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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
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.
The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.
The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four persons have been arrested over an attack on the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State who was returning from a condolence visit in Shagari Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deputy governor had visited Shagari town to commiserate with victims displaced by recent bandits’ attacks on their villages when angry displaced persons attacked him.
“On his way back around 1 p.m., the convoy was obstructed by displaced persons who blocked the road and vandalised some vehicles in the entourage.
“Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, swiftly cleared the obstruction and restored order.
“Four suspects were arrested at the scene and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet investigation,” sources said.
The sources added that calm had since returned to the area, while security had been reinforced to forestall further disturbances.
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
By: Zagazola Makama
Twenty persons, including the village head of Tungan-Sule in Malale District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger, have drowned in a boat mishap.
Sources said the tragedy occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 2 when a locally made wooden boat carrying the victims capsized while on transit between Tungan-Sule and Toduga villages.
According to the sources, all the passengers were drowned before the arrival of the rescue team.
“The bodies were later recovered and buried at the riverbank according to traditional rites,” said the sources.
The sources said that police and local authorities had visited the community to commiserate with the families of the deceased.
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
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