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After Hajj cancellation, intending pilgrims can demand refund – NAHCON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said Nigerians who have paid for the 2021 Hajj can ask for a full refund of their deposit or roll it over to next year, following the decision by the Saudi Arabian authorities not to allow anyone outside that country to perform this year’s pilgrimage.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had cancelled the Hajj for Nigerians and other international pilgrims for the 2021 season to control the spread of the new strains of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made this known in a statement issued by Head of Public Affairs at the commission, Mrs Fatima Usara, in Abuja.
He said, “As in the previous year, those pilgrims who request for refund of their hajj fare deposits will be granted such without unnecessary delay.
“However, as for those who would still wish to roll over their funds, the commission strongly urges them to wait for further advice and decisions by the board.”
Hassan said NAHCON respected the decision of Saudi Arabia no matter how painful the result might be to the commission and intending pilgrims worldwide.
Part of the statement read, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has received news of the cancellation of the Hajj for international pilgrims for the 2021 season.
“We have accepted that it is Allah’s divine design that multitudes will again this year not perform the Hajj.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is only playing out a script ordained by our Maker long before creation of the universe.
“Our prayer is that we collectively turn to Him in repentance so that He admits us for Hajj in the coming years.”
He noted that one of the lessons from the 2020 and 2021 cancellations of the Hajj for foreign pilgrims’ was in the “Prophet’s Hadith (teachings) urging Muslims to perform Hajj while they could before they are prevented from doing so.
“Again, it impresses on us that it is only Allah that selects those who will be His guests for hajj. May we not be deprived of Allah’s mercy.
“May we be among those who will be chosen to perform Allah’s worship in future,” the NAHCON boss said.
Hassan commended the resilience of Nigerian intending pilgrims and the support they have shown during the “long and tortuous wait.”
The chairman said he was particularly impressed by the level of support and respect evidenced by their adherence to each instruction given by the commission.
He said, “An example is the total compliance in receiving COVID-19 jab with the hope of performing the 2021 Hajj.
“Equally, the commission appreciates cooperation of state Pilgrims welfare boards in its decision-making processes.”
The chairman assured stakeholders of NAHCON’s open-door policy and cooperation, adding that consultations would be held with all hajj managers on the way forward in the nearest future.
News
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor stated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.
He instructed commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately or face severe consequences.
The statement reads: “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.
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“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.
“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect.”
Okpebholo also directed relevant agencies to revert the name of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its previous title, the Ministry of Works, a change made during the Godwin Obaseki administration.
“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement added.
Edo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name
News
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has criticized the widely discussed two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling it a “deception.”
His remarks followed a recent summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, where President Bola Tinubu and other leaders condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged an end to hostilities.
In an interview with Daily Trust at his Kaduna residence, Gumi argued, “This Two-State Solution is a deception. No Israeli will allow a Palestinian to survive, and Palestinians will never allow Israel to survive.
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The only solution is to dissolve the two states and create a democratically electable region.”
Gumi commended the OIC’s support for Palestine, noting that Muslims and Arabs worldwide increasingly see the treatment of Palestinians as “genocide” and accuse Israel of human rights abuses.
He also called for a return to the pre-1948 structure, where Palestinians, Jews, and Christians lived together, suggesting a single, inclusive state that allows peaceful coexistence.
“When I hear people talking about Two-State Solutions, I know they are just deceiving themselves,” Gumi added, advocating for a unified region where people of all faiths can live together, similar to the multi-faith coexistence seen in countries like the United States.
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Two-state solution is a deception, says Gumi
News
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
The Labour Party candidature of Olusola Ebiseni for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State has been nullified.
The nullification follows the sacking of Ebiseni by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday.
The governorship election of the southwest State will hold on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The judgement disqualifying Ebiseni was unanimously delivered by the three members of the panel and read out by the chairman of the panel, Justice Adebukola Banjoko.
The judgment granted the prayer of the Labour Party who preferred the case against Ebiseni.
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Justice Banjoko held that, “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”
Justice Banjoko further stated that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to the parties involved in the appeal as soon as possible for their review.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept and recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship elections.
Justice Nwite confirmed that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in Ebiseni and Awude being selected as candidates, was valid and should be upheld by INEC.
However, the appellate court has now overturned the judgment of the trial court’s judgment.
Court sacks Ondo LP candidate, two days to governorship poll
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