Muhammad Garba, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Kano.

The statement quoted the governor as directing the committee to convene a meeting with different nationalities and adopt proactive measures towards promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.

Ganduje directed the committee to work out an appropriate peace-building mechanisms for the sustainability of the various peace efforts by the government and security agencies.

The governor who described the protests as unfortunate, urged members of the committee to educate the youths on the importance of peace and being law-abiding.

Ganduje said that his administration had instituted various measures, to safeguard lives and property in the state.

“The committee will be co-Chair by Igwe Boniface Ibekwe and Rev. Adeyemi Samuel, as representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the various Christian denominations.

“Others include: Christian youth groups, representatives of ethnic nationalities and that of the traders.” Ganduje said in the statement.

The statement added that the governor also held a similar meeting with Islamic clerics and members of the business community in the state.

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The Public Relations Officer of the police command, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Saturday, said that the Chairman of the LCDA, Jumoke Ademehin and leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the area attended the meeting.

“The commissioner of police appealed to the groups to tolerate each other and embrace peace in order to promote mutual coexistence in the area.

“The two groups condemned the ugly incident and agreed to reconcile and embrace peace after the meeting.

“The commissioner of police assured the groups of creating a police post, after due consultation with the LCDA chairman in the area, to take policing to their doorsteps and cater for their security needs,” he said.

Adejobi also quoted the LCDA chairman in the statement as expressing appreciation to Odumosu for his commitment to maintenance of law and order in the state.

She assured the police boss that further efforts would be made to foster peace among the various groups in the area.

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Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, in a statement in Abuja on Friday said Buhari gave the warning in a video-message to the UN High-level meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Buhari restated Nigeria’s commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He, however, expressed concern about the ‘‘slow pace’’ of States possessing nuclear weapons in disarming and decommissioning their existing nuclear facilities.

”We are concerned about the slow pace of progress by nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals, in accordance with their legal obligations and undertakings under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” he said.

He reiterated the need for the United Nations to continue engaging Nuclear Weapon States to speed up their efforts in disarming and decommissioning their existing nuclear facilities.

”The best approach to avoid damage associated with nuclear materials such as humanitarian crisis, accidents, disasters and criminality is the total elimination of nuclear weapons,” he added.

The Nigerian leader told world leaders at the virtual summit that the universalization of the NPT was dependent upon strict compliance with its three pillars namely, disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He, therefore, enjoined other Member States to ratify the Treaty, noting that Nigeria had played a major role in negotiations leading to the coming into force of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty).

”We will continue to galvanize other African States to abide by the tenets of the Pelindaba Treaty. This is to ensure that the entire continent remains nuclear-free.

”While there are no easy solutions when we confront one of the gravest existential threats to the survival of the human race, we must remain undeterred and committed to a world of safety and security, one without the volatility posed by Nuclear Weapons,” he said.

The Nigerian President said it was noteworthy that this year marks the 75th Anniversary of the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan that terminated the lives of thousands of people with severe long-term damages to the environment.

”The Anniversary is a forceful reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons which undermine global, national and human security.

”Hence, there is need for all states to comply with applicable international laws and conventions to ensure a world free of nuclear weapons. We must, therefore, redouble our efforts to implement the provisions of the Nuclear NPT being the basis of Non-Proliferation Regime.

”This is to enable us achieve our desire for total elimination of nuclear weapons,’’ he said.

Buhari also highlighted how Nigeria had demonstrated support for multilateral efforts toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

The president recounted that as one of the countries in the vanguard of the campaign for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, Nigeria signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on Sept. 20, 2017 and recently ratified it on Aug. 6.

He noted that Nigeria joined like-minded states to sponsor the resolution titled “Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations” which led to the legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

”Nigeria has been involved in the promotion of peaceful application of nuclear science and technology at national and international levels.

”Accordingly, Nigeria ratified several international treaties and conventions in the area of nuclear safety and security.

”We have also expressed political commitment to the IAEA Code of Conduct on safety and security of radioactive sources.

”More so, we have developed and approved the first International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Security Plan for the period 2010-2012 with further review to cover 2019-2021 period.

”In this connection, Nigeria commends the continued efforts of the IAEA, particularly its role in monitoring and inspecting nuclear facilities,” he said.

The Nigerian leader urged States to ensure compliance with IAEA safeguards and standards at all times as well as nuclear verification disarmament measures.

The president added that in order to facilitate the development and peaceful deployment of nuclear technology, Nigeria regulates and implements its energy aspiration through the relevant agencies.

”In addition, we are reforming the National Nuclear Security Sector to make it robust and reliable.

”These reforms involve the domestication of The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism; Review of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act; and Review of Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act.

”To further demonstrate our commitment to nuclear security, Nigeria successfully converted the Nigeria Research Reactor (NIRR-1), a 31 kilowatts miniature neutron source reactor from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium fuel.

”Also in 2019, the administration set up Nigeria’s Nuclear Security Support Centre and developed a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture to serve as a sustainable safeguard for maintaining nuclear security and detection of radioactive materials out of regulatory control,’’ he said.

Buhari also reminded the Summit that the 1996 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice affirms that the threat or use of nuclear weapons constitute a crime against humanity and a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law.

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It was reported that Abubakar III made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 108th edition of Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) at IVC permanent site in Ogun State.

The event was organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B Zone.

The Sultan who spoke on Islamic law and the Nigerian constitution, said: “We must not take up arm over any issue or anybody.

“We must never try to fight, we must not enforce our rights on anything. But we as a leader, all of us as leaders, we will look at ways of getting our rights from the government.

“So never be provoked; don’t let any comment or any report from anywhere provoke you into taking up arms to fight.

“Why because that is what they want us to do to destabilise Nigeria. We will not destabilise Nigeria as muslims. We will walk as Islamic orders us to do.

“And In-shaa Allah we will build a better Nigeria where muslims are allowed to wear hijab anywhere and at any time.”

Abubakar III emphasised the need for muslims to remain calm over any issue concerning their faith.

“Like I said ,Almighty Allah will protect His religion, He will protect the Qur’an, His book.

“We will do our own part by remaining peaceful, by always abiding by the laws of our land.

“We are always talking to our leaders, especially the political leaders, on what should be done and what ought not to be done,” the Sultan said.

On his part, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, urged muslims to ensure that their wards get education.

The first class traditional ruler said this would reduce illiteracy, poverty and social vices.

He further admonished muslims on peace and unity to address various challenges facing them.

Sanusi II urged them to recognise, identify and address the internal problems challenging them which had led to increased poverty and social vices.

Also, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, enjoined those present at the event to take advantage of government initiative called ‘Better Education Service Delivery for All’ (BESDA) to reduce the number of out-of-school children in their communities.

“Let us struggle to get 10 pupils from your neighbourhood, town and village back to classroom.

“There is a programme now called BESDA, the federal government is spending so much on it, this is the best time to benefit because of tomorrow.

“Where we are today is because we failed to harness the opportunity of yesterday.

“There are opportunities to be taken today so that we can get the benefit of tomorrow,” Olaniyan said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Qaasim Odedeji, the Coordinator MSSN B Zone, said the IVC programme was organised by past generations of the leadership of MSSN to confront the evil associated with environmental influence of relating with non-Muslims ,especially during their festivities.

He said the festivities were intentionally designed to coincide with major school holidays.

“The programme has always given muslim students the opportunity of occupying themselves with the activities that would improve their knowledge of Islam and their faith in Allah,” Odedeji said.

He endorsed the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the need to improve the status of Shariah through amendment of the relevant sections of the federal constitution.

“The call for resignation of Chief Justice of Nigeria is laughable, unreasonable and unwarranted and a calculated attempt to intimidate CJN.

“The Nigerian legal system which the CJN presides over is not limited to Nigerian legislations, it also contains provisions of Islamic personal law,” he said.

Our correspondent also reports that the theme of the event was entitled ‘Unification’.

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The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said: “Nigerians do not need another spate of lawlessness and loss of lives all in the name of ‘revolution’, especially not one that is orchestrated by a man who makes his home in far away New York – and who can easily disappear and leave behind whatever instability he intends to cause, to wit, Nnamdi Kanu.”

The Presidency notes some of the insinuations in the media about the arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) of the agitator, Omoyele Sowore.

According to the presidential aide, the DSS does not necessarily need the permission of the Presidency in all cases to carry out its essential responsibilities that are laid down in the Nigerian Constitution.

He maintained that Sowore, who called for a revolution to overthrow the democratically elected government of Nigeria,” is a person of interest to the DSS.”

Shehu said: ”He did so on television, and from a privileged position as the owner of a widely read digital newspaper run from the U.S.

“He founded an organisation, Revolution Now, to launch, in their own words, “Days of Rage”, with the publicised purpose of fomenting mass civil unrest and the elected administration’s overthrow.

”No government will allow anybody to openly call for destabilisation in the country and do nothing.

”Mr Sowore is no ordinary citizen expressing his views freely on social media and the internet.

”He was a presidential candidate himself, who ran – and lost – as the flag bearer of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the Feb. 23 general elections.”

He further observed that Nigeria’s democracy was a long time in the making, and was achieved after ”decades of often harsh, military-led overthrows of government: the kind of situation Sowore was advocating.

”To believe in and desire armed revolution is not normal amongst ‘human rights activists’, as Sowore has been incorrectly described.

”Again, it is no surprise that he should be a person of interest to the DSS.” According to Shehu, Nigeria is already dealing with an insurgency that has left millions of people displaced and desperate in the northeastern region of the country.

”The Boko Haram militants, who are behind the violence, also fancy themselves to be fighting for some sort of revolution,” he added.

The presidential aide, therefore, opined that Sowore’s self-imposed predicament is a matter for the DSS, acting under its powers.

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The call was made in a statement by the Public Affairs Department of the U.S Mission to Nigeria in Abuja.

According to the statement, the conduct of the upcoming bi-elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states was important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent.

“The United States Government does not support any specific candidate or party in any Nigerian election.

“The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections”.

It was reported that elections are scheduled to hold on Nov. 16 in both states.

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The President, CAN Dr Samson Ayokunle, made the promised in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji on Monday in Abuja.

Ayokunle, who commended MACBAN for its peace initiative, promised to work with the leadership of the association in the quest for peace and stability of Nigeria.

The National Secretary of MACBAN, Othman Ngadzarna had led the delegation of the association to congratulate CAN president on his victory for the second term.

CAN president urged the leadership of the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to protect the image of President Muhammadu Buhari by exposing the criminal Fulani herdsmen in the country.

According to him, major problem is lack of leadership. We don’t have leadership that builds life but such that destroys life.

“Nigeria needs a detribalised leader, who will pick the best across all divides that will help him to govern the entire nation well.

”The leadership of CAN is not attacking President Muhammadu Buhari on religious ground.

”All we are asking the government for is to be more responsible and responsive to the yearning of the people of Nigeria, irrespective of their faith, ethnic background and political leaning.

”For example government should be able to provide basic amenities for the people as it is being done in other climes and security challenges must be addressed holistically,” he said.

Ayokunle said that good governance will surely change the current disturbing narrative, there is no reason why the criminals amidst us should not be brought to book.

”Now that you have said it is not all herdsmen that belong to MACBAN, then your association should stop justifying the atrocities being perpetrated by those criminals.

“The criminal herdsmen are giving the President bad name and the only way this can be stopped is by exposing those criminals that are carrying gun around, maiming and killing the innocent people.

”President Buhari is Fulani like you people and the best thing you can do for him is by exposing those criminals. This will make Nigerians not to reject another Fulani man who may want to rule,” he added.

He cited few instances to condemn the criminal herdsmen who are attacking and killing innocent people, saying “most of those who are angry with the Fulani herdsmen do not just hate them but they have been victims of attacks by suspected criminal herders.”

Ngadzarna said that MACBAN seeked for a date when leadership of MACBAN could come to hold dialogue with CAN leadership in their ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in the country.

He explained to Rev. Ayokunle that all the criminals pretending to be herdsmen were not their members.

”Those carrying AK-47 around are cattle rustlers who came from outside the country are capitalising on the porosity of our borders,” he said.

He also disclosed that there is another group of herdsmen who share same name with them, adding “they were also registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Ngadzarna further disclosed that the feud between the pastoralists and farmers were as a result of climate change, increase in population, illiteracy, cattle rustling and failure of government to address their needs.

He, however, noted that until of recent, the government had not deemed it fit to look into the root cause of the feud, adding that most of the negative stories making the rounds about MACBAN were fake news.

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Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.

In the telecast monitored by our reporter in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.

“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.

“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.

“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.

“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.

“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.

The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.

He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.

According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.

Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.

He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.

“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.

According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.

He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.

“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained.

The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.

“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.

“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.

He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.

“The Church is the Body of Christ, the fullness of Him that fills all things.

“We understand that by redemption we have been repositioned far above all principalities and powers. We also recognise that the Spirit of Faith is the guarantee for the dominion of the Saints over all gang ups of hell,” he stressed.

Oyedepo told his congregation that Shiloh is not a church anniversary, but a place for taking delivery of all their hanging inheritance in Christ.

“Shiloh is not a Church Programme, but a Mountain of answered prayers after the order of Hannah. Shiloh is ordained a platform for the rise of giants among us. Shiloh is a mountain of vision and revelation.

“Shiloh is a prophetic platform for the conferment of dominion both on us as a Church and as individuals, so as to subdue the land before us,” he added.

He said that prophetically, Shiloh was ordained a platform for conferment of dominion upon members of the Winners’ family and Nigeria at large.

“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.’’

According to him, the land was subdued before them “connotes dominion. Therefore, at this event, every participant shall encounter conferment of dominion in all areas of your lives’’.

The Bishop assured that every participant would have a definite encounter with the word of God for their supernatural change of story.

Oyedepo said: “While waiting on the Lord back in 1998 and inquiring about God’s master plan for Canaan land, among other things, God said, He would have us gather annually at Shiloh and that as we do, He will subdue the land before us by granting speedy delivery of our enviable inheritance in Christ.’’

It was reported that the event which started on Tuesday, would last through Dec. 9, with 55 countries in attendance while 150 other nations watched the proceeding online.

Angola, Botswana, Cameroun, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, France and Gabon are some of the nations represented at the Shiloh.

Others are Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and South Africa. While others from Swaziland Tanzania, Uganda, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Shiloh 2018 is the 20th edition of the annual Shiloh event of the Living Faith Church worldwide.

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Abubakar said this on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara, while responding to questions from journalists.

He advised those agitating for the restructuring of the country to follow due process and the rule of law.

Abubakar said that Nigeria had evolved through a long history which began as a region, expanding to additional regions up to what are now the 36 states and the FCT.

He said that the present administration was doing its best to restore the country’s lost glory and that this could only be achieved through the support of all Nigerians.

He said that he was in the state to check on his mining site in order to boost its potential, especially, now that the Federal Government was focusing on the non-oil sectors.

The former head of state commended the state government for the provision of infrastructure in the state.

Our correspondent reports that Abubakar was earlier received by the state deputy governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, who assured him of the state government’s willingness to support investors by providing them an enabling environment.

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