Visa processing for 2024 Hajj reaches advanced stage – NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has reached an advanced stage in the processing of entry visa for the 2024 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman, NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, said this at the Maiden Stakeholders Summit on Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry on Thursday in Abuja.

Arabi said that the commission had scheduled May 16, for the inaugural flight of the 2024 Hajj.

He said that the approved air carriers were ready to transport all Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from over 10 departures centres.

” We as a board of NAHCON and team will be meeting with the air carriers later today to fashion out the departure centres and of course our partners in the aviation sector will also join us,” he said.

The NAHCON boss said that all pilgrims from states would visit Madinah for the maximum of four days before the commencement of Hajj rites.

” This is major change from the operations of Hajj in the last decade. All stakeholders are working to provide effective and efficient services to the guest of Allah (pilgrims).

” And this underscores the importance of this summit. The preparations for this year’s Hajj is characterised by different challenges but to God be the glory we are able to overcome the challenges.

” I can proudly say that close to 65,500 pilgrims of the States Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions and the Tour operators will be participating in this year’s Hajj,” he said.

He said that the commission under his watch was ready to partner, collaborate with stakeholders and work as a team for the successful conduct of the 2024 Hajj operation.

Arabi lauded Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his continued support for the commission.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III for his continued guidance to the leadership of NAHCON.

Earlier, the Rector of the institute, Prof. Mohammed Maiturare, said the summit was intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering cooperation and collaboration between NAHCON, states pilgrims broads, tour operators and all stakeholders in Hajj industry.

” Through open dialogue, knowledge sharing and a commitment to working together we can address challenges and potential destructions that might arise and ensure the successful execution of the 2024 Hajj,” he said.

The reports gathered that the two-day summit was organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria established by the NAHCON.

Beautiful moment man kneels to propose to his wheelchair-bound girlfriend

A digital content manager at FIFA, Keenu Rattray, pulled out all the stops to propose to his girlfriend, Hannah, who is in a wheelchair.

Keenu shared photos from the beautiful cover-themed proposal on his X handle on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

“So many blessings in my life, you are definitely the biggest one,” he captioned the post.

Beautiful moment man kneels to propose to his wheelchair-bound girlfriend

Nasarawa Assembly gives AEDC 14-day ultimatum to restore electricity

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore electricity to communities across the state or quit.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Danladi Jatau, made the call when officials of AEDC and Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House on Tuesday in Lafia.

He said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.

“Our resolution is that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do that, we will be left with no option but to ask them to quit.

“In their place, we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light.

“Secondly, the Area Manager, PowerGen Interconnected Energy ltd., handling electrification project in Toto Local Government, is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024, to explain their role in power distribution in the area,” he said.

The speaker commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts at ensuring power supply in the state, especially through his efforts that ensured the full take-off of Akurba power sub-station, but expressed dismay that the Governor’s effort had been sabotaged.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.

“There is power blackout and outrageous bills across the state by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering. We cannot take it any longer,” he said.

He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the state.

“Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness.

“Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light,” he said.

All members who spoke also urged the AEDC to sit up or quit the state.

On his part, Mr Adeyemi Jonathan, the AEDC Chief Business Officer in charge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa, admitted that the company was not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers and cables among others to communities across the state.

The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to the state.

“I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving power supply across the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Engr. Yakubu Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), said that the agency was established to ensure adequate power supply to communities across the state.

On the allegation that he uses a transformer alone, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company.

The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.

The reports gathered that on April 23, the House summoned the Area Manager, AEDC, to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) to appear before it on April 30.

The House said the invitation was to enable them tell the House why there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

The Speaker of the House gave the ultimatum after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central), raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.

Nasarawa Assembly gives AEDC 14-day ultimatum to restore electricity