Engr. David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works, has conveyed his profound felicitations to the Muslim Ummah on the commemoration of this year’s Eid-al-Adha celebrated all over the world.

Speaking during a ceremony hosted by him to celebrate the festival with Ebonyi State branch of the Hausa/Yoruba Muslim community in Abakaliki on Sunday , the Minister emphasized the need for all faiths to cultivate a sense of love, sacrifice, devotion, charity and humanity which are the values of the festival being celebrated.

He described the growing interfaith relationship in Nigeria as a product of the inspiring leadership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said is truly inclusive and progressive.

Umahi said- “Barka da Sallah to all Muslim faithful and to the entire Nigerians. You’ve said it all, that the interfaith relationship is much much better now. I would say that it is at an excellent level now under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Surprising to Christians, Mr. President led a delegation to the Pope’s inauguration. That was very unique and the first of its kind. I’ve always said that we are serving one God in different ways.”

According to a statement by Hon. Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Umahi urged Nigerians to leverage on the shared values of Eid-al-Adha to deepen our commitment in fostering religious tolerance and social harmony, which are the hallmarks of nation-building

He commended the President of Nigeria for the manifest willpower of his Renewed Hope administration in unlocking the economic potential of each Geo-Political Zone through massive investment in infrastructure development.

He called on all Nigerians to rally round Mr. President in his efforts to provide enduring development and secure a shared future of social justice for our nation, noting that the rewarding stewardship of Mr. President would speak for him in the 2027 general elections.

He said- “The performances of the President will definitely see him through in 2027. We will stand with him. South East will support him. When I was governor, we had herdsmen problems. Do you still encounter the herdsmen problem as it was? That is one thing the President has done for the people of the South East. Today, we are being gradually integrated into the mainstream of the nation’s governance. What an Igbo man never had before, he is beginning to have it,courtesy of Mr. President.

“Once again, Eid Mubarak to all the Muslim faithful.”

Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram, on Friday in Borno State, attacked the convoy of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), who narrowly escaped being killed in the assault.

The revelation was made by the lawmaker representing Borno, Senator Ali Ndume, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday evening.

According to Ndume, the retired army general and his accompanying soldiers were ambushed near a frontline military base.

While details on casualties remain unclear, the lawmaker disclosed that a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the attackers and the troops escorting Buratai.

“We are in a dire security situation. Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno.

“His team responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets,” he said.

The attackers reportedly targeted high-value equipment including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns.

In some cases, Ndume added, the insurgents not only destroy these assets but also cart away weaponry and equipment.

“The situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly. Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis,” he added.

Ndume also used the opportunity to paint a bleak picture of Nigeria’s broader security landscape, noting that violent conflict, banditry, and sabotage have extended across the nation.

“All six geopolitical zones are experiencing security challenges to varying degrees.

“Even in the South-South, we are grappling with economic sabotage like oil theft. At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region,” he said.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Sunday, insisted he will not abandon the Peoples Democratic Party which offered him the platform to get elected as the fifth civilian governor of the state.

Lawal’s position was in response to overtures from former governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, urging the governor to join the All Progressives Congress.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said, in an interview that Governor Lawal had since made it clear that he would not abandon the PDP which gave him the ticket to contest the governorship election and won in 2023.

He said, “Some people have been spreading rumours that Governor Dauda Lawal is planning to dump his party, the PDP, and join APC.

“There is no iota of truth in this. As such, I want the PDP supporters to disregard this.

“Governor Dauda Lawal will remain in the PDP and has no intention of joining any other party. He is a true believer who believes in God and whatever God has destined to happen must happen, no matter the party he belongs.”

Matawalle had in a statement issued by the former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, urged Governor Lawal to defect to the APC.

Matawalle made the call on Saturday at his residence in his hometown in Maradun, when he received thousands of supporters who paid him a Sallah homage.

He urged Lawal to join the progressives for the progress of the state, saying the Governor should come out in the open and join the APC, instead of trying to go through the backdoor.

“Dauda Lawal should come and join the APC rather than the hide-and-seek type of game he is currently playing,” Matawalle said.

The minister assured Lawal that he did not hold any grudge against him, adding that Lawal was highly welcome into the comfortable fold of the APC.

Matawalle also urged Lawal to embrace the APC to join what he described as the trailblazer of security, progress, developments, peace and tranquillity.

He also enjoined the governor to justify the humongous federal allocations by providing developmental projects and basic infrastructure across the state.

The minister described President Bola Tinubu as a progressive leader and a good manager of peace and tranquillity.

“President Tinubu’s focus is on the development of the country and welcomes all wishing to join the trailblazer of peace, harmony, growth and development,” he said.

Matawalle urged the APC supporters in the state to support the President, particularly in the areas of security, agriculture, health, social well-being and economic development.

He said the president had Zamfara at heart and he was always looking forward to salvaging its current situation of insecurity and economic hardship.