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Arewa Group Disowns Bala Mohammed Over Criticism of Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
The Arewa Youth Leaders and Professionals Forum (AYLPF) has distanced itself from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed over his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, labeling his actions as detrimental to the unity and progress of northern Nigeria.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, the AYLPF National President, Abdulahi Bilal Mohammed, accused Governor Bala Mohammed of pursuing a self-serving agenda, characterizing his opposition to the reforms as a desperate attempt to protect corrupt practices that have benefited him and his associates.
“Governor Bala Mohammed’s stance is not driven by genuine concern for Nigeria’s development but reflects his disdain for national unity and the trust placed in him by the people of Bauchi State and the country at large,” Bilal Mohammed stated.
The AYLPF also took aim at former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as politically irrelevant and disconnected from the aspirations of Nigerians.
“El-Rufai’s recent utterances and actions demonstrate his detachment from the realities and priorities of the Nigerian people,” said Bilal Mohammed, adding that his alleged alliance with promoters of a third force represents an effort to undermine the interests of northern Nigeria.
The group accused El-Rufai and other third force advocates of pursuing divisive and selfish agendas aimed at exploiting the region for personal gain.
The Arewa group called on patriotic Nigerians to reject divisive leaders and rally behind President Tinubu’s administration, which it described as committed to the progress and development of the country.
“The voices of division and selfishness must be silenced. We urge all Nigerians to support the economic reforms of President Tinubu’s administration, which are aimed at ensuring national growth and prosperity,” the group concluded.
The statement partly reads: “Firstly, Let us begin with Governor Bala Mohammed. His recent statements and actions are a clear indication of his disdain for the unity and progress of Nigeria. His opposition to President Tinubu’s reforms is not rooted in any genuine concern for the nation, but rather, a desperate attempt to cling to the corrupt practices of the past that have benefited him and his cronies.
“His actions have proven to be another emblem of trust betrayal placed in him by the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large. Apparently, El-Rufai, on the other hand, is a confused man with an emaciated political career.
“His emaciated political relevance has driven him into reckless rhetoric and divisive politicking, all in a futile attempt to revive his presidential ambitions. His recent utterances and actions are a clear indication of his disconnect from the aspirations of the Nigerian people. He has become a divisive figure, attempting to pit the North against the rest of the country for his personal gain.
“Indeed, it is disheartening that leaders entrusted with the responsibility of creating unity and development have instead chosen the path of betrayal and self-interest. Their antics are a betrayal of trust, not only to the North but to the entire nation.
“They are pursuing a divide and rule strategy that is antithetical to the spirit of unity and progress that Nigeria desperately needs. Let us be clear: these leaders are not speaking for the North, they are only serving their selfish agendas.
“Nevertheless, the Arewa Youth Leaders and Professionals Forum firmly stands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration’s economic reforms. These reforms, though admittedly challenging in the short term, are necessary steps to reposition Nigeria for growth, development, and progress.
“However, it is evident that those opposing these reforms are individuals who have been beneficiaries of the flawed systems of past administrations. From subsidy removal to tax reforms. President Tinubu’s policies are aimed at correcting the ills of the past, ills that have kept us bound to a cycle of corruption and underdevelopment.
“Yet, these so-called northern leaders who cry foul at the mention of change, are angry because these changes threaten their stomach infrastructure and the corrupt privileges they have enjoyed. Indeed, Governor Bala Mohammed and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s positions are not representative of the true voices of the North.
“The North is a region built on principles of fairness, justice, and patriotism. The North supports reforms that uplift the nation, even if they require sacrifices. Perhaps, it is time to question the motives of these so-called northern leaders. Are they truly concerned about the welfare of the masses, or are they merely seeking to protect their personal interests? Their actions suggest the latter.
“Evidently, these leaders have chosen to exploit the challenges that come with reforms to sow discord and manipulate public sentiment. This divide-and-rule strategy is not new, but it is one that we, as Arewa youths and professionals, reject outrightly.
“Nevertheless, we acknowledge that President Tinubu’s reforms come with short-term inconveniences. Change is never easy, especially when it disrupts the norm that everyone is accustomed to. However, the long-term benefits of these reforms far outweigh the temporary discomfort“.
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a human trafficking ring in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In a major operation, the police rescued 83 individuals and a child from a house in the Orogun area of the city, where they had allegedly been held for an undisclosed period.
Preliminary reports suggest that the victims, believed to be nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were lured to Nigeria under the pretence of being offered employment opportunities.
There are also claims that the perpetrators extorted significant sums of money, reportedly in dollars, from the victims’ parents and relatives as part of the elaborate scheme.
The rescued individuals are currently at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where authorities are conducting further investigations to ascertain the full details of the case.
Pope Francis was buried inside his favourite Rome church after a funeral mass in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican said on Saturday.
Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, was laid to rest during a 30-minute ceremony which started at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT) at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in the Italian capital.
Footage shared by the Holy See showed cardinals marking his wooden and zinc coffin with red wax seals.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo is running the Vatican’s day-to-day affairs until a new pope is elected, sprinkled it with holy water after it was lowered into a tomb set inside an alcove.
A reproduction of the pectoral cross worn by Francis during his lifetime hung above it.
Francis had asked that the tomb, located near the altar of Saint Francis, be simple and unadorned, reflecting the humble spirit of his papacy.
The tombstone bears only the inscription “Franciscus” — the pope’s name in Latin.
Its marble is sourced from Liguria, the northwestern Italian region once home to the Argentine pontiff’s Italian ancestors.
Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, had specified in his will the exact spot he wanted to be buried, in the side nave of the beloved fifth-century AD church.
The pontiff was devoted to the worship of the Virgin Mary and made a point of praying in Santa Maria Maggiore before leaving on trips abroad and upon his return to Rome.
Located in the heart of Rome, the basilica already holds the tombs of seven popes.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered a clampdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical personnel operating within the territory.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister warned, “Henceforth, anyone found to be operating or working in an unregistered health facility should be arrested and prosecuted.”
According to the statement, Wike issued the directive following the death of a 35-year-old pregnant woman, Chekwube Chinagorom, after a caesarean section at Afolmi Hospital, a private, unregistered facility located in Durumi, Abuja.
The statement described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that despite the free registration of pregnant women into the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme, many still patronise unsafe health facilities.
“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS, which allows them free access, through the Primary Health Care Centres, to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services,” Olayinka said.
He further noted that several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care centres, offering cesarean sections free of charge.
“Our pregnant women are once again urged to take advantage of this free health insurance scheme and stop visiting quack medical personnel and unregistered health facilities,” Olayinka added.
According to the statement, Chinagorom was brought in dead to Asokoro District Hospital after undergoing a caesarean section at Afolmi Hospital. While she died, her baby was delivered alive and referred to Asokoro Hospital for care.
An investigation by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee revealed that Afolmi Hospital was not duly registered. During inspection, only one staff member, Mr. Simon Elisha Godiya, a Junior Community Health Extension Worker, was found on duty.
“Mr. Godiya reported that the surgical operation was performed by one Murtala Jumma in conjunction with another unidentified individual. All attempts to reach Murtala Jumma via phone were unsuccessful.
“Shortly after the PHERMC team arrived at the facility, a detachment of officers from the Nigeria Police, Durumi Divisional Headquarters, also arrived. The case was immediately handed over to the Police for further investigation.
“The officer in charge requested that the PHERMC team accompany them to the station to formally record the incident, and the team complied accordingly.
“The Nigeria Police is currently assisting in identifying the individuals responsible for the surgery, verifying their qualifications, and investigating the circumstances that led to the death of the late Chekwube Chinagorom at Afolmi Hospital,” the statement added.