News
Breaking: NAHCON Formulas Work For Outbound Flights
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is hopeful it will conclude airlift of its 2024 Hajj pilgrims on or before 10th of June 2024. Yet to be airlifted are Sokoto with 568 pilgrims, Katsina with 1,107 pilgrims and Niger with 1,528 as at the time of writing this report totaling 4,025 pilgrims awaiting airlift.
A breakdown shows Max Air has 1,150 pilgrims on ground. The airline has three aircraft with a combined capacity of 1,540 passengers. FlyNas on the other hand positioned three aircraft, each with 432 seats, equaling 1,296 seats. FlyNas is to conclude Sokoto and Niger airlifts. Air Peace operated two aircraft one with 315 capacity and the other with 270 seats. But for a slight delay experienced yesterday with the last batch of Kwara pilgrims, Air Peace would have concluded its operation by now.
Among the successes recorded in the 2024 airlift is the spontaneous movement of pilgrims for take-off after screening. However, few incidents of sleepover in the camps were recorded, one being a Kaduna flight that witnessed less than 24 hours delay. Another was in Lagos and a third in Kwara after their plane experienced a technical hitch. Pilgrims in all cases were supplied with hot meals and mattresses to recline before movement to the airport for take-off.
Another success is the commitment of the airlines by keeping to the contract terms agreed upon before engagement. All carriers positioned the agreed number of aircraft and conveyed the pilgrims as scheduled.
Complete production of visas before commencement of the airlift removed pressure from pilgrims’ officials at state and federal levels. This eliminated delays associated with fishing out pilgrims with available visas to include in the manifests. It provided a clear picture of expected number of pilgrims to travel when due. Thanks to Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, the NAHCON Chairman’s insistence to maintain an end to visa production. The Chairman’s argument was that the Commission needed a number to work with no matter how few. He allowed visa production to end despite the allure of more numbers of pilgrims pleading to pay N8.3m.
Thus, the accuracy in number of registered pilgrims in turn facilitated real time planning leading to ample utilization of all hotel accommodations in Madinah, curtailing waste due to surplus rooms without arrival of commensurate number of pilgrims; or overcrowding due to inaccurate data.
The afore mentioned achievements resulted in NAHCON attaining 91% movement to Madinah in the first phase of the year’s operation. It is hoped that this percentage will be 100% by the end of airlift exercise.
Similarly, a deliberate cooperation between NAHCON’s aviation unit with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) in reviewing flight schedules weekly based on available slots removed previously experienced unstable airlift schedules. To date, among the few flight cancellations is a Maiduguri FlyNas trip that was postponed from 5th to 7th. The current Kwara flight was also shifted from late hours of 6th to 7th due to technical exigencies. All other rescheduled flights were at the behest of the states that appealed for it to allow them mop up before departure.
Timely issuance of Yellow Cards is another factor that facilitated a hitch-free airlift this year. Malam Arabi, in collaboration with the office of the Minister of Health ensured that the cards and vaccines were administered to pilgrims before commencement of the airlift. Flights had in the past been cancelled due to unavailability of Yellow Cards as evidence of vaccination. Yellow Card is mandatory for entry into the Kingdom.
Meanwhile last leg of Kwara pilgrims will be airlifted by Max Air tonight in agreement with Air Peace. The pilgrims have already been screened and awaiting signal to proceed.
Usara is Assistant Director, Public Affairs,
NAHCON
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Legislators’ Forum has strongly condemned the latest move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Senate approval for an additional external loan of $516,333,070, ostensibly for the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the regional leaders of the Forum: Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole ,PhDChairmanADC -National Legislators’ Forum African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Hon Nnenna Ukeje-SEHon Sergius Ogun-SSHon Ajagbe H -SWHon Zakari Mohammed -NCHon Koko Shehu -NWHon Maigari Bello M-NE stating that:
“This request is not only alarming but emblematic of an administration that has made reckless borrowing its default economic policy, with little regard for sustainability, accountability, or the wellbeing of future generations.
“While no responsible opposition undermines the importance of infrastructure development, we must ask: at what cost, and under what conditions? This government has failed to convincingly demonstrate that its endless appetite for loans is guided by a coherent, transparent, and economically viable repayment strategy.
“Instead, Nigerians are witnessing a troubling pattern; one where debt accumulation is prioritized over prudent fiscal management, innovation, and domestic resource mobilization.
“Nigeria is already weighed down by a crushing debt burden, with debt servicing swallowing a staggering proportion of national revenue. Yet, rather than confronting this reality with discipline and reform, the Tinubu administration continues to plunge the country deeper into what can only be described as a looming debt catastrophe. Each new loan tightens the noose around the nation’s economic sovereignty, leaving future generations to pay for today’s lack of foresight.
“Even more disturbing is the timing of this request. As the nation inches closer to a major general election cycle, Nigerians are right to question the motives behind this borrowing spree.
” Is this truly about development, or is it another attempt to create avenues for political patronage and electoral advantage? History has taught us to be wary of last-minute, large-scale financial commitments made under the guise of national interest.
“The ADC Legislators’ Forum insists that the National Assembly must not act as a rubber stamp or Pro group of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this matter.
“The Senate, in particular, must rise to its constitutional responsibility by demanding full disclosure of the project’s financial details, procurement processes, cost-benefit analysis, and a credible repayment plan.
“Anything short of this would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
“Furthermore, we call on the administration to redirect its focus toward policies that can genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s economy; policies that promote productivity, industrial growth, job creation, and the plugging of revenue leakages.
“Borrowing should never be a substitute for leadership, creativity, and accountability.
“We must clearly state that governance is not a free ride without consequences. Those who make decisions today that endanger the economic future of millions of Nigerians must understand that a day of reckoning will inevitably come. The Nigerian people will demand answers, accountability, and justice for policies that have deepened hardship and mortgaged the nation’s destiny.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. We can either choose the path of responsibility, discipline, and sustainable growth, or continue down this perilous road of debt dependency and economic vulnerability. The Tinubu administration must decide where it stands; but Nigerians are watching, and history will not be kind to those who fail this nation.
At least one ISWAP fighter has been captured alive while top commander identified as Abu Umar Bundi Munzir has been neutralised alongside 24 other insurgents in Borno.
The development followed a foiled coordinated attack on Kukareta community in Borno by troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theartre Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Maiduguri on Thursday, while providing situational update on the failed attack by ISWAP terrorists.
NAN report that the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Thursday, shortly after midnight, in an attempt to overrun the location but were decisively engaged by troops of Sector 2 in a sustained counter-offensive that lasted till about 3;00 a.m.
Abubakar said that during the encounter, the terrorists’ commander, Abu Umar Bundi Munzir, was reportedly among those neutralised as troops repelled the assault and forced the remaining attackers into a disorganised withdrawal.
The theartre commander also confirmed that a total of 24 other terrorists were killed in the operation, bringing the overall neutralised figure to 25.
”Troops subsequently conducted exploitation of the battlefield, leading to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns, two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns and three RPG tubes.
”Others include two mortar tubes, four hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and have since been stabilised, while an armoured reinforcement vehicle had its tyres damaged during the firefight.
He added that further exploitation operations were ongoing to recover fleeing terrorists bodies, and abandoned equipment along withdrawal routes reportedly marked by blood trails and medical items.
The commander described the operation as a significant success in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, noting that sustained pressure would be maintained to deny terrorist elements freedom of action in the North-East theatre.
(NAN)
The All Progressives Congress has officially rescheduled its presidential and governorship primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced the change in Abuja this Thursday, stating that the presidential primary earlier slated for May 15 and 16 will now hold on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries are set for May 21.
Meseko explained that the adjustment was made to align with the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the 2026 Electoral Act.
The party also confirmed that nomination forms will be available to all interested aspirants starting this Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, with no exclusive reservations for any individuals.
APC shifts presidential primary to May 23, 2026, releases revised 2027 election timetable
$516m loan request: Tinubu’s borrowing bonanza mortgaging Nigeria’s future
Troops repel attack, rescue abductees in Sokoto
-
Economy20 hours agoSee Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, April 23, 2026
-
News19 hours agoDSS arraigns El-Rufai for ‘invading’ NSA Ribadu’s phone conversation, now to face 5 count charge
-
News20 hours agoTwo soldiers wounded, 24 terrorists eliminated as troops repel attack in Yobe-Army reveals
-
News20 hours agoSouth Africa’s Police Boss Charged Over Controversial Health Contract
-
News17 hours agoWe’re not going to reverse reforms, Finance Minister, Oyedele tells investors
-
Politics15 hours agoADC may face disqualification from 2027 Election Ballot
-
News15 hours agoTinubu wants Senate’s approval of $516m fresh loan for Sokoto–Badagry Highway
-
News17 hours agoFCT minister Wike engages teachers over strike(Video)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login