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NAHCON releases fresh developments on 2024 Hajj

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has released fresh developments on 2024 Hajj.

The commission in a signed by Fatima Usara, Assistant Director Public Affairs said: “It appreciates the high level of understanding and concern that have been demonstrated to it publicly and privately over the 2024 Hajj fare dilemma it has plunged in.

This show of support gives the Commission hope that stakeholders would leave no stone unturned for the success of the forthcoming Hajj exercise. At this juncture, the Commission finds it imperative to give clarity regarding the 2024 Hajj fare arrangements.

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It is widely acknowledged that Hajj preparation follows a strict time line. As for the 2024 Hajj, the preparatory time line released by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah began earlier than usual and is expected to end before its normal timing. NAHCON endeavored to adhere to the schedule outlined by the Ministry.

However, non to late remittances of Hajj fare by those concerned necessitated adjustments, resulting in two date shifts with the final being 12th of February 2024. Recall that as at 31st December 2023, Naira was still at N897:00 to a Dollar at the banks.These shifts unfortunately pushed the Hajj fare collection deadline to fall after harmonization of foreign exchange rates, presenting a new and significant challenge.

What the harmonization meant in the Hajj fare equation was that in the face of global financial challenges, coupled with the new forex policy, Nigerian pilgrims would now be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite having already paid the fixed fare of about N4.9 million, depending on the departure zone as approved by government.

Federal Government saw wisdom in deliberately intervening on behalf of the Nigerian intending pilgrims through various strategies including persuading cost reductions. Unfortunately, the interventions could not cover the entire number that had met the final registration deadline. This had remained the Commission’s dilemma. To make matters worse, now about 50,000 pilgrims under the Public Quota have paid the hitherto announced fare of about N4.9million and their payments are currently under the custody of the Commission.

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Considering the urgency of the situation, NAHCON was forced to explore various options, including encouraging State Governments and affluent individuals to intervene on behalf of their pilgrims. This window still remains open. This will compliment the intervention of the Federal Government that went the extra mile to support the Nigerian Muslim pilgrims in the discharge of their religious obligation. Commendably, government’s policy focus of bringing down the exchange rate has given the Hajj fare reduction a boost.

The good news now is that with Naira having appreciated to N1,474.00 to a Dollar over the preceeding week and after due consultation with stakeholders, coupled with NAHCON’s desire to ensure equatible spread of the Federal Government’s intervention to all the already registered pilgrims whose payments have been received, the Commission resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 in accordance with the current foreign exchange rate.

Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024.The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March and no other payment would be accommodated after.

Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status. Below is a table detailing number of pilgrims that have paid the Hajj fare according to states and they remain the number expected to benefit from the intervention:

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S/N
STATES
ACTUAL NO.OF SEATS PAID FOR

1
ABIA

2
ADAMAWA
1,767
3
A/IBOM

4
ANAMBRA

5
BAUCHI
2,290
6
BAYELSA
13
7
BENUE
87
8
BORNO
1,780
9
C/RIVER
0
10
DELTA
40
11
EBONYI
13
12
EDO
265
13
EKITI
186
14
ENUGU
18
15
FCT,ABUJA
2,489
16
GOMBE
1,262
17
IMO
98
18
JIGAWA
1,260
19
KADUNA
4,656
20
KANO
2,906
21
KATSINA
2,654
22
KEBBI
3,344
23
KOGI
13
24
KWARA
3,100
25
LAGOS
1,857
26
NASARAWA
1,866
27
NIGER
3,200
28
OGUN
925

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29
ONDO
491
30
OSUN
1,548
31
OYO
1,047
32
PLATEAU
1,345
33
RIVERS
42
34
SOKOTO
3,563
35
TARABA
1,000
36
YOBE
1,290
37
ZAMFARA
1,596
38
ARMED FORCES
403

TOTAL
48,414

However, any new registration for 2024 Hajj from today, 24th of March will attract the full sum of N8,225, 464.74 from the Adamawa/Borno axis. From the North zone,fresh depositors will pay N8, 254, 464.74 whereas fresh payments from the Southern zone will attract N8, 454, 464.74 as Hajj fare. All categories are to pay within the same deadline.

While the Commission regrets the short notice, it has become inevitable due to Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s stern warning to Nigeria regarding the delay in adhering to the Hajj arrangement framework. Before now, NAHCON had pleaded for an extension which had been reluctantly granted and now the Ministry’s patience is wearing thin.

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As for those who wish to withdraw their registration for the 2024 Hajj, they are advised to formally request for refund from their states which will be treated with all seriousness.

The next four days are crucial for stakeholders, especially those willing to intervene in support of their pilgrims, to take necessary actions and ensure smooth Hajj arrangements.

NAHCON remains committed to facilitating the pilgrimage experience for Nigerian Muslims and seeks cooperation from all parties involved.

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Nigeria Targets Electricity Access for 300 Million Africans by 2030 – Speaker Abbas

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is taking a frontline role in the push to expand electricity access across Africa, to help power about 300 million people on the continent by 2030.

The Speaker disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held in Lagos on Monday.

The conference brought together lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to explore renewable energy solutions and legislative frameworks for boosting access and affordability.

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Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion funding package for Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, and described it as a major boost for energy inclusion.

According to him, Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank and African Development Bank demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to clean, sustainable energy for underserved communities.

He said: “This initiative speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead by example on the continent. It is about more than power, it is about development, opportunity, and progress.

“On the continental stage, Nigeria has assumed a leadership role. Through our participation in the Mission 300 Initiative with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, we are working to provide electricity to three hundred million Africans by 2030.
“While progress has been made, the road ahead requires sustained effort. The success of this transition depends on coherent actions across all institutions. Legislators must establish sound legal foundations. The executive must implement with integrity and urgency. The private sector must invest in innovation and scale. Civil society must foster awareness, inclusion and accountability. This conference, therefore, provides an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment”.
Speaker Abbas pleaded that the momentum built so far should not be allowed to be lost and that the resolutions should lead to concrete outcomes, including model legislation, greater investments, and the adoption of new technologies.
The Speaker reaffirmed Nigeria’s internal strides toward a clean energy transition, highlighting the legislative reforms championed by the 10th House of Representatives, which includes the recent establishment of a Standing Committee on Renewable Energy, that coordinates national efforts in expanding access to clean power.
“Our legislative agenda recognizes energy reform as central to our national priorities. Strategic Objective 8.5 aims to promote renewable energy development while ensuring access, efficiency, and environmental responsibility”.
The Speaker cited recent legislative milestones by the House to include: passage of new tax reform bills that eliminate Value Added Tax (VAT) on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technologies. These reforms, according to his, are designed to stimulate private investment and enhance affordability in the clean energy sector.
He assured that the House is also working to provide legal backing for Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (REEEP) 2015, a framework that seeks to boost renewable energy adoption, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.
Speaker Abbas further noted that the urgency to transition to clean energy is no longer optional, citing global energy trends that show a decisive shift toward renewables. He noted that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 92 percent of new global power generation capacity, driven primarily by solar and wind, bringing the world’s total installed capacity to over 4,448 gigawatts, a 15% year-on-year increase.
He also referenced international investment figures from 2023, where $1.7 trillion of the $2.8 trillion total global energy investment was directed toward renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric mobility.
“This is a structural reorientation of the global energy economy,” Abbas said. “Nigeria must align with this reality to stay relevant, competitive, and environmentally responsible.”
He pointed to legislative successes in countries such as Egypt, Germany, and members of the European Union, where robust legal frameworks have accelerated clean energy expansion. He called for African parliaments to emulate such examples through strong laws, decentralized energy strategies, and support for independent power producers.
Speaker Abbas commended the Tinubu administration for key energy policy reforms, particularly the Electricity Act of 2023, which devolved control over the power sector to sub-national governments, thus encouraging localized energy solutions and private-sector participation.
He said of the $1 billion approved by the President Tinubu, $750 million is earmarked for expanding solar access in underserved areas, resulting in the deployment of 124 mini-grids and over 25,000 solar home systems, benefiting more than 200,000 Nigerians.
“Such bold investments are game-changers,” the Speaker said. “They show what is possible when policy, financing, and legislation align.”
The Speaker reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to its Energy Transition Plan, which lays out a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. He also welcomed the launch of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025, aimed at unlocking climate finance and enhancing project viability.
He emphasized that legislative support, policy innovation, and private-sector engagement are all required for the success of Nigeria’s green transition.
Abbas said that legislators must enact and enforce strong legal foundations, while the executive branch must implement these policies with urgency and integrity.
“The private sector must invest boldly, and civil society must foster awareness, inclusion, and accountability,” he added.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the conference to develop concrete resolutions, model legislation, and partnerships that will deliver tangible results.
“Let us not lose the momentum we’ve built,” Abbas said. “Let this conference be remembered not just for the conversations it sparked but for the change it inspired,” he said.
Speaker Abbas underscored the importance of continental collaboration. He lauded the participation of fellow African parliamentarians and emphasized the value of cross-country learning in strengthening regional capacity for renewable energy development.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, called for urgent action, as Nigeria’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, despite its vast reserves, has failed to provide reliable electricity, stifling economic growth and productivity.
Ogene noted that while fossil fuels are vital to the economy, the country must diversify its energy sources to ensure sustainability and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.
“The persistent power supply challenges we face are not just a technical issue, they are a barrier to our national development. To move forward, we must embrace renewable energy as a critical component of our energy strategy,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of legislative action, Ogene stated the recent steps by the House to ensure government agencies transition to renewable energy sources for their operations.
He also revealed that the Committee had launched investigations into the management of past renewable energy investments, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in future projects.
“The transition to renewable energy is not just about power generation; it’s about creating economic opportunities, especially for our youth. Every solar panel and clean energy initiative represents potential jobs and skills development,” Ogene added.
Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the Conference was not just a testimony to the increasing urgency to address energy challenges, but also a call to policymakers, legislators, investors, community and innovators to take action towards shaping a sustainable energy future.
Represented by Ghana’s First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, he called on African legislators to play a central role in driving the continent’s transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that sustainable energy is vital for Africa’s development and climate goals.
Ahiafor applauded Nigeria’s efforts in convening stakeholders to identify legislative and policy gaps in the renewable energy sector. He stressed the need for inclusive policies that attract investment, expand energy access, and support local industries.
Citing global data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), he noted that over 80% of new electricity capacity in 2023 came from renewable sources, signaling the rapid pace of the global energy transition.
However, he cautioned that Africa remains underpowered, with more than 600 million people still without access to electricity despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources.
He spotlighted Ghana’s progress in the sector, including utility-scale projects like the 50MW solar PV farm and the sub-region’s first floating solar plant.
He also highlighted Ghana’s off-grid initiatives and favorable policies like net metering, tax incentives, and green financing through programs such as SUNREF and the Green Climate Fund.
Ahiafor emphasized the importance of legislative backing in energy reform, referencing Ghana’s Renewable Energy Act and other key laws.
He also reiterated Ghana’s commitment to international agreements like the Paris Accord and Sustainable Energy for All.
He urged African nations to work collaboratively across borders to power homes, schools, and industries with clean, affordable energy, stressing that a just and inclusive transition is essential to ensure no community is left behind.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Atafuah, said the cost of inaction was too high.
She said the world is reorganizing around energy, minerals, and climate security, adding that the next superpowers will be those who master the green value chain.
Atafuah said Nigeria has the people, the resources, and the influence to lead but leadership requires courage, vision, and legislative action.
She said today, the world stands at a critical moment with rising planetary challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity stress geopolitical realignments. amidst even more significant
Atafuah said this is a defining moment for Nigeria’s development journey, where energy is not only a development necessity but a cornerstone of economic competitiveness, national security, and global positioning.
She said as countries across Africa and around the world make bold strides to secure their energy futures and critical mineral assets, the choices Nigeria makes today will shape its trajectory for decades to come.
She said UNDP and the United Nations stand ready to support, through scalable solutions, policy design, technical assistance, financing models, and strategic partnerships.
She urged that the Conference should mark the deepening of Nigeria’s energy and mineral economy, clean, competitive, and globally relevant.
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Court delivers another judgement in favor of Amaewhule, others on Rivers Assembly crisis

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a case brought by lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the positions of 27 State House of Assembly members that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Obile, who explained that the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, remain valid members of the House.

This follows an earlier Supreme Court decision in February that had also refused Governor Fubara’s push to remove the defected lawmakers.

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Governor Fubara’s legal team, headed by Yusuf Ali, had already withdrawn the appeal at the Supreme Court, stating that new developments had overtaken the matter.

The Rivers Assembly, represented by Wole Olanipekun, did not oppose this withdrawal.

The case at the Federal High Court was filed by three pro-Fubara lawmakers — Victor Oko-Jumbo, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and Sokari Goodboy Sokari — who asked the court to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant since they left the PDP, the party under which they were elected.

But the court ruled that their defection did not break any constitutional rule that would force them out of office.

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“This court cannot close its eyes to the binding precedent of the Supreme Court, which in February recognised the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule. That decision, being from the apex court, is final and conclusive,” Justice Obile ruled.

Speaker Martins Amaewhule reacted positively to the judgment, saying it confirmed their right to stay in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s supporters were disappointed by the decision.

This ruling marks another chapter in the political struggle between Governor Fubara and the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly, a conflict that has been ongoing since the December 2023 defections.

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For now, the pro-Wike lawmakers have secured some breathing room, even as tensions continue between both camps.

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Reps Minority Caucus condemns unlawful detention of VDM, demands his immediate release

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…says we can’t standby watch state agencies abuse their powers

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has condemned in the strongest terms the arrest and continued detention of social campaigner and activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement jointly signed by the HoR caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Leader, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali. Isa J.C Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki., Deputy Minority Leader,,Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
Deputy Minority Whip, the opposition leaders declared that:

“The disturbing trend of security and law enforcement agencies deploying their powers arbitrarily against citizens exercising their rights to free expression poses grave threats to our democracy.

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“We must state clearly that such acts, cloaked in the guise of enforcement, erode public confidence in the rule of law and undermine the principles of accountability and transparency.

The caucus insisted that: “The arrest of Mr. Otse which reportedly took place without the issuance of a warrant is a direct violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) that guarantees the liberty of the citizen except in accordance with the due process of law. Sections 35(1) and 35(3) of the Constitution stipulate the conditions under which a person may be deprived of their liberty and require that any person arrested must be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and any charges against them.

“The EFCC, like every other agency of government, is bound by these constitutional provisions and must not act outside their bounds.

“Moreover, the continued detention of Mr. Otse beyond the constitutionally permissible period of 24 to 48 hours without being charged to court is not only an abuse of power, it is also a blatant affront to the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.

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“The Constitution, under Section 35(4), provides that a person who is arrested or detained must be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time, which, in the case of an arrest without a warrant, shall not exceed two days.

“Any deviation from this is a breach of the citizen’s fundamental rights and a descent into lawlessness.

“As the voice of the opposition in the National Assembly, the Minority Caucus calls on the EFCC to immediately release Mr. Otse or charge him to court in accordance with the law.

“Arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions of citizens for expressing dissenting or unpopular views must have no place in a democratic society.

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“The preservation of liberty, due process, and respect for constitutional rights remain the bedrock of our republic. We will not stand idly by while state agencies abuse their powers to suppress voices that challenge the status quo in line with the laws.

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