By Our Correspondent

Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, a registered faith-based civil society organisation, CSO reporting on and promoting awareness within the Hajj and Umrah industry, will hold the 10th edition of its annual Hajj Lecture on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, on Monday, the organisation said this year’s lecture is themed “Service to the Pilgrims”, with the topic: “Exploring Business Opportunities within the Hajj and Umrah Ecosystem.”

Muhammad disclosed that the event will also feature the presentation of awards to outstanding Hajj administrators and individuals who distinguished themselves in the service of Nigerian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj.

He added that state governors who provided support for the 2026 Hajj will also be recognised for their contributions.

The lecture, he further stated will take place at the auditorium of the National Mosque, Abuja, and will commence at 10 a.m.

Muhammad also informed that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima is the Special Guest of Honour, while the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mahmoud Mariya Bunkure, will serve as Chief Host. The Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Albalawi, is the Guest of Honour.

The National Coordinator added that the event will be chaired by the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf.

The Managing Director of Quantum Microfinance Bank Ltd., Aliyu Buhari Ali, who formerly served as the Group Head, SMEs and Financial Inclusion at Jaiz Bank and Government Affairs Manager at Sterling Financial Holdings Company, is expected to deliver the lecture.

By Our Correspondent

Professor of Veterinary Public Health at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, UDUS, Abdulkadir Usman UDUS Professor, Junaidu emerges new CVSN Provost, pledges positive turnarounds

s been elected Provost of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, CVSN with a pledge to reposition the institution for excellence, and global competitiveness.

The result was announced in Abuja by the Electoral Committee chaired by Professor Caleb Kudi, following an election involving Fellows of the College from across Nigeria.

Professor Junaidu’s campaign was anchored on repositioning the College for professional excellence, stronger specialist training, institutional development, national relevance and global competitiveness. His candidacy received endorsements from Fellows in Nigeria and the diaspora.

In accepting the mandate, he expressed gratitude to the Fellows, describing his election as a collective responsibility to strengthen the College and advance specialist veterinary practice.

Professor Junaidu said his administration would focus on strengthening postgraduate specialist and residency training, reviewing and modernising programmes to meet emerging challenges, and promoting research, innovation, digital transformation and evidence-based practice.

He also pledged to deepen collaboration with universities, government agencies and international partners, improve visibility and welfare of Fellows, and strengthen the College’s contribution to One Health, food safety, food security, and zoonotic disease control.

Professor Junaidu brings extensive experience spanning academia, veterinary public health, and public service. He has served as Head of Department, Dean, Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and Provost of Postgraduate Studies at UDUS.

As former Sokoto State Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, he led initiatives including the establishment of veterinary presence across 26 LGAs and 87 districts, an Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Centre, and improved vaccination and disease surveillance programmes.

The new Provost called for unity and pledged to work with Deputy Provost, Professor Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies, and all stakeholders to implement an inclusive agenda.

“The election is over, and the responsibility of building our College belongs to all of us. Together, we must reposition the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria as a stronger, more visible, innovative and globally competitive institution,” he said.

By George Mgbeleke

The Reconciliation Committee of the Rainbow Coalition, has disclosed that none of its members, no matter their past political disagreements would be victimised or discriminated against in the current moves to achieve peace and full restoration of the political family.

The disclosure came on Sunday as members of the committee met with the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt, the second time in about two weeks. According to the group, under the new atmosphere of peace and reconciliation, everybody will be treated equally, respectfully and as a member of the original political family.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Magnus Abe said the meeting was meant for the hitherto estranged political leaders to deliberate further on the modalities for the ongoing peace and reconciliation moves. The committee was set up by the leader of the group, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a former Governor of Rivers State.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Abe said the committee has been holding several meetings to work out modalities on how all its members will work together. He said the explanation had become necessary because the committee wants the people of Rivers State to be aware of the new direction in which the state is moving.

“I’m sure that Rivers people will be very curious to understand exactly what we have been talking about. So, I know that this will be very good news for all Rivers people who are interested in the unity, progress and prosperity of Rivers State. We are all in agreement and we have made very good progress.
“Our coming together signals a significant shift in the political atmosphere of the state and we believe that all well meaning Rivers people will be very happy to see that finally, the peace that all Rivers people crave for is here,” he said.

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South -South Zone, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, who was part of the delegation expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for throwing his doors open and allowing the committee to meet and talk with him as brothers.
“I’m so excited. The last meeting went well. Today’s meeting went extraordinarily well and it shows clearly to the people of Rivers State that the family is back; sincerely back and soon, they will see the working of the Rainbow Coalition. We will give the people of Rivers State the dividends of democracy they’ve been expecting from all angles,” Nwanosike said.

Another stakeholder at the meeting, Chief Ambrose Nwuzi said members of the group who believe in Governor Siminalayi Fubara have agreed to make peace, as there was nothing better than peace. He described the disagreements of the past as a normal occurrence in any human society.

“Our leader has spoken and our overall leader has equally spoken and accepted that there is need for all of us to reconcile. I can tell you that we have reconciled. All that we are waiting for is for the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to put the seal on the reconciliation process which has been going on for the past few weeks,” he said.

Other members of the delegation included the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State, Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda and Mr Tamosisi Gogo Jaja amongst others.