Connect with us

News

Kebbi Governor Pays Hadaya for State Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

Published

on

 

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.

Advert

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.

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