening the foundation of unity of Nigerians irrespective of religious, political and cultural differences, promotion of religious tolerance, constant admonitions to the nation’s political leaders on good governance and tremendous generousity to the less-priviledged.
The group stated further that it is on record that the present Sarkin Muslumi & President -General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs has traversed the six-geopolitical zones of the Country – preaching the message of peace, unity and development the whole nation, pointing-out that his leadership qualities are exemplary for others to emulate.
MMWG therefore called on all to put Nigerian leaders- political, religious and traditional- in their prayers for Allah’s guidance and protection, stating further that in that lies progress and welfare of the citizens.
On the current economic hardship facing the nation, the group appealed to the Federal Government to evolve a perfect economic model that would include early reduction of pump-price of fuel; pointing-out that the current hardship is tied to the increase of fuel prices.
The group commended President Ahmed Tinubu for directing the NNPC to supply regularly crude oil to the newly commissioned Dangote Refinery with payment made for the crude puchased in Naira instead of dollars.
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria maintained that as long as our crude oil are refined in Nigeria in large quantity, the cost price of fuel would reduce drastically and the suffering of the people would be minimised as prices of goods, food items and services would come down again.
It also called on those capable financially in oil business in Nigeria to embark on establishment of more refineries to break any possible monopoly.
MMWG also renewed its call on the Federal Government to establish National Commodities Board with stringent laws through the powers of the National Assembly [NASS] to checkmate undesirable elements in certain trades who are bent on creating hardship for the people purposely to sabotage government efforts and pursue their own selfish interests.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has been charged not to delay further the tracing the whereabout of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola who was abducted in Kaduna over 8 months ago and has not been set freed up till now by the kidnappers.
The female medical doctor was reportedly kidnapped along with her husband and the nephew since December last year.
Report according to MMWG stated that several millions of Naira has been demanded by the kidnappers and paid, but only the husband of Dr. Ganiyat was released, while the female medical doctor and the nephew remained in captivity.
The Media Group said, it is worrisome that police authorities in Kaduna State and Force Headquarters, Abuja are not saying anything on this matter.
While commending the Police on their successes in certain reported criminal cases, the Group wondered why that of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola has remained unattended to, leading to serious deterioration of her health in captivity and that of her nephew.
MMWG therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to use the strategies they used in getting freedom for 20 Medical Students travelling to the South-East in securing the release in Kaduna State Dr. Ganiyat Popoola as quickly as possible.
MMWG ended its appeal by calling on the Kaduna State Government too to as a matter of urgency rescue Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew without further delay.
According to the group, with the help of technology, the location of the abductors and their victims are easily traceable; what then is the cause of delay in getting the victims released.