By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has expressed concern over the proliferation of different Christian organizations in the country, saying the development smacks of lack of unity and divisive tendencies within the Body of Christ.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo stated this when the State’s chapter of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria visited him in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Monday, the Deputy Governor maintained that the existence of too many faith groups with divergent goals and objectives does not promote unity but rather weakens the strength of the Church.

According to him, “in present day Christianity, most believers seem to only give their mouths to praise God, but their hearts are actually far from Him, and therefore, making the church to lose its impact and relevance in society.”

The Deputy Governor, who called for more concerted prayers for the leadership and people of the state, urged the church not to relent in preaching and promoting morality to reduce the crime rate in society as well as save souls for eternity.

While appreciating the Charismatic Bishops Conference for their untiring efforts in preaching the gospel, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured the group of government’s continued support for their programmes aimed at edifying the Church and uplifting the people.

His words: “Are we sure that what we are doing is helping the body of Christ in our country? Because when we continue to divide the body of Christ and start to operate in silos, how will it stay as one?

“It’s like the hand saying that because I can pick everything, cut me away from the rest of the body. Or the leg saying because I can move to anywhere, cut me from the body, so I can move the way I like.

“I believe that if all of us are from the same stock of Christ, then why are we not having a more united body representing all of us? Honestly, I think we already have too many Christian bodies. This should be a food for thought to all of us.”

Earlier, the State Overseer of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Kojo Benson Sikpi, had informed that the visit was meant to formally thank the Deputy Governor for supporting them to participate in the 2025 Charismatic Bishops Conference and Synod in Abuja and to also brief him on their activities and programmes.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise, the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has inaugurated the Aviation Monitoring Committee to ensure quality outbound and inbound flights services.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Hajj House headquarters of the NAHCON on Monday in Abuja, Usman charged the newly inaugurated committee members to function as diligent gatekeepers entrusted with the critical mandate of undertaking transparent and impartial monitoring of all aviation matters.

The chairman, according to a statement issued by his Technical Assistant (Media), Ahmad Muazu, urged the members to carry out their duties with the highest levels of integrity, patriotism, and professionalism, reminding them that the eyes of millions of Nigerian Muslims are upon them.

While expressing full confidence in the collective expertise of the committee members and tasked them to see their assignment as a sacred duty, he pointed out that the committee is a functional, non-decorative body, reflecting the commission’s zero-tolerance for failure and its core commitment to the pilgrims welfare.

“For the Nigerian government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, facilitating this spiritual journey for its citizens is not just a statutory duty, it is a sacred trust. We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian pilgrim performs their Ibadah in comfort and safety,” he pledged.

The chairman said while NAHCON has recorded steady improvements in airlift logistics, aviation remains the most sensitive and visible component of Hajj operations.

He said: “This committee is not a decorative body; it is our commitment to pilgrim welfare. You are the gatekeepers, entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the aviation matters of our pilgrims.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner of Operations and Licensing, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, thanked the chairman for the confidence reposed in the committee and pledged the team’s total commitment to its mandate.

“Our mission is straightforward and solemn to guarantee safe, secure, and dignified air transport for pilgrims. We will not compromise the safety of Nigerian pilgrims,” he assured.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA, has unveiled comprehensive health requirements and guidelines for all intending pilgrims across the world planning to perform the 2026 (1447 AH) Hajj in the holy land.

A circular by the authorities of the KSA and made available to journalists by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, outlines both mandatory and recommended medical conditions that must be met prior to undertaking the pilgrimage.

According to the circular, all countries, including Nigeria, are to ensure that their citizens performing Hajj are physically fit and free from ailments that could affect their health or that of others during the pilgrimage.

The Saudi Ministry of Health listed severe heart, lung, or kidney diseases, advanced chronic illnesses, and mental or psychological disorders as conditions that may prevent an individual from performing Hajj.

It mandates full compliance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health medical fitness requirements for attending Hajj, including a certificate from medical authorities of the pilgrims’ countries confirming that they are free of conditions like major organ failure (heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys); neurological or psychiatric disorders that impair cognition or are accompanied by severe motor disabilities; senility accompanied by dementia; high-risk pregnancy at any stage; cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, biological, or radiological treatment; and active infectious diseases with a public health impact such as tuberculosis and hemorrhagic fever.

On vaccination, the Saudi health authorities reiterated that all intending pilgrims must present valid certificates of vaccination against COVID-19, meningitis, polio, and yellow fever before entering the Kingdom.

To ensure effectiveness of the guidelines, Saudi authorities will conduct health screenings at all entry points to ensure compliance with the set requirements while any traveler who fails to meet these health standards may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to further medical evaluation.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasized that “no pilgrim suffering from the listed diseases will be allowed to travel, and health certificates will be thoroughly verified before and upon arrival in the Kingdom.”

It also disclosed that additional measures may be taken if there are global disease outbreaks or international public health emergencies during or prior to the Hajj exercise, in coordination with the World Health Organization, WHO.

The NAHCON, has therefore, urged all intending pilgrims to take note of these requirements and ensure they complete the necessary vaccinations and health checks well ahead of the 2026 Hajj season.

The commission restated its commitment to work with the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Licensed Tour Operators to enforce compliance as provided to avoid travel disruptions at the point of entry into the Kingdom for Hajj.