Trump’s airstrikes: Halt military cooperation with US immediately – Sheikh Gumi tells Tinubu

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement read.

Ahead School Resumption, LASUBEB Chairman Seeks Stakeholders' Support, Cooperation For Success Of EKOEXCEL

AgegePulse Magazine

The Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Honourable Wahab Alawiye-King has called for the cooperation of stakeholders in the education sector, particularly parents, teachers and pupils, as public primary school pupils resume in the state on Monday, 20 January, 2020.

The first term holiday of pupils of public primary schools in the state was extended by two weeks to allow teachers undergo training in the government's EKOEXCEL programme aimed at improving teaching and learning through digitalisation.

Speaking on Tuesday, 14 January, 2020 in his office, Alawiye-King stated that the state government has invested a lot in putting in place the EKOEXCEL programme which will not only improve teaching and learning in the state but will also go a long way in easing the two.

He advised parents to prepare their children early for school resumption noting absenteeism and lateness to school would not be condone anymore.

"The teachers should also note that absenteeism and lateness are now things of the past in the schools as the electronic devices in their hands are meant to record their resumption time, supervise the time they spend in classes and their presence in schools.

"The last two weeks have been hectic for teachers, administrators and resource persons in the first phase of the training programme. Teachers have gone through various stages of tutelage aimed at improving their digital skills that will make their job easier.
"The state government  realised that digitisation is the way to go in its desire to improve teaching, learning and education administration.
"A fundamental element of the programme is better methodology for teachers as they will become more skilful in helping children to learn in a positive environment. For the administrators, it will improve data gathering and keeping which will give room for better record keeping and programme planning," he said.


Alawiye-King stated further that for the EKOEXCEL programme to succeed, all stakeholders in the education sector must put in strenuous efforts hence all have roles to play.
"This programme is meant for improvement in teaching and learning at the primary school level and we believe it will go a long way in improving the lives of our children hence we should not be found wanting in contributing our quota to the success of the programme," he said.