Connect with us

News

Kano Amirul Hajj Blasts NAHCON Over Poor Treatment of Pilgrims

Published

on

 

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.

Advert

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.

News

Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

Advert

“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

Continue Reading

News

No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

Advert

The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

Continue Reading

News

Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

Published

on

 

The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

Advert

According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

Continue Reading

Trending