News
Kano Amirul Hajj Blasts NAHCON Over Poor Treatment of Pilgrims
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.
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
Rep. Abubakar Bichi Employs 100 New Islamic School Teachers in Bichi
The Federal lawmaker representing the Bichi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, has inaugurated 100 new Islamic school teachers as part of efforts to strengthen Islamic education in the Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Sunday, 27 September 2026, and marked the fourth batch of School Teachers employed under the lawmaker’s initiative bringing the total of number of teachers engaged through the programme to 600.
Before their employment, the 100 teachers underwent a special examination conducted at the directive of the lawmaker. Those who obtained the highest scores across the 11 wards of Bichi Local Government Area were selected for the teaching positions.
The lawmaker had previously supported the teachers by paying their monthly allowances as volunteers before formally employing them as full-time teachers in Islamic schools across the local government area.
Prominent Islamic scholars and dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony, including Sheikh Habibu Dan Almajiri, Chairman of the Kano State Zakkah Commission; Dr. Nazifi Ishak, former Kano State Commissioner for Religious Affairs; Dr. Zahrau Muhammad Umar, former Commissioner for Women Affairs; and Sheikh Sanusi Sharif Bichi.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Bichi Local Government Area, Alhaji Hamza Sule Maifata; the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council in Bichi, Alhaji Sani Mukaddas, and the Kano State APC Secretary, Prof. Yusuf Muhammad Sabo.
The Islamic scholars and other dignitaries commended Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi for his efforts towards improving both Islamic and modern education in the Bichi Local Government Area.
Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar has also previously engaged several youths in various sectors, including healthcare, environmental services, education and other community development activities, as part of his efforts to create opportunities for young people across Bichi Federal Constituency and Kano State.
The lawmaker, who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has consistently expressed his commitment to youth development and community empowerment through various initiatives across the constituency.
News
FG Seeks Fresh $1.5bn World Bank Loans As Nigeria’s Debt Hits N166.79tn
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Federal Government is in discussions with the World Bank for three new loans worth a combined $1.5 billion, even as Nigeria’s total public debt climbed to a record N166.79 trillion by June 2026.
The proposed facilities consist of three $500 million loans targeting climate resilience, social protection and early childhood development.
The first is an additional $500 million for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, which would increase its total financing to $1.2 billion. The funds are expected to support land restoration, flood and erosion control, irrigation, water management and other climate-resilience measures across northern Nigeria.
Another $500 million facility is proposed for the Household Prosperity and Empowerment-Social Protection (HOPE-SP) project. It is designed to support poor and vulnerable households through cash transfers, an improved social registry and stronger social protection systems.
The third $500 million loan would finance the Nigeria Early Childhood Development programme, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme aims to improve access to healthcare, nutrition, early learning, childcare, water and sanitation for children aged zero to five.
Meanwhile, figures from the Debt Management Office show that Nigeria’s public debt increased by N14.39 trillion , from N152.40 trillion in June 2025 to N166.79 trillion in June 2026. Domestic debt stood at N91.59 trillion, while external debt was N75.20 trillion.
Nigeria’s debt to the World Bank Group also rose to $20.73 billion by June 2026, accounting for about 38 per cent of the country’s $54.52 billion external debt.
Economist Adewale Abimbola said concessional loans could support development if properly structured and effectively utilised, stressing that the key issue was how the borrowed funds were deployed.
News
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Debt Management Office (DMO) says Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026.
The DMO published the latest public debt portfolio report on Friday.
The figure represents a 9.4 percent or N14.39 trillion increase from the N152.4 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025.
It also represents an increase of N7.44 trillion or 4.7 percent compared with the N159.35 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
According to the latest report, the debt stock comprises N91.59 trillion in domestic debt, which accounts for 54.91 percent of the total debt stock, and N75.2 trillion in external debt, representing 45.09 percent.
The debt office said domestic debt increased by N11.04 trillion (13.7 percent) from N80.55 trillion recorded in June 2025.
The office said external debt also rose by N3.35 trillion (4.7 percent) from N71.85 trillion in the same period.
According to the DMO, the federal government accounted for N152.77 trillion of the total debt stock, comprising N86.99 trillion in domestic debt and N65.77 trillion in external debt.
On the other hand, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accounted for the remaining N14.01 trillion — N4.59 trillion in domestic debt and N9.42 trillion in external debt.
In dollar terms, the agency said Nigeria’s total public debt stood at $120.93 billion as of June 30, 2026 — up from $99.66 billion recorded in June 2025.
The DMO said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official exchange rate of N1,379 per dollar as of June 30 was used to convert the external debt to naira.
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FG Seeks Fresh $1.5bn World Bank Loans As Nigeria’s Debt Hits N166.79tn
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FG Seeks Fresh $1.5bn World Bank Loans As Nigeria’s Debt Hits N166.79tn
RE:WE ARE UNDER SIEGE: TARABA MONARCH BREAKS SILENCE AS FULANI BANDITS OVERRUN THE ANCIENT KWARARAFA KINGDOM:
Zamfara Varsity ASUU Threatens Warning Strike Over FG-ASUU Agreement, Promotion Arrears
Bello Sharada: A Great Writer, A Bookish Soul, Gone Too Soon
Kano Chemists Threaten Warning Strike Over Alleged PCN Pressure
Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” for Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
Education Stakeholders, SBMC Train Students on Skills for Self-Reliance
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