Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has debunked reports alleging that he has been lobbying the National Assembly to tamper with the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to elongate his tenure, and year of service of personnel in the force.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed the IGP’s denial in a statement saying, “It is vital to clarify unequivocally that the bill was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the Assembly’s dissolution.

“It is standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities.”

The proposed amendment seeks to extend the years of service for police officers from 35 to 40 years, and the age limit from 60 to 65 years.

Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force is deeply perturbed by the dissemination of false information across various media platforms, notably the distorted publication by online media, regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

“The misleading publications alleged that IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun personally initiated this bill to prolong his tenure as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, and has allegedly invested significantly in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate its passage.

IGP Egbetokun decried a situation where certain media outlets and their sponsors have chosen to propagate baseless accusations, ignorantly disregarding the fact that any modification to existing legislation is designed to enhance its effectiveness and relevance.

The statement said “To understand the true motivations behind this initiative, one needs only look at the Inspector General of Police’s steadfast commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force.

“His advocacy for this bill stems from a genuine belief in its potential to improve the conditions of service for police officers and thereby bolster security nationwide, rather than seeking personal gain. It comes from the place of duty rather than benefit.

“Furthermore, it is important to note that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, with the President being the sole authority empowered to remove an IGP before the completion of his tenure”

Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force called on the public to exercise caution and discernment when consuming information, particularly from sources known for sensationalism and unverified claims.

“Such misinformation not only misleads but also detracts from constructive dialogue and efforts towards meaningful police reform”, the Police said.

[Vanguard]

Ethiopian Airlines has revealed that the Nigerian government has withdrawn from the partnership aimed at launching the Nigeria Air project. 

The announcement was made by the Airlines' Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, in Dubai, as reported by the Ethiopian Tribune. “The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Tasew was quoted as saying.

This news follows the Federal Government's decision two months ago to suspend the Nigeria Air project indefinitely.

On May 27, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo announced the suspension during a briefing marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office. Keyamo criticized the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, arguing that the proposed airline's ownership structure was not favorable for Nigeria.

He stated that it would be irresponsible for the Federal Government to allow a foreign entity to dominate the Nigerian aviation sector, potentially stifling the growth of local businesses.

The maid of the former Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian e-commerce giant, Konga, the late Nick Imudia (names withheld), has disclosed the last conversation she had with her boss before news of his death was announced last week.

Vanguard, meanwhile, gathered that the late Imudia’s family had requested his body for burial.

The maid, according to a close friend of the deceased, who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said late Imudia called her a day earlier and handed her a piece of paper with five telephone numbers, including that of his brother in the United States of America.

According to the deceased’s friend, “She said Nick told her to keep the numbers, that she would need them at the appropriate time. Thereafter, she said he went into the bathroom and heard the shower running, indicating that he was having a bath.

“She said after some time, she observed that the shower was still running and wondered what he could still be doing for so long. She knocked on the door, but there was no response and she left.

“Moments later, she said the private guard knocked on the door and informed her to come and see what had happened to Nick. She rushed downstairs and found him in a horrible state. Immediately, she rushed upstairs and still met the shower on. By the time she opened the door, she discovered there was nobody in there.”

Meanwhile, the family, according to the deceased’s friend, had requested the release of Imudia’s body for burial.

The family, in a statement, had ruled out suicide as the cause of his death, stating that he never showed any signs of stress and was never diagnosed as depressed at any point.”

Vanguard gathered that detectives at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigative Department, Yaba, Lagos, investigating the cause of the death were expecting some of those invited for questioning as at 11a.m., yesterday.

To ease financial pressure on pilgrims, who took part in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the Federal Government and no fewer than eight states spent N100.642 billion on the pilgrims as subsidies and allowances.

The 2024 Hajj lasted from June 14 to June 19.

Coming at a time when no fewer than 20 states refused to pay wage awards to their workers to reduce the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, an Executive member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, said that the Muslim community never requested the Hajj subsidies.

Sani expressed concern that the government’s priorities are misplaced and that the funds could have been better spent on scholarships and other pressing issues.

However, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, commended the governments for the gesture saying it was a necessary rescue package for pilgrims.

FG spent N90bn

At the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj exercise at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu,
disclosed that the president had ordered the payment of N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj.

The Vice President said the president took this initiative on account of the economic situation in Nigeria, and urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

Like the Federal Government, many states, especially, in the North, catered for the welfare of their pilgrims. Most of the states did not disclose how much they spent on their pilgrims; however, seven states disbursed N10.699 billion.

Governors prioritise pilgrims’ welfare over workers pay

There are indications that many governors in the North prioritised the subsidisation of pilgrimage of some privileged persons in their states over the payment of the wage award initiated by the Federal Government to their workers.

Vanguard’s checks indicate that apart from some governors directly funding expenses of the pilgrims from their states, others substantially subsidised the pilgrimage of their pilgrims.

However, most of the governors have vehemently opposed the payment of wage awards to their workers since the Federal Government introduced the six-month payment upon the withdrawal of fuel subsidy last year to cushion the spiral effect on their income and welfare.

Kebbi spent N4 billion

In Kebbi State government, Governor Nasiru Idris subsidised the Hajj expenses by donating One million naira to each of the 4000 pilgrims.

Plateau sponsored 540 of 1,233 pilgrims with N2bn loan

In Plateau State with 1,233 pilgrims, the state and local government councils concertedly sponsored no fewer than 540 of the pilgrims.

To facilitate their travel, the State Muslims Pilgrims Board secured a bank loan of N2 billion to enable it to obtain the needed number of Hajj slots from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, before the intending pilgrims not sponsored by the State or Local Government Area made their deposits.

Kano offered N1.56bn subsidy

On his part, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State announced a N500,000 subsidy for each of the 3,121 pilgrims from the state running into N1,560,500,000.

It was also gathered that the Governor gifted the pilgrims 100 Saudi Riyal each amounting to N62.42 million as Sallah gesture.

1,815 pilgrims get N550 million in Borno In Borno State, no fewer than 1,815 pilgrims received N303,000 each as subsidy from the state government. The total sum is N549,945,000.

Zamfara spent N257.7m on 1,718 pilgrims

In Zamfara, the state government supported each of the 1,718 pilgrims with $100, which at N1500 to a Dollar amounted N257, 700,000.

Nasarawa pilgrims got N1.23 billion

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State splashed $200, and 200 Riyals on each of 1, 760 Nasarawa pilgrims. At the current exchange rate, one Saudi Riyal is equivalent to N396.91.

Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Abacha Madaki, who confirmed this in a message to journalists, said Governor Sule had continued to demonstrate impeccable leadership and compassion after he personally donated two hundred dollars for the Islamic Hadaya and two hundred Saudi Riyals as Sallah gift to each of the 1, 760 pilgrims from Nasarawa State The board image maker explained that the donation was in fulfillment of the the governor’s earlier promise to the pilgrims when departing for the Holy land of Mecca. The summation of the donations, at current exchange rate is N1.227 billion.

Lagos, Ogun subsidized operations with N1.042bn

The Ogun State government subsidized year 2024 Hajj with N119,560,712.70, which is the shortfall in pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance, BTA The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, confirmed this to Vanguard in Abeokuta.

Also, Lagos State Government disbursed N923 million as Hajj subsidy for 1,846 pilgrims, this year.
Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu said this through the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.

Niger caters for rams, slaughtering

In Niger State, Vanguard’s checks showed that 3,223 pilgrims went to this year’s holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

Each of them paid N6,699,000 for the trip without any subsidy from the state government.

However, the state government, it was gathered, paid for the purchase and slaughtering (Hadaya) of one ram for each of the pilgrims in Mecca.

Other states

However, the sums spent by a host of the states were not disclosed. In Oyo State, Government sources said it was impossible for the government not to subsidize Hajj fare because it’s too costly, and “that’s the tradition for both Christian and Muslim pilgrims.”

In Kwara, there were 3117 pilgrims, according to the Secretary of the Pilgrims’ Board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, who however declined to disclose what the state had given to each of the pilgrims to supplement their payment for the trip.

“I cannot tell you the amount because it is beyond me,” he quipped.

Although Kaduna State had no fewer than 4,600 pilgrims, officials declined to disclose how much the government paid to subsidise their trips, insisting that such information was beyond their brief.

Taraba sponsored 111 pilgrims

In Taraba State, the government-sponsored 111 of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

Apart from this, the only subsidy the other pilgrims from the state benefited from was provided by the Federal Government.

This subsidy was available only to those who had paid the initial cost stipulated by NAHCON before the price was reviewed upwards.

Bayelsa funded 10 of 13 pilgrims

In Bayelsa, a senior appointee of the State government confirmed the state fully sponsored 10 persons to this year’s Hajj, while three other persons were on self-sponsorship.

However, at the time of filing this report, an official at the Bayelsa State Pilgrims Welfare Board said they were still working on the amount to approve for the pilgrims because of the volatility of the naira to the dollar.

Muslims never asked, govt playing politics with subsidies — NSCIA Exco

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Sanni stated that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, opposed free Hajj trips and preferred scholarships instead.

His words: “The Muslims never asked the government to subsidize pilgrimage. Politicians often seek to appeal to the sentiments of Nigerians, whether they are Christians or Muslims. They likely did this of their own volition, perhaps hoping to gain favour with the Muslim community.

‘’This is why, during Christmas, both federal and state governments subsidize transportation for Christians, allowing them to travel by road or by train free of charge for one month for their religious festivals. The politicians likely aimed to appeal to Christians as well.

“However, this practice was not replicated during the Islamic festival, and we did not complain. Those who had already paid for their pilgrimage in full before the various governments announced their hajj fare subsidies were not refunded a single dime. I can state this unequivocally and with reliable authority. Hajj is not compulsory unless one has the financial means to fund it. Islamic teachings clearly state that Hajj is obligatory only for those who can afford it.

“Trusting politicians can be risky; it’s possible that no money has actually been released despite the announced subsidies. Many of the listed beneficiaries may never receive the subsidies. The government stated that the Hajj subsidy would cover those with outstanding payments. It was not a full subsidy but was intended for those who had made deposits but became unable to pay the balance when the Naira plummeted.

“To the best of my knowledge, and as someone closely connected to Islamic authorities in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, never requested any government to subsidize Hajj for Muslims.

‘’The Sultan personally opposes providing free Hajj trips. He prefers that such funds be allocated to scholarships, as there are many other pressing issues that the government could address instead of sponsoring people for Hajj. Sending someone to Hajj costs about N8 million.

‘’If you give an average Nigerian N8 million, they are likely to use it effectively. They could start a business with that money and, after a few years, have enough funds to sponsor themselves for Hajj. However, Nigerian politicians, being who they are, often prefer to make some noise.”

It was a lifeline — MURIC

Toeing a different line, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the subsidy was a response to the extraordinary circumstances faced by the pilgrims who had paid the full amount required but were affected by the unforeseen fluctuation in naira’s value.

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Akintola said: “Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate for the government to subsidize pilgrimage. The subsidy provided by the government in the past year was prompted by the difficulties faced by Muslim pilgrims.

‘’They did not explicitly request the subsidy, either individually or collectively. However, during the payment process, some pilgrims had already paid the full amount required when the Nigerian currency experienced significant fluctuation.

‘’They did not ask for the subsidy, but the prices changed after they had already paid, and it was not due to indigence. They had collected the exact amount that the Pilgrims’ Board required.

Unfortunately, the value of the money they paid dropped, and they were asked to find additional funds. This is the true situation we face.

“Ordinarily, we have argued that under normal circumstances, there would be no need for governments’ intervention in pilgrimage matters. About five years ago, MURIC launched a campaign urging the federal government to withdraw from pilgrimage affairs.

‘’Muslims can manage pilgrimage on their own; this year alone, at least 65,000 Muslim pilgrims went for Hajj. When such a large number of people pool their resources and manage them properly, they can return with profits. Therefore, we suggested that the government should withdraw its involvement.’’