NEWS
Muslims Celebrate Eid El Kabir Festival
The festival of Eid el Kabir, also known as Eid al-Adha, holds great significance in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
In Nigeria, this festival is observed with a two-day public holiday, starting on Wednesday, June 28, and concluding on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in commemorating this event, it is crucial to grasp the importance of Eid el Kabir and its impact on our relationships and society as a whole.
Eid el Kabir signifies the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. According to Islamic tradition, when Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah intervened and provided an animal as a substitute.
This event symbolizes faith, devotion, and submission to the will of Allah. Muslims celebrate this festival by slaughtering an animal, typically a sheep, goat, or cow, and sharing the meat with family, friends, and those in need.
The spiritual significance of Eid el Kabir lies in its emphasis on obedience to Allah. This festival reminds Muslims of the importance of wholehearted devotion to their faith and the readiness to sacrifice for the greater good. It promotes selflessness, empathy, and compassion towards others. By practicing these values, Muslims are reminded of their responsibilities towards both Allah and their fellow human beings.
Eid el Kabir fosters peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims, serving as a reminder of the necessity for harmony in society. The act of giving and sharing during this festival promotes unity, love, and understanding among individuals, regardless of their diverse backgrounds and beliefs. It encourages Muslims to strengthen their bond with Allah and to extend kindness, generosity, and compassion to all of humanity.
Nigerians should draw essential lessons from Eid el Kabir for peace and progress in our nation. The festival highlights the significance of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect. It reminds us of the need to set aside our differences and work together towards a harmonious society. By embracing the values of Eid el Kabir, we can overcome social and ethnic divisions, promote tolerance, and cultivate peace and progress in our nation.
For those traveling to their hometowns to celebrate, it is crucial to adhere to road travel rules and regulations. By obeying traffic laws and practicing safe driving, we can ensure a smooth and accident-free journey. Moreover, considering the multifaceted insecurity in Nigeria, it is essential to remain vigilant and prioritize security. Travelers should take necessary precautions to stay safe and protect their belongings throughout their journey.
As Muslims throughout Nigeria celebrate, we extend warm greetings and joyous wishes for a blessed festival. May this occasion bring you closer to Allah, rejuvenate your faith, and fill your lives with happiness, peace, and prosperity. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims, and happy holidays to all Nigerians.
NEWS
JUST IN: Justice Adeyeye, Ekiti State’s CJ Passes On
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
NEWS
BREAKING: Court Drops Charges Against 76 #EndBadGovernance Protesters
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
NEWS
Fuel Pricing: PETROAN Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Monopoly
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.