News
Hajj 2024; 3 Missing Kebbi pilgrims rescued in Makkah
The three missing Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State participating in this year’s Hajj have been rescued by state government officials in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
These pilgrims were sponsored by the Kebbi State government to perform the 2024 Hajj and to provide assistance where needed.
The development was confirmed by Malam Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
Nasir Idris, Executive Director of the Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Kebbi State branch, confirmed the rescue of a woman from Kamba Local Government Area. The woman had lost her way and ended up behind the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Kaaba), leading her to a different area.
“As Kebbi State Government officials, we intervened and redirected her back home using a taxi service,” he said.
Idris explained that state officials often assist with translation and act as intermediaries due to language barriers, offering useful suggestions to committees to ensure the success of the Hajj exercise.
The officials’ activities are not limited to Kebbi State pilgrims alone; they provide assistance to all Nigerian pilgrims in need.
“Recently, we rescued two women from Bauchi State who missed their way to their hotel. The quick intervention of Kebbi State officials helped them find their way back,” he added.
Idris emphasized that the humanitarian services provided by the officials would continue throughout the Hajj and called for more support and cooperation from pilgrims to ensure a successful operation.
He advised pilgrims to always move in groups to avoid getting lost.
“They should be cautious in spending their basic travel allowance and routinely seek guidance from clerics on proper Hajj rituals to perform an acceptable Hajj,” he said.
News
We’ll be forced to export 97% of our petrol – Dangote Refinery warns
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
News
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Round of 16 fixtures confirmed [Full list]
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
News
Nigerian Army debunks reported mass resignation of soldiers
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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