JUST IN; NAHCON hints of possible reduction in 2025 Hajj fare
JUST IN; NAHCON hints of possible reduction in 2025 Hajj fare
Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has suggested that the cost for Nigerians intending to undertake this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia could be reduced, pending the approval of certain waivers by the Federal Government.
On Monday, NAHCON announced the Hajj fares, with the Adamawa/Borno zone set at N8,327,125.59, the Northern zone at N8,457,685.59, and the Southern zone at N8,784,085.59.
The Commission described these fare structures as the result of extensive collaboration.
The Hajj Commission stated that the fare was approved by the Office of the Vice President, with input from the commission, the Presidency, and state pilgrims’ welfare boards “did their best to maintain the Hajj fare within the same range as previously charged”.
In an interview with journalists in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, a transcript provided by the Commission’s media team to reporters in Abuja, Prof. Usman revealed that NAHCON is anticipating waivers on certain charges.
If approved, these waivers could potentially reduce the fare for Nigerians this year.
Although Usman clarified that the commission did not receive direct financial support from the Federal Government, he acknowledged the government’s crucial role in facilitating engagements and discussions with various institutions.
“Actually, we have not received any financial support from the Federal Government. However, the Federal Government has played significant role in facilitating all the engagements, discussions with some institutions.
“We are also expecting waivers on some charges which if approved may likely being down the fare,” the NAHCON CEO said.
He stated that as a result of the commission’s consultations with Saudi-based service providers, it had successfully secured a reduction in the charges for services at the Masha’ir (the holy sites of Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah), bringing the cost down to SR4,050 from last year’s SR4,770.
“Our consultation, our contacting with service providers result to huge get huge discount from service providers. For example, the service provider who used to give us service at Masha’if, that is Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, last year charged us SR4,770.
“With this discussion, this year they bring it down to SR4,050. This is the way we got it, ” the chairman informed.
Usman also announced that the deadline for payment of this year’s Hajj fare is January 31, emphasizing that any intending pilgrims who do not make their payment by this date will not be able to participate in the pilgrimage.
“The deadline for payment of Hajj fare this year, 2025 is by 31at January 2025. Anyone who could not pay before this date, it means he cannot participate in this year’s Hajj.
“This is not our decision, I mean it is not a decision of the commission. Even it is not a decision if the Federal Government; it is a decision if the Saudi Arabia government. So we cannot do any otherwise,” he said.
Usman explained that the variation in this year’s Hajj fare was due to the distance to Saudi Arabia, noting that the Adamawa/Borno zone is closer to the Kingdom than other parts of Nigeria.
He further clarified that airlines set their prices based on the distance to Saudi Arabia.
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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