Lagos vaccinates 1,700 intending Hajj pilgrims in two days – Newstrends
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Lagos vaccinates 1,700 intending Hajj pilgrims in two days

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4 years ago

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Lagos State Government has vaccinated about 1,700 intending pilgrims embarking on the year 2021 holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The two-day vaccination took place at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium of the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja and was conducted by officials of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said that since the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the requirements for gaining entry into Saudi Arabia, it became compulsory and expedient for every intending pilgrim, Ulamah (clerics) to get the vaccine.
He disclosed that 1,518 intending pilgrims, 105 Ulamah (clerics), 25 Hajj Guides and 52 members of staff of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board were vaccinated during the exercise.
While affirming that not all the state’s intending pilgrims were present for the weekend’s vaccination exercise, Elegushi urged those that falls into this category to ensure that they get themselves vaccinated in any of the accredited centres across the state without further delay.
The commissioner urged them to immediately take the vaccine in order to meet up with the average of 12 weeks interval required for every intending pilgrim to take the two doses of the vaccine before departing for the Hajj exercise.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Adebunmi Adekanye who was at the venue to monitor the exercise and ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, said the two-day exercise was commendable.
She also advised those that had gotten the vaccine outside the Board’s arrangements to endeavor to bring their certificate to the Board for necessary documentation.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Rahman Ishola, expressed delight at the impressive turn out of the intending pilgrims for the vaccination despite the short notice.
Reacting to allegation from some quarters that the vaccination fee was included in the Hajj fare, the Executive Secretary debunked the claim as fake, unfounded and blatant falsehood.
Rahman pointed out that the N1.3 million Hajj fare had been fixed ever before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the whole world in 2020.
He stressed that the State Government did not include any vaccination fee in the fare for Hajj 2021 exercise which still stands at N1.3 million.
While confirming that the vaccination was given free of charge to every intending pilgrim that came for the exercise, Ishola stressed that during the 2019 Hajj exercise, the state government refunded N100,000.00 to each of the pilgrims out of the N1.4 million initially charged.
He said the refund was done to acknowledge the fact that the State Government is not in the business to cheat or make unwarranted profit from any of her citizens but to serve them diligently and selflessly.
He, therefore, appealed to merchants of fake news to desist from the act in order not to disparage the enviable image the state has built over the years on Hajj operations.
He commended the officials of the National Primarys Health Care Development Agency for a job well done as well as the intending pilgrims for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
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Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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December 29, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.

Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.

Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.

“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.

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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.

Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.

He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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December 27, 2024

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.

The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.

Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.

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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.

Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:

Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.

Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).

In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.

The application process opens on 27 December 2024 and will close on 2 January 2025. Interested candidates can apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.customs.gov.ng.

The NCS reiterated its commitment to a transparent recruitment process and encouraged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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5 days ago

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December 24, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.

“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.

The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.

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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.

Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.

There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.

In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.

 

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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