Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Author at Voice of Liberty NG

The Guardian Gafe on 2023 Hajj

July 23, 2023July 23, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The attention of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has been drawn to the lead story in the Friday, July 21, 2023 edition of The Guardian Newspaper with the caption “Tears, Complaint Trails Nigeria’s Hajj… N304 Billion Capital flight to Makkah.” The Guardian as one of the leading lights of Nigerian print journalism for decades, has a reputation for promoting fair reportage and analyses of issues and events. This, however, was not the case with the seemingly sponsored story under reference purported to be The Guardian’s evaluation of the…

Armed Forces Pilgrims decry abandonment at Jeddah Airport, more than 24 hours after leaving Makkah

July 23, 2023July 23, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. Nigerian Armed Forces Pilgrims to the 2023 Hajj have decried being abandoned in Jeddah Airport more than 24 hours after being evacuated from Makkah by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON for a 7pm flight Saturday. Speaking to Voice of Liberty and Liberty News via phone, one of the pilgrims, a retired General said they left Makkah 5pm Saturday 22 July, 2023 for a stipulated 7pm flight to Lagos by Azman, but later delayed to 5pm “with scanty information”. In his word “we left Mecca…

Hajj not a capital flight

July 22, 2023July 22, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Fatima Sanda Usara The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) observed with dismay how some media outlets, for whatever reasons, have carried on with campaigns of calumny against the Commission despite several press briefings and press releases clearly explaining reasons and solutions to hitches encountered in the 2023 Hajj operations. In its bid to carry the press along, who in turn it is believed would clarify issues for their readers, NAHCON had kept the press updated about all knotty issues even before they become obvious, and sometimes only after…

Over 45,000 Nigerian Pilgrims airlifted back home, final flight for August 3rd

July 22, 2023July 22, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. About two weeks into the commencement of the in-bound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi, over 45,000 pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria in 116 flights, with August 3rd set for the final flight. The in-bound operation began on July 4th with the airlift of 387 Sokoto pilgrims by Flynas; a Saudi base airline after the completion of the symbolic stoning of the Jamrats and completion of Hajj rites. Though initially bedeviled by non-provision of slots to many of the airlines except the Flynas;…

2023 Hajj: Comparative Success Sans Masha�er

July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. Standing in the heart of Makkah, Saudi Arabia at Ummul-joud, staring at the gigantic Nigeria Hajj Commission office, nostalgically reminds you of the Hajj House located in the heart of the Central Business District Area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja. The similarities between these two gigantic structures stomach what it embodies. They are the symbols of the annual Muslim Pilgrimages to Islam’s holiest of places. And in-between, the rituals of lesser hajj; Umrah. Both structures in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia bear the signatures of…

Hajj Return Flights; Nigeria gets more slots to speed up exercise

July 11, 2023July 11, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The Saudi Arabia General Authority on Aviation GACA has approved more slots for Nigerian Hajj operations airlines to airlift more Nigerians back home, after initial dragging of foot. The approval followed several meetings between the Nigerian Hajj authorities and Saudi authorities which initially limited the number of flights and the capacity of each airline out of the holy land after the conclusion of Hajj rites. Beginning from Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 all the Nigerian licensed carriers would begin to operate their in-bound flight to Nigeria…

High Temperature: Saudi advises pilgrims to observe Jumma’at at Mosques closer homes

July 6, 2023July 6, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. The Saudia Arabian authorities have advised pilgrims to observe Friday Jumma’at service at the Mosques closer to their residences due to predicted high temperature. The Saudi Arabia Metrological Agency stated that the temperature will reach 50 degrees centigrade Friday 8th July, 2023. The advise to observe the Jumma�at prayers in the Mosques nearest to their residences according to the authorities, is to ensure the pilgrims do not expose themselves to the harsh weather. Pilgrims are known to walk kilometers to observe even the five daily prayers…

Hajj return flights: Sokoto Pilgrims make maiden trip

July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. As the return flights of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia begins, Nigeria’s maiden flight Tuesday has Sokoto State contigent with over 400 pilgrims and one official. The first flight left the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah, at about 12 noon Nigerian time and 2 o’clock Saudi time to Nigeria with Flynas . The Sokoto contigent comprises of four 426 pilgrims and one official, is expected to land at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto around 6pm Nigerian time and 4pm Saudi Arabian time. Recall the Head…

Niger State Pilgrims Boards applauds Gov. Bago’s gesture to pilgrims in Saudi

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah. Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has applauded the gesture of the Governor Umar Bago towards the pilgrims of the state to the 2023 Hajj. The Executive Secretary Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji� Muhammad Awwal Aliyu expressed the pilgrims’� appreciation for paying� pthem a visit in Muna Saudi Arabia. The Executive Secretary in a statement through his spokesperson, Hassan Danladi Idris said the pilgrims were really wowed by the governor’s gesture. Governor Bago had during the visit, gave financial assistance to the each of…

Non pilgrims’ invasion of Mina Tents causes inconvenience – Mutawif It’s your fault, we’ve no control over the place – NAHCON

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah The inconveniences suffered by Nigerian pilgrims in Mina Saudi Arabia, following insufficient tents that saw some pilgrims sleeping outside in harsh weather with no food and packed full toilet facilities is associated to the invasion of their tents by non pilgrims before their arrivals. Umar Bader Ali Bafakeek, the Chief Executive of Company� Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non Arab Countries made this assertion at a meeting with the Nigerian Hajj authorities in Makkah.� Bafakeek alleged that some of these non pilgrims mostly of African…