By Suleiman Yakubu

Next year's intending pilgrims from Niger State to the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia have been advised to hasten their payment for Hajj seats to meet the December deadline given by the Saudi authorities.
This was made known by the Chairman of Arewa New Agenda (ANA), Senator Ahmed Abubakar, in a one-day sensitization programme held at the Conference Hall of the Islamic Education Trust (IET) in Minna on Monday.
The Arewa New Agenda, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was saddled with the responsibility of embarking on aggressive sensitization to create awareness about the position of Saudi Arabian authorities and the reason behind the December deadline.
According to the Senator, the Saudi authorities allocated only 97,000 slots to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCO), out of which Nigerians were yet to meet reasonable numbers of the allocated seats, "which informed the decisions of the sensitization for Nigerians, particularly the North, to hasten up to meet the deadline.".
He disclosed that the Saudi authorities will close the visa portal by the end of December 2023, adding that the intending pilgrims for the year 2024 should endeavour to ensure the completion of their payment so as to get their visa as scheduled.
He pointed out that the increase in the 2024 Hajj fares was a result of the exchange rate of dollars, stressing that the hike in the 2024 Hajj fares should not be seen as a deliberate attempt to deny Nigerians the right to perform the most sacred Islamic oblgation.
Senator Ahmed therefore appealed to the intending pilgrims, particularly pilgrims from the Northern States, to, as a matter of obligation, pay up their fares to avoid the delay in the issuance of their visas.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdullahi, commended the Arewa New Agenda for embarking on the sensitization programme in Niger State at this point in time.
He described the sensitization programme as timely and crucial, assuring that the state Bureau for Religious Affairs, under his leadership, will step it down across the 25 local government areas of the state.
He noted that the Bureau, as part of its mandate, will collaborate with the state pilgrim welfare board and take their message across the twenty-five local government areas of the state to sensitise intending pilgrims in Niger State on the need for them to hasten their payment before the end of the deadline.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reiterated his commitment to collaborate with religious leaders in fostering unity, understanding, and harmonious relationships among the people of the country.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, stated this at the 2023 annual central council meeting of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), held on Monday at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall, Minna.
He observed that the voices of religious leaders resonate deeply with the people and that their influence extends beyond places of worship, hence the call for support from religious leaders, which can truly guide the nation towards a path of shared values and mutual respect.
"In this noble pursuit of unity, cooperation with the government becomes paramount. We are committed to working hand in hand with religious leaders to create an environment that promotes peace and understanding," said the governor.
He appreciated the immense contributions of His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of JNI, towards fostering unity and peaceful coexistence in the country. "His leadership style has been a source of inspiration, guiding our state and the nation at large towards sustainable development, peace, and national security," the governor added.
In his address at the gathering, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of JNI, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, said the annual meeting hosted in Niger State was a historic assembly, which is a departure from the tradition of hosting it in Kaduna.
"The hosting of our annual meeting will be rotating from now onwards; this will enable us to understand our people," he said.
While sympathising with the people of Kaduna and all the Muslims over the recent loss of lives by worshippers at the Maulud celebration in the state, the JNI President General said they would seek justice for the attack.
Also speaking, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is desirous of a true and sustained reorientation of national values and attitudes, adding that experts to drive this project will be unveiled by the President early next year.
He disclosed that the project will consist of a Nigerian Promise and Citizen Codes, defining our core values as Nigerians while taking into full account our ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversities. "It will seek to entrench in all Nigerians a balanced understanding of our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the greatest black nation on earth," he added.
The Minister also disclosed that the President had sent a delegation led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to commiserate, sympathise, and empathise with the people and government of Kaduna State, particularly the inhabitants of Tudun Biri who were affected by the unfortunate incident.
He equally disclosed that the President has approved the commencement of the FULAKO Initiative, in which the Federal Government will build houses, clinics, schools, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiatives, and solar energy, among other social amenities, as part of a non-kinetic response to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North.
According to him, "Fulako Initiative is President Tinubu’s unique humanitarian response to the effects of banditry in our communities and will be implemented in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Benue states.".
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Host, who is equally the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as the JNI Vice President General, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, prayed, advised Muslims and the country at large to live in peace, and also commended the Niger State Government for being the host of the programme.
Speaking also, the Secrecy General of JNI, Professor Khalid Aliyu, said the annual gathering of the central council of JNI comprises royal fathers, Islamic scholars, and clerics, adding that JNI representatives stand as the pinnacle of the decision-making body of the organisation, shaping policies that resonate through a collective journey.