7th May, 2021
PRESS RELEASE :
MURIC CONGRATULATES PANTAMI FOR BAGGING NEW AWARD
A leading media house in Nigeria, People and Power Magazine, has conferred the prestigious award of the Most Outstanding Minister of the Year Award on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. The ceremony took place yesterday, Thursday, 6th May, 2021.
Reacting to the development, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the minister. In a statement circulated among pressmen on Friday, 7th May, 2021, the human rights group described the award as meritorious and heart-warming. The statement was signed by the director of the human rights group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“We felicitate with the honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on the occasion of the conferment of the prestigious award of the Most Outstanding Minister of the Year 2021 by People and Power Magazine. It is meritorious and heart-warming. It is the greatest news of the year and the best gift of the media in 2021.
“People and Power Magazine has put the cap on the head that fits. The magazine has vehemently affirmed that not all Nigerians subscribe to the PHD (pull-him-down) syndrome. We commend this media house for coming out boldly to stand up for the truth at a time when many are playing to the gallery and making attempts at crucifying an innocent, highly gifted and hardworking man.
“This award is not for Pantami alone. It is another feather in the hat of President Muhammadu Buhari. Just as it takes the deep to call to the deep, so does it take the jewel to identify and associate with the gem among other collections. The award is also for all Nigerians of goodwill, for all men and women who stand for justice, fairness and objectivity. It is equally for those who believe in rewarding merit and shunning mediocrity. It is for those who stand up for the truth.
“MURIC is proud of Pantami. He is indeed a rare breed. We are greatly delighted to see an Islamic scholar perfectly combining Islamic intellectual brilliance with a robust appetite for information technology skills that has made him a nulli secundus asset dishing out first class services to Nigerians and pulling the rug off the feet of criminals and enemies of the people. It is quite noteworthy that those who gave the award mentioned the minister’s innovative projects in the ministry he supervises as the reason for the award.
“Our message to the Honourable Minister, Shaykh Pantami, is this: This is another motivation for you. Do not be downcast. You must forge ahead. Do not allow detractors to make you lose focus. Many are praying for you and despising your enemies. This award is an indubitable proof that millions of Nigerians appreciate you.
“Two verses of the Glorious Qur’an are most apposite here as they appear to be speaking directly to Shaykh Pantami. The first one says, ‘Is there any other reward for goodness other than good?’ (Hal jazaau al-ihsaan ilaa al-ihsaan? 55:60). The other complements and answers the hypothetical question as it responds, ‘Eat and drink to your heart’s content as a reward for your good work. This is exactly how We (Allah) reward those who do good’ Inna kadhaalika najzil-muhsiniin 77:43 – 44).
“The reward for Shaykh Pantami’s diligence, commitment to duty and patriotism is just beginning. Time will tell. There will come a time when Nigerians will look back and say, ‘We have a man who can do it. He has done it before’. The Glorious Qur’an says, ‘And remember Idris in the Book. He was a truthful prophet and we raised him to a lofty height’ (Wa rafa‘naahu makaanan ‘aliyan 19:56 – 57).”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
