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Ramadan: Ashraaf Foundation, Armed Forces wants citizen to balance religious rites, safety, national security
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, the Nigerian Armed Forces and others have called on Muslims across the country to always seeks ways to balance religious rites, public safety and national security.
They made the call at the 7th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayers for the Nation on Saturday in Abuja.
The Lecture with the theme; ‘Balancing Religious Rites and Public Safety: The Intersection of Ramadan, Hajj and National Security’ was organised by the Foundation.
The Chairman/Founder of the Foundation, Dr Sharafudeen Aliagan said the theme is a reflection of what is happening in the country, adding that it is wrong to sit on the fence when things are going wrong.
According to him, public safety and national security are very important in the life of each and everyone of us.
“So, we believe that in trying to observe the religious rites, we should be conscious of public safety and national security.
“Islam has five pillars as parts of the regions rites; strong believe in the oneness of Allah, believe in the messengers of Allah, Zakat, Fasting in the month of Ramadan and Hajj.
“In observing the Ramadan and fasting, we are to be conscious of public safety and national security. A fasting Muslim would not think of perpetrateling evil.
“He or she would be conscious of Allah along the spirit of Ramadan as a Holy Month, and it worthy to also note that, the Holy Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan.
“So all these will informed the consciousness of a fasting Muslim that Public safety and national security is very important and without them, we can’t have anything moving as far as the country is concerned,” Aliagan said.
He further explained that Hajj as one of the fifth pillars of Islam is one of the religious rites which a muslim must be well prepared before he or she observed it.
According to him, the preparation include, the consciousness of worshipping Allah, fear of God, closeness to Allah and having a clean heart.
He stressed that a Muslim could not go to Hajj with an evil mind, adding that Islam is peace, harmony amd tranquility, and in going to hajj, one has to be conscious of peace, harmony amd tranquility.
“If you fear Allah, you would not involve in kidnapping, perpetrate evil, go against the law of the land or do something that will be detrimental to the growth of the country.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa represented by the Director of Support Services at the Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Olatunji Bello urged Muslims to pray for the country regarding the scroge of insecurity.
Musa said he held in high esteem the Foundation for hosting the lecture and exploring ways including prayers for the nation to ensure that we overcome insecurity in no distant time.
“Let me correct a misconception; insecurity has always been in Nigeria and everywhere in the world. The only issue here is the social media that amplifies everything.
“The armed forces in the country has been doing a lot to deal with insecurity. We work assiduously with traditional rulers and others all over the country to ensure that everyone in this country is safe.
“We keep the nation safe, especially in the spirit of Ramadan. We want all Muslims to know that, in this period, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure that there is absolutely security amd peace in the land,” Musa assured.
Similarly, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, represented by the Director of Islamic Affairs at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Lawal Lukman commended Ashraaf Islamic Foundation for organising the lecture.
According to him, the Nigerian Air force is not only concerning about how to drop bombs and missiles, but also the spiritual well-being of its officers and the members of their families.
“When we guide our officers and their families towards getting closer to their creator, the more they become better in the society.
“However the efforts of our soldiers are yielding fruits and in our barracks, we don’t have issues, because we have religious peace, harmony and tranquility,” Abubakar said.
In same vein, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla represented by the Director of Policy at the Naval Headquarters, Real Adm. Malami Haruna said the theme of the lecture was vital for discussion.
He further explained that it is very important to find a permanent balance between religious organisations and ensuring public safety and national security.
“As we know, during the month of Ramadan, it is necessary to consider actions that will impact and contribute to the well-being of our people and country.
“The operation environment in place for the Nigerian Armed forces must be resolute to achieve the objective of restoring normalcy in our land,” (NAN)
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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