By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has intensified its preparations for the 2026 Hajj, with renewed emphasis on coordination, interdepartmental cooperation, and enhanced service delivery.

This commitment was reinforced on Thursday during a strategic operational review meeting held at the Hajj House headquarters of the commission and attended by the Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Commissioners, Directors, and representatives of Acosta Media.

According to a statement by the NAHCON’s Principal Information Officer, Shafii Sani Mohammed, the monthly staff training centred on Madina Operations, with the chairman stressing the need for professionalism, accountability, and teamwork across all operational units.

Usman informed that Saudi Arabia continues to introduce new policies and technological reforms, making it essential for NAHCON staff to remain updated and adaptable.

“Policies and technologies in Saudi Arabia change every year, and the expectations of Nigerian pilgrims continue to rise. We must therefore ensure we are fully prepared, better informed, and highly coordinated,” he said.

Addressing last year’s operational challenges, Usman reminded staff that the lessons learned must drive improvements in the upcoming exercise.

“We saw the areas where we fell short. This year, we must be more disciplined, united, and committed to delivering the best for our pilgrims,” he added.

The chairman also emphasized on the importance of understanding some gaps observed in last year’s operations and encouraged staff to ask questions, share knowledge, and support one another, stressing that Hajj operations evolve every year—even for officials permanently based in Saudi Arabia.

In his remarks address, the Commissioner for Policy, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, PRSILS, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, strongly called for a complaint-free experience for Nigerian pilgrims in the Prophet’s City.

“Please try to solve their problems, because any complaint against Madina, to my own sight, is a complaint to the Prophet. Therefore, do not allow our pilgrims to make any complaint—whether on food, accommodation, or visitations.

“If a pilgrim feels comfort in Madina, it is a very good start and he will be smiling all along. But if he starts with a problem in Madina, the consequences will be very bad,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, reaffirmed management’s commitment to strengthening staff capacity ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer

The total number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwarra local government area of Niger state has now risen to 303 students and 12 teachers.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter who doubles as Bishop of Kontagora Diocese,Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna gave the update at news briefing after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out.

Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said “after we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do verification exercise and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking of their children. We became curious and that was when we did census and discovered that they were abducted.

“This now makes it 303 students (male and female) including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males) bringing the total to number of abducted persons to 315. The total of pupils and students is 629 with primary having 430 and the secondary 199 students.

“Also, it is very pertinent we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies as peddled in some quarters.”

Continuing the CAN chairman further said,”I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely but was gritted with what I term “propaganda” that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.

“That is not true, we did not receive any circular, it must be an after thought and a way to shift blame. In the past, around 2022 when we heard of rumours of security challenge, we do not hesitate, we shutdown immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shutdown that we will now not obey?

“The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual. None of the Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja as they alleged. Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should withdraw such or provide the proofs and evidences.

“We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular he said no; or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it.

We also asked the National Association of Private Schools, they did not get any such circular. They claimed the school was shutdown and reopened few days ago, that is also not true, we are law abiding.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful and I also want to assure you that we will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.”

By Donald Ugwu and Ignatius Okorocha

Rev. Fr. Uche Secundus Ogu has advised Christians to embrace the virtue of suffering as a necessary condition for obtaining salvation.
Ogu, the Parish Priest of St Andrew Catholic Church, Orozo, FCT, gave the advice during his homily at the Harvest and Thanksgiving Mass of Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) Kurudu, on Sunday.

This is even as the host Parish Priest of Christ The King (CKC) Kurudu,Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Chike Dim has admonished Parishioners to give generously to God in thanksgiving for all they received from his through out the year, for God rewards a cheerful giver.

Continiuing Fr Ogu noted that the notion being spread by some preachers that Christians were not meant to suffer was both unscriptural and deceitful adding that Christ endured suffering and recommended same for the salvation of mankind.
“Jesus was the first to undergo torture and persecution for faith. He was scourged and crucified by soldiers for us but he accepted the condition in order to fulfill the will of God,” he said.
The cleric noted that virtually everyone passes through trials and other excruciating difficulties which often threaten their faith in God.
He, however, explained that such conditions did not mean that God has abandoned His children.
“Suffering prepares one for eternal life. When you fall, strive to rise again from the ashes of destruction, or despair because when Christ decrees “it is finished”, Christ has taken away your shame, sorrows and weaknesses.
“Christ went through both physical and spiritual torture through which He brought comfort to sinners.”
Reflecting on the theme of the Harvest and the luturgy the priest noted that very many persons destroy their relationships with God by the way they indulge in immoral conducts.
Ogu reminded Christians to always bear in mind that their bodies are temples of God and should strive not to defy God’s temple.
“Ask God for mercy when you defile your body and do not pretend that your pleasures will not deny you a place in the heavenly kingdom on the last day.”
According to him, couples who always fight, beat up their spouses or spit causes against their spouses and children desecrate God’s temple.
The priest enjoined Christians to give necessary attention to their souls as they attend to their bodies because “inside appearance of your soul is better than polishing the outside.
“If you polish your body, also polish your soul as practical Christianity is when you give your entire life to Christ.”
On the Harvest he said it was time to thank God for helping to build the church.
“If you are a Christian and you want to grow higher you have to give to God.
“When you give, blessings come and if you do not give, blessings cease.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and everything is added unto you.”
In a remark to appreciate the worshipping community and the visiting priest, Rev. Fr. Chike Dim (OCD), the CKC parish priest reminded all that God does not abandon anyone who sows seeds