News
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
PHOTOS Of Prisoners Who Escaped Borno Prison And Those Recaptured
By Mario Deepromoter
Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday disclosed that about 281 inmates escaped from Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital city.
NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigeria Police Force among other security agencies to help recapture the fleeing inmates.
“Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them to our custodial centre,” Umar said.
In a statement on Sunday, he said of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment.
The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city.
“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.
Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.
Abubakar further stated that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public while noting that efforts were underway to track them.
“However, it is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.
Recall that the flood affected many parts of Maiduguri, leading to the displacement of over 300,000 residents and the deaths of over 30 people, including children.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said he was “seriously worried” that jailed Boko Haram terrorists might have escaped from the prison facility.
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News
SEE new price of petrol across all 36 states
By Mario Deepromoter
Despite the counter accusations by both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL over prices, the price list of petrol has emerged online.
According to reports, this is because NNPCL bought petrol at a higher price from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.
NNPCL also mentioned that Dangote Refinery sold the petrol in US Dollars, not naira, against the federal government’s directive.
However, Dangote Refinery will sell its petrol in naira starting in October.
According to a breakdown from NNPCL, Dangote Refinery sold petrol to NNPCL at N898.78 per litre.
NNPCL paid Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fee of N8.99, inspection fee of N0.97, a distribution cost in Lagos of N15, margin N26.48.
NNPCL’s statement added that the estimated pump price in:
Lagos will be N950.22
Sokoto State N999.22
Kano State N999.22
Borno State N1,019.22
Kaduna N999.22
FCT N992.22
Oyo State N960.22
Lagos State N950.22
Rivers State N980.00
Imo State N980.22
An analysis of the chart showed that except from Lagos State, other states of the federation will be paying higher because of distribution costs.
The distance from Dangote Refinery and NNPCL‘s depot in Lagos State to other states of the country majorly would determine the price differences.
The report also showed that the six geo-political zones would be paying differently.
The North East states would be paying the highest per liter from N1,019.22, followed by North West states from N999.22, followed by North Central states from N992.22, followed by South East states from N980.22, South South states from N980.22 and South West states paying the least from N960.22, except Lagos State paying from N950.22.
At the time of filing this report, the presidency is yet to speak on the latest development.
News
Rivers 2027: Ogoni powerful men snub Fubara, throw weight behind Wike
By Mario Deepromoter
Political heavyweights from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones have formally withdrawn their support for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The leaders have dumped Fubara and lace their boots with the action packed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The leaders gathered on Saturday in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”
The assembly, which focused on fostering unity between the two ethnic zones, was heavily attended by politicians loyal to Wike, who remains locked in a bitter political feud with Fubara, his estranged protégé.
Prominent personalities, including Senators Barinada Mpigi and Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom, attended the meeting.
The group emphasized that after years of marginalization, it was time for Ogoni and Oyigbo to produce the next governor of Rivers State.
Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Senator Mpigi declared, “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“We also reiterate the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”
Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have been mounting, with Wike publicly withdrawing his support for his former ally.
Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, has accused the governor of straying from their shared vision for the state.
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