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Tag: Hajj

  • Senate clears hajj commission’s members

    Senate clears hajj commission’s members

    THE Senate yesterday confirmed President Goodluck Jonathan’s nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

    The approval was, however, contrary to the recommendations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs that the nominees be dropped.

    Following Jonathan’s nomination of Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad and eight others as Chairman and commissioners of NAHCON, the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and other stakeholders petitioned the Senate not to approve the nominees.

    The Sultan’s major grouse was that the NSCIA was not consulted by the President as required by law before the list of the nominees was sent to the Senate.

    The NSCIA, in its petition, urged the Senate not to approve the nominations since the President did not satisfy the provision of  Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which states that  “the President shall, after due consultation, appoint persons of proven integrity as Chairman and members of the commission, subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

    Other petitioners also kicked against the nomination of Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad as the chairman-designate of NAHCON without giving reasons.

    Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Sani Saleh said the committee conducted the screening in line with its mandate from the Senate.

    He said the committee was constrained to make specific recommendations on the nominees because of the sensitivity of the petition from the NSCIA, which came half way into the exercise.

    “The Senate is kindly requested to consider and give further directives and guidance on the matter.”

    But the Senate, while considering the report yesterday, ignored the NSCIA petition by confirming the appointments oas proposed by the President.

    In a motion moved for setting aside the committee’s recommendation, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma Egba said Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act 2006 quoted by NSCIA to back its position does  not specifically state that the body should be consulted by the President before making such appointments.

    He said the section only urges the President to make due consultation without specifically mentioning any person or body for such consultations, which he believed the President must have done before forwarding the names of the nominees to the Senate.

  • Hajj 2014: Muslims pray on climax of pilgrimage

    Hajj 2014: Muslims pray on climax of pilgrimage

    Mount Arafat , Saudi Arabia — Some two million Muslims from around the world yesterday gathered at a desert hill near Mecca in Saudi Arabia in an act of faith and repentance during the climactic emotional and spiritual moment of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

    Men and women wept openly at Mount Arafat as they stretched their hands out in prayer and supplication, saying “Labayk, Allahuma, labayk,” — “Here I am, God, answering your call. Here I am.”

    The faithful believe that on Arafat day the gates of heaven are open, prayers are answered and past sins can be forgiven.

    The pilgrimage is physically demanding and involves performing several rites, such as circling the cube-shaped Kaaba seven times at the start and finish of the hajj. It is a main pillar of Islam and one that all able-bodied Muslims must perform once in their lives.

    Abdullahi Mu’azu K/Na’isa from Nigeria said he paid $5,000 to perform the hajj, and would do it again if he could. He said the day spent in Mount Arafat is his favourite moment of hajj because it is the best example of unity and diversity.

    “Hajj brings happiness and (the) oneness of all Muslims because you can see that all races are here, and it is a way to mingle with them and have a connection somewhere else,” he said.

    All male pilgrims, regardless of wealth or status, wear seamless terry white cloths to symbolize equality before God during the hajj. Women cover their hair and wear long loose clothing, forgoing makeup and other adornments to help them detach from worldly pleasures and outward appearances.

    It was at Mount Arafat some 1,400 years ago that the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon during hajj. He called for equality and for Muslims to unite. He reminded his followers of women’s rights and that every Muslim life and property is sacred.

    While following a route that the prophet once walked, the rites are believed to ultimately trace the footsteps of the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail . The journey of hajj brings together Muslims of all stripes and backgrounds, praying side-by-side in and around Mecca for about five days.

    The pilgrims later left Mount Arafat — about 20 kilometers east of Mecca — around sunset to collect pebbles to be used in a symbolic stoning of the devil today which marks the first day of the Islamic holiday Eid -el- Kabir.

  • Facilities at Lagos Hajj terminal intact, says FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN),  has assured that facilities at the Hajj camp and Cargo terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos  are in good condition to facilitate this year’s pilgrims  airlift to Saudi Arabia.

    The assurance came after the inspection of facilities for pilgrims at the Hajj camp and cargo terminal by FAAN management.

    FAAN’s Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Onyekwere Nnaekpe, said information that the facilities are untidy with capacity to cause an epidemic  is capable of creating fear in the minds of pilgrims, whose worries could be heightened by the scare of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    He said there was nothing deplorable about the facilities at the hajj and cargo terminal of the Lagos Airport.

    The FAAN spokesman in a statement added that relevant agencies such as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) responsible for the airlift and welfare of pilgrims, could not have turned a blind eye to the facilities if they were below standard.

    ‘’The Authority wishes to state that it is untrue that ‘the toilet facilities (at the terminal) have been left unclean over the weeks without lights at night’. There is no doubt that the 39 toilet facilities provided at the terminal could be overstretched when used by an average of 500 pilgrims per flight for about two weeks, but it was uncharitable to say that these toilet facilities were not cleaned throughout this period.

    “Relevant government agencies responsible for the airlift and welfare of pilgrims such as National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) could not have turned a blind eye to such a dangerous situation.

    “We believe that officials of NAHCON, who work in collaboration with FAAN are in a better position to make such complaints of “impending epidemic” and not a supposed intending pilgrim, who claimed “that the dirty nature of the toilet facilities could lead to an epidemic in the area.”

    He stressed that “some of the pilgrims had approached the terminal authority about the deplorable condition of the facilities without positive response”.

    He continued: ‘’We question the veracity of this claim because individual pilgrims can only approach ‘the terminal authority’ with such complaints through officials of NAHCOM or other relevant agencies, who have unfettered access to officials of FAAN, some of whom are specially posted during Hajj operations to facilitate efficient service delivery, including a clean, secure and safe environment at the Hajj Terminal, during this period.

    ‘’FAAN wishes to assure all intending pilgrims and the general public that the Authority has put necessary machinery in place to ensure that all Hajj Terminals across the country, not just at MMA, Lagos, are safe, secure and in good hygienic condition to effectively handle Hajj operations. We, therefore, consider any talk of impending outbreak of epidemic at any of our Hajj terminals as not only misleading, but malicious.’’

  • ‘Intending pilgrims don’t know hajj rites’

    About 75 percent of intending pilgrims from Nigeria lack knowledge of Hajj rites, the Mufti (Grand Sheikh) of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CID), Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i, has said.

    This, Shafi’i said, at a seminar organised by Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited (HMVL), usually creates problems for operators and Saudi Arabia authority in the Holy Land.

    Hajj, he said, is one of the key pillars of Islam, adding that pilgrims should equip themselves with the ‘dos and don’ts’ of the exercise.

    According to him, government and private operators must organise extensive trainings for intending pilgrims.

    The scholar warned that pilgrims risk losing the reward of embarking on hajj if its tenets are not adhered to.

    “What is the essence of spending lots of money, engage in strenuous hajj exercise and all other risks involved and come home empty handed. We should religiously perform the rites of hajj as expected to earn the desired rewards,” he said.

    Shafi’i enjoined pilgrims to be mentally and physically alert for the exercise and always renew their intentions.

    “Prophet Muhammad said ‘actions shall be judged according to intention.’ Remember, we are going to Saudi Arabia for worship, let’s change our intentions from going after mundane things; tourism and shopping can always come after completing the spiritual rites,” he said.

    HMVL General Manager Alhaji Abdulhameed Solate said the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is hampering smooth preparations of the exercise.

  • Photos: Hajj operation in Bauchi

    Photos: Hajj operation in Bauchi

  • Photo: Farewell to Saudi

    Photo: Farewell to Saudi

  • Details of Hajj

    Details of Hajj

    Preamble

    This article is not new. It was published in this column during Hajj period last year and the year before. Because of its relevance, it is being repeated with some alterations in response to readers’ popular demand. Here it goes:

    Hajj in the life of a Muslim is like pregnancy in the womb of an expectant mother. The experience varies from woman to woman. The foetus in the womb undergoes various stages before reaching the stage of delivery. But by the time the child is finally delivered the mother feels a relief of her life. And the child assumes a tabula rasa (clean slate) that makes him absolutely innocent. A pilgrim is spiritually like a newly born child if he strictly performs Hajj as prescribed by Allah. But if he returns into the world of vanity after Hajj, he automatically becomes like a person in snow-white attire who finds himself in a palm oil market. Unless he spiritually guides his loins, he may immediately become a tainted person both in body and in soul.

    Pilgrims who are going on Hajj must be prepared to go through series of rigour both spiritually and physically. The rigour of getting the legitimate money with which to perform Hajj; the rigour of getting the travelling documents including visa; the rigour of taking care of the home front before embarking on the Holy journey; the rigour of boarding the plane with a sense of high risk; the rigour of going through the security search at the embarkation point as well as the disembarkation point in Saudi Arabia when entering and departing; the rigour of performing the Tawaf and Sa’y; the rigour of moving from Makkah to Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, then to Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, and back to Mina via Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah; the rigour of locating the tents at Arafah; the rigour of throwing the pebbles at the Jamrat in Mina on the three or four days known as Ayamu-t-Tashrik; the rigour of performing Tawaful Ifadah at the Sanctuary in Makkah after the first day of throwing pebbles; the rigour of shaving the head and slaughtering the rams, the rigour of performing the farewell circumambulation otherwise known as Tawaful Wida‘i – all in the midst of millions of people can be too much to forget so soon  after Hajj.

    Whoever is not bothered by the money spent on Hajj should at least be bothered by the various stages of the rigour involved including that of visiting Madinah. To lose all these to the forces of Satan after Hajj is like losing one’s travelling passport after obtaining visa.

    The prayer of every genuine pilgrim is to retain the validity of Hajj forever.

    Qualifications

    Performance of pilgrimage must be based on certain qualifications one of which is genuine intention and high spiritual standard. An intending pilgrim must have attained puberty. He must have been an ardent practitioner of the first four pillars of Islam: (Iman, Salat, Zakah, and Sawm) all of which are fervently based on faith (Iman) which is the first pillar. Hajj without these pre-requisites is like a tree without roots.

    Money is a major pre-requisite for Hajj but it is not absolute.

    Hajj, the last pillar of Islam shows very vividly, the similitude of what mankind will experience on the Day of Judgment. Looking at the unique way in which pilgrims dress for Hajj and how they assemble at Arafat leaving their luggage behind in Makkah, one will realize how euphemeral this world is.

    The various stages of preparation through which pilgrims pass before arriving at Arafat are symbolic of our peregrination in life as human beings. Like the Day of Judgment, Arafat is the climax of Hajj performance. Anybody who misses Arafat misses Hajj. But Arafat is not by physical appearance alone. It takes a combination of factors to participate effectively in that great assembly which serves as the climax of Hajj.

    Preparation

    For Hajj to serve its spiritual purpose in the life of a pilgrim, certain steps must be taken before leaving home. They are as follows:

    •   Fine-tuning the first four pillars of

    Islam very sincerely

    •   Packaging the intention to perform Hajj

    •   Ensuring the security of the way

    •  Providing for the family and                                       dependants at home

    •   Paying all the outstanding debts

    including promises

    •  Ascertaining the condition of health

    •   Perfecting immigration procedures and                  undergoing all necessary medical

    services including inoculation

    •   Assuming a mood of humility like that                    of a servant approaching his master.

    •    Readiness to endure hardship and to       tolerate fellow pilgrims’ attitudes.

    Admonishing Muslims on spiritual journey, including Hajj, Prophet Muhammad once said: “Actions shall be judged according to intentions. Whoever embarks on a spiritual journey for the sake of Allah will be adjudged on that basis. And whoever bases his/her intention for pilgrimage on marriage or material gains should not expect any reward beyond that for which the intention is based”. The steps to follow in the performance of Hajj are as follows:

    The Miqat

    Miqat is the specified place for the wearing of Ihram dress. There are five of such places in all. But the one earmarked for pilgrims from Nigeria (Qarnul Manazil) cannot be reached by pilgrims who are travelling by air. It is over-flown shortly after crossing the Red Sea. What most Nigerians do therefore is to wear their Ihram dress in Jeddah which has now been adjudged right through a Fatwah. Thus, Nigerian pilgrims can now wear their Ihram dress on arrival at the pilgrims’ airport in Jeddah.

    Tawaful Qudum

    Tawaf means circumambulation (walking round the Ka’bah). The very first Tawaf to be performed by any pilgrim on entering Makkah is Tawaful Qudum. It is performed before a pilgrim settles down in any residence. Tawaful Qudum is an obligatory Sunnah from which only residential pilgrims are exempted.

    Residence in Makkah or Madinah Most Nigerian pilgrims often seek their accommodations in Makkah or Madinah close to the Haram. This is to enable them walk to and back from the Haram conveniently at the times of Salat. To minimise pilgrim’s regular occurrence of missing their ways they are provided with hand bands bearing the addresses of their residences. Pilgrims are therefore advised to wear such bands at all times to enable them show it to either the Hajj guides or policemen when they miss the road. It is also important for pilgrims to always be with the identity cards provided for them by Nigerian Pilgrims’ Commission or private agents. This is to enable them to be identified in case of sickness, accident or even death.

    Movement to Mina

    Pilgrims must be ready to undergo some rigour in the process of moving to Mina from Makkah. The rigour which normally affects all pilgrims is engendered by limited time available for millions of pilgrims who must move to that spiritual camp before the sunset on the day preceding Arafah day (8th of Dhul Hijjah).

    Arafah

    At the Plain of Arafat, pilgrims are advised to stay under their tents and concentrate on the spiritual activities that take them to the place.

    They must reach Arafat by mid day when Salatu-d-Dhuhr and ‘Asr should be observed combined. Anybody who is not at Arafat by mid day is considered not to have taken part in the assembly and has therefore missed Hajj. Immediately after observing the combined Salatu-d-Dhuhr and ‘Asr the Imam who led the two Salat is expected to give a sermon.

    Listening to such sermon is as compulsory as giving it.

    The great assembly of Arafat terminates shortly before sunset (Magrib) and the pilgrims return to Mina via Muzdalifah.

    Muzdalifah

    At Muzdalifah, pilgrims are expected to halt their journey to observe Magrib and ‘Ishai combined. They are also expected to pass the night there and observe the Salat-s-Subh of the following day before proceeding to Mina. Muzdalifah is adjacent to Mina and is therefore a walking distance.

    Jamrat

    Stoning the symbolic devils (Rajmu Jamrat) begins a day after Arafat and continues for the next three days that the pilgrims are supposed to spend at Mina. This exercise is obligatory and without it Hajj is incomplete. There are three points at which stones are to be thrown. Seven pebbles are thrown at each point on every one of the three or four days to be spent in Mina.

    While going for the pebble-throwing exercise, pilgrims are advised to take their pebbles along with them. Except for the first day when seven pebbles are supposed to be thrown at only one spot, pilgrims are required to throw twenty one pebbles each day at the three spots provided while they remain in Mina.

    Picking such pebbles at the point of throwing them is forbidden. All pebbles must have been picked before leaving the tent for the ‘Jamrat’ or on the way.

    Majzarah (Abattoir)

    Slaughtering of all sacrificial animals is done at the abattoir in Mina. Pilgrims do not need to bother themselves by going to the abattoir for the purpose of carrying out this compulsory obligation.

    They can simply buy the guaranteed ticket sold by designated Saudi agents (Mu’assasah). The ticket is the evidence that one has performed that duty. The slaughtering is done on behalves of the pilgrims by some authorised artisans who are paid by the Saudi Hajj authorities from the money paid for those animals. The animals to be slaughtered at Jamrat range from rams to camels. A pilgrim should slaughter one ram or more while seven pilgrims may combine to slaughter one camel or five of them may jointly slaughter one cow.

    Tawaful Ifadah

    For pilgrims who can afford to go to Makkah after throwing the first seven pebbles, it is good to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah. For those who cannot, the exercise can be deferred till the end of Tashrik.

    Pilgrims who have performed Tawaful Ifadah are free to shave their heads and change from their Ihram dress into civil or traditional dresses.

    The only reason for any pilgrim to go to Makkah from Mina during the camping period is to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah. No pilgrim should break camping rule by going to Makkah without performing Tawaful Ifadah. And after performing Tawaful Ifadah, no pilgrim should remain in Makkah or elsewhere without returning to Mina before sunset.

    With the completion of the camping days in Mina and the arrival of all the pilgrims in Makkah, Hajj has been completed except for Tawaf Wida‘i  otherwise called Fare well Tawaf. That Tawaf is also compulsory.

    Visit to Madinah

    It is then left for pilgrims to decide whether or not to go to Madinah. Going to Madinah is not compulsory. It can neither validate nor vitiate Hajj. But it will be spiritually odd for any pilgrim to choose not to visit the Prophet’s Mosque during the period of Hajj.

    Throughout the Hajj exercise, what should be uppermost in the mind of  a pilgrim is the spiritual benefit. Hajj is made compulsory only once in a life’s time for those who have the wherewithal to undergo it and can satisfy the conditions attached to its performance.

    Returning Home

    On returning home finally, pilgrims are not supposed to start organising parties in celebration of a successful Hajj performance as ignorantly done by some Nigerians. Maintaining Hajj is a necessity for those who know its value. Whoever is privileged to perform Hajj once should therefore be grateful to Allah as no one is sure of getting another chance.

  • Prepare for higher service, Aliyu tells Lamido

    Prepare for higher service, Aliyu tells Lamido

    It was never planned to be political but yesterday’s colourful take-off of this year’s Hajj was spiced with some politics.

    The Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu told his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Sule Lamido, to get set for higher service following what he described as his remarkable achievements in the state.

    Speaking during the 2014 Hajj Operation at the N13 billion new Dutse International Airport at Fanisau village, Dutse, Governor Aliyu, who is also the chair of the Northern Governor’s Forum, said, “I’ve heard about what you have been doing and I have come to see it for myself. All I can say is that you should be prepared for higher service.”

    The audience applauded as Aliyu spoke. Among the dignitaries were Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Abubakar Sa’ad III, who is also the Amirul Hajj, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos, the Emir of Kano, Alh Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Shehu of Borno and many other emirs.

    So impressed was the Sultan that he said if there was a fourth term, Lamido should have been asked to run.

    Sambo, Sultan, Lamido, others urged the pilgrims to pray for divine intervention in the nation’s insecurity problem and hitch-free 2015 election.

    Others were Chairman of Jigawa Council of Chiefs and Emir of Hadeija, Ahaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, Emir of Dutse Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sunusi, Executive Chairman of  National Hajj Commission Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, ministers, senators, lawmakers, among others.

    Sambo, who expressed the apology of President Goodluck Jonathan for his inability to be at the event, asked the 530 pilgrims to be better ambassadors, imbibe the orientation given to them by the country’s agencies, to adhere to Saudi Arabia laws.

    He also enjoined them to pray persistently to God to intervene in the nation’s security challenges as well as for smooth conduct of 2015 general elections.

    The vice president also asked them to engage in spiritual revival.

    He hailed the authorities of Saudi Arabia Kingdom for clearing Nigeria’ s pilgrims for the holy pilgrimage despite Ebola scare, pledging that no Ebola patient would be allowed to fly to the hajj.

    He added that the government is committed to the welfare of the pilgrims, better and hitch- free hajj operation.

    Sambo disclosed that for the first time, 50 per cent of the pilgrims will be flown directly to Medina, adding that better accommodations have been prepared for them.

    He also disclosed that the government has approved N1.7billion for states to fight Ebola virus.

    He stressed that the government has effectively fought to curtail the disease, adding that it would stop fighting it.

    Governor Aliyu, Oba Akiolu, the Sultan of Sokoto, Chairman of Hajj commission also enjoined the pilgrims to be a good ambassadors, praying for a hitch-free operation.

    Oba Akiolu requested the federal government to approve more money for hajj operation and Lagos State and others fighting to curtail Ebola virus.

    Lamido also received praises for the developments recorded in the state during his over seven years’ administration.

    The newly commissioned airport, according to the Sultan, “is the best in this part of the world if not the best.”

    The pilgrims were being airlifted by Max Air.

  • Tension in Borno: Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    Tension in Borno: Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    There was tension in Borno State following the military’s decision to stop two aircraft from airlifting 278 pilgrims going for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), as well as Senator Ali Ndume.

    While the pilgrims were scheduled to travel for the lesser Hajj with Max Airline, Ndume was reportedly going to Abuja in a chartered flight.

    In spite of the intervention of Governor Kashim Shettima, the military insisted that the two aircraft should return to their bases empty.

    A top military source said the aircraft were barred from conveying the passengers for security reasons.

    According to a top source, the military claimed that it was acting on orders from above.

    The source said: “A Max Airline aircraft. chartered by a Hajj and Umrah operator, Skynet International Limited, had arrived Maiduguri yesterday to convey 278 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

    “The pilgrims had undergone all security checks and were waiting to board the plane when the military issued ‘strange’ orders directing the plane to take off empty.

    “They asked the pilgrims to travel by road to Kano, a trip which will take five hours  through the not too secured Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum.

    “They directed the pilgrims to go and take off from Kano Airport. The military, citing ‘orders from above’ said their action was for security reasons.

    “Explanations by officials of Borno State Government, including Governor Shettima, that pilgrims carrying pocket money and moving to Kano by road from Maiduguri could be at risk, given past instances of attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum route, was shunned down by the military.

    “The management of Skynet which chartered the Max Airline had explained that it had written letters to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and military authorities, including the Brigade command, the police headquarters and the Air Force authorities, and it was duly authorised to go on with the operations, given the fact that previous exercises took place in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri and yet flights landed and took off to Saudi Arabia hitch-free.

    “The military insisted it wasn’t allowing this year’s Umrah operations in Maiduguri on the orders of the Chief of Air Staff that the airport be immediately closed to commercial aircraft and the  Max Airline  had to leave empty after it landed hitch free in Maiduguri airport.

    “Some Government officials were worried that the military might be playing a script to avoid the government being controlled by the opposition APC.”

    It was gathered that the same fate befell Senator Ali Ndume, who is standing trial for terrorism.

    Another source said: “The  military also yesterday, barred a serving Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume alongside a serving member of House of Representatives, representing Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa Federal Constituency of Borno State from boarding an aircraft chartered by the Borno State after an eight- seater aircraft arrived Maiduguri with some government officials it conveyed from Abuja.

    “The military ordered the plane to take off empty, leaving behind all eight persons, including the two lawmakers scheduled to board the flight to Abuja from Maiduguri.

    “Tension was rising at the airport as intending pilgrims were becoming uncalm; a situation that made Governor Shettima to send the SSG, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, to address  the pilgrims and calm their nerves.

    “The pilgrims left in numerous buses, driving through the night in order not to miss the flight’s inaugural slot to land in Saudi Arabia.”

    A military source however said the flights were stopped for security reasons.

    The source said: “There was no any order from above. The security situation in Borno State does not support such flight operations now.

    “We were trying to be proactive to avoid security breaches because the Air Force Base, which is closer to the airport, was attacked by the insurgents.

    “We are in a situation whereby the military cannot take things for granted. The flights were stopped purely on security grounds.”

    The Maiduguri airport was  officially reopened some months ago by the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency, following closure due to the invasion of the airport precinct by the insurgents.

    Although flights had been restored since January, the air traffic is managed through security clearance..”

  • ‘Don’t allow expectant mum for hajj’

    Kano State government has affirmed its position that any health worker found to have cleared expectant mothers to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj will be summarily dismissed from service.

    The warning was re-echoed yesterday by Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the opening ceremony of the review of last year’s hajj, organised by the Pilgrims Welfare Board.

    He said government decided to take the measure as the action of the health worker will result in the loss of 25 seats by the state from the National Hajj Commission.

    Ganduje, who noted that hajj operation is an all –year- round exercise, commended the Pilgrim Welfare Board for the early commencement of the preparation programme, saying he will personally lead the state delegation to secure accommodation for this year’s intending pilgrims.

    He also directed the board to scrutinise all Local Government Centre Officers in order to fish out bad elements among them, so as to ensure a more successful hajj operation.

    The Executive Secretary, State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Laminu Rabiu, said the review of last year’s hajj is the first of its kind throughout the country.

    Rabiu said those excluded last year will be the first to be considered this year.