₦airaland Forum

TheStoriesOfMan:
I heard rumours from a top source that the big shareholders are reluctant because they do not have trust in the current management.

Why you go lie? See Gt bank there na as GTCo

From Vision to Victory: How Nigeria Redefined Pilgrimage Excellence in 2025

By Ameen Amshi

Every year, questions and misconceptions swirl around the Hajj pilgrimage, particularly in Nigeria. Chief among them is the erroneous belief that the Nigerian government sponsors the pilgrimage. It’s time to set the record straight: the Nigerian government does not sponsor Hajj. Pilgrims pay their way in full. What the government does through its agencies like the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is provide facilitation, regulation, and diplomatic leverage to ensure Nigerians perform Hajj with dignity and ease.

This year’s Hajj in 2025 has proven to be a turning point, thanks in large part to the interventions of Vice President Kashim Shettima, the tireless efforts of NAHCON, and the cooperation of airlines, state pilgrim boards, and service providers.

Inject Renewed Hope into the Hajj industry: Presidential Vision in Action

It is important to state upfront that none of these achievements would have been possible without the full support and leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President not only backed the Hajj operations but also gave the Vice President a free hand to act decisively. His singular instruction to the Vice President was clear: “Introduce Renewed Hope to the Hajj industry.” That mandate became a mission and it was delivered.

The outcomes speak for themselves: enhanced logistics, improved services, accountability, and a much more dignified experience for our pilgrims.

Unblocking Financial Bottlenecks

One of the earliest challenges in this year’s Hajj season was access to foreign currency. With global economic volatility affecting remittances and card-based transactions abroad, Nigerian pilgrims faced a potential crisis. Vice President Shettima swiftly engaged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and secured the release of physical cash, ensuring that pilgrims could manage their expenses in Saudi Arabia without the inconvenience and unreliability of international cards.

More importantly, this intervention acknowledged a deeper social reality: many of our pilgrims are from Nigeria’s rural and hinterland communities farmers, cattle rearers, and others who have never used an ATM machine, let alone navigated digital banking systems. The decision to provide cash was therefore not just logistical, but compassionate. It made Hajj accessible and manageable for thousands who might otherwise have struggled in a cashless foreign environment.

Diplomacy that Delivered

Beyond the monetary hurdles, there were moments where quiet diplomacy made all the difference. The Vice President stepped in personally to help settle sensitive issues between NAHCON and some key service providers ensuring things didn’t fall apart when it mattered most.

But he didn’t do it alone. His efforts were strongly backed by vital ministries. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked behind the scenes to smoothen cooperation with the Saudi authorities, while Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, ensured Nigerian airlines had the necessary institutional and technical support to participate fully.

Just as crucial was the tireless support from the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeja. He was a steady hand always making sure that every instruction from the Vice President was acted upon with precision and care. His commitment to due process and excellence gave us the confidence to keep moving.

Personally, I couldn’t afford to switch off not for a moment. My phone was constantly buzzing, with the Vice President calling or sending WhatsApp messages to ask for real-time updates. Whether it was the status of transportation in Makkah or the condition of the tents in Mina and Arafat, he wanted to know it all. His dedication wasn’t just from a distance it was felt, heard, and seen by everyone involved.

One image I’ll never forget was that of the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan. On the day of arrival in Mina, he personally moved from room to room, checking on the pilgrims, helping them settle in. His humility and dedication were unmistakable.

At one point, I visited the office of the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, and found him still in the same clothes from two days earlier. He hadn’t left the site, fully immersed in ensuring every detail was running smoothly. That kind of hands-on commitment spoke volumes and inspired everyone around him. Too immersed in the work to think of rest or change. That humility, that level of hands-on leadership, was inspiring.

It was that kind of energy top to bottom that defined this year’s Hajj. The Vice President’s relentless attention to detail kept us sharp. And that commitment trickled down through every layer of the operation. It’s no wonder things worked the way they did.

Hands-On Oversight and Seamless Execution

The level of oversight this year was unmatched. From pre-Hajj activities to post-arrival logistics, the operations ran with precision. There were no flight delays, and some airlines even departed ahead of schedulea rare but welcome surprise.

In Madina, pilgrims were processed through immigration and baggage claims in under an hour, and transported to hotels within 500 meters of the Prophet’s Mosque. They were served two hot meals daily, and after four spiritually nourishing days, they were moved to Makkah by a punctual and comfortable transport service, where they were handed over to their respective state pilgrim boards.

A Bold Innovation at the Masha’ir

The high point of this year’s improvements was the service delivery at the Masha’ir sites Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. On the advice of the Vice President, NAHCON signed agreements with three major service providers Ikram Daif, Mashariq Dahabiya, and Rawaf Mina to introduce healthy competition in service provision.

The result? Dramatic improvement.

In Mina, the companies delivered superior food, better bed space, and more convenient locations. VIP pilgrims and private tour operators were hosted at Abraj Kidani Tower, an 8-minute walk to Jamarat, receiving five-star-level treatment.

On the Day of Arafat, the companies again vied to outdo each other in comfort and service. Pilgrims were hosted in fully air-conditioned tents, with round-the-clock catering all under the meticulous supervision of NAHCON's management team, led by Chairman and CEO Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, Prince Anofi Elegushi, Commissioner of Operations, alongside Prince Aliyu Abdulrasak, Commissioner PPMF, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner PRISILS, and Dr. Mustapha Aji, Secretary to the Commission.

Prof. Pakistan: The Chaperone-in-Chief

A moment that stood out profoundly for many pilgrims was the personal involvement of Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan on the day of arrival to Mina. Despite his role as Chairman and CEO, Prof. Pakistan took it upon himself to go from tent to tent, assisting pilgrims in checking into their rooms, offering comfort, answering questions, and ensuring no one was left unattended. His humility was second to none, and his commitment was overboard. It was this kind of leadership by example that uplifted the spirit of the operations and won the hearts of pilgrims.

A Leadership Briefing with the Speaker of the House

A defining moment came during a strategy briefing held in Mina with the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Alongside Vice President’s aides Jibrin Abubakar and Sirajo Abdullahi, I had the privilege of briefing the Speaker on our progress. He was deeply impressed with the order, organisation, and devotion of the NAHCON team. He described the 2025 Hajj operations as a “national success story worth celebrating.”

The Speaker expressed deep satisfaction with the order, efficiency, and dignity with which Nigerian pilgrims were treated. He commended the NAHCON management for exceeding expectations, noting that the Hajj 2025 operations reflect a new standard of service worthy of national pride.

Tireless Dedication from the Entire NAHCON Team

It’s no exaggeration to say that the commitment of the leadership team was beyond ordinary. I personally witnessed NAHCON executives working round-the-clock with little to no sleep. At one point, I visited the office of the Commissioner of Operations and found him still in the same clothes from two days earlier, having not returned to his hotel even once. When I encouraged him to rest, he replied, “We have slept all year; we can sacrifice five days for this Hajj.”

While the Commissioner PPMF Abdul Razak Aliu was working round the clock to make sure service providers were paid, the Commissioner PRISILS Prof. Abubakar Yagawal was coordinating the Medical and ulama teams.

To further show their commitment, the NAHCON Executive Committee chose not to perform the Hajj this year so they could stay fully dedicated to managing the process. That selflessness paid off. I confidently rate this Hajj a solid 90 percent, not as a limit, but as a challenge to do even better next year.

Airlines That Made Nigeria Proud

Max Air, Air Peace, and Umza Air exceeded expectations, maintaining stellar performance from takeoff to touchdown. Their professionalism is a testament to Nigeria’s maturing aviation sector. FlyNas, a consistent international partner, once again extended their usual excellence to Nigeria’s pilgrims.

Final Thoughts: A Model for the Future

Hajj 2025 was not just successful it was transformational. The renewed hope introduced under President Tinubu’s leadership, implemented by Vice President Shettima, and executed by the relentless NAHCON team, has set a new benchmark. The blend of leadership, transparency, diligence, and innovation was evident in every aspect of this year’s pilgrimage.

As someone privileged to be part of all preparations and pre-Hajj activities, I witnessed firsthand the work, stress, and sacrifice behind the scenes. I say this with confidence: we delivered a dignified, efficient, and spiritually uplifting Hajj for Nigeria.

To everyone involved from the Presidency to the pilgrims thank you. Let us build on this success and make Hajj 2026 even better, In Shaa Allah.

The author is the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duty and the Representative of the Presidency at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), involved in all preparatory and operational stages of Hajj 2025.

MatrixCircle:
Waste of scarce resources. Anyone who can not pay for his or herself travel expenses should stay back. FG should stop this waste as same way fuel subsidy was removed.

Fg is not paying a kobo

Rekyz:
My thoughts exactly. Someone from Aso rock should throw light on this

Dr bulama is now the DG of FRCN he is no longer in the villa

meum:
One is special duty, the other is special duties 🤔

The first one is now the Dg of FRCN DR BULAMA

Smithwilliams826:
We go soon renovate our own. Just dey watch

We just finished renovation last week

Happy birthday to the boss

Nice one

Yes

yes he is igbo we try to evaluate the situation in nigeria at hand obi cannot be able to tackle the security challenges in nigeria so pushing for atiku is the best option

y must it be peter obi is he the only one from the south east as i hve been saying the igboo are not ready we have the likes of ogbonaya onu dave umahi ken nnamani this are more qualified than peter obi nd mind is not about speaking english Azikiwe spoke english and we all know where his english took the igbo tribe to ekweme alex came from that region of south east the same with azikiwe ojukwu so let give other state from the south east chance to announce themselves in the politis of nigeria

they called him teacher because even as of then they didnt understand who he was dont forget they are the one that judged him and condemned him to death they opposed everyhthig about him even when his miracle is obvious and clear they still doubt him they even questioned the authencity of his power his soverignty and magnanimity. on several occassions in the book of mathew 21 vs 11 he was identified as a prophet yes he is a prophet he is a priest he is a teacher he is God;s son he is God in one trinity GOD the father GOD the son GOD the holy spirit

wish him the best is quite unfortunate

Aminho Real Name Ameen Amshi joins race to become APC National Youth Leader.

Ameen Amshi granted a Question and Answer interview to members of the press as a follow-up to his declaration to contest in the race to become APC National Youth Leader. The meat of it is captured below.



Q1.
What informed your decision to run for the office of the National Youth Leader of the APC?


My firm and unshakable belief that the Nigerian youth is vastly underserved, underestimated, and underutilised in the Nigeria project.


I want to run for the office of National Youth Leader to build on the commendable work done by the current leadership, under the guidance of Barrister Ismail Ahmed.


I want to help build bridges between our youth and our elders, between young citizens and their leaders, between our genders and between youths of different ethnicities, faiths, and social classes. I want to help guide our youth within the party and in the nation at large to utilise their numbers, to coalesce their talents, aggregate their energy, navigate their differences, and ultimately unleash their power to birth the Nigeria of our dreams.



Q2.

How do you think this position will make impact on the general development of the party nationwide?


If I am elected, I will work feverishly to rebuild the youth structure, party wide.


I will collaborate with state and ward youth leaders nationwide to create an effective safety net for party members wherever there is an APC office anywhere in the nation. We will escalate issues that affect them to the national leadership of the party and the government in a manner that takes governance to the grassroots and actualizes the people-centric model that the federal government desires but that has been hampered in executing by weak subnational governmental systems.


If we succeed at this task alone, the positive impact on the party will be immense.



Q3.

What will be your priority areas if you get elected?


Education, Empowerment, and Entertainment

a. Education of our youth in relevant areas of commerce, enterprise and technology that enable them to become personally self-reliant financially and socially. And that prepares them to participate in the actual, technical work of developing and implementing nation-building policies and projects.


b. Empowerment because we have too many talented youths who are wasting away with their heads full of ideas that they don’t have the funding or other support needed to implement.



c. Entertainment. Entertainment media, especially music, is a field that we are excelling at almost by chance. Davido, Wizkid and co are global icons and sources of inspiration to millions of our youth. We need systems that enable as many talented youths as possible fulfil their potential in a structured, merit-based way.

Entertainment in this sense also includes sports.

These are the areas I would focus on. I would do this by interfacing effectively with the relevant ministries and agencies that are statutorily empowered to engage with youths to attain the stated goals. I would also seek collaborations with private sector entities to sponsor or otherwise support promising talents in mutually beneficial business arrangements.


Q4.

Given the precarious security situation in the country, do you really think Nigerians will still want the APC to retain power at the centre come 2023?


No one with a human heart can dismiss the deaths, pain, and suffering that we have endured as a nation over the past decade or so due to insecurity. I am native to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, so naturally, kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism stand roundly condemned by this candidate.


However, we must look at the remote causes and roots of our insecurity issues, many of which reach back to the past government, which ironically was led by the main opposition party, which, also ironically now claims to be able to do a better job than the current administration at tackling insecurity, while simultaneously battling several cases in court that have to do with looting of funds that were meant to equip the military.


We should be careful not to fall into a gutter because we are crying.


We live in an emotional and forgetful age, so it is easy to overlook how residents of Odi and Zakibiam were massacred, or how a serving governor was abducted, or how a serving Attorney General was murdered in his home, or how the National Assembly was teargassed while in session, or how Churches in Abuja needed metal detectors to hold service.


There is a lot to be desired regarding our national security, but the APC has shown the greatest commitment to solve it. We shouldn’t let our grief and anger make us run back into the arms of the people who created most of these problems.



Q5.

What is your general assessment of the President Buhari administration so far?


President Buhari has been treated extremely unfairly by some of our youths because no administration can match his government's interventions, projects and grants that have been extended, exclusively to them.


NPower, Youth Empowering People (YEP), Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), TraderMoni, Presidential Youth Entrepreneurship Support (P-YES), Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), to name a few.


On the political, economic, infrastructure and security front, he has done what many of us who are more realistic, expected him to do. Elections have become much more credibility now than before, the playing field for enterprise and business has been levelled, infrastructure is being developed at a pace unmatced since the 70s, corruption is no longer a state-sanctioned policy and our military is now the second most powerful in Africa, resulting in the stemming of the unrelenting march of Bokoharam on Nigeria.



President Buhari is a team leader who wants his team to participate while his team wants to rely solely on its leader.

Both sides need to meet in the middle.

https://www.ameenamshi.com/post/ameen-amshi-joins-apc-youth-leader-race

Mynd44, OAM4J lalasticlala seun

Evercurious:
Middlebelt

Unfortunately the Constitution doesn't recognize the middle belt only the North Central

Evercurious:
BENUE is not north

Benue is where ma?

feeloscar:
He is from the middle belt.

North Central no middle belt in Nigeria

And he is from the north

Gsm don buy market

4tomandchi:
Ambode was a mediocre I just wonder how much he paid Jagaban and Fashola to get that one term ticket?

Lagos no be Nigeria!!!...

The only region that should be talking about Independence right now is South West.

If only you knew how fashola was against ambode from the beginning you won't say this nonsense

PlayMaker14:
Are you threatening me?

That's me helping you for your own safety

PlayMaker14:



The relentless Bobo Chicago will stop at nothing until APC gives him the ticket...

First, it was the distribution of "JAGABAN SACHET RICE" now the cocaine lover is flooding Lagos and Kano with heroin worth N10billion to be distributed to his supporters.

We thank the NDLEA for swift response as this would have caused some of his worshippers to roam their various streets in full blown madness.


#SayNoToDrug

#SayNoToDrugBaron2023.

I did not mention any name, guide your conscience.

If you want to avoid a law suit you should delete the jagaban name there for your own safety even your photo is already there

zangaozanga:
so a handover is not that important then

Yes until he is leaving the country for 21 days

zangaozanga:
Without a handover from the president,is that legal?

Yes it is as long as the president is not available at the specific moment

Zenithpeak:
Sorry bro..... I will edit the comment... I visited Kano State some few years back and as a stranger, I alighted from the bus at Naibawa at exactly 11:45pm.... The boys at that park at that ungodly hour of the night was extremely kind to me knowing fully well 'am a stranger even at the peak of insecurity in Kano and Abuja then.

Although, Kano State is still owing us over 30m for a project carried out for them through bank loan...

which office pls we will look into it and make sure you are paid

May his soul rest in peace

DuBLINGreenb:
I'm disappointed at these old fo0ls

The prime minister of canada Justin Trudeau was summoned by senate FOR EATING CHOCOLATE bar in the senate House during a voting session in the house he attended, HE came and APOLOGISED to them. The person who made the accusation didn't know what he was eating yet he apologized
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/pm-trudeau-apologizes-for-eating-chocolate-bar-during-voting-marathon-1.4345501

“Indeed Mr. Speaker, I apologize. It was a chocolate bar and I apologize,” Trudeau stated

The ex prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was summoned Because of a PRIVATE DINNER PARTY he held for his supporters, without disclosing to the Japanese people or parliament the extra costs his office paid to subsidize the dinner party, HE honoured the invitation and APOLOGISED to the Japanese people and parliament. It was called the "cherry blossom scandal"
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/25/japans-shinzo-abe-apologises-over-cherry-blossom-scandal

“Even though the accounting procedures happened without my knowledge, I feel morally responsible for what happened,” Abe told the committee. “I reflect on this deeply and apologise from my heart to the citizens and to all legislators.”

Jacinda Ardern Prime minister of NewZealand just this December after a terrorist attack SHE APOLOGISED for not being able to secure the victims, for the attack happening.
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20201208-nz-s-ardern-apologises-for-failings-identified-by-inquiry-into-christchurch-massacre
According to reports "she failed to do certain things but even if those things were done the attack would still not have been stopped" yet she apologised for not doing those things regardless of whether it would have stopped the attack


@tegrianonigltd just reminded me of Jacob Zuma ex president of South Africa who was summoned by the south African parliament, he went and APOLOGISED for the upgrades he made to his house using state funds he was going to be impeached he knew it, the senate was against him (even tho his party was majority, the court was agaunst him even though he appointed most of the judges, the Crimes commission were against his actions and had summoned him too even tho he appointed their boss, so he
apologized and resigned. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35943941

But here we are, Nigeria the failed, APOLOGISING TO THE PRESIDENT for summoning him to address the people when something as bad as kidnappings of over 333 boys as well as the numerous killings and kidnappings going on all over the country, this is way worse than the chocolate bar or dinner party or house upgrade in South Africa yet we are the ones apologising to the president for disturbing him to do his job.

WHO BROUGHT ME INTO NIGERIA? OF EVERY COUNTRY ON EARTH TO COME FROM

But all the people you called are prime Ministers who answer to the parliament why not mention an elected president

Synord:
The Year 2020 is fast approaching it's end and we bring to you the biggest Nigerian songs of 2020 so far .

Criteria

Year of Release : ( which must be in 2020 Airplays
Streams
Social media acceptance
Popularity on the streets
Celebrity endorsements
Charts
Critic reviews

In no particular order


1) Dj Neptune feat Mr Eazi & Mayorkun - Nobody

2) Wande Coal - Again

3) Simi - Duduke

4) Mayorkun - Geng

5) Davido - FEM

6) Laycon - Awa Fierce

7) Patoranking - Abule

8 ) Bella Shmurda ft Zlatan - Cash App

9) Zlatan Ibile - Lagos Anthem

10) Burna Boy - Wonderful

11) Cheque - Zoom

12) Olakira - Maserati

13) Oxlade - Away

14) Omahlay - Damn

15) Jamopyper featuring Mayorkun - If no be you

16) Rexxie featuring Mohbad - Ko por ke

17) Ajebo Hustlers - Barawo

18) Zinoleesky - Ma pariwo

19) Blaqbonez - Haba

20) Davido feat Mayorkun - The Best

21) Olamide featuring Bad boy timz - Loading

22) Dj Kaywise featuring Mayorkun , Naira marley and Zlatan - WTOD

23) K1 de Ultimate - Ade Ori Okin

24) Obesere - Egungun be Careful

25) Falz feat Mzbanks - "Bop Daddy"

26) Olamide feat Omahlay - Infinity

27) Ladi Poe ft Simi - Know You

28) Naira Marley - As e dey Go

29) Yemi Alade ft Angelina kidjo - Shekere

30) Wizkid featuring Burna boy - Ginger

What song do you think should have been on the list :?

There is this hausa song by hamisu breaker called Jaruma its supposed to be among your top 10 because of the Airplay and acceptance to it including love by Alijita

travelwaka:
Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs Is one of the many beautiful attractions in Nigeria. Some claimed it is the only location on earth that produces a warm and cold spring where they meet at a confluence and each still retaining its thermal properties.
Ikogosi is located in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria. It is a 3 star resort, The origin of the warm springs and the confluence point of the Warm and cold Spring. It sits on 116 hectares of lush green vegetation.

The spring was brought to limelight by Baptist Missionary Rev John S McGee in 1950 after he discovered it during missionary work in Ekiti State, Nigeria. He was warned by locals who thought something might happen to him if he visits the spring. On getting there, he became interested in this beautiful location. It became a famous youth camp and tourist destination. However, after he retired, the camp was abandoned and sold to the Nigerian Government in 1978 for three Hundred Naira (N300). The place has become one of the top tourist destinations in Nigeria worth billions of Naira.


https://www.travelwaka.com/ikogosi-warm-springs-resort-where-the-warm-and-cold-water-meets/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDZZA4Uxsdg

Hello is the tour guy also a policeman?

humilitypays:
Lolz, op you are taking Fashola the minister of darkness serious Wonderful


Fashola was overhyped when he was a Governor. Even a mad man will function as Governor of Lagos State because Lagos is like a country inside a country with huge IGR to fund any project, secure any amount of project loans and loot enough and still have enough left.


Don't ever use Lagos Governorship to measure the good leadership skill of any politician, if you want to know good leader, take the person to go and govern states like Ekiti, Abia, Osun, Benue, Taraba, Ebonyi, not a rich cosmopolitan state like Lagos


Fashola is a failure who looted even money for sinking borehole, used millions to create stupid website

Fashola is not the minister of power

ogbu101:
Please the email sent, was it for the second phase after the one we wrote on 19 December?

Yes sir