Tag: Saudi Arabia

Tinubu, in S’Arabia, backs 2-State solution in Gaza; demands end to Israeli aggression

Aminu Imam
Tinubu in S'Arabia

President Bola Tinubu has called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza. Tinubu, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, warned that “empty condemnations” are not enough to end the conflict in Palestine, which, he said, “has persisted for far too long.” The Nigerian leader made this argument at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle-East. The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit of 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC), and the…

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IDPs: Zamfara gets $2.5m humanitarian aid from Saudi Arabia

Aminu Imam
Zamfara IDPs

Zamfara State government says it has received $2.5million from Saudi Arabian Donor Agency to support internally displaced persons with humanitarian challenges. Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Musa Kainuwa, disclosed this at the closing session of a 5-day medical training on Minimum Initial Service Package, (MISP), in Gusau, the State capital, on Friday. The training was organised by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, in collaboration with State Ministry for Humanitarian and Relief Matters. Kainuwa said the State secured the assistance during a joint meeting between the donor organisation, Jigawa,…

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Hajj 2024: Airlift of pilgrims begins tomorrow

Aminu Imam
Hajj2024

…NAHCON advance team arrives S’Arabia As the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season begins tomorrow, Wednesday,  the outcome of preparations would manifest with the planned take-off of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia. The inaugural flight is scheduled to take-off with Kebbi state pilgrims from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. To witness the occasion are diplomats, members of the Hajj industry, with the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour. An advance team of officials comprising…

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Tinubu departs to Netherlands on official visit

Aminu Imam
Tinubu departs

President Bola Tinubu will today, Tuesday, depart Abuja for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit. A statement by Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday, said, “On the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, as well as hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom, who is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)”. “While in…

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Umrah: Tour Operators decry visas’ racketeering

Aminu Imam

…Now sold as high as N2m Nigeria’s Independent Tour Operators have decried the racketeering in Umrah visa processing, making it difficult for Nigerians willing to embark on the Umrah trip to get visas to carry on with the journey to Saudi Arabia. With Umrah visa, which hitherto cost N250,000, currently sold as high as N2million, the Tour Operators said they were deeply worried over the challenges being faced by Nigerian Muslims in obtaining visas to travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj in this month of Ramadan, saying it…

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2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia relaxes LGBTQ laws to woo fans

Aminu Imam

After winning the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the government of Saudi Arabia has taken measures to relax some of its homosexual laws, in a bid to accommodate thousands of fans who will be travelling to the Middle-East for the biggest football festival. In Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is illegal as well and punishable by death. Other punishments can include imprisonment and flogging. President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al-Misehal, said the country will welcome everyone and Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual,  Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) fans at…

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Tinubu performs lesser Hajj in Makkah

Aminu Imam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday, performed the lesser Hajj (Umrah) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during which he prayed for God’s divine guidance in leading Nigeria. Disclosing President Tinubu’s mission to the Holy Land for the Umrah, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Aziz, on his verified X handle, said the President had embarked on the Islamic rite after the completion of his official duties in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, where he participated in the Saudi-African Summit. According to him, during this spiritual journey, the President…

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Saudi Arabia cancels 264 Air Peace passengers’ visa on arrival

Aminu Imam

Saudi Arabia authorities have reportedly cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, upon arrival on their arrival to the country from Kano. According to reports, the authorities insisted that the airline should return them to Nigeria. It was gathered that the flight took-off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night, and arrived in Saudi Arabia’s major city, Jeddah, yesterday without issues. However, upon landing, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the…

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Tinubu to attend Arab-Africa summit in Saudi Arabia

Aminu Imam

President Bola Tinubu will, this week, depart Abuja for Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the Saudi-Africa summit and the Arab African summit both scheduled to hold on November 10 and 11, 2023, respectively. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who briefed State House correspondents yesterday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, disclosed that Tinubu’s appearance at the summits marks fresh moves to engage Arab nations to attract businesses and additional Foreign Direct Investment to Nigeria. Ngelale said, “President Bola Tinubu…

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Hajj 2024; The New Dimensions

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Fatima Sanda Usara. To start with, Saudi Arabia has made its stand clear to which there seems no retraction; any party that delays Hajj remittances for any reason, may have to wait for another year to perform Hajj. Be it the delay were from pilgrims, their officials, the State Governors or even from NAHCON, that will be end of story if it exceeds Saudi’s visa processing deadline. Hence, the Visa e-track portal, that is, the Saudi e-track portal, will be locked by 29th April, beyond NAHCON’s reach. No room…

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