he Christian Association of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter, has congratulated the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Isa Pantami, on his promotion to the rank of a professor of Cyber Security.

In a letter written by the association’s secretary, Senior Apostle John Adedigba, on behalf of all the members of the caretaker committee, the body extolled Pantami for the feat describing him as a ‘son’.

Gombe CAN further claimed that Pantami had achieved a lot in his current position stating that he had made them proud.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Christian community in Gombe State, we happily rejoice and congratulate our own son and brother Prof Isa Ali Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, MCPN, the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy on your promotion to the rank of professor of Cyber Security and your two years in office.

“We join you, your family, Gombe State and Nigeria at large to celebrate this promotion, we are proud of you as a son in Gombe State and we pray that it will be useful to Nigerians and humanity at large.

“We are not unaware of your great achievement as the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, just to mention but few, the over one thousand completed projects and almost 400 ongoing projects in Nigeria under your supervision within two years with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, indeed you have made us proud as a son, we pray as a church that God will use you to achieve many more and you will finish well in Jesus name. Once again Congratulations.”

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This is despite the allegations against the Minister of his involvement in terror-linked activities.

“This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria,’’ Pantami was quoted as saying in one of his vicious preaching in the 2000s.

“Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” he was quoted to have also said.

In other audio clips that surfaced online, Pantami was also heard as sympathetic to Boko Haram members when delivering sermons at several worship centres in the 2000s.

However, Pantami claimed he had renounced his radical comments and said his views had changed over time. He said he had in the past 15 years been traversing the country to preach against terrorism.

Despite the Minister’s claim, most Nigerians said the minister ought to have resigned due to public backlash and be investigated by the authorities. Should he fail to resign, some commentators said he ought to be sacked by the President.

But the Presidency, showing support for Pantami, dismissed the possibility of sacking the controversial Minister because he had allegedly apologised for his radical views.