NIGERIA: Muslim Body Alleges Jewish Symbol On New N100 Note

A Muslim body, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has expressed concern over what it termed a Jewish symbol on the country’s new N100 note. The new N100 note was unveiled to Nigerians recently by President Goodluck Jonathan in commemoration of Nigeria’s 100 years’ anniversary. However, MURIC, in a statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, alleged the insertion of a Jewish symbol into the new currency, demanding explanation from the Federal Government. It said its office had been inundated with calls by those who had observed the symbol. In a statement issued on Sunday, Akintola said it was paramount for the government to urgently address the issue. “The Federal Government, on November 12, 2014 unveiled the new design for the N100 commemorative centenary banknote which will be officially issued on December 19. “However, the office of the Concern has been inundated with calls for action on the Jewish symbol on the new note. Nigerian Muslims are complaining that the Arabic writing in Hausa language (the Ajami script) that read ‘Naira Dari’ (i.e. one hundred naira) on the N100 note has been removed and replaced with the Jewish symbol, the Star of David. “As a faith-based human rights organisation which believes in the dialogue option, MURIC is duty bound to articulate the demands of Muslims, particularly on matters which have to do with imbalance in treatment of the adherents of the different religions governments (federal or state). “MURIC recalls that Arabic inscriptions which have always been on Nigerian currency since independence were unceremoniously removed in 2005 from N5, N10, N20 and N50 denominations. They remained on N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations. “Nigerian Muslims regard the latest action, namely, the supplanting of Arabic with Jewish symbol from the new N100 as a continuation of the campaign of elimination by substitution against Arabic language and, by implication, against Nigerian Muslims. “It is well known that a large section of the Nigerian population use the Ajami and removing it from the new note will deprive millions of users of the Ajami of the ability to recognise, identify and use the new currency. “Furthermore, putting the Jewish symbol on the new N100 falls short of international standard, as currencies worldwide are designed to suit each nation’s culture and history. “Where does the Jewish symbol fit in? Which Nigerian community speaks the Jewish language? The insertion of the Jewish symbol is, therefore, clannish and parochial. It is tainted with undisguised religious fanaticism. “There is nothing wrong for our president to like Israel as a nation, but it is another thing entirely to openly and brazenly promote Zionism at the highest office in this country when we are still struggling with the last vestiges of colonialism. Nigerian Muslims are becoming increasingly suspicious and very uncomfortable with the actions and inactions of President Jonathan. “Firstly, in spite of the preponderance of Muslims in the South West, he appointed no single Muslim as minister in the whole region for almost four years. Secondly, he marginalised Muslims in the deliberations which took place in the national conference by appointing a meagre 189 Muslims as against 303 Christians. “Thirdly, Mr President saturated the security system in Aso Rock with Israeli security operatives, a nation well known for its animosity towards Muslims. The supplanting of Arabic language with Jewish symbol is the fourth among Jonathan’s anti-Muslim policies. “If once is happenstance, if twice is a coincidence and if the third time is enemy action, what do we call the fourth time? We are sick and tired of our president’s hatred for us. He openly confronts Muslims and goads us to challenge him. “But we will not be provoked. Neither shall we be intimidated by executive maladministration. As apostles of dialogue and advocates of peaceful coexistence, as tax-payers, voters and citizens of this country, we hereby ask President Jonathan to explain the Jewish symbol on Nigeria’s money. “We also demand to know why the presidency could not employ security experts from neutral countries like Britain or France instead of Israel, which is a sworn enemy of Muslims. Mr President may also deem it fit to tell us if there is no correlation between the Israeli security experts in Aso Rock, the Israeli caught with Nigeria’s N9.3 million arms money in South Africa and the Jewish symbol on the new N100 note. “Mr President sir, are you not gradually selling Nigeria to Israel? Are you sure this will not attract the wrath of Israel’s enemies to our dear country? Can this also be partly responsible for the viciousness of the Boko Haram phenomenon? “MURIC appeals to Muslims nationwide to await President Jonathan’s response to the above questions and to remain calm and law abiding. Islam teaches tolerance (Qur’an 3:134) and obedience to constituted authority (Qur’an 4:59),” the statement read. Source: Nigerian Tribune

No fewer than 120 lawmakers have begun a battle to remove President Goodluck Jonathan as they have appended their signatures for his impeachment

No fewer than 120 lawmakers have begun a battle to remove President Goodluck Jonathan as they have appended their signatures for his impeachment, immediately the House reconvenes in December. It was gathered by Vanguard that those who signed the impeachment register are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC. They alleged that the invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives who prevented the lawmakers from entering was backed by the Presidency, adding that Jonathan met secretly with on Wednesday night with Senate President David Mark and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha on the shape of yesterday’s House sitting. Lawmakers scaling the National Assembly fence to get entrance The lawmakers therefore opted to collate signatures for an impeachment notice against the President, on the grounds of executive recklessness, interference and abuse of police. Reacting to this, Mohammed Zakari, chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said: “ the notice of impeachment was not on the order paper today but I’m not foreclosing that some other things took place .” A principal officer of the House said: “With how the police and security agents molested members of the House of Representatives, President Goodluck Jonathan has lost our goodwill. We have resolved to stop this impunity in the land .” Another House member, who confirmed to have signed the register, said: “ This time around, it is going to be battle to the finish. Going by the principle of Separation of Powers, the police and security agents have no business barricading or occupying the National Assembly.

Police fire teargas at Tambuwal, lawmakers ahead of key vote

Nigerian police fired teargas inside the parliament
complex on Thursday, apparently trying to block
opposition lawmakers, including the speaker of the
lower house, from entering the building for a key
security vote.
Members of the House of Representatives had been
scheduled to vote on a government request to extend
emergency rule in the northeast region hit hardest by
Boko Haram militants.
The opposition has said it was against the move, and
political tensions have been ratcheted up ahead of
elections scheduled for February.
Senate President David Mark, a ruling party stalwart,
ordered the immediate closure of both chambers
over the incident.
The focus of the police aggression appeared to be
lower house speaker Aminu Tambuwal, whose
defection to the opposition last month outraged the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP has tried to remove Tambuwal from the
speaker’s chair and stripped him of his security
detail.
– Lawmakers scale fence –
Tambuwal arrived at parliament at about 10:00 am
(0900 GMT) before the vote on the state of
emergency extension, his spokesman Imam Imam
told AFP.
President Goodluck Jonathan has said the extension
is needed to sustain the military offensive against
Boko Haram.
Lawmakers at the National Assembly Thursday.
But the main opposition All Progressives Congress
(APC) has described the strategy as a complete
failure, noting the huge Islamist gains since
emergency rule was first imposed in May 2013.
Imam said Tambuwal was moving in a convoy with
more than 40 other lawmakers, which police
repeatedly tried to stop as they approached the main
gate of parliament.
The convoy pressed through several police
barricades before officers locked the gate that leads
into the parliament complex, he added.
Lawmakers began pushing aggressively on the bars
to force their way through, with police looking on
from the other side, footage on the private Channels
television station showed.
Several scaled the gate and then walked with
Tambuwal towards the legislative building, the
footage showed.
“As soon as we got (to parliament), they insisted he
will not enter the chamber,” Imam told AFP.
“It was in that midst of confusion that they now used
the tear gas on the speaker” and other lawmakers, he
added.
An AFP correspondent said the main lobby outside
the lower house chamber was filled with tear gas,
with bystanders choking as they tried to find their
way outside.
– Parliament suspended –
Senate president Mark described the chaos as “a very
unfortunate incident” and closed both chambers of
the National Assembly until Tuesday, meaning
Jonathan’s emergency rule extension will not be
approved this week.
Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu told AFP that
police officers were not involved in the incident but
that claim was not consistent with witness reports
and video footage.
The PDP, which has controlled the government since
democracy was restored in 1999, has found itself in
uncharted waters in recent months following a wave
of lawmaker defections to the APC.
While the PDP currently holds fragile majorities in
both chambers, the situation has been in flux
throughout the year.
The defection of Tambuwal was seen as blow to
Jonathan, who had previously relied on a compliant
lower house.
The speaker had been mulling a possible bid for the
presidency on the APC ticket at next year’s elections
but declined earlier this week.
Human rights lawyer Jiti Ogunye said Thursday’s
fracas recalled the years after Nigeria’s
independence from Britain in 1960, when a divided
civilian government was ultimately overthrown by the
military.
“We are in a state of anarchy,” he said. “This is how
sad our democracy has turned.

Why we blocked Tambuwal from entering NASS —Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, was blocked from entering the National Assembly , Thursday, so as to forestall the breakdown of law and order based on an intelligence report of the invasion of the National Assembly by hoodlums. In a statement by CP Emmanule Ojukwu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, the Police said it promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Heavily armed security operatives, Thursday, prevented the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal from gaining access to the House to preside over the deliberation on the extension of emergency rule in the North-East. The Police fired tear gas at the Speaker and other lawmakers in the process. The statement: “Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Consequently, the Police condoned the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike. In the course of this lawful exercise, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal CFR, arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to restore order and normalcy, using lawful means. The IGP seizes this medium to warn all political actors and their followers to respect constituted authority and due process and to desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda. The Nigeria Police shall continually apply all lawful means to prevent a breakdown of law and order in all segments of the society and shall apply the full weight of the law on any political actor who violates the peace and security of the nation. Ag. CP EMMANUEL C. S. OJUKWU FORCE PUBLIC RELATIO

AFCON 2015: Eagles soar higher in Congo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles did what was expected of them in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification tie in Pointe Noire as they beat the Red Devils of Congo 2-0 to put one leg in the 2015 tournament now to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea. The second half of the charged encounter produced all the drama, with Vincent Enyeama saving a penalty to keep the Eagles in the game, while returnee Uche Ikechukwu and Aaron Samuel made it count when it mattered most for Nigeria. The Eagles now need to win against already qualified South Africa Wednesday at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Congolese came out strong hoping to deliver an early low blow to the Eagles. Thierry Bifouma tested Enyeama, but the Lille of France shot-stopper was not in the mood to concede any goal. On the other hand Uche also made his presence felt, his delicate chip was saved by Massa Chancel in goal for Congo. Emanuel Emenike took his turn to ask questions of the Congolese defence; Chancel was on hand to thwart the move. From then on both sides battled to control the midfield and it was John Obi Mikel that dictated the pace. Keshi introduced Sone Aluko and that ignited some urgency in the Eagles attack. In the 58th minute Mikel put Emenike through on goal, but he was brought down in the box by the Congolese keeper. Uche did not make any mistake from the spot when he was called to duty. Shortly afterwards Congo got a penalty of their own, but Enyeama denied Bifouma and that signaled the beginning of the end for the Red Devils. China-based Aaron Samuel seized the day for the Eagles in the 85th minute after he connected well to a pass from Gbolahon Salami and fired to the top left corner. And there was mayhem at the Ominisports Stadium as the fans resorted to throwing missiles into the pitch. The game was temporarily stopped by the referee. However, by the time the game resumed the hosts had already resigned to fate - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/afcon-2015-eagles-soar-congo/#sthash.PN4d5g9r.dpuf