By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider increasing the national minimum wage from N70,000 to N100,000.

AbdulRazaq, who also serves as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), made the appeal while commending the President’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy—a move he described as courageous and politically difficult.

“Only one percent of politicians can make that tough call,” the governor said.

Speaking on the initial response to the subsidy removal, AbdulRazaq revealed that state governments had anticipated widespread protests. He said governors mobilised security agencies in preparation for possible public backlash.

“We were expecting serious riots, because there were #EndBadGovernance protests even before then, and for lesser issues,” he explained. “We spent money and mobilised security agencies to secure the states. But on that day, nothing happened. No riot, no protest anywhere. I think the nation was shocked by the audacity of Mr. President to implement that serious policy.”

According to the governor, the removal has since yielded significant benefits. He noted that states are no longer borrowing money or issuing bonds to cover salaries and project costs.

“Today, in my own state, after paying salaries from our FAAC allocation, we are left with N100 or N200 million,” AbdulRazaq said.

He added that most states are already paying a minimum wage of N100,000—exceeding the current national statutory minimum of N70,000.

“I urge Your Excellency, let’s have a discussion on moving the minimum wage to a minimum of N100,000,” he said. “We know we will get support from you as we go ahead to implement that.”

President Tinubu had approved the increase of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 in June 2024 after signing the national minimum wage legislation into law. The law mandates a review of the wage every three years. The previous N30,000 minimum wage was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

By Lamara Garba

The Kano State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the poor treatment meted out to pilgrims from the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Amirul Hajj, who spoke through his deputy, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, made the remarks while receiving officials of NAHCON at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina.

He openly complained about several challenges faced by pilgrims from the state since the commencement of the Hajj operations.

The Emir particularly lamented that Kano pilgrims were among the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia, a development he said caused unnecessary hardship and anxiety for intending pilgrims from the state.

According to him, the airlift operations involving Kano pilgrims suffered repeated delays, adding that if not for the timely intervention and commitment of the Kano State Government as well as the airline handling the operation, the situation would have been worse.

He noted that the delays disrupted the movement schedule of many pilgrims and exposed them to avoidable stress during the sacred journey.

The Amirul Hajj further stated that the late arrival of Kano pilgrims to the Holy Land denied many contingents adequate time to comfortably stay and worship in Madina before proceeding to Makkah.

According to him, most contingents from Kano State barely spent 24 hours or, at most, two nights in Madina instead of the usual four or five days enjoyed by pilgrims from other states.

He explained that the situation rushed the activities of pilgrims and made it difficult for many of them to properly observe prayers and other spiritual engagements in the holy city.

The Emir also complained bitterly about the poor quality of food served to pilgrims both in Madina and Jeddah, saying the meals provided fell below acceptable standards.

He revealed that in some instances, pilgrims were not served food at all, a situation he described as unfortunate considering the huge amount paid by pilgrims for the Hajj exercise.

The Amirul Hajj also expressed concern over the failure to issue Nusuk cards to some pilgrims, saying the development negatively affected the smooth performance of Hajj rites by the affected persons.

He disclosed that several dozens of Kano pilgrims were forced into seclusion and faced movement restrictions due to the non-issuance of the Nusuk cards, which are mandatory for access to some holy sites and Hajj services.

“At a point, some pilgrims were kept inside buses for over five hours after arriving in Makkah because they could not disembark due to the absence of Nusuk cards for some of them,” he said.

According to him, the development subjected many pilgrims, particularly women and the elderly, to severe hardship.

The Amirul Hajj said the challenges generated serious concern among pilgrims and officials from Kano State, stressing that the welfare of pilgrims should remain a top priority for all agencies involved in Hajj operations.

He therefore urged NAHCON to urgently address the problems to prevent a recurrence, especially during the return airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

The Emir expressed hope that the return journey would be better organised and free from the difficulties currently being experienced by pilgrims.

Responding, the Director of Training and Research of NAHCON, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yargawal, assured the Kano delegation that all the issues raised would be adequately addressed by the commission.

Professor Yargawal apologised for the inconveniences and operational hitches experienced during the Hajj exercise, assuring that efforts were already underway to improve services to pilgrims.

He thanked the Kano State leaders for openly informing the commission about the challenges faced by their pilgrims and commended the Kano contingent for demonstrating patience, maturity and restraint despite the difficulties encountered.

The NAHCON official further assured that the commission remained committed to ensuring the welfare, comfort and successful Hajj exercise of all Nigerian pilgrims.

By Lamara Garba

The Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has approved a comprehensive welfare package for over 4,000 pilgrims from the state currently performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Makkah, saying Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu had fully paid for the pilgrims’ Hadaya sacrifice as part of the welfare package provided for the state contingents.

According to him, the governor paid 720 Saudi Riyals for the Hadaya of each pilgrim, an amount equivalent to about 200 US dollars, in order to ensure that all pilgrims perform the important rite without financial difficulty.

Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega further revealed that the Kebbi State Government also provided an additional 350 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim to ease their stay in Makkah and assist them in meeting some personal expenses during the pilgrimage.

He added that the state government equally distributed free Ihram materials to male pilgrims and Hijabs to female pilgrims as part of efforts to ensure comfort and adequate preparation for the Hajj rites.

According to the Amirul Hajj, the gesture by Governor Nasir Idris was aimed at easing the burden on pilgrims and ensuring that they perform their religious obligations with comfort, dignity and peace of mind throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

He explained that the payment of the Hadaya and other incentives formed part of several welfare initiatives introduced by the Kebbi State Government for this year’s Hajj operations, noting that the administration had demonstrated strong commitment towards the wellbeing of the pilgrims from the commencement of the exercise.

Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega further revealed that the state government secured decent accommodation for the pilgrims at locations very close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, thereby enabling them to conveniently participate in the five daily congregational prayers at the Holy Ka’abah Mosque.

“Because of the proximity of our hotels to the Grand Mosque, our pilgrims have been attending prayers at the Ka’abah regularly without stress. This is a great spiritual privilege for them,” he stated.

The Amirul Hajj observed that the welfare support introduced by the governor had significantly reduced the challenges usually encountered by pilgrims during Hajj operations.

He commended Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as a rare demonstration of leadership, compassion and commitment to the welfare and safety of Kebbi pilgrims in the Holy Land.

Alhaji Ja’afaru Jega also praised the conduct of the state contingents, saying the pilgrims had exhibited high levels of discipline, patriotism and orderliness since their arrival in Saudi Arabia.

“Despite being one of the states with the largest contingents from Nigeria, Kebbi pilgrims have remained peaceful, disciplined and orderly in all places of worship and public gatherings. This is a good omen not only for Kebbi State but for Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

The Amirul Hajj added that officials of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board and other support teams had continued to work tirelessly to ensure the comfort, safety and successful completion of Hajj rites by the pilgrims.

He urged the pilgrims to continue praying for lasting peace, unity and development in Kebbi State and Nigeria, while also encouraging them to obey Saudi regulations and maintain the good image of the country throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

Many of the pilgrims who spoke on the development expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State Government for the unprecedented support and welfare packages provided to them, describing the 2026 Hajj exercise as one of the most organised and pilgrim-friendly operations in recent times.

They offered prayers for Governor Nasir Idris, asking Allah to reward him abundantly for prioritising the welfare of the pilgrims and for demonstrating genuine concern for their spiritual and social wellbeing.