Connect with us

News

BUK, Ummah for Earth Launch Green Hajj and Umrah Guide in Hausa

Published

on

Participants at the launch

 

 

The Ummah for Earth Alliance, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has launched a Hausa-language version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah to promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage among Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking at the launch held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences welcomed guests and emphasized the urgency of ecological awareness during Hajj. “As Muslims, we must reflect on how to perform Hajj responsibly, especially considering recent climate challenges,” he said, citing the deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in 2023 due to extreme heat and 51-degree temperatures recorded at Masjid al-Haram during the 2024 pilgrimage.

Prof. Barau also noted that over 300 million litres of treated sewage are flushed daily into the Red Sea, underlining the environmental pressure the holy cities face during pilgrimage seasons. “This guide has been introduced in other languages like Malay and Hindi, but Nigeria—being among the top contributors of pilgrims—deserves one in Hausa,” he added.

Rianne Ten Veen, a representative of Ummah for Earth, highlighted that the alliance comprises over 50 organizations worldwide, working toward environmentally conscious Islamic practices. “Nigeria is leading in this space, and we are advocating for policy changes through initiatives like the Islamic Finance for Earth campaign,” she said.

Advert

Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, representing the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), expressed appreciation for the collaboration with BUK. “We’re proud to support this initiative that ties faith with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Book reviewer, Professor Murtala Uba, noted that Hausa is the tenth most spoken language globally and the most spoken in West Africa. “This 46-page guide shows how environmental values are embedded in Hajj rituals,” he said. He praised the simple, clear language and symbolic green and white cover but pointed out some errors. “For example, on page six, ‘ku guji’ was incorrectly written as ‘kugudi,’ and some Qur’anic verses like Wala tubazzir tabzeera were not fully contextualized to reflect broader meanings.”

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, stressed that protecting the environment is integral to Islamic conduct. “The Prophet said if the Day of Judgment comes while you’re planting a date, continue planting it,” he noted, adding that managing waste and limiting air pollution are critical during Hajj. “This is why building in Mina is discouraged to allow air circulation,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role of human behavior in environmental degradation. “If you want to clean the environment, you must first purify human conduct,” he said, citing Islamic teachings on health, hygiene, and moderation during Hajj.

Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at BUK, closed the event by stating that universities must be at the forefront of knowledge dissemination. “Translating this guide into Hausa is critical, given the number of Hausa speakers who travel for Hajj annually,” she said.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that the guide encourages eco-conscious behaviors such as avoiding excessive water use during ablution, not littering, minimizing carbon footprints, and respecting animal and plant life—all rooted in Islamic teachings.

News

APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

Advert

Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

Continue Reading

News

Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

Advert

Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

Continue Reading

News

Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

Published

on

 

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

Advert

According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

Continue Reading

Trending