2024 Hajj fare hits N8.5m, payment deadline March 28 – Newstrends
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2024 Hajj fare hits N8.5m, payment deadline March 28

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2024 Hajj fare hits N8.5m, payment deadline March 28

About three days to the close of payment deadline, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced N8.5 million as a fresh fare for the 2024 Hajj.

This is an increase of N3.5 million over the N4.9 million earlier announced.

It also disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, adding that those who had earlier paid the N4.9 million former rate would have to pay additional N1.9 million each not later than March 28.

All these details were contained in the statement on Sunday by Fatima Sanda Usara, an Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON.

It attributed the sudden increase in Hajj fare to the sharp rise in the foreign exchange rate.

It stated, “Late remittances of Hajj fare by those concerned necessitated the adjustments, resulting in two date shifts with the final being 12th of February 2024.

“Recall that as at 31st December 2023, Naira was still at N897:00 to a Dollar at the banks.

“These shifts unfortunately pushed the Hajj fare collection deadline to fall after harmonisation of foreign exchange rates, presenting a new and significant challenge.

“What the harmonisation meant in the Hajj fare equation was that in the face of global financial challenges, coupled with the new forex policy, Nigerian pilgrims would now be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite having already paid the fixed fare of about N4.9 million.”

Despite the intervention of the Federal Government states and affluent Individuals to bring down the fare, NAHCON said it “resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 in accordance with the current foreign exchange rate.

“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024.

“The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March and no other payment would be accommodated after.

Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status.”

It added, “Registration for 2024 Hajj from today, 24th of March will attract the full sum of N8,225, 464.74 from the Adamawa/Borno axis.

“From the North zone, fresh depositors will pay N8, 254, 464.74 whereas fresh payments from the southern zone will attract N8, 454, 464.74 as Hajj fare. All categories are to pay within the same deadline.”

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Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

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Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

The Lagos state ministry of transportation, on Monday, warned petrol stations against causing traffic gridlock while dispensing fuel to customers.

Bolanle Ogunlola, deputy director, public affairs, Lagos state ministry of transportation, gave the warning in a statement in Lagos.

“In the face of the current fuel scarcity, we appeal to fuel stations that have fuel to dispense in the metropolis to ensure that queues of vehicles waiting to obtain supplies do not obstruct the free flow of traffic.

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“The Ministry of Transportation views with great concern the disruption of traffic flow by patrons at fuel stations, as the resulting gridlock adversely affects the economic activities of individuals and corporate bodies.

“The ministry, while advising operators of fuel stations to be orderly by ensuring that their patrons do not constitute any clog to the free flow of traffic, further warns against being sanctioned for non-compliance,” she said.

Ms Ogunlola said that the state’s law enforcement agencies were on surveillance to enforce compliance.

She added that the ministry would continue to monitor the traffic situation, while calling on the general public to report fuel stations disrupting movement through its hotlines.

Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

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Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

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Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

A Lagos State High Court has ordered Air Peace to respond to questions brought by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism in a libel suit No. LD/ADR/4833/23 filed by the airline on October 12, 2022, regarding its aircraft operations from Lagos to Anambra State.

Air Peace insisted that it followed safety standards and practices in accordance with relevant regulations and policies.

It questioned the FIJ’s interrogations of its aircraft and flight operations, calling them “scandalous and irrelevant” to the libel case.

FIJ was dissatisfied with Air Peace’s responses to the queries and filed an application to compel them to adequately explain the objections.

Justice Kudiarat Jose upheld the argument of FIJ, represented by its counsel, Abimbola Ojenike and Jesulayomi Oyelami of Slingstone LP, stating that the questions requesting the details of the first two aircraft designated to convey passengers were relevant to the facts in issue, related to the defendant’s case, and capable of proving that the defendants were correct.

As a result, the court ordered Air Peace to respond to questions 1, 4, and 7 of the defendant’s interrogation within seven days of receiving the order.

The questions are: ‘Provide a comprehensive description and specification of the aircraft 5N-BUL initially scheduled for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022. The description should include the make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems.’

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The airline is also to: ‘Provide comprehensive specifications of the technical issues discovered in the course of operation of Flight P47336 and the circumstances that led to the change of the aircraft from 5N-BUL to 5N-BQQ.’

The court also ordered the airline to: ‘Provide the comprehensive descriptions and specifications of the aircraft 5N-BQQ initially onboard the passengers for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022.

‘The description should include make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems.

The claim was deferred until May 23, 2024, for additional proceedings.

In October 2022, FIJ stated that passengers on an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Anambra escaped death after the engine failed three times at the takeoff point.

According to FIJ, the aircraft was supposed to take off at 11 a.m. but was delayed for two hours when the airline’s management announced that the jet originally booked for the Anambra flight had suddenly acquired an issue.

“The engine stopped three times, and there was no explanation until passengers asked to be allowed to leave the plane. The captain only gave a vague explanation when the passengers expressed their concerns. He said the DAC or something similar to that went off on us,” FIJ had quoted one of three sources as saying.

“This was supposed to be a substitute plane as the first couldn’t be used for technical reasons. If this lackadaisical attitude continues, I fear they may record a crash soon. If we had flown today, we likely would have crashed.”

Air Peace then filed legal action against FIJ, seeking N50 million in damages, N250 million in aggravated damages, and N5 million in legal fees.

Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

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Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

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Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

The Lagos State government has announced its decision to dedicate the last week of September every year to celebrating Yoruba culture.

This decision follows a resolution passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly on September 19, 2023.

According to a statement released on Monday by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, the Yoruba Week celebration aims to showcase and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people through various expressions, including traditional attire, music, dance, cuisine, and more.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a letter dated April 8, 2024, informed lawmakers that the state will begin preparations for the inaugural celebration.

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“Sequel to the resolution of the House at its plenary of Tuesday, September 19, 2023, on the activation of Yoruba cultural heritage and a special day to be assigned as Yoruba day, I have the directive to officially convey Mr. Governor’s approval for the last week of September as Yoruba Week,” a part of the letter, which was read by the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, stated.

Commending Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet for the decision, Obasa described it as a good development.

He described the Yoruba culture and heritage as very important just as he stressed the need for its preservation.

The Speaker said the House was ready to support the executive to ensure the success of the planned Yoruba Week.

Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

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