The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Monday, 25th August, 2025, as the first Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.
Naijaonpoint reports that the declaration was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, and Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
He stated that the decision followed reports from the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon sighting Committee, which confirmed that no sighting of the new crescent was received from Moon sighting Committees across the Country on Saturday, 23rd August, 2025, corresponding to 29th Safar 1447AH.
It explained that Sunday, 24th August, 2025, would therefore be the 30th Day of Safar, thereby making Monday the First Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has faulted the proposed bill at the Senate seeking to officially designate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent Co-Chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
The Ohanaeze warned that such a move marginalises other ethnic nationalities and violates principles of fairness and equity.
The organisation, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, described the bill, which has already passed second reading, as discriminatory, ethnocentric and unjust.
Ohanaeze stated that it was “astounded” by the rationale behind the bill, accusing the Senate of utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of federal character, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
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