Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II
“The attention of the Taraba State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, to the effect that the state government is training and arming militia men in the state. The Emir’s allegation is unfounded, misleading and unfair.”
This was contained in a statement issued by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state in reaction to Emir Sanusi’s criticism of him and the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, on their handling of herdsmen/farmers clashes in their states.
The Emir had, at a meeting with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Niger State, on Sunday, regretted the attitude of the states towards open grazing, saying: “we hope that the Vice President will speak to the Governors of Taraba and Benue in particular, on the manner the militias have continued to implement these obnoxious and unconstitutional laws.
“We hope that he will speak to the governors and the traditional rulers of the Bachama, the Tivs. This country cannot afford ethnic conflicts and hopefully we will sit down with them and find a way forward.”
However, in the statement signed by Bala Abu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Governor Darius described the allegation as “false and unfair.
“The administration of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has done a lot since inception to promote peaceful relationship among the ethnic groups and communities in the state. Even in the case of herdsmen/farmers conflicts, the administration has ensured that the issues involved are promptly and amicably resolved and security provided so that no party to the crisis suffers undue and unnecessary hardship.
“The law on Anti-Open Grazing and the establishment of ranches is in furtherance of government’s peace efforts.
“The government has not recruited militia and is not involved in the training of such people anywhere in or outside of the state.
“The government advises the Emir to rather use his vantage position as a traditional and religious leader to complement the peace efforts of the government than raise unnecessary alarm capable of causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Taraba State.”
Also, the Chief Press Secretary to governor Ortom, Terver Akase denied that the governor was sponsoring militia.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has sent a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to thank him for the renaming of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti as Adeyinka Adebayo University (FUOYE). It was named after late General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo who was Military Governor of defunct Western State.
In a letter dated January 29, 2018, with reference number EK/GOV/28/93, governor Fayose said: “on behalf of the People and Government of Ekiti State, I thank Your Excellency for the thoughtfulness, please.”
This was even as he appealed to the President to quickly effect the change in the name of the university as promised by the then acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo sometime in May last year, at the burial of late General Adebayo who died at Iyin-Ekiti, his home town.
Governor Fayose’s letter to President Buhari reads: “As Your Excellency is aware, the Late General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (Military Governor of defunct Western State and one time Head of the Nigerian Army died last year).
“Your Excellency was represented at his burial on May 20, 2017 by the then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCON) at Iyin-Ekiti, his home town.
“The Acting President at the occasion announced the decision of the Federal Government to rename the Federal University, Oye Ekiti as Adeyinka Adebayo University in recognition of the exemplary leadership of the late hero and frontline Statesman.
“However, more than seven months after this pronouncement, nothing has been done.
“Your Excellency, this letter therefore is to serve as reminder of this significant decision of your Government so as to enable appropriate directive(s) and implementation.” [myad]
Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs), who are mainly victims of the Boko Haram attacks in the Northeast, have expressed appreciation to the Federal Government on efforts being made towards making the camps safe but stressed that they are eager to return to their various homes in the Northeast and other parts of the country.
Leader of the victims in the IDP’s camp at Kuchigoro in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr. Philemon Emmanuel made this point over the weekend during the delivery of food, non-food items, empowerment and educational materials in the camp by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
According to Emmanuel, “we do appreciate all the efforts to make the camps comfortable for us through the donations and several visits by concerned people from within and outside the country, we have been missing home and we will want to beg that government should intensify efforts towards making out places safe so we can return home.
“We have been shown that humanity cares for us through the regular gifts we get here, but we have been disconnected from our roots and majority of us here will want to return to out ancestral lands because there is no place like home.”
He appealed to those coming with gifts to the camp to pay attention to their medical needs, saying: “among the several gifts we have gotten on this camp is the medical clinic donated by the German government but there are no drugs in the clinic.
“We have a nurse who has volunteered to render free services to us here, but there are no drugs for treating our simple medical challenges that come up from time to time.
“Having stayed out here without any gainful employment over the years, we will also want to appeal to government and those who can assist us to consider us for employment opportunities so that we can return to normal family lives.
“We have graduates among us who were engaged in some professional duties before the killers came yo ragas our lands and turned us to a people who depend on others to survive.
“If such people are employed, we will surely have less tension on the camp,” Emmanuel told the visitors.
Speaking earlier, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Sadiya Farouk promised the the Federal Government will continue to partner with donor agencies and public spirited individuals to alleviate the suffering of the victims of skirmishes across the country while intensifying efforts towards making everywhere safe in the country.
“Out concern for the provision of durable solutions is to out an end to those activities that can temporarily of permanently bring about displacement, such as assisting displaced persons to return to their habitual residence when it becomes possible and safe; reintegrate them in host communities as well as resettle or relocate them elsewhere in safer areas.
Earlier, Hajiya Farouk had led a delegation yo make similar donations were at the Wasa and Durumi camps where the camp coordinators collected the items to be shared according to the laid down regulations for such donations in the camps. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound sadness over what he called “the tragic accident” that took the life of Senator John Shagaya.
In a condolence message to the Shagaya family, friends, the Government and people of Plateau State, issued by the special adviser to Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President Buhari described his death as painful.
The President referred to late Shagaya as a great Nigerian whose legacies will live on in the patriotic work he did as a military officer, “who rose to the position of a General, and a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic that ably represented the Plateau Southern zone.”
Buhari said that at each step of his distinguished career in national service and politics, General Shagaya brought his deep convictions and discipline to national, regional and community assignments and was ready to always offer his best to the development and stability of the country.
President Buhari then prayed that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest.
Also, the former Nigerian military President, retired General Ibrahim Babangida has expressed shock over the death of Senator Shagaya, whom he described as brilliant retired military officers.
He recalled that until his death, General Shagaya had been an ardent supporter of the unity of Nigeria as a nation and a peace builder irrespective of ethnicism, tribalism and religious bigotry.
“Equally, my condolences go to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on the demise of his father a veteran of the Nigerian Army at the age of 103.
“Similarly, I condole members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm over the demise of veteran broadcaster Late Mahmoon Baba Ahmed who died at the age of 74.
“My heartfelt condolences go to all their families, friends and well-wishers.” [myad]
Former Senator representing Plateau Southern Zone, retired General John Nanzip Shagaya, has died following a ghastly motor accident.
General Shagaya was recently appointed as the Chairman National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (NIPSS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A family source confirmed in Jos that the former Senator died in a ghastly motor accident on his way to Jos from Langtang on Sunday.
Late Senator Shagaya was born on September, 2nd 1942 to Mallam Sikji Miri Wazhi alias SHAGAYA and Mrs. Maryamu Zwancit. He attended Junior Primary School at Nyer and Sudan United Mission (S.U.M) Primary School, Langtang between 1952-1959, and later the Nigeria Military School (N.M.S) Zaria in 1960-1964.
After Graduation from the Nigeria Military school, Zaria, young Shagaya got posted to the Nigerian Army Corps then (Recce Squadron) before attending the first short service Combatant Commission Course at Nigeria Defence Academy (N.D.A) Kaduna, in 1967. He was posted to 3 Marine Commando upon commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant where he participated in the Nigeria Civil War from1967-1970.
After the civil War, John started a long and successful march to command a West Africa Multinational Force (ECOMOG) as a Major General. He became the first Field Commander to chair the Conference of the Joint Chief of Staff of the enlarged ECOMOG having Commanded the 1st Mechanized Division in the Nigerian Army including a Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade.
Senator John Shagaya is the longest serving member of the Federal Minister of Internal Affairs and a former member, Armed Forces Ruling Council, member of the Police Council and member, National Boundary Commission all between August, 1985-December, 1989. While a Federal Minister, he served as Chairman of the controversial Organization of Islamic Conference (O.I.C) Committee in 1987. The Committee was set up to resolve Nigeria’s alleged Permanent Membership of the O.I.C.
Between the same period as Minister of Internal Affairs, Shagaya served as the Chairman of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the ECOWAS Sub-region and helped draft the ECOWAS PROTOCOLS 1, II &III. He was also the Minister of Internal Affairs of Benin, Nigeria and Chad, helping to resolve Nigeria’s International Boundaries problem with neighbours.
Due to Senator John Shagaya’s interest in Military history, he was made the Chairman of the National War Museum and was a member of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments between 1984-1986. His efforts resulted in the establishment of the historic Umuahia complex of the National War Museum and the National Museum of Colonial History at Aba in Abia State.
Other important military appointments held during Shagaya’s military career include; The Military Secretary Army, Army Headquarters, Directing Staff Command and Staff college- Jaji, Director of Cadets- Nigerian Defence Academy, Grade Three staff officer Nigeria Army School of Infantry- Jaji. He was described throughout his career by his superiors and assessors as the soldiers’ soldier. He was one of the few Nigerian Military Officers who, between the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and Major General, attended every professional course commensurate to that age and rank. His performances at military Institutions in USA earned him the Honorary Citizenship of six states. At the Royal college of Defence Studies (1990), he became the second Nigerian to earn an academic prize for his research work, the first being the Late General ID Bissalla in 1974. On 16th November, 2000, Shagaya was conferred with the National Honour of ‘Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic’ (OFR) by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Aremu Kikiola Obasanjo. He was elected Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District on the 21st of April, 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
In addition to being an active politician, Senator Shagaya OFR was Director of Lion Bank (Nig.) Plc between 1998-2003. Senator John Shagaya has just concluded work on a book, ‘The Tarok History’ after having already published and presented two other books, ‘Governance in Nigeria’ ‘The IBB ERA’ an Insider’s View and ‘The Ministry of Internal affairs an Overview’. He has participated in many international seminars on Peace Keeping such as ‘The ECOMOG Experience’ and ‘Conflicts and Resolutions’.
His Educational, Military qualifications, Awards and Decorations include:
Boys Intermediate and Senior Examination Certificate ( British Army’s Equivalent of WAEC Certificate.)
Advance Diploma in Religious Studies.
A fellow of the Nigerian Institute Management.
A graduate of Royal College of Defence Studies with an Associate Masters in Degree in Defence Studies.
A graduate of two Staff Colleges.
Marines Staff College USA and Army Command and Staff College Jaji.
A degree of Doctors of letters (St. Clements University Australia) 1998.
Traditional titles include; Damburam Langtang II, Akaraka I of Ibeku, Otun-Akogun I of Ikose-Kosofeland, Lagos and Dike Ogu- Asa Bielere.
The Chairman, Nigerian/Taiwan (ROC) Chambers of Commerce.
ECOWAS Distinguish Service Medal.
Republic of Liberia’s Distinguish Service Star Nigerian Armed Forces Medal.
‘Distinguish Service Star’
Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth.
A Patron, Boys Scout of Nigeria, Plateau chapter.
A Patron, PLACIMA Plateau State.
A Patron National Youth Forum.
A Patron, African Youth Congress.
President General, Nimbar Community Development Association.
Member, Board of Trustees of Four Golf Clubs in Nigeria; (IBB-IGC Abuja, Ray Field Golf Club, Lamingo Golf Club and Ikeja Lagos).
Senator Dr JN Shagaya is married with a wife and five Children (3 boys & 2 girls.) Hobbies include, Golf, Reading, Hunting and Travelling [myad]
Indian trained Graduate engineers for the Dangote Refinery, have promised to deploy the knowledge and skills they have acquired to ensure that the recurring seasonal fuel scarcity in Nigeria is permanently halted.
The engineers, who described their experiences as second to none in the history of Nigeria oil and gas sector, vowed that never again would Nigeria experience fuel scarcity as the Dangote refinery would be operated in the most efficient manner.
The returned engineers, who narrated their experiences at the Refinery premises at Lekki, Lagos said that they had both theory and practical training in India and that they witnessed a refinery a refinery being built from the scratch.
Opeyemi Oyedepo, who is a process engineer and Igwe John, a petroleum and gas engineer told the management how they were made to be part of trouble shooting during their training, a development that boosted their confidence.
Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser to Dangote Refinery, Engineer Babajide Soyode expressed satisfaction that the best of the graduate engineers were selected as attested to by the trainer’s in India.
He said that the management is proud of the engineers who have displayed a thorough understanding of what they learnt in India, adding that India has the biggest refinery in the world and are ready to train young engineers.
The company’s Director of Human Capital Management and Project Support, Mohan Kumar, while presenting the returnee engineers said the company is laying a solid foundation for the takeoff with the training of the engineers.
He said that the young engineers were trained at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. in India on how to manage the operations of the refinery.
Kumar added that the engineers had gathered fundamental practical knowledge about refinery.
According to him, the engineers are recruited and trained to witness the building of the refinery from scratch. He said the engineers spent two months in classroom training and three months on the job training.
Kumar explained that the engineers were trained by experts who had over 45 years experience in refinery operations, stressing that the training became imperative due to the commitment of Dangote Group to promote local content by developing indigenous capacity.
“The engineers are expected to also transfer the skills acquired to other Nigerians when the refinery comes on stream.”
Dangote Oil Refinery Company had, in preparation for takeoff, sent in batches of local Graduate engineers to Bharat Refinery in India, the biggest in the world, for training in refinery operation and production.
The refinery is hoped to operate with a capacity of 650,000 bpd and will commence operation as the country’s four refineries have gone comatose. [myad]
Vigilant youths in Umuoba Uratta in Owerri North Local Government area of Imo State, at the weekend, caught a married woman in a bush, engaging in a free sex with her lover, whose name was given simply as Dona.
The youths, who trailed the lovers to the bush, later matched the man to the village square naked, even as they refused to collect the N5,000 which the woman, a mother of two, offered to them so that they would not expose her.
It was gathered that based on tip off, the youths had engaged in monitoring the lovers, with the woman first moving into the bush before the randy man, who is alleged to be an Indian hemp addict.
One of the youths identified as Amaechi told Punch that he caught the couple in the bush with four other youths, after about 10 minutes of the duo’s entry.
The source said: “I moved right inside the bush, on nearing there, we saw that the lovebirds had already started the act.
“The boxers (inner wear) of the man, which he (randy man) used to cover his mobile phone was taken away by me without the lovers’ notice.
“I came out and alerted other youths, who immediately surrounded the bush.
“We were there for hours, before the woman first came out from the bush. She pleaded with us to take it easy and promised to give N5,000 for drinks, but we disagreed.”
The youths further combed the bush, dragged her lover who was stark naked and matched them to the village.
The incident occurred in one of the bushes in Umuoba Uratta in Owerri North Local Government area of Imo State, where the lovers were both residents.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, said the matter had not been reported to his office.
The federal government has filed a two-count charge against the Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, for allegedly giving false information to the police in relation to a claim he made on April 17 about an attempt to assassinate him.
The charge sheet marked: CR/106/18, which was made available to journalists during the weekend. It was filed on January 31 this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
In the charge, Melaye was accused of falsely incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Edward Onoja David, in his assassination attempt claim.
He was also accused of deliberately giving false information to the police to frame Governor Bello’s Chief of Staff as the mastermind of the assassination attempt on him at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State in April last year.
According to the charge, the police discovered the alleged falsehood in Melaye’s claim while investigating the Senator’s allegation that some individuals attempted to assassinate him.
In the second count, Melaye was accused of making false statement of facts in a phone conversation with Mr. Mohammed Abudu Abubakar, a son of the late former governor of Kogi State Abubakar Audu, with the intention of harming the reputation of David.
In the charge, Melaye’s alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 140 and 393 of the Peal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
The first of the two counts read, “That you, Senator Dino Melaye, male, of the Senate, National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, on or about the month of April 2017 at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court in the cause of an investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on you, sometimes in April 2017, you gave information to the police stating that one Mr. Edward Onoja David (Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State) did mastermind the attack with intent to convict him for the offence which statement you either knew or believe to be false and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.”
Melaye was said to have told Abubakar, son of a former Kogi State Governor, in a telephone conversation how he framed Edward Onoja David in the assassination attempt.
He was also said to have made the false claim in the statement he made to the police on April 17, 2017 during police’s investigation into the alleged attempt to assassinate him. No date is set yet for his arraignment. [myad]
Kadaria Ahmed again stamped her persona and brilliance as the anchor of her show, The Core, on Channels TV yesterday night. The panelists which comprised the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and 3 other people ( a lecturer from the Bayero University Kano, a Police AIG and a female CSO activist ) offered valuable insights into what the real problems are. The panelists also offered solutions.
Members of the audience too, acquainted themselves well with their multi-disciplinary perspectives on the crisis. Kadaria was very firm and fair. She had total control of the show. Her firmness ensured the language of discourse was decent and civil without name-calling. For a LIVE National Television programme, Kadaria as the anchor of a potentially explosive subject put up a command performance.
These are my takeaways:
The 2-hour show was very educative and informative as most people who watched from homes and electronic devices would be better informed about the real issues and what should be the imperatives in seeking permanent solutions. Cattle Colony was better explained by Chief Ogbeh as a Cluster of Ranches beyond the pejorative biological and zoological meaning. In a crisis situation words acquire new meanings. Power of words!
Audu Ogbe is a very knowledgeable and hands on Minister of Agriculture. A repository of knowledge who, without doubt is doing a good job and being a man from Benue he offered pragmatic solutions. I pray the Governor of the state will play less politics with the crisis and allow solution.
It is almost true that it is in the DNA of a black man to live for only today. We leave problems to fester seeking only short cut solutions without thinking of tomorrow and all its ramifications. From the show, Audu Ogbeh recalled that Uthman dan Fodio, over 200years ago warned about this same problem of herdsmen and farmers. 200 years after, we have not changed our practice of rearing cows from same antiquated method while in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, United States and many countries it is a multi-billion dollars industry using modern methods.
The Nigerian media does not know how to report conflicts and this was confirmed by Musikilu Mojeed, the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, who reinforced same view. The media especially mainstream media, like a typical Nigerian is also emotional and maintains one-way track on national issues. Truth is always the victim when issues are blurred. In most cases, media blur issues in Nigeria for motives that are not ennobling and healthy for national development. Media accentuates crisis with slanted reportage and oftentimes, the media reports ignore the nuances and the real issues on the altar of sensationalism. Nigerian media has refused to take the lessons on how media was the major enabler of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Red Cross, NEMA, NOA, DFID, UNDP and local CSOs with focus on governance and development should be organizing trainings on Conflict Reporting for Journalists. Universities can also run certificate programmes on Conflict Reporting for Journalists.
Social media is a force for good and evil in Nigeria like it has been all over the world. People without the foggiest idea on practicability of a policy/initiative will shoot it down and abuse those with expert knowledge. When Audu Ogbeh two years ago, said ranching is the best way to solve the herdsmen/farmers problem and Nigeria like other countries that have made success of animal husbandry, must import grass from Brazil, he was shouted down and called names.
Governor Ortom has not done well in dealing with the crisis. He is a profiteer of the crisis. He is simply using the crisis for political effect. His interview on the programme yesterday showed the Anti-Grazing and Ranching Provision Law he signed was targeted against herdsmen of Fulani ethnic stock. A law or a government policy should not target any ethnic and sub-ethnic group. A law that only gives 1 year lease on land is not a progressive law. A government wants herdsmen to do ranching, yet will only give 1 year lease that is renewable every year. Who will make an investment on ranches in Benue when the government can decide not to renew your lease the following year? A governor of a state is not as helpless on security matters if he decided to work with the existing security structure in the state like Governor Ortom makes it look. There is no Commissioner of Police, DSS Director or Civil Defence Commandant in a state who would not respond to a crisis situation or who would be instructed from Abuja to allow killings to continue. Governors in Lagos, Kogi, Ogun, Kaduna and other states that have experienced serious security breaches in their states had worked well with the same Federal security infrastructure available to them. When Ogun and Lagos State Governors (Amosun and Ambode) needed the military to bomb Arepo and Ikorodu creeks they got President Buhari’s approval. The criminals that used Arepo and Ikorodu creeks as base were taken out by the air force.
The security problems involving herdsmen/Farmers in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara do not have same colouration of Fulani attacking and killing farmers as being reported by the media. The herdsmen are also victims of armed local militia, rustlers, political and business elite.
The crisis will fester until government at all levels- Federal, States and LGAs have same singular and clear agenda to really solve it. The solutions are more with the States and Local governments than the Federal. It is LGAs that collect cow levies from cattle rearers and the law vests land with the state governors. One wonders why States and LGAs cannot take advantage of an economic activity with huge revenue potentials and maximize it to create jobs.
Cattle rearing should be seen as a serious economic activity that requires government support like other economic activities that government supports through fiscal regimes and other interventions.
Religious/Ethnic conspiracy theories should be taken out of the problem. The criminal elements causing trouble on both sides should be apprehended. Government must bring to bear all the terror machines of state to stamp out killers of Nigerians living in Benue or any part of the country. Those already arrested should be prosecuted. Social justice must be done, if for anything, for the memory of the dead victims and to assuage the pains of the living. [myad]
Government of Saudi Arabia has introduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on anything intending pilgrims buy in that country, in addition to the capturing of Biometric information of the pilgrims. The measures will take effect from this year, 2018 hajj operations.
These facts were disclosed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad when he briefed President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on the 2018 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Meeting held in Saudi Arabia.
A statement by the Chief Information Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Adamu Hassan Abdullahi, on the presentation of the MoU to the President, said that the Executive Chairman of the Commission was accompanied to the Aso Villa by the minister of State for foreign affairs, Mrs. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
The statement said that President Buhari expressed his commitment to the welfare, health and security needs of Nigerian pilgrims while on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, after being informed that Nigeria’s approved quota for Hajj 2018 is 95,000 slots with 75,000 going to State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies and 20, 000 going to Private Tour Operators.
The NAHCON Chairman was said to have briefed President Buhari also on some of the new policies introduced by the Saudi Arabian Government which included payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) by all consumers of goods and services in Saudi Arabia beginning 1st January, 2018; fixing of May 2018 as the deadline for the conclusion of all Hajj arrangements and the introduction of biometric data capture for all intending pilgrims.
It said that the President expressed concern over the challenges being faced by intending Umrah pilgrims (lesser hajj currently ongoing), even as he said that Nigeria is not against the introduction of Biometrics capture by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but the hardship caused by the non-preparedness of the company appointed to implement the policy in Nigeria.
The statement quoted the President as assuring Nigerian pilgrims of his commitment to address the problem along with its attendant consequences on Hajj and Umrah operations.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has announced that it has embarked on nationwide sensitization and enlightenment Programmes for intending Pilgrims across the Six Geo Political zones of the Country.
It said that the idea is to educate the Pilgrims of the new policies being introduced by the Saudi administration in Hajj management, naming such policies as Value Added Tax, Biometric Data Capture and the introduction of SR20,00 charges for Hajj and Umrah repeat goers.
The sensitization drive will also remind intending pilgrims of the need to conclude payments for the 2018 Hajj on or before March 31st when NAHCON will close payment for the 2018 Hajj season in order to meet up with the Saudi dateline.” [myad]
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