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2022 Hajj: Saudi authorities extend landing permits for NAHCON operation

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2022 Hajj: Saudi authorities extend landing permits for NAHCON operation

2022 Hajj: Saudi authorities extend landing permits for NAHCON operation

The  General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia has extended landing permits of Nigerian Hajj carriers from July 4 to July 6.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON),  Assistant Director, Public Affairs Division, Mrs
Fatima Usara made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

She explained that the extension was necessitated by excessive flight cancellations and flight delays.

She said from June 10 to June 13, nine flights were cancelled.

This, according to her, was due to reasons ranging from the inability of some States pilgrims boards to secure Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for pilgrims, insufficient funds for Visas and unavailable PCR test results.

She revealed that a total of 13 flights were cancelled with another 57 delayed take-offs, seven of which are in two digits, with the highest being 24 hours’ delay.

” It followed by 23 hours delay, 22 hours and lowest in this category are twice 10-hour delays. Only 13 flights are left on schedule out of the 65 outbound flights so far witnessed from the country.

” From Monday, July 4, the extension will commence to July 6 for one of the airlines whereas July 4 and 5 have been approved for the other airline.

” NAHCON sought the extension to enable it to transport its remaining pilgrims into the Kingdom for 2022 Hajj.

” Out of the 43,008 pilgrims expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia from Nigeria, 27,359, inclusive of 527 staff as well as committees and board members, under the government quota have been conveyed.

” Similarly, over 5,000 out of the 8,097 Tour Operators’ pilgrims with valid visas were moved through scheduled flights and other arrangements.”

She reiterated that no pilgrim would be left behind as long as that individual has valid travel documents.

” To buttress this fact, frequency of outbound flights improved to seven take-offs on Sunday and at full capacity too.

” Thankfully, one of the carriers, FlyNas, with its four aircraft, will fly four times daily thereby moving 1,732 each day.”

Usara, therefore, on behalf of the leadership of NAHCON appealed to intending pilgrims to remain calm and prepared for onward conveyance for the 2022 Hajj.

According to her, the commission regrets any tension and stress intending pilgrims might have experienced during this outbound journey to the holy land.

She said that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Zikrullah Hassan commends Nigerian pilgrims’ resilience and prays that they all attain acceptable hajj whose reward is jannatul Firdaus.

” Hassan assured that NAHCON management will review the operations to make sure that such inconveniences are never repeated.”

Also, Malam Umar Kaila, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Planet Travels, the sole agent of Flynas Airline of Saudi Arabia, said Flynas was ready and willing to ensure that no Nigerian pilgrims is left behind.

”As long as we get the right slots. We have four aircraft available for the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims. The issue now is the slots that will give us permission to go in and out of Saudi Arabia.

” It can be very limited but I believe going by our current operation most of the Nigerian pilgrims will be able to be in Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.

” So, I don’t think the pilgrims should have anything to fear about their transportation to Saudi Arabia. Flynas is ready and willing to partner with NAHCON to ensure that all pilgrims that paid will participate in this year’s hajj.”

Kaila disclosed that NAHCON allocated about 11,000 pilgrims to flynas to transport them to Saudi Arabia and as at Sunday July 3, the airline was able to transported 10,415.

” If not for the flight delayed arising from the inability of states pilgrims to mobilise pilgrims on time by now we will have finished transporting all the pilgrims allocated to us.

” We came up with a schedule that will enable us to evacuate all the 11,000 pilgrims that were allocated to Flynas. We were ready to deploy four aircraft to finish operation by June 27.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on June 26, NAHCON said that its request for more slots to enable more Nigerians to participate in this year’s Hajj exercise was turned down by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj body had requested for additional 5,000 slots to be distributed among State pilgrims’ welfare boards, subscribers through the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) as well as private tour operators. 

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NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

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NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have carried out a precision strike on a notorious bandit hideout in Kunti, within Sohon Gaya community of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Zagazola learnt that the operation followed credible intelligence reports of heightened bandit activities in the axis, with the criminals reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons, including assault rifles and heavy-calibre arms.

Sources confirmed that at about 1200hrs, two NAF helicopters were sighted conducting the successful strike on the location, which had been a source of terror to the surrounding communities.

In the aftermath of the air interdiction, friendly ground troops arrived the target area in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to secure the location, assess battle damage and mop up fleeing elements of the bandits.

The timely synergy between air and ground components ensured effective neutralisation of the threats while also restoring confidence among residents of Sohon Gaya community.

NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

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Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

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Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

By Halima Abdulkadiri 

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci on Saturday successfully wrapped up her ambitious bid to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest pot of jollof rice.

The reports gathered that Baci cooked approximately 200 bags of rice in a massive 22,619-litre pot, which measured six metres in both width and height. The cooking process lasted about nine hours.

She now awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records on whether her feat will be certified as a new world record.

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Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

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Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

By: Michael Mike

A bold, data-driven, tech-enabled, and financially intelligent strategy designed to revolutionize women’s health across Nigeria has been launched.

The project RenewHER (Renew Health Equity and Reform) is a Presidential Women’s Health Transformation Initiative, led by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH) and championed by Dr. Adanna Steinacker.

The launching was held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja on Thursday evening with the Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu.

At the Gala, the Women’s Health Digital Media and Communications Hub, a national advocacy and story telling platform was unveiled, which is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, spotlighting innovations, and driving conversations across six national priority areas: Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Adolescent Health and Menstrual Equity; Nutrition and Preventive Care; Healthcare Workforce and Access; and Coalition Building.

The evening also featured a Presidential Keynote Address, the premiere of the RenewHER campaign film, a cultural showcase, the Health Innovator Awards and a National Pledge Moment to mobilize long-term support for the initiative.

Speaking on the project, the SSA to the President on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinacker, said: “RenewHER is more than an initiative, it is a national call to action to redefine the future of women’s health and economic equity in Nigeria. Through the Women’s Health Nigeria Hub and Magazine, we a creating a movement that transforms policy, empowers communities, and inspires a new generation of champions for women’s health.”

Key strategic partners of the initiative include the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), and the Women in Healthcare Network (WIHCN), all supporting RenewHER to deliver measurable health outcomes, while creating economic opportunities for women through financial incentives, digital wallets, microgrants, skills training, and women-led health innovations.

Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

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