By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

NAHCON said it has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces with an additional 26,000 spaces reserved to be fully secured by 13 February.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has secured pilgrim space in the Masha’air camps in Saudi Arabia for the 52,000 Nigerians projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.

NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Usara, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Masha’ir are the three sacred camps where pilgrims observe crucial Hajj rites. They are Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah and hold significant importance in the Hajj pilgrimage.

Mr Usman, a professor, led the NAHCON delegation to Saudi Arabia for the finalisation of payment and contract signing in order meet the 14 February deadline.

According to Mrs Usara, the commission has made significant progress in securing accommodations for Nigerian pilgrims.

“As of Wednesday, NAHCON has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces in Mashair, with an additional 26,000 spaces reserved to be fully secured by 13 February.

“The 26,287 fully secured spaces cover the pilgrims’ deposits so far received. 52,000 intending pilgrims are projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.

“This proactive move to reserve space in Mashair, led by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, ensures compliance with the 14th February deadline laid by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) for finalising contract agreements by Hajj participating countries before the closure of the Nusuk Masar contracts’ portal,” the statement said.

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NAHCON Secures Mashair Space for 52,000 Intending Pilgrims Ahead of Deadline

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces in Mashair and reserved another 26,000 to be fully secured by the end of business tomorrow 13th February 2025 pending awaited remittances. The 26,287 fully secured spaces cover the pilgrims’ deposits so far received. 52,000 intending pilgrims are projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.

This proactive move to reserve space in Mashair, led by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, ensures compliance with the 14th February deadline laid by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) for finalizing contract agreements by Hajj participating countries before the closure of the Nusuk Masar contracts’ portal.

As part of this effort, Professor Usman had signed an agreement on Friday, 17th January 2025, at NAHCON’s Ummul Judd office in Makkah. The signing followed wide consultations with key stakeholders, particularly the Forum of State Chairmen, board members and representative of the presidency who were part of the delegation. It would be recalled that Professor Usman acknowledged the collaborative role of Malam Idris Almakura, Alhaji Faruku Yaro Aliyu, Malam Abubakar Salihu from the States Forum and Malam Ameen Amshi, representative of the Presidency in the screening and selection process.

Hence, after the successful engagement of the service provider early in the year, and to prevent any last-minute setbacks, the NAHCON Chairman Professor Usman sought and received approval from Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima to travel to Makkah and finalize this critical contract—an essential requirement for uploading visas scheduled to commence on the 19th of February.

Professor Usman expressed profound appreciation to the Vice President for his support, confidence, and non-interference in the Commission’s operations, which have enabled swift and decisive action in preparing the grounds for a smooth Hajj process for 2025 Nigerian pilgrims. According to the NAHCON Chairman, the Vice President’s quick response to request to travel to Saudi Arabia to resolve any bottlenecks has paid off well with the reservation now put to rest.

Professor Usman urged intending pilgrims to follow NAHCON news outlets for updates and to remain calm as all efforts have been put in place to ensure that they experience a convenient and hitch-free Hajj this year.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Senate on Thursday hailed the Federal Government for approving N4.2trillio for the construction of Calabar coastal road and other major road projects across Nigeria.

The motion, moved by Senator Mohammed Danjuma (Gombe Central), acknowledged the significance of this investment in addressing Nigeria’s deplorable road infrastructure, enhancing economic growth, and improving national security.

However, the Senate expressed concerns over the limited allocation of projects to the North-East region.

According to reports from ThisDay (February 4, 2025) and Daily Trust (February 5, 2025), the approved projects include the Lagos-Calabar Highway, Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Auchi-Edo Section, Benin Airport Area Section, roads in Anambra, Abia, and Enugu States, Lokoja-Benin Road, and Musasa-Jos Route.

The North-East was allocated only two projects: Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road (₦11.81 billion, Adamawa State) and Karim Lamido Road (₦7.68 billion, Taraba State).

Senator Danjuma noted with concern that the North-East region was excluded from the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project, stressing that several critical roads, including the Bauchi-Gombe Road, Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri Road, and Yola-Mubi Road, remain in dire need of rehabilitation.

Following deliberations, the Senate commended the Federal Government for its commitment to road infrastructure, called for urgent rehabilitation of all deplorable roads nationwide, and urged the inclusion of the North-East region in the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project to ensure balanced economic growth.

The motion was adopted by the Senate, reinforcing the need for fair infrastructural development across all regions of Nigeria

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Senate Thursday urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to include North East in the Super Highway projects just as it commended President Bola Tinubu for the N4.2trilion coastal roads projects.

Senate ‘s call for inclusion of North East in its Super Highway projects , followed a motion moved to that effect by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje ( APC Gombe Central) .

Senator Goje in the motion entitled : Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide “, lamented that out of the N4.2trillion road projects only N19billion for for rehabilitation of two out many others in the North East , was allocated to the Zone .

” It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.

” Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.

” The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration”, he said .

He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him , are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country, with a view to stimulating economic growth and development but stressed that the North East should be included .

In nationalising the issue , the Senate amended Senator Goje’s second prayer from Urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the Country .

During contributions to debate on the motion , many of the Senators who spoke , commended Goje for the motion but also listed series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re – construction .

The President of the Senate in his remarks , Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country , issue of road deplorability in Nigeria will remain .

He added that if previous administrations in the country had taken bold steps being taken by the Tinubu administration now , the problem wouldn’t have been gargantuan as they are now , as far as deplorable roads in Nigeria are concerned.