Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

By: Our Reporter
 
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land for better performance. 
 
The Governor made the pledge during the presentation of the 2024 Hajj report by the Amirul Hajj team, led by the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, at the Government House on Monday.

Zulum described the 2024 Hajj as one of the most successful in recent years. “I want to assure you that during my tenure, “we have not seen such a degree of success in recent years. I was impressed by the way and manner our pilgrims were airlifted from Maiduguri to Madina and Jidda to Maiduguri,” Zulum stated.
 
He expressed particular satisfaction with the smooth airlift operations, the quality of services provided, the dedication of the Amirul Hajj team, and the conduct of the pilgrims.”
 
“I will continue to sanitise the system for greater productivity,” Zulum stated.
 
The governor also assured the public that he would review the report thoroughly and work towards implementing the recommendations. “Within the next few hours, I will go through the report clause by clause to ensure we implement the valuable suggestions made,” he promised.
 
Commending the committee for introducing innovative solutions, Governor Zulum highlighted the use of online media to inform pilgrims about their flight schedules and the publication of pilgrim names to ensure smooth operations. “The previous practice of calling names throughout the night, which was inefficient, has been eliminated,” he noted.
 
The Governor declared that, moving forward, the Borno State government will no longer cover the cost of excess luggage for defaulting pilgrims. “We have done it this year, but we will not do it next year. If anyone reports to the airport with excess luggage, they will bear the cost themselves,” Zulum stated. 
 
He directed the Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Board to inform all intending pilgrims for 2025 of this new policy.
 
Additionally, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of technology and the engagement of local government Hajj fare collectors to identify and eliminate individuals posing as pilgrims in the Holy Land.
 
Chairman 2024 Amirul Hajj team, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, announced that 1,803 pilgrims performed the 2024 Hajj, five pilgrims hospitalised in the Holy Land with no death recorded.
 
According to him, Governor Zulum has rendered enormous support to the pilgrims in areas of securing befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering the differential for Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) to the tune of 260 million naira, and payment of sacrificial animals amounting to 290 million naira.
 
Others include payment of 65 million Naira to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) as medical support and 25 million for excess luggage. 
 
“His Excellency has extended hands of fellowship to the entire 1,815 pilgrims, the Amirul Hajj team, and the National Hajj Commission by extension. Some of the support rendered by Governor Zulum to the pilgrims while in the Holy Land includes the release of 380 million naira to secure a befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering BTA differentials, and payment of Hadya for all the pilgrims, among other things,” Lawan said.
 
Senator Kaka Shehu identified excess luggage as one of the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj operations and emphasised that the success of this year’s pilgrimage was largely due to the unwavering support provided by Governor Babagana Zulum.

Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

Senator Kaka Shehu Gives Educational Materials to Gov Zulum

By: Our Reporter

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN recently presented 20,000 exercise books, whiteboards, markers, and mathematical sets to the Borno State Government, as part of his ongoing support for the state’s educational development.

This gesture complements the significant investments made by Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum in the education sector, especially following the devastating flood disaster of September 10th, which caused widespread destruction of homes and educational infrastructure.

In a brief ceremony at the Government House in Maiduguri, the items were handed over to Governor Zulum in the presence of key government officials and the press. Governor Zulum expressed his gratitude for Senator Lawan’s contribution, highlighting that this gesture is part of a broader effort that includes empowerment and capacity-building initiatives across various sectors.

He assured that the donated materials would be distributed to schools to support the education of pupils in the state.

This donation underscores the collaborative effort between the state government and key stakeholders to rebuild and improve the education sector, which has received global recognition for its transformative initiatives under Governor Zulum’s leadership.

Senator Kaka Shehu Gives Educational Materials to Gov Zulum

Allegations of Nigerian Government Sponsoring Terrorist Attack in Niger, An Attempt by Nigerien my to Cause Disaffection, Group Alleges

By: Michael Mike 22282222

The Republic of Niger allegation of Nigeria sponsoring terrorism group, Lakurawa td7jo topple the junta led administration in the francophone country has been described as nothing but fake news and a planned move to caused disaffection in Nigeria going by the strong brotherhood that exists between Nigerians and Nigeriens, a group has claimed.

The group, Coalition for t he Advancement of Peace and Democracy in West Africa through their scribe, Rahila Umar
said the actions of the junta was condemnable.

The military junta in Republic of Niger had alleged that Nigeria a longside some foreign countries aided a terrorist group, Lakurawa
in the 13th December 2024 attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, 2 2nknknWest Africa2, Secretary General of the group said findings have shown that the junta’s claims were false.

She said: “The Coalition for the Advancement of Peace and Democracy in West Africa condemns in very strong terms, the hostility directed at the Nigerian government by the Military Government in Niger Republic. The recent allegations by the Nigerien authorities that the Lakurawa terrorism group, that with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on the 13th of December 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic, is not only grossly misleading but pathetic, Nigeria has been at the forefront of fighting terrorism for more than a decade, sometimes even in conjunction with Nigerien soldiers.

“The public in Niger and Nigeria should note that the attack on the oil pipeline, inform that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities. They should be reminded that the Government and good people of Nigeria are strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.

“That the Nigerian Military has a strong history of not accommodating boots on the ground and the allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety. It is important to state that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial and Nigeria was never colonized by France and have no colonial allegiance to France.

“The Military government in Niger is advised to desist from using fake news to cause disaffection within the Nigeria populace with their propaganda. “

Allegations of Nigerian Government Sponsoring Terrorist Attack in Niger, An Attempt by Nigerien my to Cause Disaffection, Group Alleges