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.

JUST IN; Wike, Fubara smiling after closed door meeting with President Tinubu in Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and a delegation of Ogoni leaders.

The meeting, which gathered key stakeholders, seemed cordial, as photos shared by the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, showed Wike and Fubara smiling together in a rare display of unity despite their ongoing political feud.

Dada shared the images on X with the caption, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meets with Governor Fubara, HM Nyesom Wike, and Ogoni leaders at the State House.”

Other senior officials present at the meeting included the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The meeting followed increased calls from a coalition of civil society organizations urging the Federal Government to allocate $1 trillion for the cleanup of the Niger Delta. They also demanded compensation for livelihoods lost due to environmental degradation, pending the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.

The gathering was particularly notable due to the ongoing rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, who were once close political allies.

Their smiles and apparent camaraderie during the event have sparked speculation about a potential reconciliation or collaboration on addressing Ogoni-related matters and state issues.

While the details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the presence of such prominent figures highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting unity and tackling key issues in the Niger Delta region.

Ex–Convict arrested by Police, sent back to Prison custody eight days after Governor’s pardon

Former prisoner Sunday Omisakin has been detained at the Ilesa Correctional Facility just eight days after being pardoned by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for allegedly breaking into a house and taking a television.

Omisakin was pardoned for what was seen to be a minor infraction and was ranked number eight on the governor’s prerogative of compassion list, which was signed on December 26, 2024.

However, on January 3, 2025, he was arrested for allegedly burglarizing a residence in Osogbo and stealing a plasma television worth N600,000.

The suspect was brought before the Osun State Magistrate Court in Osogbo, where Magistrate Adekanmi Adeyeba presided, facing two charges of burglary and theft.

According to police prosecutor Inspector Kayode Adeoye, “On January 3, 2025, at about 12:00 p.m. at Al-Medinat Area, Iludun, Osogbo, Omisakin broke into the house of one Shittu Damilare and stole a plasma TV worth N600,000.”

Omisakin has been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

“The offence committed is contrary to and punishable under section 411 (1) (2) 363, 390(9) of criminal code cap 34 vol.II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”

Meanwhile, Omisakin pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his counsel, Najite Okobe, requested the court to grant him bail on the most lenient terms.

The prosecutor opposed to the bail stating that “Governor just pardoned him few days ago. He was sentenced to prison by Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara and he was not done serving his jail term.”

Magistrate Adeyeba ordered that Omisakin be remanded in the Ilesa Correctional Facility and adjourned the case to January 10, 2025, when his bail request was denied. The case was then further adjourned to February 2025 for hearing.