Day: February 26, 2025

Ahead of the airlift of intending pilgrims for the forthcoming Hajj 2025 operations, a faith-based civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has called on state governors across the country, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to renovate the various Hajj transit camps in their states and the territory. The CSO,
Group urges governors to upgrade pilgrims transit camps for effective hajj operations

Ahead of the airlift of intending pilgrims for the forthcoming Hajj 2025 operations, a faith-based civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has called on state governors across the country, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to renovate the various Hajj transit camps in their states and the territory.

The CSO, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, and issued on Wednesday, stated that the call became necessary due to the deteriorating condition of some of the camps.

“It is common knowledge that intending pilgrims spend several days at the various Hajj camps ahead of their airlift to Saudi Arabia, and information at our disposal indicates that some of the camps need urgent renovation to make them more comfortable,” Mohammed stated.

He, however, singled out some governors, including those of Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Sokoto states, as well as the FCT Minister, for undertaking extensive modernization and renovation of the Hajj transit camps in their states and the Territory.

“We also acknowledge the government of Osun State for its promise to build a world-class permanent Hajj transit camp and urge the state government to complete the project before the 2025 Hajj exercise.

“In other Hajj countries, pilgrims’ education and enlightenment sessions are usually held in Hajj camps to allow pilgrims to become familiar with the process and to get acquainted with their first point of stay whenever the Hajj airlift begins.

“We plead with the state executives to renovate and upgrade the facilities in their various Hajj camps before the Hajj airlift, scheduled to begin in the last week of April this year.

“In addition, we know that the camps can be used for commercial purposes by erecting hotels and event centers that can generate revenue for the pilgrims’ welfare boards and the states in general,” IHR said.

Group urges governors to upgrade pilgrims transit camps for effective hajj operations

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, on Wednesday constituted an inquiry to unravel the circumstances behind the incessant increase in the cost of drugs in the Nigerian pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Tunji Bello, disclosed the move while setting up the inquiry in Abuja. According to him,
FCCPC worried over high cost of drugs in Nigeria, launches immediate inquiry

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, on Wednesday constituted an inquiry to unravel the circumstances behind the incessant increase in the cost of drugs in the Nigerian pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Tunji Bello, disclosed the move while setting up the inquiry in Abuja.

According to him, the Commission is “empowered by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 to promote fair business practices and safeguard consumer interests” in the country.

He said that with that mandate, the FCCPC is “conducting an inquiry into the high cost and variation of drug prices” across Nigeria.

Bello observed that the cost of medications in the country has continued to rise significantly over the past year, “making it increasingly difficult for consumers to afford the treatment they need.”

He noted that the high cost of drugs not only affects “patients’ health outcomes” but also places a strain on Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The FCCPC boss further disclosed that the Commission “received consumer complaints regarding the variation and high costs of drugs in Nigerian markets,” stressing that the constituted inquiry aims to “identify factors contributing to disparities in healthcare accessibility and affordability” in the country.

“We believe this is crucial to ensuring Nigerians have access to quality and affordable healthcare services,” he added.

FCCPC worried over high cost of drugs in Nigeria, launches immediate inquiry

The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has extended the deadline for the payment of Hajj fare to March 7. The board’s spokesperson, Habibu Yusuf Babura, disclosed this in a statement made available to the PUNCH on Wednesday. Babura said the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ahamed Labbo, announced this on Wednesday during
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The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has extended the deadline for the payment of Hajj fare to March 7. The board’s spokesperson, Habibu Yusuf Babura, disclosed this in a statement made available to the PUNCH on Wednesday. Babura said the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ahamed Labbo, announced this on Wednesday during

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After three years in operation, Nigerian education technology startup Edukoya has ended operations, saying poor infrastructure and economic challenges made it impossible to scale. The startup which secured Africa’s largest pre-seed funding of $3.5 million in 2021, said it will return capital to investors rather than persist in what it described as an unsustainable market
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After three years in operation, Nigerian education technology startup Edukoya has ended operations, saying poor infrastructure and economic challenges made it impossible to scale. The startup which secured Africa’s largest pre-seed funding of $3.5 million in 2021, said it will return capital to investors rather than persist in what it described as an unsustainable market

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A bill to establish the National Eye Centre, Ochadamu, to take over the staff, assets and liabilities of Holley Memorial Hospital, sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah, has scaled second reading in the Senate. Details of the general principles of the bill, including cost implications, obtained by DAILY POST on
Bill to take over 77-year hospital, establish national eye centre scales second reading in Nigerian Senate

A bill to establish the National Eye Centre, Ochadamu, to take over the staff, assets and liabilities of Holley Memorial Hospital, sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah, has scaled second reading in the Senate.

Details of the general principles of the bill, including cost implications, obtained by DAILY POST on Wednesday, indicated that Holley Memorial Hospital, Ochadamu, in Ofu Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial District, was founded in 1948 as a missionary hospital in response to leprosy diseases at the time.

The sponsor of the bill explained that the hospital’s services expanded into eye care over the years, arguing that the establishment of the proposed National Eye Centre would serve not only Kogi East, which comprises nine Local Government Councils, but also other adjoining states.

He said: “Holley Memorial Hospital, Ochadamu, which is a missionary hospital, was founded in 1948 in response to the needs of those suffering from leprosy. Subsequently, eye care became an integral part of the hospital due to the prevalence of eye diseases and related complications in the area.

“The eye care services introduced at the hospital make it the only eye centre in Kogi East, rendering services to patients within the state and neighboring states.

“However, this hospital is faced with a myriad of challenges, such as a shortage of ward accommodation, insufficient clinical areas, an under-equipped theater, and power challenges.”

According to him, the establishment of the proposed National Eye Centre would provide opportunities for the early detection and treatment of various eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.

Senator Isah put the total cost implication at N3.379 billion, covering personnel, overhead, recurrent, and capital costs.

Each senator who spoke on the motion backed the proposal and unanimously agreed on the need for the establishment of the centre, given the long-standing history of the hospital, which was founded by colonial masters before independence.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the sponsor of the bill for his insight, put the bill to a voice vote, and it was passed.

DAILY POST recalls that the bill was passed for a third reading during the 9th Senate but was not assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Bill to take over 77-year hospital, establish national eye centre scales second reading in Nigerian Senate

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday said he inherited N8.9 billion debt from his predecessor when he took over office. The former Kano State governor disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee meeting of the APC. He noted that the expenses were incurred during pre-election
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The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday said he inherited N8.9 billion debt from his predecessor when he took over office. The former Kano State governor disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee meeting of the APC. He noted that the expenses were incurred during pre-election

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Two police officers have been killed while four suspected kidnappers were arrested following a confrontation between the police and kidnappers in Plateau State. The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday. According to Alfred, the incident occurred along Little Rayfield Road in Jos, where
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Two police officers have been killed while four suspected kidnappers were arrested following a confrontation between the police and kidnappers in Plateau State. The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday. According to Alfred, the incident occurred along Little Rayfield Road in Jos, where

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US President Donald Trump has called for the suspension of the pilot’s license of the plane that nearly collided with a Southwest Airlines flight at Chicago airport. The statement comes after a Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a private jet at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Tuesday. Videos showing the Southwest plane
Suspend their license, they must have been sleeping – Trump on averted Chicago flight collision

US President Donald Trump has called for the suspension of the pilot’s license of the plane that nearly collided with a Southwest Airlines flight at Chicago airport.

The statement comes after a Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a private jet at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Tuesday.

Videos showing the Southwest plane taking off while a smaller Flexjet aircraft moved across the same runway have since surfaced on social media.

Reacting to the incident in a post on his Truth Social, Trump praised the Southwest Airlines pilots for doing a great job in avoiding a collision with another plane.

However, the US President suggested that the pilots of the other plane must have been sleeping, calling for the suspension of their license.

He said: “Great job by the Southwest pilots in Chicago. A nearly tragic close call. Perhaps suspend the pilot’s license of the other plane, who must have been ‘sleeping!’”

Suspend their license, they must have been sleeping – Trump on averted Chicago flight collision

A Shanghai man has been defrauded of $28,000 after falling victim to a long-distance relationship with an AI-generated girlfriend, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday. According to state broadcaster CCTV, scammers used generative artificial intelligence software to create realistic video and still images of a young woman, who they presented as the fictional “Ms. Jiao.” The
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A Shanghai man has been defrauded of $28,000 after falling victim to a long-distance relationship with an AI-generated girlfriend, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday. According to state broadcaster CCTV, scammers used generative artificial intelligence software to create realistic video and still images of a young woman, who they presented as the fictional “Ms. Jiao.” The

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