By: Lamara Garba

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will commence on June 5, 2026.

The disclosure was made by the Director of Training and Research of the commission, Professor Abubakar Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, in Makkah.

Professor Abubakar said all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a smooth, safe and hitch-free return operation for Nigerian pilgrims after the completion of the 2026 Hajj rites.

According to him, the commission, in collaboration with state pilgrims welfare boards, airline operators and Saudi authorities, had put in place adequate measures to guarantee orderly transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

He explained that the return schedule was carefully designed to avoid unnecessary delays and congestion at airports, while also ensuring the comfort of pilgrims throughout the exercise.

The NAHCON Director commended the level of cooperation received from various state officials and stakeholders involved in the Hajj operation, describing this year’s exercise as one of the most organised in recent times.

Professor Abubakar urged pilgrims to strictly adhere to all guidelines regarding luggage, travel documents and departure schedules in order to facilitate seamless movement during the airlift operations.

He also advised pilgrims to continue exhibiting discipline and patience, noting that successful return operations depend largely on cooperation between pilgrims and officials handling the exercise.

Responding, the Kano State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, expressed appreciation to NAHCON for its commitment towards ensuring the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy Land.

He commended the commission for the various improvements introduced during the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly in the areas of coordination, accommodation and transportation.

The Amirul Hajj assured that Kano State pilgrims would continue to comply with laid down regulations and cooperate fully with officials to ensure successful return flights back home.

He also urged the pilgrims to use the remaining period of their stay in the Holy Land to intensify prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.

Meanwhile, officials of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board have continued sensitising pilgrims on departure procedures and other important travel guidelines ahead of the commencement of the return journey.

Many of the pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made so far, while praying for safe journeys and successful reunion with their families back in Nigeria.

By Murtala Uba Mohammed PhD

Kano’s recent ranking as the number one city for safely raising a family has sparked widespread debate across social media, prompting renewed conversations about the city’s image and reputation. Many people, especially those who frequently encounter negative news about Kano, question whether the city truly deserves such recognition.

Indeed, Kano is often portrayed as a hotspot for crime, theft, political hooliganism, and social unrest. The outspoken nature of its people has also made the city less appealing to some observers. Yet, Kano is not just another city; it is a civilization in its own right, historically deep, socially vibrant, economically resilient, and culturally influential.

The high number of reported crimes in Kano should not automatically be used to label it as unsafe or undesirable. Rather, such visibility is partly a consequence of its large population, cosmopolitan character, and strong media presence. Compared to many cities in northern Nigeria and even across the wider Sahel region, Kano remains one of the most socially and economically active urban centres, naturally attracting greater public attention.

Kano has long served as a safe haven for migrants, traders, workers, and entrepreneurs from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Ironically, many of the high-profile criminal incidents reported in the city involve non-indigenes residing in Kano. The viral case of the woman (whose origin is Zamfara State) allegedly killed by a Chinese national in Jan Bulo, the incident involving a woman from Sokoto and her husband in Naibawa, or the more recent killing of a trader in Sheka allegedly linked to an individual from rural Katsina State, all reflect the city’s openness and diversity rather than a uniquely “Kano” problem.

If anything, Kano’s ranking speaks to the resilience, adaptability, and dynamism of the city. Great cities, especially mega and emerging mega cities like Kano, naturally experience social shocks and pressures. Yet, despite these challenges, they continue to stand strong, recover, reinvent themselves, and outlive waves of criticism and negativity.

People may say many things about Kano, but very few can truly resist Kano. The city possesses a magnetic force rooted in its history, commerce, culture, and human energy. Kano is like a beautiful flowering lady — hardly does a healthy young or old man pass by without turning to admire her beauty.

Continue to shine, Kano, our dearest Kano. Hold the flag high, keep rising, and continue to inspire generations.Misliki ka alfin.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at his Abuja residence on Thursday, following the conclusion of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries.

He was accompanied by former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and other party chieftains.

The visit comes amid political discussions and reactions surrounding the ADC primaries, in which both Atiku and Amaechi played prominent roles.

According to party sources, the meeting is part of ongoing consultations aimed at fostering unity within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the party’s presidential primary.

As of the time of this report, details of the closed-door meeting had not been made public.