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Saudi Arabia Develops Tech to Ease Hajj Operations

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2022

Seven years after the September 201 stampede that left more than seven hundred people dead, the government of Saudi Arabia is ramping up it’s security measures for the visitors of Mecca and Medina

In it’s quest to record no casualty, crime and loss of kids or items during the annual pilgrimage exercises (Umrah and Hajj),the government of has commissioned and developed a technology to ease it’s operations during the exercises.

The newly developed technology named “Al Algorithms” was designed for crowd management amongst other benefits with the use of drones to streamline crowd control measures and ensure that pilgrims and visitors are safe and comfortable while at the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina respectively.

Efforts are being made to increase the capacity of receiving visitors, which include Hajj and Umrah pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosques in line with the target of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

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AI Algorithms is being designed and monitored by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) formed a strategic partnership on developing algorithms to upgrade services at the two holiest sites of Muslim world.

“AI technologies introduced recently at the Two Holy Mosques have been helping greatly in keeping crowds under control as they enter and leave, thanks to faster decision-making, while ensuring that no more than the right number of people are present anywhere around the Holy Mosques at any given time,” Director of Public Security in the ministry of Interior, Al-Bassami was quoted as saying

“A set of capabilities had been worked out using artificial intelligence, establishing a platform called ‘Aamin’ (meaning ‘safe’ in Arabic), and we are cooperating with a number of companies to establish data analysis centers.

“This is in addition to empowering security men deployed in the field in using technology directly through several applications, apart from automated monitoring systems.”

Some of the benefits of Al Algorithms include; carrying out the tasks of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages through facilitating the identification of pilgrims, helps in finding lost children apart from the management of crowds

It also helps in relieving the lumps during the circumambulation that cause disasters and uncovers quarrels and offenses amongst other benefits.

NPO

Related Topics:Hajj Operations Saudi Arabia

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We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

Published

21 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Hamdiyya Sidi

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

The Sokoto Police Command has refuted claims circulated by an online platform alleging that Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested and detained for criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Labeling the reports as baseless, police officials clarified that Sidi was detained following a complaint lodged against her for allegedly inciting public unrest.

In a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the police detailed that Sidi allegedly admitted to inciting residents to violence during questioning.

According to the statement, Sidi allegedly presented herself as a humanitarian seeking to assist local residents with donations, but later used the platform to incite them, prompting law enforcement action.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria Police, Sokoto Command, secretly arrested and arraigned a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto. This is false and misleading.”

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The statement continued to clarify the situation, explaining: “On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs, Marafa Yakubu, the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno Local Government Area, reported to the police that a woman, later identified as Hamdiyya Sidi from Munki village in the same local government, had visited the area, claiming to represent a charity aimed at assisting women and youth. She reportedly requested to address women in the community, intending to distribute aid to those in need.

“However, instead of distributing relief items as promised, she began encouraging the women to forcibly seize government properties in Wammako Local Government Area, claiming ownership rights over them.”

Yakubu observed the rising tension among community members and alerted local guards, who detained Sidi and subsequently handed her over to the police. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24 hours for the offence of inciting disturbance,” the statement added.

The Sokoto Police emphasized, “One of our constitutional responsibilities is to investigate crimes, both minor and major, and the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.”

The Commissioner of Police advised residents to carefully consider the information they share publicly, warning against the spread of misinformation that could disrupt the state’s peace.

“Sokoto State Police Command remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights while carrying out its duties,” the statement concluded.

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

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Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

Published

35 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

In a significant development, the Governing Council of Federal University Lokoja has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over allegations of examination malpractices and sexual misconduct.

According to reports, the decision was made during the council’s Second Meeting on Thursday, following a thorough investigation into the accusations that surfaced last year.

Led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council commended the university’s management for adhering to due process in investigating the claims of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers involved.

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Ndoma-Egba stated, “The council will not tolerate any unethical conduct in the university” and called for prompt resolution of other pending misconduct cases, particularly one within the Faculty of Science that has gained media attention.

In a caution to staff and lecturers, the council emphasized its commitment to addressing any form of student molestation and urged students to report incidents of misconduct without fear.

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

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BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

The federal government has unveiled a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Bagudu revealed that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.

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According to the minister, the government has pegged the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

The budget also sets the exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar and aims for a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4%.