THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has set up an eight-man committee to review the services offered to Nigerian pilgrims at the Mina during the just concluded hajj season. According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Information and Publication at NAHCON, Mousa Ubandawaki, the decision is part of the resolution adopted after a meeting between NAHCON, states’ Muslim pilgrims welfare boards and tour operators held at the commission’s in Makkah. The committee, which was inaugurated by the commissioner in charge of policy personnel management and finance (PPMF), Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakasai, on behalf of the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, is to address alleged poor services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims in Mina and Arafat during the just concluded hajj. The statement said the committee is to “review the 2023 Hajj Masha’ir services provided by Company of Muttawwifs for African Non-Arab countries; establish the services provided as contained in the contract for all packages; establish services not rendered. READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

The President praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies while urging all Nigerians to stand together and abstain from any actions that could split the country. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. - Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, earlier stated that the Nigerian Army was fulfilling its constitutional obligations. " The Army will continue to contribute to ensuring adequate domestic and global security through effective internal security and peace- keeping operations, " he said. Lagbaja also stated that the Nigerian Army' s concerted efforts have significantly reduced insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality facing the nation. According to Vanguard New, the event saw the Nigerian Army demonstrate its professionalism and skills through the display of combat vehicles and equipment, physical training, and other activities.

This article is part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. “I think the current Super Falcons squad is loaded with many talented players,” Waldrum said. Performances have slowly begun to improve but a poor showing at the World Cup will leave him with no place to hide. Despite bringing tremendous success to Nigeria, women’s football gets the short end of the stick from a financial perspective. Realistic aim at the World Cup?

The contractor responsible for the Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway lines, Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited, received heavy-duty equipment worth over $200 million at Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos. The equipment, which arrived at the port during the week, is seen as a valuable addition to Mota-Engil’s already impressive inventory. He emphasized that the project is not only significant for the development of railway infrastructure in Nigeria but also for the entire West Africa region. Mota-Engil had previously taken delivery of equipment that was dispatched to various project sites. In 2018, Shoreline Group, a Nigerian energy and industrial conglomerate founded by Kola Karim, partnered with Mota-Engil to establish Mota-Engil Nigeria.

The House of Representatives has warned public tertiary institutions in the country not to take advantage of the Student Loan Policy of the Federal Government to increase tuition fees. This followed the adoption of a motion by Terseer Ugbor (APC-Benue) at plenary on Thursday in Abuja reports the PUNCH. The House also resolved to convene a Legislative Summit on student loans and access to higher education with all stakeholders in the education sector. He said, “After several years of unsuccessful attempts by successive administrations to introduce students loans, scholarships, and other educational credit schemes, the 9th National Assembly passed the Students Loans Bill.”He noted that the objective of the Students Loans Bill was to improve access to education in Nigeria, especially among underprivileged citizens. This, according to him, is if immediate furtherHe, therefore called for legislative action to ensure the efficient implementation of the Act.

At least four people, including two women aged 21 and 95, have been killed after a Russian rocket hit an apartment building in Lviv, western Ukraine, Reuters report. Another 34 people were injured in what the mayor of Lviv described as “one of the biggest attacks” on the city’s civilian infrastructure. Just hours after the strike, Russia said its “missiles hit all Ukraine targets”. Writing on Telegram, Kozytskyi said: “The youngest girl, who was killed by a rocket in her apartment tonight in Lviv, was only 21. “You are supposed to put two walls and preferably no windows, no glass, between yourself and the street, the outside.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has launched a result verification and confirmation portal, called NECO e-Verify as part initiative to tackle the forgery of the council’s certificate. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Andrew Adejo, spoke during the unveiling of the NECO e-Verify platform on Thursday in Abuja. He said: “Result verification is an important process that helps to ensure the accuracy of academic credentials. With a delightful heart and deep sense of responsibility therefore, we are pleased to present to you, our esteemed stakeholders, the NECO e-Verify Result Verification/Confirmation System. Please join me as I take you through the workings of the NECO e-Verify platform.”READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Singer Abbey Toyyib Elias aka Skiibii has claimed the ‘new cat’ and rave of the moment, Asake, used to be his dancer before his musical career skyrocketed. The ‘Baddest Boy’ crooner said unknown to many, Asake is a great dancer, adding that he was a theatre performer while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ife, Osun State. Asake used to stay with me, travel with me to shows and all that. “Asake went to Obafemi Awolowo University Ife. See, that year ehn, if I show you videos on my phone, Asake can dance when he is on stage.

By Guardian Nigeria 06 July 2023 | 3:05 pm The internationally renowned Battery Dance Company, famous for captivating choreography and breathtaking performances, is returning to Nigeria from July 5 to 16. The internationally renowned Battery Dance Company, famous for captivating choreography and breathtaking performances, is returning to Nigeria from July 5 to 16. In addition, the team of Battery Dance instructors will engage youth in creativity and team building through the art form of modern dance. Following the workshops, the Battery Dance Company will showcase artistic brilliance through captivating public performances in Lagos and Abuja on July 8 and 15 respectively. “The U.S. Mission is proud to bring Battery Dance to Nigeria to showcase American innovation and diversity in the performing arts,” Siddiqi said.

DataPro, a technology-driven Credit Rating Agency, has in its latest report assigned Zylus Homes and Property Limited a long-term rating of “BBB” with a positive outlook for the year 2023/2024. According to a statement by the rating agency, considerations for the rating assigned include the company’s financial performance, profitability, capital structure, asset quality, liquidity, corporate governance & risk management as well as its risk factors. It’s liquidity profile also improved from 202% (Yr.21) to 204% (Yr. 22),” the statement read in part. It said the positive rating assigned reflected DataPro’s opinion of Zylus’s good revenue, profitability and liquidity profile. The short-term rating of “A2” indicates Fair Credit Quality and adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.”

The former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja and other 10 High chiefs are expected to receive beaded crowns as kings on Friday, 7th July, at Mapo Hall Ibadan. He said other High Chiefs could accept the offer but not him. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr. Lekan Balogun had in a letter written to Governor Seyi Makinde requested for the 11 High Chiefs of Ibadanland to receive beaded crowns as Obas. Meanwhile, the President, Association of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori has thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for granting the request of Olubadan. “The majority of Mogajis, Baales and the High Chiefs themselves are very happy with His Excellency over this traditional system development.

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of Nigeria’s first Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun who died in Lagos on Saturday at the age of 96. A statement issued on Wednesday by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the PresidentSpecial Duties, Communications and Strategy, recalled that Chief Ajose-Adeogun was appointed the Minister of Federal Capital in 1976 by the Murtala Mohammed military administration and served in the position till 1979. “Chief Ajose-Adeogun will be remembered for his contributions to the economic growth of our country as an industrialist and businessman of note. He served his country well and the people of Lagos State where he was a traditional chief even much more. He superintended over the planning and the design of the Master Plan of Abuja during his time as the FCT Minister.

The Agency for the Presidency of the Prophet’s Mosque announced on Tuesday that it had received more than 4,252,000 worshippers and visitors during the period from Dhul Hijjah 7 to 14, corresponding to June 25 to July 2. The Presidency of the mosque said, “The areas set aside for the elderly have helped more than 6,782 people, while 14,766 people attended the Prophet’s Mosque’s religious lectures. There are 3,001 beneficiaries of the language communication service and 10,158 beneficiaries of the library service, while 115,090 used various means of transportation, and 8,296 benefited from the guidance service. The report added that 4,279 visitors and worshippers used the unified number and contact channels, while 17,650 people viewed exhibitions. There were 3,001 language communication service users, 10,158 library users, 115,090 people who used various forms of transportation, and 8,296 people who benefited from the guiding service.

File photo: Muslim pilgrims circumnavigate the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. / AFP PHOTO / Karim SAHIBA 58-year-old female pilgrim from Kano State, Hadiza Ismai’il has passed away while performing Hajj in Makka Saudi Arabia. The 58-year-old woman was down with a fever when she was rushed to NAHCON hospital for treatment and later transferred to King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makka, where she was certified dead. The Director-General, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa while confirming the sad story, condoled with the family of the deceased on behalf of the state governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf. He prayed that the Almighty Allah grant the deceased eternal rest, as well as to grant the family members the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mmesoma Ejikeme, the Anambra student who was accused of faking her 2023 UTME result by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Wednesday, revealed how she received an automated text message from JAMB indicating that her score was 249. Recall JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, had earlier revealed that the candidate sent a series of messages to the board’s automated telecoms system, including the results showing an aggregate of 362. She, however, admitted that the feedback from JAMB showed her score as 249. I sent them a text message there to know what really happened — the JAMB Support System. If they go to their system, they will see it there,” she further explained.