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NAHCON Chairman Unshaken by Distractions, Committed to Transparency in Hajj Operations

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By Nura Ahmad Dakata

Due to recent attempts to tarnish his reputation, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in Hajj operations.

Reacting to a wave of misinformation aimed at discrediting his leadership, Kano and Jigawa Coordinator of Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team, Nura Ahmad, reaffirmed that “No amount of distractions will make the NAHCON Chairman deviate from his core mission of ensuring transparency and accountability in Hajj operations.”

In recent weeks, a series of unfounded allegations have surfaced, falsely claiming that the NAHCON Chairman unilaterally revoked the contract between the Commission and Saudi service providers, thereby jeopardizing Nigerian pilgrims’ participation in the 2025 Hajj. These claims have been widely debunked by NAHCON and credible Hajj stakeholders, who have confirmed that all agreements remain intact and that preparations for the pilgrimage are progressing smoothly.

Professor Usman has strongly denied these accusations, particularly the claims made by the Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards that he single-handedly canceled the service providers’ contract without consulting them. He challenged those making the allegations to provide concrete evidence to support their claims, adding that no critical decision regarding Hajj operations is made without consulting the forum’s leadership. “If they have any proof, they should present it to the public. NAHCON operates with transparency, and all decisions regarding service providers follow due process,” he stated this in an audio interview with DCL Hausa.

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Providing an update on his ongoing trip to Saudi Arabia, Professor Usman revealed that he has held a meeting with his Makkah staff, during which they briefed him on key issues concerning this year’s Hajj arrangements. “We have another gathering with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. We are here to clarify contradicting issues with regard to service providers. We cannot just fold our arms and allow our efforts to be in vain,” he emphasized

The Chairman further reassured intending pilgrims and stakeholders that all contractual agreements remain intact and that NAHCON’s decisions are always in the best interest of Nigerian pilgrims. “Our focus remains on ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive the best possible services at the most reasonable cost. We will not be distracted by baseless accusations meant to derail our mission,” he emphasized.

Patriotic Nigerians in the welfare of Pilgrims, including the Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team (NHMST), have called on the public to disregard the misinformation, describing it as an orchestrated attempt by detractors to create unnecessary panic within the Hajj sector. “These false narratives are the handiwork of individuals seeking to exploit the system for personal gain,” NHMST National Coordinator, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, noted in a recent statement.

Despite these challenges, NAHCON remains committed to its mandate of facilitating a seamless and efficient Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims. The Commission has assured all stakeholders that official updates regarding the 2025 Hajj will continue to be shared through its verified channels.

As preparations continue, stakeholders have urged unity and focus on the collective goal of improving Nigeria’s Hajj operations rather than allowing distractions to derail progress.

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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