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2024 Hajj: Dreams fulfilled as pilgrims complete rites, return to Makkah
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In high spirits of fulfilment, over 1.8 million pilgrims on Tuesday departed the tent city of Muna back to their comfort zones in Makkah after completing hajj rites at the sacred sites.
The pilgrims had embarked on a rigorous but spiritually rewarding exercise across the various sites and were expected to round up with the symbolic pelting of the devil at Jamurah.
Over 65,000 Nigerians joined other participating pilgrims drawn from across the world for the 2024 pilgrimage that lasted five days.
Amid tense temperatures, the largest Muslim congregation in the world converged on Arafah, Musdalifah, Jamurah, and Muna, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to carry out the 5th pillar of Islam.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, a total of 1,833,164 pilgrims from across the world participated in the 2024 pilgrimage at the end of the exercise.
Specifically, the data indicated 4,714; 60,251; and 1,546 pilgrims were received into the Kingdom through sea, land, and air ports respectively to perform this year’s Hajj. The data further shows 22.3 percent of this year’s pilgrims came from Arab countries, while 11.3 percent represented African countries.
Similarly, Asian countries excluding Arab countries represented 63.3 percent, while European countries, North and South America, and Australia represented 3.22 percent in this year’s pilgrimage.
No fewer than 19 pilgrims died and several others were reported missing due to the extreme temperatures experienced during the exercise at the sacred city of Muna.
Besides, the Saudi Arabian authorities had declared a 5-hour movement restriction at Muna, to reduce the impact of the devastating weather conditions that escalated above 46 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Alh. Tukur Audu, a pilgrim from Adamawa State, expressed satisfaction for successfully completing all the routines in the last five days. The elderly pilgrim said it was a self-fulfilling moment to endure the physically engaging rites at his age.
Alhaja Hauwa Abubakar was equally full of gratitude for the strength and spiritual enablement to execute the five days’ engagement. She was particularly delighted with the support received from officials and the provision of feeding and transportation services.
In the same vein, Hon. Saliu Adams, who came on hajj with five members of his family from Kogi state, could not hide his pleasant feelings for the privilege to conduct hajj rites.
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) attributed the successful completion of the rites at the sacred sites to teamwork, dedication, and a renewed strategy for better results.
The Chairman, Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, who earlier spoke during an inspection of some states’ tents at Muna, said despite little glitches experienced by a few states, the success recorded this year will serve as a guide in subsequent exercises.
Mal. Arabi disclosed that the commission was not unmindful of the inconveniences that arose as a result of some of their actions and policies intended for better services.
He, however, pleaded for forgiveness and promised to operate an open-door policy for criticism from external bodies and stakeholders to enable the commission to build a viable hajj ecosystem.
By Francesca Hangeior
The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
*** says 163 victims saved between July, November
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.
This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.
The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.
The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.
It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.
NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.
Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.
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