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Hajj 2022: Pilgrims reject Azman Air over operational antecedents

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Barely 48 hours to the commencement of airlifting of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2022 Hajj pilgrimage, some states are already rejecting the selection of Azman Air aircraft for the operation.

This development is already causing anxiety among pilgrims, as they questioned airline’s selection by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.

But the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in a swift reaction, assured pilgrims that all aircraft must be certified before operation.

It was reported that Azman Airline was one of the three airlines engaged by NAHCON for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. NAHCON also noted that Azman Air was entrusted with conveyance of pilgrims from 16 states and the Armed Forces.

The states are Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, and Yobe states.

Max Air and Flynas had been airlifting pilgrims from their assigned states, but Azman is yet to commence. Their first flight might likely move on Monday night.

A pilgrim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We have already complained to NAHCON over the imposition of Azman as official Hajj carrier of my state pilgrim.

“Our rejection of Azman is based on operational antecedents of the airline and their capacity to airlift such number of pilgrims assigned to them within the little time before the closure of King AbdulAziz International Airport in Jeddah.

“Look, I am not contending the technical criteria used by NAHCON to screen the airlines, but how can NAHCON allocate the two states with the largest number of pilgrims to a new entrant into the industry with questionable capacity and experience in Hajj airlift?

“Airlift of pilgrims is not like domestic flights because it is strictly time-based.

Reacting, to the development, the Hajj and Umrah Manager, Azman Air, Alhaji Nura noted that there was no such issue as rejection of Azman by states pilgrims boards.

“Though, there are some states that are used to being airlifted by other airlines in previous Hajj operations and might not be comfortable with us, owing to some reasons. But you know it was NAHCON that assigned states to us.

“We are supposed to begin with Kaduna but we are hampered with the issue of NCAA listing of Kaduna among airports that cannot operate international flights for now due to insecurity. The state government on the other hand, wants their pilgrims to be airlifted from Kaduna State.

“From all indications, Kaduna State pilgrims may be airlifted through Kano; that is the conclusion for now. We are currently in Lagos getting ready to airlift the pilgrims by tomorrow (today) God willing. It is not true that any state has rejected Azman airline.”

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Drama as minors collapse in court as FG arraigns 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters

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There was chaos at a federal high court in Abuja on Friday after some children who allegedly took part in the #EndBadGovernance protests collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.

The court had fixed Friday for the arraignment of the defendants who are mostly minors.

At the commencement of proceedings, the children who looked ill and malnourished, were asked to come forward to take their plea.

While some huddled in the dock, others stood outside the cubicle due to insufficient space.

However, four of them hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom after they collapsed and writhed in pain.

Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, had to rise abruptly before calm returned to the courtroom.

When the court session resumed, the prosecution asked that the names of the four ill children be removed from the charge.

The application was granted and the other defendants were arraigned.

The 76 defendants, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, are being accused of treason, among other offences.

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Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65

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A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.

Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.

Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.

“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.

“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.

“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.

“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”

The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.

Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.

Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.

However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.

Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.

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Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos

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A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.

She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.

“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.

“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.

“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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