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STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
HAJJ 2023: VP SHETTIMA COMMENDS HAJJ COMMISSION, URGES IMPROVEMENT IN PILGRIMS’ WELFARE, EDUCATION
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for a successful 2023 hajj operations in spite of many challenges faced by the Commission.
Sen. Shettima gave the commendation today when he received briefing from the management of NAHCON led by the chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Vice President, “we have to offer praises to Allah for the successful conduct of 2023 hajj, in spite of harsh conditions faced by people in the Saudi Arabia occasioned by the climate change and other factors. The temperature rose to unimaginable level, though Nigeria was not the only country affected by the effect of the climate change.”
While commiserating with the families of the 29 pilgrims who died during the 2023 hajj, Vice President Shettima urged the Commission “to learn lessons from the last Hajj operations and gird our loins and make efforts to address all the short comings in the upcoming hajj operations.”
Speaking on the welfare of 95,000 pilgrims which performed hajj last year, Vice President Shettima remarked that the welfare of the pilgrims is at the core of the pilgrimage and as such the Commission must give it the priority it deserves.
He advised the management to make adequate preparations to take care of the pilgrims, noting that though it is a spiritual exercise, the Commission must not neglect the wellbeing of pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy land.
Emphasizing the need to develop a robust mechanism to curtail the challenges faced by the people, he stated that “it is absolutely essential that we review this mechanism and make it practical and effective to give us maximum success in managing the hajj operations from year to year.”
On the problem of the volatility of the exchange rate on the Commission’s finances which was caused by the unification of the different forex windows, the VP advised the management to be proactive as it prepares for the future, stating “you have to rigorously review your exchange rate and come up with a much more acceptable figure.”
He further advised them on the need to educate pilgrims on their rights in the holy land by making use of the social media platforms and other traditional media to enhance your visibility.
The Vice President also commended the Commission on the various initiatives to further enhance its activities especially the launching of Hajj Savings’ Scheme, the Hajj Institute of Nigeria and Public Private Partnership Arrangements for Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Ilorin Projects.
Earlier during his briefing, Alhaji Hassan disclosed that last years’s hajj was successful largely due to the prompt airlift of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the provisions of accommodation to pilgrims, feeding and efficient medical services at all phases of the hajj activities.
It would be recalled that recently President Bola Tinubu put the supervision of NAHCON under the Office of the Vice President.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
Bandits kill seven, abduct three in Sabon Birni border attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
At least seven persons were killed and three others abducted when armed bandits attacked Kyara village, a remote border community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in the early hours of Thursday.
Sources said the attack occurred at about 4:00 a.m. in the village, which lies close to the Niger Republic border and has no mobile phone network coverage.
The bandits, who were said to be in large numbers and armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the community, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents.
During the attack, seven persons were shot dead, while two others sustained gunshot injuries. Three villagers were also kidnapped, and an unspecified number of domestic animals were rustled.
Joint security forces were immediately deployed to the area after the incident was reported. On arrival, they evacuated the corpses and the injured victims to a hospital for autopsy and medical treatment.
Troops have since launched a manhunt for the attackers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims, recovering the rustled livestock and arresting those responsible.
Confidence-building patrols are currently ongoing in and around Kyara village to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
Bandits kill seven, abduct three in Sabon Birni border attack in Sokoto
Five injured in suspected IED blast on Bukuyum road in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Five persons have been seriously injured following a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) explosion along the Takalafiya–Gadar Zaima Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday when a motorcycle conveying five passengers ran into an explosive device believed to have been planted by armed bandits targeting security patrols in the area.
The device detonated on contact, causing a loud explosion that severely damaged the motorcycle and left all five occupants with serious injuries.
Following the incident, security operatives immediately closed the road to traffic and advised residents to stay away from the area pending a thorough safety assessment.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Gummi, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Movement along the Takalafiya–Gadar Zaima axis remains restricted as security agencies continue to monitor the situation and clear the area of any further threats.
Five injured in suspected IED blast on Bukuyum road in Zamfara
Three killed in fatal road accident at gaggaba village in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three persons were killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident at Gaggaba Village, Fune Local Government Area of Borno State, early Wednesday morning.
Sources said the accident occurred around 1:20 a.m. when a Daf trailer with registration number DAL 964 YY, driven by Mal. Abubakar, 35, of Maiduguri, traveling from Lagos to Maiduguri, was involved in a collision with a Mitsubishi Canter truck, registration XA 437 NNR, driven by Salisu Ibrahim of Dirra Village, Fune LGA.
The Canter reportedly veered at full speed from its lane and rammed into the Daf trailer, causing the trailer driver and two passengers to fall unconscious. They were immediately rushed to General Hospital Damagum, where the driver and two passengers were pronounced dead by medical personnel.
Three killed in fatal road accident at gaggaba village in Borno
Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican
One dead, four injured in communal clash in ngidoje village in Yobe
Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna
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