Category: Politics

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has reiterated the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for payment of Hajj fees.

It, therefore, appealed to Local Government Hajj Registration Officers in the state to redouble efforts in educating all intending pilgrims on the need to hasten up.

The Director of Administration of the agency, Alhaji Ladan Ibrahim, made the appeal during a meeting with Assistant Hajj Registration officers of the twenty three Local Government areas in the state.

According to the Director of Administration, December deadline has been pegged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as the final date for registering intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj.

According to him, remittance of all Hajj fares of intending pilgrims must be sent to NAHCON on or before Dec. 31, to enable the commission plan for next year’s Hajj.

He said the essence of meeting is to know the number of intending pilgrims registed to date, amount collected and total remittance of each local Government to the agency.

The statement by head of Information and Communication of the Agency Faruk Umar further said Alhaji Ladan Ibrahim also pointed out that the registration officers were closer to the intending pilgrims, hence the need to clarify the implication of missing the registration deadline.

According to him, based on the new guidelines, the issuance of visas would commence two months before the Hajj operations, saying that the Saudi Arabian Hajj calendar has changed.

He said, because of this change, there is the need for all the intending pilgrims to register before the end of the December deadline.

Also, in their separate remarks the Director of Operations Alhaji Abdulganiyu Muhammad and that of finance Alhaji Nasiru Abubakarof said that the agency would continue to collaborate with the Local Government councils in educating all the intending pilgrims on the new policies introduced by the NAHCON and Saudi Arabian authorities towards transforming Hajj exercise.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

He was speaking in Sokoto shortly after returning from a month-long International trip.

The former Governor and the Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District Senator Aliyi Magatakarda Wamakko appreciated and thanked Allah for his numerous blessings upon them.

He called on the people of the state especially APC members to remain resolute as the government has just started.

He said the administration of Ahmed Aliyu will consider everyone who contributed his quoter for the formation of the government.

His media aide Bashar Abubakar quoted Wamakko as saying “Governor Aliyu is working hard toward bringing more positive changes in the state. Therefore he solicited prayers of all and sundry for the success of the administration”.

The senator expressed optimism that, Governor Ahmed Aliyu will transform the state for rapid development.

He thanked all those that, came to welcome him after a month outside the country.

A special prayer was offered by Mallam Bashir Gidan Kanawa for more blessings and assistance from almighty Allah to Senator Wamakko, Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Sokoto state, and the nation at large.

Senator Wamakko arrived Sokoto alongside the speaker Sokoto state House of Assembly Tukur Bala Bodinga, his Deputy Kabiru Ibrahim Kware, and the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar among others.

Senator Wamakko was earlier, received at the Sultan Abubakar III International airport Sokoto, by Head of service Sulainan A. Fulani Ahmadu, politicians, Ulamas, traditional holders, business communities among others.

Protesters converge on PDP headquarters, calling for the resignation of the National Working Committee (NWC) members, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s performance in the 2023 elections. The group, known as the PDP National Back Up, accuses the NWC of division and ineffective leadership. The protesters, clad in black and white, emphasize their demand for immediate resignations, expressing loss of confidence in the current leadership. Legal action has been initiated, with plans to serve the NWC members if they refuse to step down. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologuagba, refrains from commenting on the situation.

By Israel Adamu ,Jos

Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the 9th National assembly , Prof Nora Ladi Daduut has congratulated the Plateau APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the March 18th Governorship elect Dr Nentawe Yilwatda on his legal victory at the Court of Appeal.

The Appeal Court, sitting in Abuja , on Sunday declared Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as the governor elect of Plateau .

Senator Daduut in a congratulatory message,
said “On behalf of myself and family and supporters ,I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Nentawe Yilwatda on his recent victory at the appeal court. ”

Daduut added that Dr Nentawe’s vision, integrity, and passion for the wellbeing of the people will undoubtedly guide him in making impactful decisions and implementing positive changes if sworn in as Governor .

She reaffirmed that Dr Nentawe Yilwatda is a round peg in a round hole, who came prepared with an ideological pro­gramme that will positively transform and impact the lives of all Plateau citizens.

In a commemorative event, the memorial lectures dedicated to Barrister Muazu delved into critical topics concerning Nigeria’s leadership and the escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria. Professor Bello D. Bada delivered a thought-provoking lecture on “Corruption in Nigeria’s Leadership,” emphasizing Barr. Muazu’s philosophical commitment to honesty, integrity, maturity, modesty, and simplicity in all endeavors.

Addressing the rising trends of insecurity, Professor Tukur M. Baba’s lecture covered a spectrum of issues, including conceptualizing security and insecurity, criminality, anti-social behavior, religious extremism, insurgency, banditry, and the impact of existential changes. The discussions were augmented by a comprehensive table illustrating the zonal distribution of population in MDP.

Barr. Muazu’s legacy was further highlighted through his active participation in public enlightenment programs on various national and international media outlets such as NTA, BBC, RFI, DW, and VOA. The memorial lecture drew a diverse audience, including lecturers from within and outside the state, traditional title holders, friends, well-wishers, close associates, and relatives, underscoring the significance of Barr. Muazu’s impact on both local and broader communities.

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The recent appeal court judgement where the All Progressive Congress, (APC) emerged victorious is a clear indication that Nigeria’s judiciary is putting the country’s democracy on a solid background that would clean future electoral process.

This was expressed by the executive chairman of Dawakin Tofa local government council Honourable Ado Tambai Kwa in an interaction with our correspondent last Friday, adding that the courts verdicts remained an indication that judiciary is making good efforts to sanitize ugly games in politics.

He added that ” with what is going on in our election petitions tribunals, the appellate courts as well as at the supreme court is a sign that in the near future Nigeria’s electoral processes would continue to be meritorious because only genuine elections tends to be done for the emergence of competent leaders that promotes good governance”. He stated.

Honourable Ado Tambai Kwa commended the Nigerian judiciary and the apex electoral body (INEC) for keeping the democratic practice more satisfactory, profitable and on a good foundation that would last longer than expectation.

The chairman congratulate APC as one of the most formidable political party, the party’s national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje , the winner of the election Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and his deputy Murtala Sule Garo for yet emerging victorious at the appeal court verdict.

Honourable Ado Tambai Kwa disclosed that “our routine special prayers would be a continuous programmes for national unity, peaceful coexistence and for the success of our great party APC at all levels”. He concluded.

Ado Tambai Kwa

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has reassured people of the state that the APC led State Government was doing everything humanly possible to bring back the lost Glory of the state.

The Governor gave the reassurance at the Government House, Makurdi during the expanded stakeholders’ meeting, organized by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State to select Local Government Areas’ Caretaker Committees.

Governor Alia verbatim: “We have lost so much, but since our coming in, we will continue to reassure you of our target that we are going to regain all that we have lost. All the glory of the state must come back”.

Rev Fr Alia, disclosed that the people of Benue State must uphold the unity of purpose for the growth of the state, emphasizing that on one common unity of purpose in the state, everything stands.

The Governor charged party’s leadership to ensure, that women are represented in the Local Government Caretaker Committees in line with the 35 Percent Affirmative Action regarding appointments to ensure gender balance.

He enumerated some of the projects the current administration in the state has embarked on, including the reconstructed Benue State House of Assembly Complex, which he says is nearing completion, construction of township roads among several other developmental strides.

Governor Alia, maintained that Benue State Government has purchased 100 buses, adding that they will soon be handed over to Benue Links Transport Company to reduce the sufferings of the masses, following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.