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Tag: Abdullahi Muhammad

  • NAHCON defends 2019 budget proposal of N1.49bn

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has defended its 2019 proposed budget of N1,492,160,210 before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    The Head, Public Affairs Division of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Usara said the NAHCON budget performance in 2018 stood at 51.23 per cent with total approved budget at N1,609,281.20 while budget released was N824,506,995.44.

    Read Also: FG budgets N24b for East West road

    She said the Commission also made presentation before the Senate and House Committees on Foreign Affairs as part of the budget defence.

    She said that the Chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammad, thanked the National Assembly members for their continued support and cooperation with the commission.

    Usara said the chairman implored their support to facilitate timely release of the budget to enable the commission discharge its responsibilities unhindered.

    She said that Muhammed addressed concerns raised by the members bordering on abscondment, drug and human trafficking, private tour operators breaching contract agreement with pilgrims among others.

    Usara said the chairman assured the members that most of such acts were not during Hajj journeys, adding that no case of drug trafficking was recorded during Hajj in the last two years.

    NAN

  • ‘NAHCON begins preparations for 2018 hajj’

    ‘NAHCON begins preparations for 2018 hajj’

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ) says it has commenced preparation for the 2018 Hajj.

    The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad made the disclosure at an interactive session and dinner with members of the 2017 Hajj Media Team on Thursday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Muhammad said that the commission had already sent a team, headed by the Consul General, to negotiate price of accommodation in Madinah to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are lodged close to the Prophet Mosque.

    “To this end, the Commission has sent a delegation to Madina to prepare ground for the negotiation of a comprehensive package for pilgrims coming for the hajj next year and their stay in the holy city of Madina.”

    He said the commission and State Pilgrims Welfare Boards have also  started mapping out strategies and modalities to have a unified accommodation system in both Makkah and Madinah next year.

    The Chairman further stated that from next Hajj, the Commission would work to simplify information gathering, sharing and dissemination amongst the states and the National Media Team.

    The NAHCON boss thanked members of the Media Team for the way they carried out their assignment and urged the members to continue to verify the veracity of any information before going to press.

    He said that the ongoing transportation of pilgrims back home had been going on smoothly without any hitch so far, adding that no fewer than 14,000 pilgrims had been transported back to Nigeria.

    He implored all Nigerians to fervently pray for the country to overcome its present trying period and a resounding good health and wisdom for leaders, particularly President Muhammadu Bihari.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Media Team, Alhaji Ubale Musa commended NAHCON for its foresight in forming the Media Team to cover the just concluded exercise.

    Musa said that the inclusion  of competent journalists in the team had ensured adequate dissemination of information on the conduct exercise.

  • NAHCON advocates global discussion on hajj quota

    NAHCON advocates global discussion on hajj quota

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON ) has advocated global discussion on hajj quota to ensure effective utilisation of facilities in Muna and Arafat.

    The Executive Chairman, NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, made the call during the 2017 post Arafat meeting with stakeholders in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Read also: Hajj : No state can surpass Lagos, says NAHCON

    Muhammad said the call became necessary because of the challenges experienced during core hajj activities in Muna and Arafat.

    He stressed the need for all hajj participants to come together to address the challenges and proffer a lasting solution.

    The NAHCON boss, who commended the Saudi Authority for organising excellent Hajj, also applauded the Nigerian pilgrims for exhibiting good behaviour before, during and after hajj rites.

    He promised to take action against Tour Operators, who abandoned their pilgrims in Makkah and Madina, adding that the commission would not do everything possible to ensure a successful Hajj.

    He expressed sadness over the demised of 14 Nigerian pilgrims, including the Legal Adviser of the commission and pray to Allah to grant them eternal rest.

    Muhammad disclosed that arrangement had been concluded to commence transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

    He added that Gombe, FCT and Ogun pilgrims would be first to be transported on Sept. 7.

    The Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb Muhammad Yunusa, who said that no Nigerian pilgrims was arrested with any drugs, commended NAHCON for ensuring sustain campaign against drugs trafficking.

    Yunusa called on states’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to educate their drivers on road traffic regulations to avoid road traffic violation.

    The Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Bello Tambuwal, announced that the Saudi Authority had given 20, 000 Saudi Riyals to two Nigerian pilgrims that were manhandled by its security agent.

    He explained that the money had since been delivered to the beneficiaries.

  • Two insurgents killed in failed attack on IDPs camp in Borno – Police

    Two insurgents killed in failed attack on IDPs camp in Borno – Police

    The Police in Borno on Monday said two Boko Haram suicide bombers were killed in a failed attempt to attack displaced persons camps and University of Maiduguri.

    A statement signed by DSP Victor Isuku, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the suicide bombers were killed by security operatives before they hit their targets.

    “On Sunday at about 2115hrs, a suspected female Boko Haram terrorist, took advantage of the darkness of night and attempted to gain access into Dalori 2 IDPs camp through the rear perimeter fence.

    “Fortunately, she was sighted by vigilant security personnel on duty and chased.

    “In an attempt to escape arrest, she hurriedly detonated the IED strapped to her body, killing herself alone.

    “The impact of the explosion destroyed a portion of the IDP camp fence.

    “In the early hours of today (Monday) at about 0400hrs, a male suicide bomber attempted to gain entry into the premises of University of Maiduguri.

    “On sighting the presence of security personnel deployed to the University on duty, he hurriedly detonated his IED, killing himself alone near the BOT building,” Isuku said in the statement.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had earlier confirmed that two suicide bombers attacked Dalori 1 and 2 IDPs camps in Maiduguri.

    In a statement issued to newsmen, the agency said four displaced persons were killed and 15 others wounded in the attack.

    It said that a male suicide bomber infiltrated into Dalori 1 camp and detonated the explosive strapped to his body and killed four persons.

    “Two persons died on the spot while two others died at the hospital,” it said, adding that 15 others sustained injuries in the attack.

    The statement added that a female suicide bomber was shot by security men when she attempted to cross the perimeter fence at Dalori 2 camp.

    “A female suicide bomber was spotted by security agents while trying to cross the fence.

    “They shot her and the explosive device strapped to her body detonated, and blew the woman into pieces,” the statement said.

    It said that another female suicide bomber was intercepted and killed by vigilance group at Gate 3, University of Maiduguri.

    A member if the Civilian Joint Task Force  (CJTF), Abdullahi Muhammad, said the woman detonated the explosive when she was stopped by their men on duty at about 7:45 AM.

    He said that the woman killed herself and one member of the vigilance group sustained injuries in the attack.

    The injured victims were referred to Special Hospital, Maiduguri for treatment.