By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, had urged Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers (APWOs) and Ulamas (Trainers) to give proper guidance to the state pilgrims for the sake of Allah.
The Deputy Governor stated this at a one-day Pre-Hajj conference for 2023 Hajj workers, held at Guidel Hotel, Minna.
He disclosed that if they do their job of guiding the pilgrims to achieve Hajj mabrub for the sake of Allah and not for worldly reward, other things will fall into shape for them.
Comrade Garba observed that Nigerians like cutting corners instead of obeying the laws and urged the Hajj workers to give proper guidance to the pilgrims and ensure that they obey the laws while in the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia.
He reminded the state pilgrims that they were ambassadors of the state and as such should be disciplined and stay away from any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state while in Holy Land.
He also observed that the calmness he had seen from the participants of the conference, was a sign that the state will achieve not less than 80 percent success in this year's Hajj, promising that the state government will do its best to ensure that the state had a successful Hajj operation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion who is equally the state Director General Religious Affairs, Mallam Abubakar Rabiu Beji, observed that the training was apt and very important as it will aid in attaining Hajj mabrub.
He also disclosed that it will not be proper for someone to pay close to three million naira and not attain Hajj mabrub at the end of the exercise, urging the participants to pay attention to the training and relate the information back to the intending pilgrims under them.
Similarly, the guest speaker and Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alh. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan who was represented by North Central operation officer, Hajiya Halima Mohammed, said hajj was a lifetime dream of every Muslim and as such it was important for the Ulamas and Hajj officials to help the pilgrims attain their lifetime dream.
He described Ulamas as the light of the society and that the society depends on them for guidance, adding that the Hajj for every Muslim were difficult but that with the Ulamas it will be made easy.
The Chairman of NAHCON disclosed that Hajj rites remain the same but the laws changes almost every year, and urged the Hajj officials to dedicate themselves and create time for the pilgrims, saying it is a win-win situation if they help the pilgrims attain Hajj mabrub as both of them will be rewarded.
He equally appreciated the state Governor, Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago for quickly linking up with the commission as soon as he took up the mantle of leadership and prayed for him to succeed.
The Executive Secretary of Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board (NSPWB), Sheikh Muhammad Auwal Aliyu said the programme was organized for the APWOs and the Ulamas to enlightened them on how to direct and guide the pilgrims to achieve Hajj mabrub.
He also disclosed that due to the Sudan crisis, flight fares had been increased, but that instead of asking the pilgrims to bring additional money they deduct 100 dollars from the 800 dollar BTA of the pilgrims to take care of the situation, adding that the money was 250 dollars but the National Hajj Commission did whatever they can to make it just a 100 dollar. There was also goodwill message from the state Amirul Hajj who was the father of the day at the occasion, HRH. Emir of Borgu, Barr. Muhammad Sani Dantoro.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Governor of Niger state, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has said his administration will involve Fulani youths as part of non-conventional security personnel to protect the forests for useful ventures.
The state Governor stated this shortly after a closed door meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor at the Defence Headquarters, in continuation of his visit to service chiefs for collaboration with the security apparatus to combat banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said his government will take charge of clearing the forests for useful ventures before engaging the Fulani people to protect it.
"Yes, definitely, we will first take over the forests, clear them and make them useful, then the Fulani will now be given the responsibility to protect themselves and their assets because they are the occupants of the forest and jungles".
According to him "we are committed to collaborating with all the security agencies, conventional and non-conventional in making sure that people live peacefully".
Governor Umaru Bago explained that he had a fruitful discussion with the CDS on strategies to be evolved to address insecurity in the state.
He said he has a long standing relationship with the CDS, hence he will leverage on that for the benefit of the state.
"We've discussed with the CDS in order to establish strong architecture of collaboration among the armed forces and other security agencies to curb the menace of insecurity. It was very fruitful and the CDS has been a very good friend in the last ten years and I know that he can do better", he said.