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Pray for Nigeria’s progress, envoy urges pilgrims, hails Lagos team

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L-R: Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alh. Zikhrullah Kunle Hassan; Consular General, Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia/Ambassador of Nigeria to Sudan, Ambassador Bello Kasaure; former Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Islamic matters, Alh. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; Ambassador of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahya Lawal and Lagos State 2023 Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, during the courtesy visit of the Ambassador and NAHCON team to the Lagos tent in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.

Pray for Nigeria’s progress, envoy urges pilgrims, hails Lagos team

 

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Yahya Lawal, has urged the pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj to pray for the progress, stability, peace, security and well-being of Nigeria.
Ambassador Lawal gave the charge when he led a delegation including the Consular-General and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sudan, Amb. Bello Kazaure; the Chairman/CEO National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alhaji Zikhrullah Kunle Hassan, on a courtesy visit to the Lagos tent in Mina, Saudi, last Thursday.
He described Lagos State pilgrims as one of the most disciplined during the 2023 Hajj.
This is contained in a statement by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Taofeek Lawal.
The diplomat extended the best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the entire pilgrims from the state.
He also said that the delegation paid the visit based on the directive of the President.
He said, “The President requested that the team should visit the pilgrims and we are impressed with their exemplary conduct which was a reflection of the effective and efficient work the Amir-ul-Hajj and other officials of the state government have put in place”.
On his part, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Hassan, absolved Lagos State of any blame in respect of the challenges faced by the pilgrims over inadequate allocation of bed spaces and meals in Mina.
He said neither NAHCON nor the state officials had any blame.
The NAHCON boss however apologised to the pilgrims for all the shortcomings and difficulties they had passed through.
He prayed that Allah would accept their Hajj as act of ibaadah and reward them with Aljanat Fridaus.
On the $700 Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) given to each of the pilgrims, Hassan explained that it was not peculiar to only Lagos but every Nigerian pilgrim.
He stressed that because of the war going on in Sudan and the demand for increment in airfare by the airlines, NAHCON had to deduct $100 from the initial $800 the pilgrims were expected to collect as BTA.
He affirmed that although Flynas, a Saudi Arabia-based airline that flew the 3,662 Lagos pilgrims did not ask for any increment, NAHCON decided to also deduct the $100 from each of its pilgrims for the sake of equity and fairness.
He said the agency on its part added $250 for every pilgrims across the country.
The state Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the pilgrims had been so enduring despite the bed space issue and the kind of meals served by the Saudi caterers engaged by the service providers.
He appealed to NAHCON to prevail on the Saudi authorities to hand over the kitchen to each of the participating states, saying that they are in the best position to provide local delicacies for their pilgrims through reputable caterers during subsequent exercises.
He also expressed the hope that NAHCON would ensure that airlifting of the pilgrims back to Nigeria commences as soon as possible and seamless.
Meanwhile, the pilgrims board has organised a special prayer session to round off the Mina activities.

The prayer session which is usually done annually before pilgrims depart Mina for Makkah on the third day of throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, was designed to specifically pray to Allah to accept the Hajj exercise, the supplications of the pilgrims, pray for the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the good people of the state as well as for peace and tranquility in Nigeria as a whole.
Government functionaries present at the prayer session are the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba; Amir-ul-Hajj, Prince Elegushi, and former Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe.
Others included the Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar; Prof. AbdulKabir Paramole (Badagry); Dr. (Mrs.) Faosat Dabiri (Lagos); Alh. Yusuf Ara (Epe); Hon. AbdulWaheed Shonibare (Ikeja) and Alh. Mojeed Sanni (Ikorodu); Board Secretary, Mr. Olayiwola Saheed Onipede; Alh. Monsur Olowoshago; Dr. Animashaun of LASU.

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

Chairman of the Committee, Amos Magaji, spoke on behalf of the committee shortly after members carried out an oversight visit at the FMC on Wednesday.

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Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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Reno Omokri

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

A former presidential aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has been described as a man who cannot “win a position in history  church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

These were the remarks of a cross-section of Nigerians who criticized Omokri for describing the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as a “bushman.”

Omokro, in a statement on Wednesday, described Fubara as a classless politician who acts like a “militant in the creek.”

The social media influencer remarked while commenting on the ongoing feud between the Rivers state governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Omokri mentioned that the governor of Rivers State is a ‘tactless’ politician who is “not refined and does not project much intellectual prowess.”

The self-acclaimed table shaker raised concerns that the political tension in the state may spread across the country, having negative effects.

He therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ameliorate the feud in the state.

“If their blustering will start and end in Rivers, okay. But it will not end there. The contagious effect may have seismic consequences for our country. Rivers needs an outside force to act as Big Brother. Rivers needs presidential intervention,” Omokri stated.

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Reacting to Omokri’s statement, Ovih Williams said, “It seems you know a lot about Nigerian politics, but what’s stopping you from getting a ticket and running for public office? Oh, let’s guess, you can’t even win a position in your church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

He adds, “No one can and will trust you with power; your forked tongue will not allow anyone to entrust you with a ticket or an appointment because you will surely betray them in the end, like you did Atiku Abubakar.

“What’s funny is you now doing everything humanly possible to wow the same @officialABAT you called “thief!, ole!!, drug dealer!!!, etc.” just months ago.”

Osadolo Osazeme, in his reaction, mentioned that “Reno is taking trash. If Reno were in Fubara’s shoes, I guess he would do worse to sustain his seat. Imagine Reno selling his soul for Tinubu after campaigning for Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.”

Abdulrahman Abdulrajid berated Omokri, saying, “You never stand for truth. You were defending the action of Ododo for interfering with the EFCC by arresting Yahaya Bello. Now You are taking sides against Fubara.”

He adds, “You talking rubbish! Are you encouraging God-fatherism or what? You didn’t see those videos of how the local government chairman insulted him! Did you know how many people’s properties were demolished in River State?”

“I disagree with you. Gov. Fubara is not a Bushman,” Agba Nwagbegbe noted.

“He represents the interests of the Rivers people. And he didn’t allow the bombing of the HOA. You don’t know what happened there. Rivers State will not be controlled by foreign players; the people of Rivers decide,” he adds.

Amb Mike Damisa, wrote, “I’m disappointed at Reno Omokri; I never saw your write-up condemning Wike’s boys trying to remove a sitting governor for no crime committed just 6 months after he assumed power as Governor of Rivers State, and you never make reference to the status of the defected assembly members, but the same you brag daily on how your father saved Peter Obi during his time as Governor of Anambra State.

“The same you that wants a better Nigeria! Wike shouldn’t be in existence politically if Nigeria needs a fresh air.”

Malam Lukman stated, “Sir, you are taking sides here. After calling Fubara all sorts of names, call Wike with the names he deserves too.

“Wike isn’t perfect, and in this matter, he’s at fault too. He initiated this in the first place. Why are you scapegoating Fubara all of a sudden? No, I don’t agree with you here.”

Tamuno Nengi also commented, “I’ve never expected anything reasonable from you, and you never even try to prove me wrong. You keep jumping from pillar to post. We are waiting for you to grow the naira with caps from Katangwa and walking sticks from Panya.”

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

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Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Akwa Ibom has embarked on an industrial action over the abduction of one of its members two weeks ago.

The association suspended medical services across all government and private hospitals in the State due to the continued incarceration of the kidnapped member.

Recall that gunmen had on April 30, 2024, abducted a senior member of the doctors’ association, Dr John Esu at Oron local government area.

Dr Esu’s prolonged captivity has compelled the furious medics to stop work, attributing the development to the insensitivity of government and security agencies towards the safety of lives and properties of the people, including medical workers.

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NMA State Chairman, Prof. Emem Abraham said the strike became imperative to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the plights of medical workers.

Abraham ordered all members including consultants to the state government and privately owned hospitals to withdraw their services saying the action would be reviewed after 72 hours.

“The NMA, Akwa Ibom State has resolved to withdraw services from all government and private hospitals in sympathy with our member who had been in captivity for over 15 days. The withdrawal of services takes immediate effect and shall be reviewed after 72 hours.

“The entire members of our association have been psychologically traumatised by this unfortunate situation, and are not in any good frame of mind to continue serving the public, while Dr. John Esu remains in the kidnappers’ den.”

Medical activities paralysed in A’Ibom as doctors begin strike over abducted colleague

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