Tag: Saudi Arabia

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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Hajj 2024: CSO advocates early registration of intending Pilgrims by Nigerian authorities

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. A civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), have called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and States Muslim Pilgrims Boards/agenciesp in Nigeria to immediately begin the registration of intending Pilgrims for Hajj 2024. IHR a CSO that monitors and reports on Hajj and Umrah activities in a statement in Abuja, signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed said the call became necessary due to the change in the Calendar of Hajj activities by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah following the…

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Media Partnership: Liberty TV/Radio FMs collaborate with Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aminu Imam

Aminu Imam In a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and cultural exchange, the Press Attaché of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Mohammed Alsahabi, embarked on a meaningful courtesy visit. The recipient of the visit was the Executive Chairman of ATAR Communications Nig. Ltd, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, a visionary leader known for his commitment to advancing communication platforms. A multitude of prospects emerged during the engaging discussions that transpired, all aimed at bolstering mutual understanding, cultural awareness, and productive synergy between Saudi Arabia…

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Hajj: NAHCON airlifts all Nigerian pilgrims back ahead of Aug 3rd deadline

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON has completed the airlift of all Nigerian pilgrims back home from Saudi Arabia, ahead of the August 3rd deadline it set for the inbound flight. NAHCON on Monday 31 July beats it deadline with the airlift of 302 pilgrims, 16 officials by AZMAN Airline flight AZM2361 from Jeddah to Kaduna in total of 183 flights. The Chairman and CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan expressed appreciation and gratitude to Nigerians for their tremendous support for the Commission during the…

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Over 53,000 Nigerian Pilgrims airlifted back home… August 3rd sets for final flight

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. About three weeks into the commencement of the in-bound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi, over 53,000 pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back to Nigeria in 136 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;…

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