The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, took a swipe at the former Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Yerima for allegedly marrying an Egyptian minor. Aliyu spoke as a guest lecturer during the maiden edition of “International Conference of Private Universities in Africa,” at the Babcock University, Ilishan.
The governor who described Sharia as an Islamic law that teaches morals, lamented the criticism against it.
His words: ‘’Many people are now bringing in issues that are making Sharia to look like an archaic system, whereas it is more modern than the Western legal system.”
Sharia, according to him, has taken care of many things including peoples’ culture. “It is sickness that would make a man to be looking for small, small things.”
He lamented that when the womenfolk were reacting to the issue, the males were silent about it. “So, it is a sickness for a grown up adult to be looking for small things. It is time we stopped some certain things so that we can join the league of 21st century nations.”
Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governor’s Forum said there was nothing excellent in being a governor until he had been able to serve his people and charged his governor-friends to make people the centre of their programmes.
While challenging Nigerian youths to show interest in elective offices, Aliyu wondered why nobody who could be described as youths were among those who had so far expressed their interest in the presidential race.
His words: ‘’It is then wondered that the youths are not among those who have shown interest in the Presidential election. People that have shown interests so are people of the past. May be because the university is quiet, otherwise some people would have not shown their face even if they are invited’’
According to him if universities were alive to their responsibilities, leadership position would become a natural self-selection. ‘’Unless you are ready, you are prepared to subject yourself. Leadership must not be a way of making money. It must be a way of service. It must be a way of contributing to the development and progress of our dear country. We count on your for this’’, he stated.
The governor challenged Nigerian university professors to chart a way forward for our dear nations, not only through research but also through sustained, enlightened and broad-minded discussion and comments on national issues.
‘’You must keep the political class and indeed the society on its toes, as well collectively work towards the realization of our national aspirations’’, he concluded.
However, despite widespread condemnation Yerima, yesterday shunned an invitation to appear before an investigation team of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
Yerima was expected to appear before NAPTIP team of investigators in Abuja to answer questions on allegations bordering on his alleged involvement in a marriage with a 13-year Egyptian girl.
However, at about 6.00pm when Daily Sun left the NAPTIP Head Office at Wuse Zone 5, the Zamfara State Senator had not surfaced.
NAPTIP sources told Daily Sun that there was much doubts on the appearance of Yerima at NAPTIP office as expected because he was heard granting an interview on Egyptian radio on the alleged marriage.
NAPTIP had in a letter dated April 28, invited Senator Yerima stressing that his invitation was in compliance with section 5 and 58 (b) of the NAPTIP Act 2003 and 2005 as amended.
Sources at NAPTIP said the agency will still give Yerima up to end of this week to appear.
Source: www.sunnewsonline.com
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