Africa's Media Giant
Africa's Media Giant
By Deji Abdulwahab
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards on Thursday agreed on a deposit of N8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj pending final negotiations on all service contracts.
The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued by its Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Hajiya Fatima Usara, in Abuja on Thursday.
Usara quoted the NAHCON boss as saying this at a strategic post-Hajj meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards aimed to review the 2025 Hajj operations and commence early preparations for 2026.
“The NAHCON Chairman after deliberations announced a tentative deposit of N8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj as agreed collectively, pending final negotiations on all service contracts.
“Usman also announced that Nigeria has retained its 95,000-slot allocation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Similarly, allocation of slots to state welfare boards remains as it was last year,” Usara said.
In his submission, Alhaji Idris Almakura, the Chairman of the Forum of States Executive Secretaries and Executive Secretary (ES) Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board, thanked NAHCON for organising the meeting.
Almakura urged the commission to strengthen collaboration with state boards through improved communication and timely clarifications.
He also called for expedited reconciliation of pending matters from the 2025 Hajj, to ensure a smooth transition into 2026 planning.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the NAHCON CEO expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support to Nigerian pilgrims and the commission.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention that enabled Hajj carriers to accept payments in Naira, shielding pilgrims from foreign exchange shocks.
Usman also commended the government for directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  to suspend its earlier policy mandating credit card-only payments for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to pilgrims.
According to him, this could have disadvantaged many of them due to limited awareness and sensitisation.
He encouraged participants to offer frank, constructive evaluations of the 2025 exercise, focusing on what worked, the challenges encountered, and areas for improvement.
Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, the Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services ( PRSILS), led discussions on the 2026 Hajj Calendar while Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, led discussions on operational matters.
Elegushi opened the floor for discussions on the possible rollover of contracts for the four airlines that operated during the 2025 Hajj.
He cited time constraints and bureaucratic hurdles juxtaposed with the Saudi calendar and its expectations from Hajj participating countries.
According to him, this will give room for Nigeria to book airlift slots early.
Present at the meeting were all the executive members of the Forum of States’ Muslim Welfare Boards, including Deputy Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Faruku Yaro (ES, Kebbi State), Malam Abubakar Salihu who is the Secretary of the Forum and the ES Adamawa State. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
By Uchenna Eletuo
The Catholic Church on Sunday, said that periodic hangouts by couples will boost spouses’ intimacy and enhance marriage stability.
The church encouraged spouses to indulge in outside-the-home treats to renew love and bonding in order to avoid marriage instability.
The church gave the advice during the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO)’s couples feast, held at the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Tedi, Lagos.
The retreat had the theme, “Marriage that Works” which husbands attended the retreat with their wives.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured spouses exchange of pleasantries, administered man and woman gestures and acts that enhance marriage.
The event aimed to commemorate the 2025 Father’s Day, reminding couples of the importance of each other’s task in the marriage sacrament.
Speaking at the event, a marriage counsellor, Mr Okechukwu Obereagu, described marriage as a “calling with assigned purpose and rules guiding it”.
Obereagu said that marriage was the first institution established by God for human sustainability.
He decried the undoing of couples that threatened the matrimonial union which in several cases led to divorce or separation, advising spouses to reignite bonds with hangouts.
“Pray together as a family to make God the pilot of the marriage journey and family manager.
“As partners, made one in the union, always expect imperfection conducts from your partner and do well to absorb such with love.
“Couples should captivate love for each other, know when best to do things that endear you to your spouse and facilitate those regularly.
“Laugh out each other’s conducts worthy of criticism and refrain from unhealthy arguments. Avoid unhealthy competitions.
“Avoid sleeping separately when there is a friction, one person should activate a healing process to dose off the acrimony within 24 hours,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the CMO Chaplin, who doubles as the Parish Priest of the Church, Rev Fr. Anthony Thompson, asked fathers to love their wives just as Christ love the Church and gave all to it.
The priest asked the wives to be submissive to their husbands and refrain from life of complaints and do away with attitudes that did not portray them as good Christian mothers.
The chaplain asked the parishioners to live a life of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for the gift of life. He prayed for peace in families and the protection of the children. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/Maureen Atuonwu
By Philomina Attah
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has inaugurated training for religious leaders on sign language use to promote inclusivity across religious spaces in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja, Kaigama said the six-month initiative will be implemented by Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), an agency of the Catholic Church.
He said the programme aims to equip clerics of all faiths with sign language skills, enabling them to better serve persons with hearing impairments in their communities.
The Archbishop noted that sign language is a valuable tool for ministry and a practical demonstration of love and inclusion.
“This programme will foster greater inclusion of persons with hearing impairments within religious and social settings,” Kaigama said.
He added that it could transform religious engagement with the deaf community and promote their full integration into society.
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, Executive Director of JDPCI, thanked Kaigama for the trust placed in the organisation to deliver the landmark programme.
Sanni said the training will receive technical and financial backing from Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International.
He explained that the initiative includes both virtual and in-person sessions and will lead to certification for the participating clerics.
Participants include Catholic priests, pastors, and Muslim clerics, making it the first interfaith sign language training for religious leaders in Nigeria.
In her remarks, Mrs Ekaete Umoh, Inclusion Coordinator at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, praised the programme’s alignment with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS).
Her speech, delivered by JDPC’s Programme Director, Mr Timothy Ejeh, described the project as a timely and welcome initiative.
“We commend JDPC’s innovative approach to ensuring full participation of persons with disabilities in society,” Umoh stated.
She noted that the initiative directly supports the UNDIS goal of fostering inclusive practices across all sectors of life.
Umoh encouraged JDPC to deepen engagement with stakeholders and pledged UN support for strategic partnerships promoting inclusivity.
She expressed hope that the programme would benefit persons with disabilities, their families, and the broader society.
Prof. Shehu Galadanci, Murshid of the National Mosque, also praised the initiative as a major step towards disability inclusion in religious life.
Represented by Imam Haroun Eze, he urged all religious leaders to become more responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.
He pledged support to amplify disability inclusion efforts within the Muslim community nationwide.
Goodwill messages came from national and international organisations, including the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and CBM International.
Others included CAFOD, Disability Rights Fund, Sightsavers, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Additional support came from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPwD), UFUK Dialogue Foundation, and SIEDI.
All the messages recognised the programme as a beacon of hope and a vital step towards upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
By Deji Abdulwahab
Malam Tajudeen Adigun, the Chairman, Council of Imams in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on parents to inculcate the knowledge of Holy Quran in their children and wards.
Adigun, who is also Chief Imam, Muslim Community Abuja, said that the Quran, if implemented, would promote zero corruption and ideal society.
He gave the advice on Saturday at the 6th Annual Quranic Graduation, organised by Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation in Abuja.
The cleric described the Holy Quran as a reformer of individuals and society, adding that it reforms individuals and builds them to be ideal.
According to him, Quran is a book revealed by Allah, through Angel Jibril. It is a book of wisdom. It is a book of knowledge. It is a conveyor of all professions.
“It is a manner for mankind to follow. It reformed individuals and built them to be ideal, and that is why Rasulullah SAW was asked to read the book in its first verse.
“The prophet said it is a book of freedom. When you read it and you comprehend it, and you implement it, and you teach others, it reforms society.
“You find society free of corruption by implementing the Quran. This is because nobody will oppress, cheat or kill. Nobody will do all sorts of atrocities because Quran has condemned it,” he said.
The cleric appealed to parents to make sure that they inculcate the knowledge of Quran in their children and wards.
He urged all Muslim faithful to always recite and act according to the teachings of the Holy Quran.
“We are also advising Muslims across the globe, that as long as they hold to the Quran, implementing it, they are going to live a peaceful life here, and they are going to enjoy a life that is endless in peace,” he said.
In his remarks, Malam Garba Al-Yolawi, Director-General, Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation, said that he was excited over the way the foundation was progressing, impacting knowledge of Quran in children and wards.
Al-Yolawi said, “This is the sixth Quranic graduation ceremony, and we are happy that we are progressing, we are impacting, and we are making some difference within the community.
“For the first time we are doing this event inside the mosque we are building. Alhamdulillah, this is a remarkable one, and it is showing that we are moving ahead.
“Before, the foundation only had nursery and Islamiyah but by September, it will start with Nurul Yaqeen Academy, which comprises nursery, basic, that is the primary one, and JSS1,” Al-Yolawi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility, donated to mark Pastor Folu Adeboye’s 77th birthday, was inaugurated by the Osun Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
By Edith Nwapi
Religious leaders have crucial role to play in shaping moral values, particularly within the context of nation-building and promoting social harmony.
Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day programme for the sensitisation and awareness creation for religious leaders.
The programme was organised by the NHRC in furtherance of its mandate of peaceful coexistence and respect for human rights.
Represented by Dr Benedict Agu, Head of Monitoring Unit of the commission, Ojukwu stated that religious leaders are influencers who should help to promote human rights.
Ojukwu said that religious leaders, often holding positions of influence and trust, can significantly impact societal norms, behaviours, and ethical decision-making.
The programme, he said, was designed to deepen understanding of human rights principles as it aligns with our diverse faith.
He added also the programme is to help explore practical strategies for peace building that would provide the tools for effective conflict resolution.
“Religious leaders have always played a pivotal role in shaping moral values, guiding conscience and fostering unity.
“Your voice carries immense weight in your communities. Your teachings inspire millions of people’s dignity, compassion and mutual respect.
“In a world often divided by conflicts, inequality and misunderstandings, leadership is more crucial in bridging the divides and advocating for fundamental rights of all individuals” he said.
He said the NHRC was established by the National Human Rights Commission amended Act 2010, to promote, protect and enforce human rights of everyone in Nigeria.
He added also that the commission conducts regular sensitisation and awareness creation activities across the country to educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities.
Similarly, Mr Saka Azimazi, a human rights consultant, said religious leaders were typically characterised by their deep commitment, empathy and ability to inspire.
He urged them not to go to the extremes in their teachings, adding: “every leader should be in the middle cause”.
Azimazi spoke on the topic “The role of religious leaders in promoting human rights and peaceful coexistence.
“We will not be extremists. Not be too far, not be too close. Stay in the middle. So, when you interpret anything, it was probably the most great way to ensure that people can comply.
“You should preach more truth. You should preach to ensure that people can co-exist.
“By spreading the shared values of human rights and religious teachings, we can foster a world where individuals are respected, protected, and empowered to exercise their rights and live with dignity, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds” he said. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
By Ahmed Abba
The Yobe State Arabic and Islamic Education Board (AISEB) on Tuesday flagged off its Qur’anic Recitation competition at the local government level in honour of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ceremony, held in Damaturu, was dedicated to the memory of Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13.
Dr Umar Abubakar, Executive Secretary of AISEB, said the event marked the beginning of the state’s 2025 Qur’anic Recitation Competition at the grassroots level.
He noted that the timing of the event coincided with the passing of the late President and that a special prayer was offered for the repose of his soul.
“We seize this opportunity to offer a special prayer, asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings and bestow mercy upon him.
“The entire reward of this two-week-long competition is dedicated to him in honour of his contributions to the country,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was in collaboration with Plan International, Yobe Field Office.
It featured the distribution of 99 hygiene kits to Almajiri pupils and the presentation of awards to 300 Islamiyya pupils who excelled in Qur’anic memorisation.
Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, stressed the importance of Qur’anic education in shaping the moral and intellectual foundations of society.
Buni, who was represented by Prof. Bello Kawuwa, the Commissioner for Higher Education said: “This initiative is part of our broader efforts to advance Qur’anic education in Yobe and Nigeria at large.
“Qur’anic education plays a vital role in shaping our values, guide our actions, and preserve our religious identity,” the governor stated.
Also speaking, Ms Halima Jibril, Project Officer at Plan International, Yobe Field Office, said the support was informed by the need to improve hygiene conditions among Almajiri children.
“Plan International has been working with AISEB since 2019, supporting the establishment of community schools and providing educational materials.
“This year, we decided to support hygiene by providing kits containing antiseptic soap, Vaseline, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other essentials,” she said.
She added that poor hygiene remained a critical challenge among Almajiri children and such interventions were necessary to promote their health and well-being. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joe Idika

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