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ANA Spearheads Strategic Advocacy for Hajj 2024 Accessibility Amid High Cost Concerns

A concerted effort led by Sen. Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi under the Arewa New Agenda (ANA) banner has launched a far-reaching advocacy campaign aimed at enhancing access to Hajj 2024 for Nigerian Muslims. This initiative highlights critical issues surrounding the cost and accessibility of the sacred pilgrimage, advocating for measures to ease financial burdens faced by intending pilgrims.

ANA’s effort according the group’s leadership, was fully endorsed and supported by the leadership of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), from concept to finish.

The ANA’s campaign was marked by strategic engagements across key regions—North West, North East, North Central, and FCT—bringing together religious leaders, stakeholders, and state pilgrims’ boards to address pressing concerns ahead of the looming December 31st payment deadline for Hajj 2024.

ANA’s advocacy encompassed multifaceted challenges impacting the affordability of Hajj, including accommodation near Haram, feeding schemes, royalties, airfares, and service charges, all contributing to the overall high cost incurred by intending pilgrims.

Stakeholders voiced concerns during the engagements, notably about fraudulent activities targeting pilgrims, delayed information dissemination, and inadequate awareness within rural communities regarding the new regulations and payment deadlines for the 2024 Hajj.

Regional observations revealed promising trends in some states meeting their Hajj quotas, while others faced challenges due to pending court decisions and delayed commitments. The need for deadline extensions and subsidies emerged as key recommendations to make Hajj more accessible.

The North Central region particularly highlighted a lack of comprehensive information and suggested intensive educational campaigns to bridge the awareness gap among intending pilgrims and rural communities.

Stakeholders advocated for intensified enlightenment drives, closer collaboration with financial institutions to alleviate payment hurdles, and a call for governments to subsidize Hajj fares, addressing concerns about fraud, improved management, and early savings schemes.

Encouragingly, government officials in various states, including Kano, Kebbi, FCT, Zamfara, Kwara, and Nasarawa, expressed confidence in their governments’ interventions to ensure a successful Hajj 2024, affirming their commitment to addressing affordability challenges.

Sen. MoAllahyidi conveyed gratitude for the support extended by the National Hajj Commission and various state pilgrims’ boards, acknowledging their collaborative efforts to advance the cause of making Hajj 2024 more accessible for Nigerian Muslims.

Col. (Dr.) Sani Bello boosts ABU Endowment Foundation with another N50 million

Ahmadu Bello University Endowment Foundation has received a boost from the Chairman of the Mainstream Energy Solutions Company, Dr. Sani Bello, who donated another N50 million.

Dr. Bello, who was a one-time military governor of old Kano State, first donated N50 million to the University in March 2022 based on his total conviction about the transformative power of education, especially at university level.

The donation hit the account of the Foundation on Wednesday, 3rd January, 2024, a great gesture well acknowledged and appreciated by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, and the University as a whole.

Col. Bello’s unwavering zeal for education transformation manifested through the companies he chaired and is still chairing. He ensured that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), his companies extend valuable assistance to universities.
A good example is the establishment of the MTN-Library Connect at Kashim Ibrahim Library in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2010. This digital hub was equipped by MTN with 120 computers, 2 servers, 3 databases, and a self-operated timer. The facility is used extensively by undergraduate students to support their learning and research.

Similarly, his Mainstream Energy Solutions Company, which functions as an electricity generation enterprise, graciously provided and heavily discounted electricity for Lagos State University in Lagos.
The Foundation is intended to give the University the much-needed financial stability, flexibility, and confidence to make capital improvements, build capacity in emerging academic areas, engage in cutting-edge research, and adapt to the changing needs of the institution’s students.

The Board of Trustees for the Foundation was recently reconstituted with the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Ajiyan Katagum, CFR, as Chairman, as well as other illustrious alumni and friends of the University as members.

The reconstitution of the Board followed approval of the University Governing Council as its 194th (Regular) meeting held in February, 2021, and the 12-member Board had since been inaugurated.
Additionally, the University has automated the alumni registration process in order to maintain close contact with its alumni from all walks of life, a genuine effort largely seen as a step towards harnessing the huge potential of the ABU alumni family to ensure prosperity of the University.

…………………
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Thursday, 4th January, 2024

FORMER LABOUR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT CALLS ON THE PARTY TO GIVE ACCOUNT OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS

In an open letter to the leadership of Labour Party on the 2023 Election, Comrade Faduri Joseph, a former presidential aspirant under Labour Party has called the party to account for the campaign funds received during the 2023 presidential election as a sign of good leadership, which will be an indication that if given power, transparency and accountability will be the watchword.

Addressing the Labour Party leadership, executives, honourables, and his fellow compatriots, he observed that, “no doubt our party ran a laudable election and the support we got from Nigerians, showed that power belongs to the people, and it reflected in the contention that trailed the election of 2023 that we almost won.

“Having said this, I would like to use this medium to thank the people of Nigeria who believed that ‘YES WE CAN’ and inspite of many people thinking Labour Party had no structure to make a statement, we made a landmark and kudos to all of us and the good people of Nigeria.

“After election, our flag bearer and party went to court to challenge the outcome of the election; to fight for true democracy and we came back short.

The activist also popularly called Fadojoe, added that, beside all these came so many trouble waters that the party went through from suspension of key leadership executives to the leadership cracking into three (3) factions as at today. He further stressed on issue of money mismanagement, corruption within the party that according to him are just to mention but a few.

“We are no doubt suppose to be a formidable and positive opposition to this govt that has come to sink our nation the more with never thought through policies that has crumbled our nation in every areas of the economy.

“Having said all this. It is also worthy of note that if we must be a party of choice for Nigerians then we must show leadership and show to the good people of Nigeria that the New Nigeria we talk about is possible and achievable through our party, then we must first and foremost come together and resolve all issues and cracks within the party for ‘a house divided against itself can not stand’. We must drop the hatchet and bring both warring parties in our party to a round table and resolve all our internal issues before we can say to be an opposition. We can not operate the same style of political mess we see in the ruling party we claim we are better than and yet doing worse, then we will become laughing stock to Nigerians, who want nothing more than just a nation where they can survive and live as citizens. Not a situation where they live like slaves in their own country.

He thus noted that since many Nigerians all around the world supported Labour Party and her presidential candidate financially, by now one would have expected the party and most importantly the presidential candidate in person of Mr. Peter Obi to release report of the support the party got from many Nigerians both home and abroad. “How much we received, spent, and what we have left; if any, to plan ahead for next election.

“Thirdly, it is imperative to sit down and look through the lenses of 2023 and see what we did wrong. Where we lack strength and how to work on these lapses for future elections, because if we don’t look and examine inwardly, how we got it wrong in 2023 election then we will repeat the same mistakes in future elections get same result.

“Our Candidate cannot claim to be an alternative to corruption, but refused to come out clean to Nigerians and the party of how much kindhearted Nigerians donated, both home and abroad to support the movement and the new Nigeria agenda for the world to trust and believe us next time. So I am calling on His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi to give account of money donated to his campaign from both home and abroad; for Nigerians to see through, then we can criticize the present government in power for corruption and flaws in administration.

“You can not question the government in power for accountability when we lack such. We can not talk of corruption about this government when we can not explain millions of dollars, pounds sterling, and other foreign currencies giving to our party in 2023. We can not chide this administration of APC of failed policies when we as a party failed in just governing our own party.

Concluding he stressed that, “the New Nigeria project must start now, we in Labour Party must not just see ourselves as just fortunate and a better or choiced alternative without starting to sell a new agenda to Nigerians now, not to wait till when election is few months away before we put our party together and position it for take over.

UBA SANI @ 53: AGAIN, TEARS OF JOY FLOOD KADUNA ORPHANAGES, HOSPITALS

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, has through his Foundation distributed food and other personal care items worth millions of Naira to orphanage homes and other vulnerable communities in the State to mark his 53rh birthday which falls on December 31st.

The distributed items include hundreds bags of parboiled rice, Indomie noodles, cartons of cooking oil, seasonings, soap, pomade, toilet tissue papers, and sanitary pads for women.

Presenting the food items to the orphanage homes, the Executive Director of Uba Sani Foundation, Mallam Ibrahim Dan-Halilu said the donation was the fifth in series since the birth of the foundation in 2018.

He described the Governor as a free-giver who has been offering this kind of support to the less privileged long before he became a Senator.

Mallam Ibrahim said, “the Governor established the Foundation to continue the good work of providing succor to the poor, adding “since 2018 we have been donating to orphanage homes and other vulnerable communities in the state, in addition to our primary responsibility of empowering young persons and women, sponsoring the education of indigent students, and offering health intervention to those with little or no resources to cater to their health.”

“The Executive Governor also provides humanitarian assistance to communities ravaged by natural disasters and banditry through the Foundation, Mallam Dan-Halilu reiterated.

The Directors of the orphanages poured encomium and prayers on the governor for bringing succor to the orphans who have no one to take care of them except God and other well-meaning persons in the society.

They prayed Allah to grant him long life and sound health.

Speaking to Journalists at the ceremony, the Director of Umm Aytam Marayu Foundation, Hajiya Zubaida Bature said both the orphans and parents have marked the birth date of Mallam Uba Sani because of the donation they have been receiving from his Foundation every year.

She explained that their orphanage had been benefitting from Uba Sani Foundation’s food distribution four over four years now.

It was a celebration galore at Adonai Orphanage, Kakuri with beating of drums and dance by the orphans and their caregivers who expressed extreme joy over the food relief coming from the governor.

The Coordinator of the orphanage, Mr. Mathias expressed joy over the donation from Uba Sani Foundation, which according to him has been sustained for over four years now.

He added that the donation always puts smile on their faces as they were sure of having food to eat which is the basic need of every human being without which one cannot do anything.

In her own remarks after receiving the donation, the Director of Al-Ihsan Orphanage Home, Hajiya Firdausi Yusuf Muhammed, said they were delighted over the visit that take place on the Governor’s birthday every year.

She Firdausi thanked the Governor for the donation and prayed for his long life and divine guidance to discharge his responsibilities fairly and equitably.

At Naphtali Orphanage, the Director, Mr. Festus Adams paid for the governor’s long life and successful tenure.

“The Governor is a Man of God for him to remember us. His donation is the first we are receiving this year. People are struggling to survive so nobody is coming to donate due to the current economic hardship.

“We thank His Excellency for this and pray to God to give him long life, and be his guide throughout his tenure and beyond,” prayed Elder Solomon.

The Kano Road Destitutes also thanked the governor for the donation and prayed for his long life and good health.

Abdullahi Ismail, the leader of the physically challenged thanked the governor for donating food and cooking oil to their households.

He explained that by donating food to the needy on his birthday, the governor has shown that he understood the central position of gratitude to God.

The orphanage homes visited include Umm Aytam Marayu Foundation, Unguwan Dosa which caters for over 1000 orphans and widows; Al-Ihsan Orphanage, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, which has about 300 orphans in its custody; and Adonai Children’s Home along Gwari Avenue Kakuri,, whose inmates were largely minors and widows.

Other facilities visited are Naphtali Orphanage, Gonin Gora, Halal Children’s Home, Unguwar Rimi GRA, and Kano Road Community of underserved persons numbering over 1000, who live along the entire stretch of the road connecting Gombe Road.

Also, the Uba Sani Foundation visited some selected health facilities in the state where it presented cash donations to about 2000 underprivileged patients who needed money to buy their treatment drugs or pay for laboratory tests.

Presenting the financial assistance to patients, Mallam Dan-Halilu said the Governor wanted to use the occasion of his birthday to put smile on the faces of the less privileged, which is why he is presenting cash donation to patients in the two hospitals that needs support to sustain their medication.

The Chief Medical Directors of the facilities thanked the Governor for his generosity, and prayed Allah to extend his life so that more people will continue to benefit from his acts of kindness.

“I pray Allah to give him more years of good health to enable him sustain the gesture of helping the less privileged in our communities., said the CMD of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
Some of the patients who spoke to journalists, thanked the Governor for remembering them on his birthday, and prayed Allah to reward, guide and protect him throughout his tenure and beyond.
The Uba Sani Foundation was established by Mallam Uba Sani in 2018 to provide intervention in education, health and economic empowerment. The Foundation has trained thousands of people, including youth and women in various vocational skills; provided scholarship to over 2000 high school students; and sponsored the treatment of many patients with health complications, including the congenial twins.

Governor Radda, Extends Heartfelt Wishes To Residents Of the State As They Mark The New Year Celebration

In the spirit of hope and camaraderie, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has extended his warm wishes to the resilient and vibrant people of the state as they welcome the year 2024.

Malam Radda, while recognising the unbreakable spirit of residents who, despite all odds, have faced the challenges bedeviling the state, assured them of his unwavering commitment to ensure that the challenges affecting the state are soon a thing of the past.

In his New Year message, thr Governor urged residents of the state to unite and forge a stronger bond, with a will to confront challenges of the state headlong.

While thanking the people for the cooperation and support he received for the establishment of the Katsina Neighbourhood Community Watch Corp, which was set up to eradicate and tackle insecurity in the state, Governor Radda assured that the government, together with the people, will dealt a resounding blow to the menace of insecurity.

He outlined his administration’s dedication to promoting inclusivity, economic growth, and accelerated development, calling on the citizens to leverage on the opportunities being created to reduce unemployment and poverty and set Katsina on the path of greatness.

Governor Radda expressed optimism about the future of the state in 2024, reiterating his commitment to leading Katsina towards a future marked by progress and prosperity.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed,
Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina State Governor.

31st December, 2023

RESCUE MOVEMENT FOR NEW NIGERIA CONDEMNS MASSACRE OF OVER 160 PEOPLE IN PLATEAU

Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative aka Rescue Movement For New Nigeria, a registered NGO, has condemned the Christmas day genocide in Plateau State, where over 160 innocent Nigerians were brutally massacred in a coordinated attacks in more than 20 communities at the same time, by terrorists operating under the name bandits.

Describing the attack as the usual ethnic cleansing, the group lamented that Nigeria has become a mere jungle of wild animals where precious lives of innocent can be sniffed out in mass murder and it won’t appear as if something that terrible happened.

This was obtained in a statement issued on behalf of the group, by the National Director, Media and Publicity; Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba and made available to pressmen.

The clergy raised alarm with total dismay that, “our country, Nigeria has turned to a mere jungle of wild animals, where there is no iota of regard for human lives. Over 160 innocent Nigerians brutally massacred and it was like nothing happened! Yet only one person was murdered in America and the whole world including Nigerians raised alarm and it was #ICantBreath all over social media”.

Asking if we truly have a government and security apparatus in Nigeria. Because “it can’t just be explained how some wicked people will invade up to 20 communities with sophisticated guns and kill over 160 people without a single person been arrested, not even any record of being repelled by the security forces of the country.

“If there is no conspiracy from the power that be in the country, then the culprits should be smoked out and be made to face the full weight of the law. In a saner clime, heads would have been rolling by now, but in Nigeria it will be explained away and the government will only make a statement in some cases, waiting to make another statement when another massacre occur again. How long will things continue this way?” He concluded.

NNPP Chieftain Clears Air On Eniola Ojajuni Allegations, Refers To Him As A Clown And Unrepentant Terrible Liar.

Following the allegation of Prince Ojajuni Joseph Eniola, the former Ondo State governorship candidate under New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as he alleged that some people in NNPP “took away his N5 million”; Pastor Peter Olagookun Ayodele, the Ondo State Chairman for NNPP, has refuted the allegation, referring to Ojajuni as unrepentant liar who erroneously assume he is smarter than everyone, hence assuming he can always play on people’s intelligence with unbelievable lies.

Pastor Peter asserted that, ordinarily he wouldn’t have responded to “such a known clown who just thrives in deception” but since he erroneously assume “he can use lie against NNPP to shine, I will have to clarify this issue at this point in my capacity as the Ondo State Chairman of NNPP.

“To start with, no individual or group of persons in NNPP went anywhere with Ojajuni’s money, not even N5,000 not to talk of the bogus N5 million he claimed.

“To put the record straight, during the preparation for 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba (who was then the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of NNPP) actually brought Eniola Ojajuni to NNPP and pleaded with other National officers to support him and give him consideration to get the Ondo State gubernatorial ticket for the party.

“Funny enough, the Eniola Ojajuni who could not even raise ordinary 12% of the (N1 million) expression of interest form, let alone having anything to pat for the N6 million nomination form, he cannot even reduce his unbelievable lie, he is now claiming that some people in NNPP took away his N5 million. This is the most hilarious lie I have ever heard since that 2020. Where did Ojajuni get N5 million from that he will even claim that some people went away with his money? This is not only funny, but it also says more about his kind of person”.

The Ondo State NNPP Chairman thus explained that “it’s so funny to hear that a man who could not even afford to pay for gubernatorial nomination and expression of interest form, neither did he print even one paper poster for his gubernatorial election, is deceiving himself that they took his N5 million. Yet it was our former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, in person of Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba, that surety and stood for him to be given the expression of interest and nomination form on credit. Though the then acting National Chairman in person of Major Agbo, insisted that if Eniola Ojajuni must be given forms on credit, he (Ojajuni) should show commitment by paying at least the N1 million for the expression of interest form, then he would be given the main nomination form on credit. Yet he couldn’t still raise that. It was only N110,000 he could raise and even he couldn’t even raise it once. He had to pay the N110,000 in two instalments. Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba who was the person that brought him to NNPP still intervened and pleaded until the party had to give him both forms without he being able to pay additional money more than the N110,000 he earlier paid.

“When he was eventually allowed for the gubernatorial primary election, that he was to contest unopposed, he gave fake promises that he was to take care of the payment for the venue, refreshments for party delegates and transportation fare. But he failed to fulfill all the promises, putting the party primary in disarray.

“Our then South West Vice Chairman in person of Comrade Tunde Oke had to travel all the way from Abuja, lodged in hotel, handled all his personal expenses to ensure the gubernatorial primary supervised by INEC was successful.

“The gubernatorial primary election that was to hold at Jen’s Hotel, along Fiwasaye road in Akure, Ondo State couldn’t start because Ojajuni who promised to pay for the venue was nowhere to be found neither did he make any payment for the venue as at the time the primary was to start. It was one of our party leaders that had to make payment for a smaller hall that we eventually used for the gubernatorial primary election, yet Ojajuni was the only gubernatorial aspirant for the primary.

“Funny enough he was so shameless that after the small hall was paid for by another person he (Eniola Ojajuni) showed up and pleaded to be allowed to take part in the primary. Adding that the money he had would not be enough to take care of the delegates and still pay for the hall, promising to take proper care of the delegates after the primary election and provide their transport fare. He also pleaded that he was going to run a robust campaign that would make the party proud, adding that those who want to support him promised that once he gets the party gubernatorial ticket they will rally round him for the campaign. This happened to be another of the several lies of Ojajuni.

“Though sounding hilarious in view of his previous fake promises, but due to the plea of Rev Emmanuel who brought him, he (Ojajuni) was allowed for the primary, and the party still gave him the ticket. Though he (Rev Emmanuel) was in his office at the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja during the primary, but he was constantly on phone intervening at every point and kept pleading on his behalf that he should still be given benefits of doubt despite his several fake promises that he couldn’t keep to any.

“Sincerely yours, nobody will ever believe that the same Eniola Ojajuni can be so ungrateful that he will ever lie on NNPP and even later insulted and lied on the same Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba, who is far way older than him and who went out of his way to ensure Eniola got his first ever gubernatorial ticket to ever contest an election. But that says volume of his kind of person. Because thorough breed Yoruba youths are known for their respect for elders and they are not ingrates.

Pastor Peter explained that even Eniola Ojajuni’s promise to take care of the delegates and pay their transport fare was another deception as it ended up another fake promise as usual. As immediately the primary election was concluded, Eniola quickly left the hall with his wife and baby that he came with, quickly took a public taxi and the taxi zoomed off and he switched off his phones so that nobody could reach him. Leaving the delegates stranded.

The cleric who is the Ondo State Chairman of NNPP stressed further that, “when we traced him (Eniola) to the hotel where he lodged, he had checked out and was told that he said he was returning to Lagos State. We had to contribute money among ourselves to provide refreshments for the delegates and to give transport fare to those who had no transport fare to return.

“Despite all that, we still allowed Peju Eniola Joseph Ojajuni to still go on as the flag bearer of the party under my leadership as the Ondo State Chairman of the New People’s Party (NNPP).

“Yet, all of what he said that some people were ready to support his campaign were lie and his usual manipulative deception as he couldn’t print even one physical poster to paste anywhere in the entire Ondo State. Apart from e-posters he designed and was circulating on his Facebook.

“The only serious publicity for Eniola’s election was the personal support from Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba who from his own personal account sponsored the news of his (Eniola’s) emergence as NNPP gubernatorial candidate on two major national newspapers and he (Rev Emmanuel) also got some bloggers to also carry the news and circulated it.

“In conclusion the claim by Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni (PEJU) that some people in NNPP went away with his so called N5 million when he contested as NNPP gubernatorial candidate is false, it is his usual deception and malicious against the party, and he might have to explain that before the court of law as time goes. Enough is enough for his lies on the party of which I am the state Chairman on Ondo State”, he concluded.

When Comrade Tunde Oke who was the NNPP South West Vice Chairman then was contacted, he said, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni is a known liar and a jester that anyone who knows cannot take seriously for anything. Where will he even get N5 million before he will even claim that they took from him? “That’s another usual lie. I don’t really have his time, I heard that he is now in Labour Party and looking for Labour Party gubernatorial ticket for 2024 Ondo State election, if any political party will give him (Eniola Ojajuni) gubernatorial ticket for this coming election that will be the worst mistake of such party. There are so many things to say, but sorry I don’t have time for the issues relating to such individual”, he concluded.

On his part, Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba simply said, “I am too busy to have Ojajuni Eniola’s time. He should continue with his jokes. If after bringing him to NNPP in 2020, when I was the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, that I went extra mile along with Comrade Tunde Oke to ensure he (Eniola) got NNPP Ondo State governorship ticket same year, despite that he had no money for it, that all he could raise was just N110k out of the N7 million for the tickets, and I gave him media coverage on two newspapers and used 16 bloggers to blow the news of his emergence then. Which the national newspapers and blogger were sponsored from my personal account, the same Eniola Ojajuni could turn back to lie on NNPP and some of the officials who gave him ticket.

“Is he contesting for the award of the worst liar? And in addition to his lie on the party, he (Eniola Ojajuni) could later insult me using vulgar languages like motor park boys (agbero), then it shows where he belongs. And his deeds will find him out, as it’s already on.

“In fact, the issue of how he played on the intelligence of some bloggers I engaged for him, when he claimed he was the national president of Afenifere National Youth Council (ANYC) might soon be visited by those bloggers, because I will no longer appeal to them to give him time to make amends, as it’s obvious that he erroneously assume he can play on the intelligence of anyone or any group of persons and go with it, assuming that to be smartness”, he concluded.