Dayilim also emphasised the importance of using food-grade materials and maintaining hygienic production environments to ensure consumer safety.
News
2024 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims asked to deposit N4.5m
2024 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims asked to deposit N4.5m
State pilgrim welfare boards have been requested by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to collect N4.5 million as deposits from 2024 hajj pilgrims.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, stated that the cost of the upcoming hajj would be high due to the federal government’s unification of foreign exchange at a meeting with the chairmen and executive secretaries of the state’s pilgrim board on Tuesday in Abuja.
Hassan noted that with the dollar currently at N750, the commission is not certain what the price for pilgrims would be owing to the fluctuation of forex.
He said the deposit might change depending on the performance of the naira.
This newspaper reports that the price for the 2023 hajj was N2.8m when the exchange rate was N450 to the dollar.
“I must tell you that next year’s hajj is going to be expensive. This is something we must prepare for, starting from today. I am not saying we will be able to know the cost today, but what we must be able to know is that the hajj is going to be expensive.
“This is because the age of the concessionary rate is gone. As we speak now, the forex is at N740 to dollar, so, if you multiply that with the dollar of hajj last year, you can imagine how many more million you will need to add to the cost of hajj. The government has been clear on it. Will the N740 come down? I don’t know, but I pray it comes down.”
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Hassan, who noted that the preparation for the 2024 had begun, said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would end the issuance of visa 45 days to Arafah.
He said this would stop state governors from changing the names of approved pilgrims to accommodate new ones.
“By the 29 of April, visa issuance will close. 10 days after, pilgrims will begin to arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Unlike what we do when it is two days to the closure of the flight, somebody will say my governor wants some people to go to hajj and look for the slot, the Kingdom says it is gone forever. It means you have between 40 to 50 days to Arafat when you can’t do a visa anymore,” he stated.
He said NAHCON had constituted a committee to look into how a refund would be secured for services not rendered to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2023 hajj.
Reacting, National Coordinator, Independent Hajj Reporters, Ibrahim Muhammed, said Nigeria might not be able to fill the slots to be given to it for next year’s hajj.
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Muhammed, who noted that 80 to 90 per cent of hajj payment is done in dollars, urged the government to allow the pilgrims to access concessionary for the dollar to reduce the price.
“This is a manifestation of the current weakening position of the naira against the United States dollar. As you are aware, the hajj fare computation template is about 80 to 90 per cent dollar bases. Air tickets, pilgrims’ accommodation, catering services, transportation within Saudi Arabia, otherwise known as car syndicate, are paid in dollars.
“Even the pilgrims Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) is paid to them in dollars.”
He said the only naira components in hajj fare are the pilgrims’ uniforms, suitcases and service charges.
“Therefore, the current policy of the federal government on forex will certainly affect the cost of 2024 hajj as announced by the NAHCON chairman.
“However, I think the federal government owes it as a responsibility to find a way of curtailing the negative effects of this policy on hajj cost. Government can allow pilgrims to access dollars at a relatively concessionary rate. Otherwise, Nigeria may not be able to utilise its full quota this year,” he said.
2024 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims asked to deposit N4.5m
News
Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons
Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons
The American International School, Abuja, on Saturday, provided additional information and context to clarify the issues around its decision to transfer the school fees paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the statement clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.
In a brief statement signed by Head of School, Greg Hughes, the international co-educational institution, which was established in 1993, stated that “our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria”.
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It explained further: “Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”
The statement did not name Bello directly but the reference to “a family with children enrolled at the school” was clear enough in the light of recent media reports.
Citing the subjudice status of the issue as a result of the ongoing case between the EFCC and Bello, the school averred that “we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.”
Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons
News
NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment
NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 50 outlets in Kaduna State due to the sale of edible oil in unhygienic conditions.
The action was taken as part of a sensitization workshop aimed at educating dealers on Registration Procedures and Food Management. This information was shared in a statement released on the agency’s official handle on Saturday.
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The statement partly read, “NAFDAC has sealed fifty outlets in Kaduna for dispensing edible oil under unhygienic conditions, aiming to prevent potential health risks associated with contamination.
“The Director, North-West Zonal Office, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim highlighted the dangers of consuming oil processed in unsanitary environments, emphasising the risks of food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and even cancer due to inadequate processing and corrosive equipment.”
News
Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report
Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has expressed concern over the detrimental impact of medical practitioners emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities, revealing that 72,000 out of 130,000 registered doctors failed to renew their practice licenses in 2023.
The MDCN highlighted that only a meager 58,000 have renewed their licenses, emphasizing that such a trend will not only strain healthcare services but also overwhelm the limited available personnel.
Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the body, conveyed these sentiments on Friday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue.
“The council has so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago and the council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.
“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practising license in the year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country,
“However, the doctors must meet the requirements to earn those increases in quota. We will partner with them to ensure that they meet those requirements, and as we try to ensure that, standards must be upheld,” he added.
Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar Dr Victor Kolawole, noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors would add to the existing workforce in the health sector which is being depleted by the day.
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She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council is mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, while speaking, explained that the upgrade of the Central Hospital, Auchi to a teaching hospital has enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.
While commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university, he enjoined the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying he is confident that they would bring honour to the institution and MDCN.
“I urge the state government to sustain efforts towards improving facilities at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”
However, the acting Provost, of the College of Medical Sciences, Dr Kenneth Atoe, said 20 medical graduates from the college are the second batch of Batch B inductees.
He advised the newly qualified medical graduates to uphold the ethical standards of a medical professional, saying, “You must internalise the values of honesty, integrity, and selflessness.
“These virtues are not only essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships but are also integral to upholding the ethical standards and trustworthiness expected of a medical professional.
“By embodying these values, doctors not only fulfil their professional obligations but also contribute to the maintenance of public trust in the medical profession.”
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