News
Edo Pilgrim Board To Airlift 412, 250 Persons Make Deposit
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The Chairman, Edo State Pilgrim Welfare Board, Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, has disclosed the 250 intending pilgrims have so far made deposits out of the 412 slots approved for the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Sheik Oyarekhua disclosed this in Benin on Saturday during a meeting with intending pilgrims and other Hajj stakeholders in the state on the 2024 Hajj operation.
According to him, “NAHCON allocates 412 slots to Edo state and about 250 intending pilgrims had made a deposit for the initial N4.5 million.
“But, as at Wednesday when we reconcile our books after the fare announcement, out of the 250 intending pilgrims, 123 have made full payment.”
Sheik Oyarekhua explained that the meeting with intending pilgrims and resource persons was to formally announce to them the final Haj fare for Edo pilgrims which is N4,899,000 million as announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON.”
He added that the meeting was also to let intending pilgrims know that the Hajj exercise regarding fare payment closed by February 12 while all remittance to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj operation must be done on or before February 26.
He noted it was as a result of the development that NAHCON fix the payment deadline for February 12 to enable them remit the money to Saudi authority.
“So anybody who is desirous of performing Hajj this year must pay his or her remaining balance on or before February 12,” he said.
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He explained that going by the rate people are coming forward for to make payment, he is optimistic that the state will exhaust the 412 slots, adding that given to it by NAHCON as those who have been waiting for the fare announcement are coming to make payment
He however expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki for the ongoing renovation of the Hajj camp and called on the contractor to expedite action on work and complete by middle of April before intending pilgrims to come to the camp
While calling on stakeholders to take the message down to the people, he charged the intending pilgrims to work with the board for a seamless exercise by paying the full amount and furnishing them with necessary documents for the Hajj.
News
Tinubu Fires Top Appointee Over Alleged N1.4 Billion Embezzlement
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President Bola Tinubu has sacked Sani Auwalu Balarabe from his position as HoD, Chief of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa, ICOH, over an alleged embezzlement of N1.4 billion during his tenure.
As far as one could gather from the People’s Gazette, the appointment of Balarabe was terminated on the 18th of July, following a spate of petitions that related to financial misconduct and investigations. The president appointed one Taiwo Olaniyi to replace him.
In January, several petitions were sent to the House of Assembly, EFCC, Ministry of Health, and other government agencies to investigate activities of Balarabe at ICOH. The petitions leveled accusations against Balarabe, saying that he had not conducted any research despite the institute receiving huge budgetary allocations, which is its core mandate.
One of the petitions dated January 16 had this: “Despite all these budgetary allocations, the centre has not produced a single oral health research project, which is its core mandate and the reason for its establishment.
It further brought to the fore that projects initiated under Balarabe’s administration, such as the construction of a remodeled dental clinic and administration block and the procurement of project vehicles, costing over N700 million, were never completed.
The petitions also accused him of backdating the appointment letters for new staff and paying them arrears of their salary, with such money to be returned to a particular account. These funds are said to have been applied toward some expenses at ICOH.
The sacking of Balarabe clearly typified President Tinubu’s commitment to corruption fighting and making those in charge of public institutions accountable.
News
Finally, IGP approves hunger protests across Nigeria
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The Nigerian police has finally approved the planned nationwide protests and outlined conditions for participants.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
He urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
The police boss said this was to ensure the protest was peaceful.
Egbetokun said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.
“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The police boss said the information expected from the organisers also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.
By providing the information, he said, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
He said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
Mr Egbetokun said the police will “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.
News
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