News
Hajj 2024: Gov Bala calls for decentralization of Hajj operations, decry $400 BTA
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240619-101430.png&description=Hajj 2024: Gov Bala calls for decentralization of Hajj operations, decry $400 BTA', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240619-101430.png&description=Hajj 2024: Gov Bala calls for decentralization of Hajj operations, decry $400 BTA', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has berated the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for disappointing Nigerians who are performing the ongoing 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Governor expressed his displeasure while interacting with the state pilgrims at Mina, the city of tents in Mecca as monitored by Tribune Online in Bauchi.
To this end, Bala Mohammed stressed the need to decentralize most of the Hajj operations in a manner that would allow state governments to take full control of Hajj affairs towards ensuring adequate welfare of their pilgrims who paid for Hajj seats through their respective States’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
He stated that in this year’s Hajj exercise, pilgrims were subjected to untold hardships due to the unfavourable policies introduced by NAHCON and relevant stakeholders.
The Governor specifically made reference to the provision of less than 500 US dollars as a Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) to each pilgrim despite the exorbitant charges of over N8m paid for a Hajj seat.
Mohammed therefore assured that the state governors would work collectively to break the monopoly of Hajj Affairs by NAHCON if measures are not taken to address the challenges identified.
The Governor then used the opportunity to announce a donation of 300 Saudi Riyals to each of the 2,680 Bauchi state pilgrims as Sallah gifts urging them to continue praying for the peace and stability of Nigeria particularly the success of government policies and programmes.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi while addressing the State contingents, explained that most of the challenges are beyond the control of the Commission.
He, however, commended the pilgrims for their patience and understanding towards achieving success in the Hajj exercise assuring that the Federal Government will look into all the complaints and work towards addressing the issues before the next exercise.
During the visit, the Chairman of HISBAH Committee, Kano State, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa also addressed the state pilgrims, commending Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his support and concern for the pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Abdulrahman Idris appreciated the concern of the Governor towards the welfare and well-being of the pilgrims in the Holy Land.
He said that the donation of the 300 Saudi Riyals would assist the pilgrims greatly and prayed Allah to reward the Governor abundantly.
TRIBUNE
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Suspected bandits have kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife on Matazu Road in Katsina State.
Security sources told PRNigeria that the couple was ambushed on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, while travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car.
The gunmen intercepted the vehicle and whisked the retired officer and his wife to an unknown location.
The driver escaped with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, a security source said.
The former DDI and his wife were waylaid by armed men on the route. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries and is receiving medical attention,” the source stated.
Security forces have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors, according to the source. Official confirmation from the military was still pending at press time.
—Rising concern in Katsina—
The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups in the North-West.
In recent years, several serving and retired security personnel have been targeted on highways linking Katsina to neighbouring states. PRNigeria reports that criminal groups now see high-profile individuals, including retired military officers, as lucrative targets.
Maj-Gen Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and was one of the Nigerian military’s most visible spokespersons during the counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram.
The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security along major highways and rural communities in Katsina, where residents continue to face kidnapping and banditry.
Credit :PRNigeria
Abia State Police Command has nabbed two suspects for conspiracy, attempted child theft and possession of hard drugs.
The Command which made this known on Saturday, named the suspects as Nzubechi Chinagorom and Chinonso Chibundu, indigenes of Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the Abia State.
In a statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, the Command said its officers apprehended the suspects through actionable intelligence, in collaboration with Olokoro vigilante personnel.
She stated that the suspects went to the residence of one Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo and attempted to forcibly take away her two-week-old baby girl.
DSP Chinaka said that the Nzubechi Chinagorom allegedly stabbed the nursing mother with a kitchen knife during a struggle, causing the baby to fall and hit her head on ground.
The police spokesperson said that the two suspects fled from the scene and ran into a nearby bush on realizing that the nursing mother, Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo cried out for help.
She added that the suspects were later apprehended at a bus stop
where they had reportedly gone to take hard drugs.
“The mother and child were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they received treatment and have since recovered.
“The suspects were apprehended, exhibits were recovered and investigation has been conducted at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Suspects will be charged to court on 2/06/2026,” Chinaka said.
Ex-Minister of Labour and Productivity, SellJoel Ikenya, has been declared winner of the governorship primaries conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State.
Mr Felix Hyat, the chairman of the election committee, who announced the results in Jalingo on Saturday, said Ikenya scored 34,173, to defeat Mr Dinshiya Usman, who polled 4,853.
Hyat, who described the exercise as free, fair and transparent, commended the state working committee of the party for the peaceful conduct.
Ikenya, in his acceptance speech, pledged to revive Taraba to her days of glory if elected governor in 2027.
“I will transform Taraba; I will change the state from salary base, to an industrialised state.
“My desire is to also revive the state infrastructure and attract more investors to boost the economy,” he said.
The governorship candidate, however, denied the allegations of factional PDP in Taraba.
“There is no factional PDP in Taraba; I don’t know where the other people are coming from.
“PDP in Taraba is one, and we do not have any faction in the state. We are working as one united family to reclaim our mandate from Gov. Agbu Kefas of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the Nyesom Wike led faction of the party had recently declared senator Emmanuel Bwacha as its governorship candidate in Taraba.
NAN
Insecurity: Gunmen abduct ex-Defence spokesperson Maj-Gen Rabe Abubakar, wife in Katsina
Breaking: PSG rule Europe again defeat Arsenal via penalty shootout
Police nab two for attempted theft of two-week-old baby in Abia
-
Metro23 hours agoPolice Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged ₦18m Romance Scam Targeting Malta-Based Victim
-
News22 hours agoThe Politics Of Maturity: Why Rivers May Need Healing More Than Victory
-
Politics22 hours agoNollywood Actress Gets 2027 Presidential Ticket
-
News23 hours agoAkpabio Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Endorses Re-Election as President Marks Three Years in Office
-
News22 hours agoNigerian Governors Propose ₦100,000 New Minimum Wage
-
News23 hours agoSouth African Lawmaker, MK Party Chief Whip Arrested Over Alleged R233,000 Salary Fraud
-
News22 hours agoLawyer Petitions NBC, Seeks Suspension of BBNaija Over Alleged Indecent Content
-
Sports22 hours agoBrazilian Teenager Fonseca Knocks Djokovic Out Of French Open
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login