There Will Be No Uniform Fare For Intending Pilgrims In 2024 Hajj – NAHCON Announces

January 8, 2024

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that there will be no uniform fare for intending Muslim Pilgrims in the 2024 hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.
The chairman of the Commission, Malam Jalal Arabi, who dropped the hint after a series of meetings with relevant bodies, including the Saudi Foreign Minister, said that the fare for each state would depend on the cost of accommodation in the Holy land.
According to him, the cheaper a state’s cost of accommodation and feeding, the cheaper the state’s Hajj fare.
“States are to plan their individual menus which would be used during negotiations.”
Jalal Arabi made it clear that the team of NAHCON’s facilities’ inspectors will not compromise standards, even as he commended the maturity exhibited by the Private Tour Operators for their collaboration to move the operations to the next level.
He reminded them to commit their agreements on paper for future reference.
The NAHCON boss advised the Tour Operators to
explore liberalization of Mutawwif services in settling for those that would best serve their pilgrims.
He asked NAHCON staff to redouble efforts in working with updated guidelines.
A statement from the NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara said that further preparatory engagements would continue, with working visit to Mutawwif company, known as Mu’assasa, GACA, Car Syndicate for Pilgrims’ transportation, Adillah in Madina among others. She said that the Chairman and other members are expected to strike good bargains on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims that would reduce cost of the 2024 Hajj fare
“NAHCON will continue to update its several stakeholders on its activities for transparency and inclusivity.

Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello Dethrones 3 Traditional Rulers, Banishes Them

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2024

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has dethroned the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who doubles as Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto,
and banishes to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
Others who have been similarly Dethroned are the Olu Magongo of Magongo, Sam Bola Ojoa, and banished to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, the Obobanyi of Emani, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, and banished to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Governor Yahaya Bello, who spoke in a broadcast after the executive council meeting held at Government House in Lokoja, announced the appointment of Alhaji Saidu Akawo Salihu as the new Ohimege Igu of Konton-Karfe and Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi the 4th as the new Megeri of Lokoja.
He also announced the appointment of Alhaji Dauda Isah, as the Maiyaki of Kupa.
The governor said that the actions were taken under the Traditional and Chieftaincy Laws, Rules and Regulations and all the due processes.
The statement reads as follows:
“His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council is hereby removed and to be deposed to, Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
”His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo is removed and to be deposed to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
“His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, is removed and to be deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
“That Similarly, on decision No. 3, the title “OBOBANYI OF IHIMA” which reads on the promotion letter, upgrading the stool to first class status, was done without cognisance to the fact that the title; “Obobanyi of Ihima” is a subject of litigation and the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision, as such, the Government have however received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.
“To this end, the stool is hereby reverted to “OBOBANYI OF EMANI” as the present occupant remains deposed.
“His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the ONU-IFE in Omala Local Government is to be suspended, indefinitely.
On the following stools, after due intervention by the Government to resolve the lingering controversies that have characterised the selection process, the Government hereby, come up with the following appointments of the next occupants.
“Similarly, going by the selection decision of the Odaki ruling HOUSE, dated 27/4/2012 and endorsed by the Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, dated 14/5/2012, Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu is hereby appointed as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be turbaned immediately to avoid vacuum.
“Finally, going by the high court judgment of 1998, which give full recognition to Ododo as bonafide child of Ita’azi the father of Ebira land and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebira land with equal rights as others, therefore, the stool of Ohi of Uhuodo is hereby created and processes for the occupation of the stool to commence with immediate effect.
Governor Yahaya Bello dissolved his cabinet, reappointed some and also appointed new Caretaker Chairmen in various local government areas of the state.

BREAKING NEWS: Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland Emerges; He’s Dr. Ahmed Anaje

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2024

Alhaji, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the immediate past Ohi Okengwe, has emerged as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and Chairman of Ebira Traditional Council.
His emergence was announced just about now, January 8, in a special broadcast through Facebook, by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
His appointment followed the death of the occupant in October, 2023, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim, at the age of 94.
Alhaji, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Anaje, beat six others, including the former Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Phillips Salawu; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Barrister Mohammed Ataba Sani Omonori to clinch the throne.
Details later….

Tinubu Suspends Embattled Minister Betta Edu, Asks Her To Hand Over

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
A statement today, January 8, by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said that the suspended Minister has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry.

News has been trending over the alleged directive by Minister Betta Edu, for the payment of the Poverty Alleviation fund, amounting to N585 million into a private account of a civil servant in the ministry.
The Presidential statement said that the minister was also directed to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
The President, who directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, asked that one or more agencies under the ministry should be critically looked into.
“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.
President Tinubu avowed to continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.

N37 Billion Saga: Ex Minister, Sadiya Umar, Presents Self Before EFCC, Now

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2024

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has just presented herself at the head quarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of the N37.1 billion alleged fraud in her ministry which the Commission is investigating.
The former minister, who had earlier indicated her readiness to honour the Commission’s invitation, was quoted as saying on arrival at the EFCC offices today , January 8 (a few minutes ago) that she had nothing to hide in regard to how she served the country under President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my action, stewardship and programme during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”
Today’s visit to the EFCC office, located in Jabi district of Abuja, by the former minister, was believed to be by surprise to the officers of the Commission as they were taken unawares.
Recall that the EFCC had earlier said that Hajiya Sadiyya, being accused of N37.1 billion fraud, did not shun its invitation.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said that the former minister sent a letter that she couldn’t honour the invitation because she was indisposed [due to health challenges].
“It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time explaining that she had some health challenges.
“She didn’t shun EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up
“Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation,” he told NAN.
Oyewale said the EFCC had considered her plea and expected that she would honour the invitation without further delay.
The EFCC spokesperson said there might not be any reason for her arrest as she had done the needful through her lawyer.
“The position of the commission is that she should turn herself in without further delay,” he added.
Oyewale said that the N37.1 billion being branded might not be a correct figure of the money misappropriated under the ministry.
He said: “On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing. We are still tracing all the transactions here and there; it may be more than that.
“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now.”
The EFCC spokesperson added that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, had been released.
Shehu, who was arrested and directed to be coming to the EFCC office for interrogation until the end of the investigation.
She was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs ministry.
“She was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her,” Oyewale said.

It would also be recalled that the former minister had, through her media aide, Alexander Udeh, issued an initial response to the media report that insinuated her into business relationship with a contractor.
Read her: “My attention has been drawn to publications in some online media outlets trying to link my name with the activities of one Mr. James Okwete who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial improprieties.
“Ordinarily I would have ignored such publications, which at best could be seen and regarded as speculative but doing so will give energy to the adventure of those who take delight in mudslinging, especially against those who are, or have been privileged to hold public offices.
“In this age of digital media when unverified materials are easily dumped and recalled from the cyber space, it would be inappropriate to ignore such a malicious linkage.
“I wish to state categorically that I neither know the said Mr. Okwete nor has ever had him represent me in any way whatsoever. Therefore, linking me with him in whatever guise is bogus and ill-intentioned.
“I remain proud to have served my country as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media banter whatsoever on this issue since my name was never expressly mentioned by the agency reportedly investigating Mr. Okwete, I am nonetheless prepared to seek redress legally and clear my name if there is any such defamatory reference to my person from any source.”
Meanwhile, sundry reports said that the agencies, which financial activities caught the interest of and scrutiny by the anti-graft agency had their budgets independently and exclusively administered by them as long as spending did not go above a certain threshold.
It was learnt that if proposed expenditures went above the threshold, the agencies would have to revert upstairs for ministerial approval.
But the agencies, as learnt, ensured that expenditures for contracts were below ministerial approval.
These, as gathered, are some of the areas the former minister would be expected to clarify or shed light on in her rescheduled interview with operatives of the EFCC to enable it (the Commission) track the “expended” funds being investigated.

We’ll Punish Public Officers In Breach Of Rules Of Engagement – Presidency

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2024

“Appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, Mohammed Idris, made this declaration in a statement, reacting to the ongoing dust being raised regarding the use of public funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, under the minister, Betta Edu.
The Information minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, saying that already, President Bola Tinubu has ordered investigation into the matter.
“In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.”
Mohammed Idris insisted that Tinubu Government is transparent and accountable to the people, “and committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.”
He however, advised to disregard various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet about the matter, saying that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Only accurate details will be shared with the public. The Ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.
“We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public.”

Meanwhile, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, had long clarified that no bulk money should be paid into an individual’s account in the name of Project Accountant under the Federal Government’s financial regulations.
Madein said that she did not carry out the request of Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to pay N585 million into a private account of a civil servant in the ministry because it violates the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.
The AGF was reacting to a memo that surfaced last Friday, alleging that Edu of asked her to pay the sum of N585 million to Ms Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, “Project Accountant” for the Renewed Hope Grant for vulnerable groups, a development that has generated outrage on social media.
A statement from the AGF’s office, said: “Allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget and such MDAs are responsible for the implementation of their projects and payments for such projects.
“The AGF explained that although her Office received the said request from the Ministry, it did not carry out the payment.
“The Ministry was however advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.”
According to the AGF, beneficiaries of projects should be paid through their verified bank accounts.
Madein restated her commitment to upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.
“MDAs should always ensure that the requisite steps are followed in carrying out financial transactions.”

Minister Wike, Is Zuba In Your Agenda? By Rashidat Yusuf

Greenbarge Reporters

January 7, 2024

There has been this wide spread perception that Zuba is part of Niger State because of its overlapping nature with the State. But, in reality, it is part of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
However, it is one of the unfortunate parts of the FCT that still lacks any form of basic amenities to qualify it as being part and parcel of the capital city.
Zuba shares boundary with Niger State with the border town of Madalla. Madalla is populated mainly by workers of the FCT.
So too, Zuba houses the most prestigious rock in West Africa: “the Zuma rock.”
Those who live in Zuba have no reason to even tell their relatives back home that they are in Abuja. This is because there is nothing in Zuba to show any relationship with Federal Capital Territory.
Unlike Kwali Area Council that has Federal establishments, such as the National Mathematical Centre, and the Federal Government College, Zuba has none.
In the early days of the Capital Territory, the then zuba motor park was a beehive of activities. It served as the entry point for travellers from the South to Abuja.
A visit to the park now shows its a complete shadow of itself. Only yam sellers are there, with heaps of yam being sold at dozen price.
Else where in Zuba is fruit Market. On daily and weekly basis, fruits, including plantains are brought to Zuba from various parts of the country ..
Filt is the hallmark of Zuba: as you approach the town from the Abuja metro, you are greeted with refuse, loaded around the road corridors. Culverts meant for drainages are filled up with refuse dumps. So also are pockets of refuse all over the places.
As a matter of urgency, the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) needs to wade in quickly and address the challenges facing this town, which ought to benefit from the centre because of its proximity.
The FCT Minister, Chief Nyeson Wike will do well by going on a working visit to Zuba to personally assess its sorry state. Such visit will give the minister of the idea on how best to swiftly move into action to transform the town into a possible investment destination.
Rashidat yusuf wrote in from Abuja and can be reached on
Yusufrashidat12@gmail.com

US Grounds 171 Boeing MAX Planes For Safety Checks, After Alaska Aircraft Made Emergency Landing

Greenbarge Reporters

January 7, 2024

The United States regulators have announced the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners for safety checks, following a cabin panel blowout that forced a new Alaska Airlines jet carrying passengers to make an emergency landing.
Reports have it that a piece of fuselage tore off the left side of the jet as it climbed after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, en-route to Ontario, California, on Friday, forcing the pilots to turn back and land safely with all 171 passengers and six crew on board. Several passengers were reportedly suffered injuries. The plane had been in service for just eight weeks.
Late on Saturday, both Alaska Air and United Airlines said they would halt use of some MAX 9 planes they had resumed using that day after inspections they believed would answer the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s concerns. Alaska said it was in talks “to determine what, if any, further work is required before these aircraft are returned to service.”
The FAA decision is well short of the global grounding of Boeing MAX jets almost five years ago after two crashes that killed nearly 350 people. Still, it is a blow to Boeing as it tries to recover from back-to-back crises over safety and the pandemic under heavy debt. The FAA did not rule out further action as a probe began into the apparent structural failure, which left a rectangular hole in an area of fuselage reserved for an optional extra door but which is deactivated on Alaska’s aircraft.
The Boeing 737 MAX 9s fitted with a special door replacement “plug” cannot fly until they are inspected and repaired if necessary, the FAA said. “The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight,” FAA chief Mike Whitaker said. Social media posts of the Alaska Airlines jet showed oxygen masks deployed and a portion of the aircraft’s side wall missing.
A section of the fuselage reserved for the optional door had vanished, leaving a neat door-shaped gap. The seat next to the panel, which contained an ordinary window, had been unoccupied. Emma Vu, a passenger on the Alaska flight, told CNN she awoke to the plane “just falling, and I knew it was not just normal turbulence because the masks came down and that’s when the panic definitely started to set in.”
The extra door is typically installed by low-cost airlines using extra seats that require more paths for evacuation.
However, those doors are permanently “plugged,” or deactivated, on jets with fewer seats, including those of Alaska Airlines. The fuselage for Boeing 737s is made by Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems, which separated from Boeing in 2005. Spirit manufactured and installed the particular plug door that suffered the blowout, a source told Reuters on Saturday. The company did not respond to a request for comment. The FAA did not say what the precise inspection requirements are or detail inspection intervals.
The MAX 9 represents about 220 of the 1,400 MAX jets delivered so far and most of them have the deactivated door, meaning they are potentially covered by the order.
Boeing said it supported the FAA decision. Some foreign regulators including China sought details on the incident, a person familiar with the matter said. Bloomberg reported earlier that China, the first country to ground MAX flights in 2019, was considering whether to take action. MAX planes were grounded worldwide for 20 months following the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia linked to poorly designed cockpit software.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are the only U.S. carriers using the MAX 9, according to aviation data provider Cirium. Alaska canceled 160 flights on Saturday, or 20% of scheduled trips, while United canceled 115 flights or 4% of departures. Alaska said the travel disruptions from the grounding is expected to last through at least mid-week.
Alaska said earlier it had voluntarily grounded its fleet of 65 Boeing MAX 9 jets for checks. United said earlier suspended service on about 45 MAX 9s for inspections but had resumed flights with 33 airplanes.
The airline said late on Saturday it had halted those flights and was working with the FAA “to clarify the inspection process and the requirements for returning all MAX 9 aircraft to service.” A person briefed on the matter said Boeing had to propose inspection requirements and the FAA must approve them before the planes could resume flights. Boeing is awaiting certification of its smaller MAX 7 and larger MAX 10 which are needed to compete with the Airbus A321neo model. Boeing has suffered numerous production issues on the MAX planes in the years since the crashes. Last week, Boeing said it was urging airlines to inspect all 737 MAX airplanes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.
Flight 1282 had reached just over 16,000 feet when the blowout happened, according to FlightRadar24.
“We’d like to get down,” the pilot told air traffic control, according to a recording posted on liveatc.net.
“We are declaring an emergency. We do need to come down to 10,000,” the pilot added, referring to the initial staging altitude for such emergencies, below which breathing is considered possible for healthy people without extra oxygen. I can’t imagine what these passengers experienced,” said Anthony Brickhouse, an air safety expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “The wind would be rushing through that cabin. It was a probably pretty violent situation, and definitely a scary situation.” The European Union Aviation Safety Agency adopted the FAA MAX 9 directive but noted no EU member state airlines “currently operate an aircraft in the affected configuration.” A British air safety regulator said it would require any 737 MAX 9 operator to comply with the FAA directive to enter its airspace. Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines said it had temporarily grounded 21 737 MAX 9 aircraft and said it “expects to return these aircraft safely and reliably to the flight schedule within the next 24 hours,” and said some delays and cancellations are expected.
Source: Reuters.

Fake Degrees: NUC Investigates Keffi, 7 Other Nigerian Universities

Greenbarge Reporters

January 7, 2024

The National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory agency for universities in Nigeria has listed eight Nigeria’s universities being investigated currently in its effort to eradicate fake degree certificates in Nigeria.
Information from the NUC website, said that the investigations ongoing is one of the highlights aimed at weeding out universities awarding fake certificates.
The Commission gave the list of universities under investigation as follows:
1. National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State
2. North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State
3. Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu
4. Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State
5. West Coast University, Umuahia
6. Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State
7. Volta University College, Aba, Abia State
8. L.I.F.E Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State
The NUC warned that certificates from these institutions will not be recognized for NYSC, employment, or further studies.
It said that law enforcement agencies have been notified for necessary action.
So far, NUC has uncovered 58 illegal universities in the country.

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign 2024 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding

Greenbarge Reporters

January 7, 2024

Nigeria, under the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has solidified its commitment to a seamless Hajj exercise by signing the 2024 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The signing ceremony held today , January 7, in Jeddah, had in attendance key representatives from Nigeria led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Ag. Chairman/CEO of NAHCON.
The host country’s contingent was led by the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taufiq Al-Rabiah.
Prior to the MoU signing, the two Ministers held a brief discussion where Nigeria requested for a lasting solution to the shortage of tents in Mina and pressed for more favourable terms for Nigerian Carriers during Hajj airlifts.
The Nigerian team also invited the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit Nigeria,
In response, the Saudi Minster, Dr. Rabiah, acknowledged the challenge of space in Mina and assured that efforts are being made to maximize the use of the available two Million square meters for the over two million pilgrims performing Hajj annually. He expressed the Ministry’s support for all measures aimed at giving pilgrims the best services. Dr Rabiah accepted to visit Nigeria soon.
Other participants from Nigeria include Nigerian Consul-General in Jeddah, Amb. Bello Hussaini Kazaure, senior officers from the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia and NAHCON.

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