By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah have begun their movement to Makkah as of Thursday.

According to an update from the commission, the transfer commenced after the pilgrims had completed a four-day stay in Madinah.

NAHCON further disclosed that the four official airlines handling this year’s Hajj operations—Max Air, Umza Airline, Air Peace, and Flynas—have so far transported 9,756 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The commission also advised pilgrims intending to visit the Rawdah (the sacred area containing the Prophet Muhammad’s burial chamber in Madinah) before departing for Makkah to coordinate with their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards for proper guidance and scheduling.

“NAHCON wishes to assure the Nigerian contingent that officials of state pilgrims’ welfare boards have already been trained and adequately guided on the procedures for booking Rawdah visits,” the statement read.

“However, pilgrims are kindly reminded that due to congestion and crowd management measures, access to the Rawdah is strictly subject to space availability and approved bookings. Pilgrims are therefore advised to remain patient, orderly, and to heed the guidance of their Ulama regarding the validity and acceptance of their Hajj rites.”

The commission emphasized that while visiting the Rawdah is a blessed opportunity, it is not a condition for the validity of Hajj.

“Allah grants such opportunities according to His will,” NAHCON added.

Aspirant for the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mohammed Musa Zango, has formally submitted his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, depicting the official start of his campaign to represent the district in the National Assembly.

The submission took place on Monday at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, the venue designated by the party for the exercise. The development came barely 24 hours after the aspirant publicly declared his intention to contest the Kano Central Senatorial seat.

Speaking shortly after the submission, Dr. Zango said his ambition to represent Kano Central is driven by “responsibility, preparation, and a clear understanding of what the people truly need,” stressing that effective representation must go beyond political promises to measurable results.

According to him, years of grassroots engagement and institutional experience have helped shape a practical vision focused on development, inclusion, and economic growth across the senatorial district.

The APC aspirant unveiled a seven-point legislative and development agenda which he said would guide his representation if elected into office.

Top on the agenda is effective representation at the National Assembly, with Dr. Zango promising to ensure Kano Central has a stronger and more result-oriented voice in national affairs.

He also emphasized agriculture and economic growth, pledging support for farmers, expansion of agricultural value chains, and policies aimed at connecting agriculture to broader economic opportunities.

On youth and women empowerment, the aspirant said his administration would prioritize skills acquisition, economic inclusion, and sustainable livelihood programmes targeted at young people, women, and vulnerable groups across the district.

Dr. Zango further highlighted healthcare development as a major pillar of his campaign, promising to advocate for improved healthcare facilities, wider access to medical services, and better healthcare delivery systems in communities within Kano Central.

In the area of infrastructure and industrial revival, he pledged support for strategic development projects, including renewed advocacy for the revival and completion of major initiatives such as the AKK gas pipeline project, which he described as critical to boosting industrial productivity and economic activities in Northern Nigeria.

The aspirant also identified water resources management as a pressing concern, promising to push for improved access to clean and reliable water supply across the senatorial district.

Another key focus of his campaign is the revival of the textile industry, a sector once regarded as the backbone of Kano’s economy. Dr. Zango said restoring the industry would create employment opportunities, stimulate local production, and strengthen the state’s economic base.

“This agenda is not theoretical,” he stated. “It reflects a roadmap shaped by experience, community engagement, and a clear understanding of the gaps that must be addressed.”

He added that the task ahead requires smart work, strategic partnerships, and leadership focused on delivering tangible outcomes for constituents.

Dr. Zango, founder of the Fatah Zango Foundation, maintained that his leadership style would remain disciplined, people-centered, and result-oriented throughout the campaign and beyond.

Political observers in Kano State say the race for the Kano Central Senatorial seat is expected to attract significant attention within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, given the district’s strategic political importance in the state.

At the time of filing this report, Dr. Zango said he remained the only aspirant who had completed and submitted the nomination forms for the contest.

The Leadership of the Northern Youth, has criticized Amnesty International over its recent report on the alleged killing of five people in Kano, accusing the organization of bias, selective outrage, and deliberate attempts to tarnish the image of Kano State.

It is clear that, the statement of Amnesty International is reckless, unbalanced, and politically coloured, looking at how the organization has rushed to label the incident as politically motivated without carrying out a fair and comprehensive investigation.

The more disturbing on the report of the Amnesty International, is how it has consistently concentrated its attention on Kano while allegedly paying little attention to insecurity and violent incidents occurring in several other states across the country.

Many communities in different parts of Nigeria have continued to experience serious security challenges leading to loss of lives and displacement of innocent citizens, yet such incidents do not always receive the same level of international attention and condemnation, directed at Kano State

The clash that occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was a confrontation between rival groups of thugs with a long history of violent rivalry, insisting that there was no evidence linking the Kano State Government or any political actor to the incident.

We categorically fault the Amnesty International for allegedly relying on viral videos and unverified claims to make sweeping accusations against the APC stakeholders in the State, or government officials, warning that such narratives could inflame tension and mislead the international community.

“It is unfortunate that Amnesty International has chosen to politicize a criminal routine clash among hoodlums in order to create a false impression against Kano State and its leadership

We clearly accuse the organization of operating double standards by amplifying incidents in Kano while allegedly paying little attention to other parts of the country where similar security concerns are reported.

The Northern Youth Assembly shall continue to maintain the branding of the incident as political thuggery, without concrete evidence, as the claim of the Amnesty International should best be described as irresponsible and deliberate action capable of damaging the reputation of innocent individuals and institutions.

We call on Amnesty International to stop what we term as selective activism and sensational reporting, urging the organization to embrace fairness, professionalism, and objectivity in addressing issues affecting Nigeria.

The people of Kano would not remain silent while external organizations continue to portray the state in a negative light through what could be best described as unfounded and exaggerated allegations.

Signed:

Dr. Mohammed Ali Idris

President,

Northern Youth Assembly

NYA

Dr. Hafiz Garba

Secretary General,

Northern Youth Assembly

7th May, 2026