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Bauchi Govt subsidies Hajj fare hike by 50%
To alleviate the financial burden of the increased Hajj fare on pilgrims from the state, Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed has approved a 50 per cent subsidy, amounting to N950,000, for the 2024 pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The National Hajj Commission increased the fare for the 2024 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by N1,918,032.91.
Concerned over the development, the state government said it will pay a subsidy of N959,000 for each of the 1,652 intending pilgrims from the state, totalling N2.5 billion.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Governor.
The statement reads: “In a landmark decision aimed at facilitating religious obligations and enhancing the welfare of its citizens, His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State, has approved the subsidy of Hajj fare for all intending pilgrims from the state.
“This historic move was sequel to the recent announcement by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCOM) on the adjustment of the 2024 Hajj fare, where intending pilgrims are now required to pay an additional sum of one million, nine hundred and eighteen thousand fifty naira (N1,918,050) only.
“In line with the foregoing, the Bauchi State Government, under the inspirational leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, has subsidised the sum of nine hundred and fifty-nine thousand, twenty-five naira (N959,025.00), which stands at 50% of the above additional fare for each of the 2,290 intending pilgrims from Bauchi State.”
“In view of the above development, the governor has equally approved the immediate release of the sum of two billion one hundred and ninety-six thousand, one hundred and ten naira (N2,196,110) only for the payment of the subsidy fare.
“This unprecedented development underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that Muslim faithful in Bauchi State have the opportunity to fulfil their sacred duty of performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam.”
“By subsidising the Hajj fare, the government aims to alleviate the financial burden on intending pilgrims, thereby enabling more citizens to participate in this revered religious obligation. This initiative also aligns with the government’s efforts to promote inclusive governance and ensure that every citizen has equal access to opportunities and resources.”
News
Tinubu To Hold Maiden Presidential Media Chat Tonight
President Bola Tinubu will hold first presidential chat since assuming office on Monday night.
Accoding to a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the chat will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on the stations of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast.
“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
“All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast,” the statement.
News
‘Putin waiting to meet me as soon as possible’ to end Ukraine war – Trump
The US President-elect took to the stage AmFest in Phoenix to talk about his contact with the Russian leader.
He told the crowd: “President Putin has said he want to meet with me as soon as possible.”
Trump went on to brand the war “horrible” and stated it needed to end. It is not known whether or not this meeting will take place in person. His comments at the event in the US come as Putin met with another world leader.
Putin held talks in the Kremlin today (December 22) with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Fico arrived in Russia on a “working visit” and met with Putin one-on-one. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s RIA agency that the talks would focus on “the international situation” and Russian natural gas deliveries.
Visits and phone calls from European leaders to Putin have been rare since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, although Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban visited Russia in July. Orban’s visit drew condemnation from Kyiv and European leaders.Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. The Slovakian PM returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country’s military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.
News
JUST IN: Speed Darlington Granted Bail, Says Lawyer
Stanley Alieke, the counsel for popular controversial rapper, Darlington Achakpo, aka Speed Darlington, said the singer has been granted bail after nearly a month in police custody.
Alieke disclosed this on his Instagram handle on Monday.
“Apki has been granted bail by the court,” he wrote without including much information.
The rapper was arrested on November 27 while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State.
His arrest was connected to an alleged abuse of Afrofusion star, Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy.
Darlington’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju also confirmed that Burna Boy was responsible for his arrest.
Darlington had taunted Burna Boy over his affiliation with the embattled United States rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs who is facing multiple charges for sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
This prompted his first arrest. On his arrival, Speed Darlington swore never to back down on calling out the Grammy award winner because of his association with the embattled Diddy.
Earlier, Darlington’s lawyer, Adeyanju said that the singer would be arraigned within 48 hours or be released on bail.
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“Our FREP application for Speed Darlington a.k.a has been granted by the court. He is to be arraigned within 48 hours or released. Issues around injustice may take time but justice will always prevail,” he wrote.
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