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Hajj fare rises to N4.9m amid lingering forex crisis

Published

3 months ago

February 4, 2024

Hajj fare rises to N4.9m amid lingering forex crisis

Muslims intending to perform this year’s pilgrimage will have to pay more than they planned to as the foreign exchange crisis engenders a spike in fare for the annual religious rite.

This is as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) jacks up the price for the 2024 intending Muslim pilgrims from the initial N4.5 million to N4.9 million.

The commission cited volatility in the exchange rate of the Nigerian currency, the Naira, for the development.

This sudden development, coming barely three days after the January 31, 2024 dateline initially set by the national Muslim pilgrims’ agency has general mixed feelings in the Muslim community across the country.

This has equally raised concern among intending pilgrims, majority of whom have yet to fully pay the N4.5 million earlier announced as the fare.

The naira further depreciated to a record low on Tuesday selling for 1,413 against dollar at the official foreign exchange window.

The new hajj fare, which is about N1.6 million higher than that of last year, had earlier been pegged at N4.5 million.

The NAHCON, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, said intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj from southern states were required to pay N4,899,000; those from northern states, N4,699,000 and those from Yola and Maiduguri, N4,679,000.

The commission said if it had not taken a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for hajj, the 2024 pilgrimage might have cost about N6 million.

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The commission gave intending pilgrims till February 12 to make final payments, to enable it transfer the money to the service providers before the February 25 deadline set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The statement by the commission said: “It would be recalled that the chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, had initially aimed to maintain the 2024 Hajj fare at N4.5 million that was charged as initial deposit.

“The prospects had remained high until the well-known Naira crash that occurred mid-week. Regrettably, the recent instability in the Dollar exchange rate compelled a necessary adjustment despite commendable efforts by NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi to maintain cost of the year’s Hajj at the said rate.

“Chairman Arabi had actively negotiated substantial discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, striving to alleviate costs for intending pilgrims.

“However, the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj, without which the price of 2024 Muslim pilgrimage might have shot to about N6,000,000 (six million Naira).

“Consequently, intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern centre are required to pay N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the Northern centre will pay N4,699,000, for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri centre will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.

“While expressing his regret, Chairman Arabi stated that this is the will of Allah, because the Commission, facing a tight deadline of 25th February, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5 million which he assiduously worked for. Consequently, NAHCON announces the feasible cost of Hajj to meet the impending remittance deadline.

“Intending pilgrims are therefore advised to balance their Hajj fare by Monday, 12th of February accordingly, to enable the commission transfer the funds before the imminent deadline.

“NAHCON assures the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors. The Commission appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Muslim community during these times”, Ms Usara, who is Assistant Director, Public Affairs in the Commission said in the statement.

Hajj fare rises to N4.9m amid lingering forex crisis

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Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu

Prominent northern leaders have cautioned against allowing the United States and French governments to relocate military bases from the Sahel region to Nigeria.

The leaders in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership urged the Federal Government to resist such pressure.

Those who signed the letter are Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.

The letter highlighted reports of aggressive lobbying by the American and French governments targeting Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea nations to enter new defence agreements allowing the redeployment of troops expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

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Expressing concern, they cautioned that Nigeria, strategically positioned among the Gulf of Guinea countries, might yield to such pressure, compromising its defence and internal security.

“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases,” they said in the open letter.

They also argued that the primary goal of these bases, ostensibly to combat terrorism in the Sahel, has not been achieved, as terrorism has only escalated since those camps were established.

“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.

“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive if not a complete failure.

“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose.

“This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from diminishing, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.

The signatories warned against compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances, highlighting potential adverse long-term consequences.

Moreover, they highlighted the negative impact of hosting foreign troops, including increased living costs and environmental degradation, which disproportionately affect lower-income populations and indigenous communities.

As of now, the presidency or the National Assembly have not publicly responded to the open letter.

Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu

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Osun kingship Tussle: Court stops coronation of Gov Adeleke-appointed king

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Osun kingship Tussle: Court stops coronation of Gov Adeleke-appointed king

Just weeks after a court ousted a monarch chosen by Governor Ademola Adeleke, Justice Micheal Awe has halted the planned presentation of the staff of office to the second king of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.

In a sequence of events, two kings had emerged as the Aree of Iree in the Boripe local government area of Osun state after Adeleke disapproved of the appointment of Oba Ademola Ponnle by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, and instead selected Muritala Oyelakin as king.

This dual kingship sparked a crisis within the community, with kingmakers neglecting the traditional rites of Oba Oyelakin.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, May 5, the ceremony for presenting the certificate, instrument, and staff of office to Oba Oyelakin as the Aree of Iree was put on hold.

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Justice Awe, presiding over the State High Court in Ikirun, Osun State, issued a restraining order against Governor Adeleke, his administration, and four traditional chiefs, including King Oba Oyelakin, prohibiting them from proceeding with the staff of office presentation ceremony.

The order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by Oba Ademola Ponnle, who sought to halt the ceremony. Justice Awe granted the request, emphasizing the need to maintain the status quo until further legal proceedings.

The court order forbids Oba Oyelakin from receiving any instruments or staff of office as the Aree of Iree or undergoing any formal installation until the matter is heard on Wednesday, May 8.

Osun kingship Tussle: Court stops coronation of Gov Adeleke-appointed king

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We have added 625MW to national grid – Minister

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

We have added 625MW to national grid – Minister

The Federal Government has announced the addition of 625MW of power to the national grid, increasing the grid’s wheeling capacity to 4800MW.

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications to the Minister of Power said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Bolaji quoted the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu as saying this at the inauguration of the 63 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA), 132/33 Kilo Volt (KV )mobile station at Ajah, Lagos and at the inuaguration of 60MWA, 132/33KV Power Transformer in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi.

According to the minister, the pivotal project is a testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu towards transforming the Power sector in the pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure for a better Nigeria.

Mr Adelabu said that the mobile substation being inaugurated was a strategic deployment aimed at improving the transmission capacity constraints by over 1300mv across the nation.

He spoke on the significance of the project and other equipment undergoing installation under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

Mr Adelabu said that the mobile substations equally stands as a beacon of hope for businesses, household reliant on uninterrupted power supply, stopgap measure during maintenance and emergency.

He commended the collaborative efforts of the FGN Power Company, the German Government and Siemens Energy whose partnership has facilitated the production and installation of the substations.

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The minister also announced the remote inuaguration of a 60MVA power transformer at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi.

“Together, these equipment will boost our transmission wheeling capacity by 123mw, thereby paving the way for enhanced electricity supply for all Nigerians”.

”I urgy all Nigerians to safeguard these vital installations against acts of vandalisation and sabotage,”he said.

Mr Adelabu noted that the success of governments initiatives hinges on collective responsibility.

He also called on the management of the Power Company and all stakeholders in the power sector to work with determination to ensure that the timelines set for projects delivery are achieved.

“Together, we will embark on a journey towards a brighter future for Nigeria, one powered by innovation, resilience and collective determination”, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Kenny Anuwe, Managing Director of FGN Power Company said, ” as Nigeria continues its journey towards energy sufficiency and economic prosperity, initiatives like the PPI.

According to him, this underscores President Tinubu’s unwavering determination to deliver adequate electricity towards unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potentials.

Mr Anuwe assured of FGN Power Company’s commitment in driving progress and delivering tangible improvements in electricity access for all Nigerians in this transformative era in Nigeria’s power Sector.

Mr Tunji said that FGN Power was established by the Presidency as a special purpose vehicle (SPV), tasked with implementing the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) with Siemens serving as the technical partner.