News
NAHCON allocates 860 Hajj seats to Yobe
NAHCON allocates 860 Hajj seats to Yobe
Alhaji Bukar Kime, Executive Chairman, Yobe Hajj Commission, said this when he spoke with the newsmen in Damaturu on Thursday.
He said 516 of the seats would be micro allocated to participants of Hajj Saving Scheme of Jaiz Bank, while the rest 344 seats were reserved for intending pilgrims under Pay-As-You-Go Scheme.
Kime said most intending pilgrims under Pay-As-You-Go had deposited money with the commission since 2019, advising them to raise the deposit to N2, 565, 265 per seat.
“NAHCON is yet to release the exact fare for the 2022 Hajj, which will be based on all Hajj components.
“Consequently, we are receiving N2. 5million per seat pending the release of tabulations from NAHCON.
“Depending on the figures released by the commission, intending pilgrims will either be requested to complete their payment or receive some refund,” he said.
He said the commission has commenced weekly sensitisation training for intending pilgrims on Hajj rites as well as rules and regulations governing the exercise.
Kime said it was compulsory for every intending pilgrim to receive COVID-19 vaccination at least 72 hours before his departure to Saudi Arabia.
The chairman listed individuals exempted from 2022 Hajj to include pregnant women, unscrupulous people, adults of 65 years and above and children under 18.
He said the state was awaiting communication from NAHCON on pre Hajj meeting to finalise arrangement on accommodation and feeding of pilgrims.
News
Gunmen kill man in Mangu, Plateau
Gunmen kill man in Mangu, Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
JOS, Sept. 7, 2026: Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, Operation SAFE HAVEN, have commenced efforts to track down assailants who killed a man in Kadun community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 6:08 p.m. on Sept. 6, when the troops responded to a report of an attack and killing in the community.
Upon arrival at the scene, the troops found the victim, identified as Mai Unguwan Sarkin Yamma, dead.
The assailants had, however, fled the area before the arrival of the troops.
The troops have commenced efforts to track and apprehend the perpetrators, while security operations are ongoing in the general area to prevent further attacks.
Gunmen kill man in Mangu, Plateau
News
Musa Spoke the Truth, But Northerners Are Turning His Words Into Another War
Musa Spoke the Truth, But Northerners Are Turning His Words Into Another War
By Murtala Bello
General Christopher Gwabin Musa spoke about issues that demand serious reflection, but sadly, some Northerners are turning his comments into another divisive political battle.
What should have been an opportunity to examine the challenges facing Northern Nigeria has quickly become a contest between supporters and critics of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Musa’s comments, particularly his assessment of El-Rufai’s administration and the divisions that emerged in Kaduna, should not be reduced to a personal confrontation between two prominent figures.
For me, the real question is not whether one supports Musa or El-Rufai. The question is whether the issues raised by the Minister of Defence deserve honest examination.
Northern Nigeria has suffered enormously from insecurity, communal violence, political disagreements and social divisions. Pretending that these problems do not exist will not make them disappear.
That is why I believe Musa was telling Northerners a truth that many people have been reluctant to confront. But instead of asking difficult questions, some people have chosen to attack the messenger.
Ironically, some of the same Northerners who constantly preach unity are now using Musa’s comments to deepen the very divisions they claim to oppose.
Every statement is being interpreted through political loyalty. If you support El-Rufai, you are expected to reject Musa completely. If you agree with Musa, you are immediately labelled as being against El-Rufai.
This is dangerous.
We cannot build a peaceful and prosperous North by making loyalty to individual politicians more important than the welfare of ordinary people.
Whether Musa is right or wrong on particular allegations, his comments provide an opportunity for Northerners to examine what happened in Kaduna and other parts of the region.
If there are claims that are inaccurate, let them be challenged with facts. If there are allegations that require evidence, let evidence be presented. But shouting, insults and political mobilisation will not solve anything.
The North has more serious problems to worry about than political quarrels. Banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, unemployment and the destruction of livelihoods continue to affect millions of our people.
Our leaders and citizens must therefore learn to separate issues from personalities. Criticising a former governor should not become an attack on an entire region, just as defending a former governor should not require dismissing every concern raised about his administration.
I am particularly concerned that some Northerners are turning Musa’s comments into an ethnic or sectional argument. That is precisely the wrong direction. We should be seeking reconciliation, understanding and justice rather than reopening old wounds for political advantage.
General Musa did not create every division that exists in Northern Nigeria. His comments have simply brought some uncomfortable questions back into public discussion.
The mature response is to confront those questions honestly. We must be able to say where our leaders succeeded, where they failed and what lessons should be learned without turning every conversation into a political war.
The North needs truth more than propaganda, accountability more than blind loyalty and unity more than political hero worship.
So, rather than turning General Musa’s comments into another divisive controversy, Northerners should listen carefully, examine the facts and ask ourselves what must be done differently.
Musa spoke the truth as he understood it. Our responsibility is not to turn that truth into another war, but to use the conversation to heal our divisions and build a better North.
Murtala Bello wrote in from Sokoto
Musa Spoke the Truth, But Northerners Are Turning His Words Into Another War
News
Yobe: Governor Buni urges media professional on reporting truth
Yobe: Governor Buni urges media professional on reporting truth
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN has tasks media to use there profession to communicate truthfully, explain policies clearly, listen to citizens and strengthen public confidence.
Governor Buni made this known today while declaring open a one day Yobe Media Summit, “Harnessing Digital Tools For Community Impact and Engagement,” at NEDC Events Center, GGC Damaturu.
Ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, FRSH . He said digital technology has transformed how citizens receives information, express their views, engage government and participate in public affairs.
“Your role goes beyond photographs, press statementse and social media posts, occupy an important space between government and the people.” Governor Buni said.
“This summit addresses practical contemporary issues, including the effective use of digital tools for community engagement, women and youth participation in media, fake news and disinformation, algorithm literacy, responsible content creation and the measurement of social media impact.
According to Governor Buni, over the last seven years, our administration has remained guided by the philosophy of continuity and consolidation, building on established foundations while expanding development across our 17 local government areas.
“I also encourage our media assistants to develop deeper knowledge of particular sectors rather than every body attempting to communicate everything, and our people live in wards, villages and communities, and many communicate most effectively in languages they understand and through institutions they trust.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Home Affairs, Culture and Information, Hon. Abdullahi Bego said the media landscape was evolving rapidly due to advances in communication technologies and the expansion of social media platforms.
Bego further maintained that government had recently organised a workshop in Kano for media aides to the governor and other political appointees, where participants were trained on the effective use of social media.
Yobe: Governor Buni urges media professional on reporting truth
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