Nigeria News (Standard)
NAHCON Chairman Yusuf Launches Preparations for 2027 Hajj After Safe Return of Pilgrims
Commission confirms 12 Nigerians still hospitalised in Saudi Arabia as 2026 Hajj airlift concludes
Commission confirms 12 Nigerians still hospitalised in Saudi Arabia as 2026 Hajj airlift concludes
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has begun early preparations for the 1448H/2027 Hajj exercise, following the completion of return flights for Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made in Abuja on Tuesday by NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, after the final Zamfara State contingent landed, officially concluding the 2026 pilgrimage season.
According to the Commission, this year’s operations saw thousands of Nigerian Muslims successfully airlifted to and from Saudi Arabia for the annual religious rites. NAHCON stated that every effort was made to ensure pilgrims’ welfare and safety throughout the process. Despite these measures, twelve Nigerian pilgrims remain hospitalised in different Saudi medical facilities due to various health issues. NAHCON said arrangements are in place to facilitate their return as soon as they are medically cleared for travel.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a major event for Nigeria’s Muslim population, with government agencies and state pilgrim boards coordinating logistics across all six geopolitical zones. Early planning is considered vital for smooth operations and improved welfare outcomes, especially given challenges encountered in previous years such as flight delays and accommodation issues. The successful return of pilgrims this year is being viewed by stakeholders as a positive sign for future exercises.
Ambassador Yusuf expressed gratitude to God and acknowledged the support received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the just-concluded operation. He also commended state pilgrim welfare boards and partner agencies for their collaboration. “The safety and comfort of our pilgrims remain our top priority,” Yusuf said.
With preparations now underway for the 2027 exercise, NAHCON has pledged to review lessons from this year’s operations in order to further strengthen planning processes. The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring better experiences for intending pilgrims nationwide.
Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/aviation-business/nahcon-begins-preparations-for-2027-hajj/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Fubara Submits 2026–2028 Fiscal Framework as Rivers Assembly Reconvenes After Months
Lawmakers resume plenary in Port Harcourt, receiving multi-year budget proposal amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State
Lawmakers resume plenary in Port Harcourt, receiving multi-year budget proposal amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking the first plenary session held by the lawmakers in several months. The assembly reconvened on Thursday in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria, where members received the fiscal strategy document from the executive arm.
The development comes after a prolonged period of inactivity in the state legislature, which had been dogged by political disagreements and leadership disputes. At Thursday’s sitting, Speaker and other principal officers were present as the assembly formally acknowledged receipt of Governor Fubara’s proposed spending plan for the next three financial years.
The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is a statutory requirement that outlines projected government revenue and expenditure, providing a basis for annual budgets. Its submission signals preparations for next year’s appropriation bill and is seen as a step towards restoring normal legislative business in Rivers State, following recent tensions between factions aligned to different political interests.
While details of Fubara’s spending priorities were not immediately disclosed at plenary, observers say the resumption of legislative activities may help douse anxieties among stakeholders about governance stability in the oil-rich state. Attempts to reach opposition lawmakers for comment were not successful as at press time.
The assembly is expected to deliberate on the framework in coming weeks before its adoption, paving way for formal budget presentation later this year. Political analysts note that sustained engagement between the executive and legislature will be key to unlocking delayed development projects and addressing constituents’ concerns across Rivers State.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Expert Warns SME Growth in Nigeria Needs More Than Capital Injection
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Efforts to boost small and medium enterprise (SME) growth in Nigeria must go beyond simply providing capital, a leading industry expert has advised. Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, George Ogbonnaya stressed that entrepreneurs continue to face major hurdles despite increased funding opportunities, pointing to issues such as poor infrastructure, inconsistent policy and limited access to markets.
Ogbonnaya highlighted that while government and private sector interventions have made more funds available for SMEs in recent years, many businesses still struggle to survive or scale up. “The reality is that capital alone cannot solve the challenges facing Nigerian SMEs,” he said during a stakeholder meeting. “We must also address electricity supply, transportation, and regulatory barriers if we want real growth in this sector.”
SMEs account for an estimated 48 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and employ over 80 percent of the country’s workforce, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges ranging from unreliable power supply and high logistics costs to frequent policy changes. These factors often undermine the effectiveness of loan schemes and other financial initiatives aimed at supporting business owners.
Ogbonnaya called for a coordinated approach involving federal and state governments, development agencies and private investors. He urged policymakers to streamline regulations and invest in infrastructure projects that would lower operational costs for SMEs. “If we focus only on giving money without fixing these underlying problems, we will keep seeing high failure rates,” he cautioned.
He also encouraged SME owners to seek out training and mentorship opportunities while leveraging digital tools to expand their reach. The expert’s remarks come amid renewed calls for economic diversification as Nigeria seeks new engines of growth beyond oil revenue.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Nigerian Social Worker in Washington Jailed for Diverting ₦25m Meant for Orphaned Autistic Child
US court orders Akeatha Akintola to repay stolen funds after fleeing to Togo with false passport
US court orders Akeatha Akintola to repay stolen funds after fleeing to Togo with false passport
A Nigerian woman, Akeatha Diane Akintola, who worked as a social worker in Washington State, United States, has been sentenced to five months in jail for stealing over $17,000 (about ₦25 million) in Social Security benefits meant for an orphaned autistic child under her care. The sentencing took place before Magistrate Judge Kate Vaughan at a US federal court on June 18, following Akintola’s guilty plea and immediate remand.
According to records from the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Akintola began working with the Snoqualmie Tribe in January 2023. In September that year, she applied by phone to become the Social Security representative payee for a minor with intellectual disabilities who was under tribal care—a role that tribal policy specifically barred social workers from holding over children assigned to them. Prosecutors revealed that Akintola used the child’s Social Security number alongside her own details to fraudulently secure the appointment, then redirected benefits into a bank account she controlled. The funds were subsequently spent on personal expenses instead of the child’s welfare.
The theft came to light in July 2024 when Akintola and her supervisor approached the Social Security Administration to inquire about missing benefits. Officials disclosed that Akintola was listed as the representative payee; she denied this allegation but resigned from her position the next day. She later missed a scheduled court appearance on May 22, 2026. Investigations showed she had left the US two days earlier, travelling to Togo using a passport issued under another surname.
At sentencing, Judge Vaughan noted that Akintola’s actions targeted a highly vulnerable victim. A representative of the Snoqualmie Tribe told the court that Akintola had abused her position and exploited a grieving child for financial gain, saying: “In our profession, a social worker is meant to be a safekeeper… Ms Akintola did not just fail in that duty; she weaponised her position of power to systematically steal from a grieving, autistic child.”
Akintola was ordered by the court to pay $17,638 (about ₦25 million) in restitution to the Social Security Administration and has been permanently barred from serving as a representative payee again. The case has drawn attention among Nigerians abroad regarding professional ethics and trust issues within diaspora communities.
Fubara Submits 2026–2028 Fiscal Framework as Rivers Assembly Reconvenes After Months
Expert Warns SME Growth in Nigeria Needs More Than Capital Injection
Nigerian Social Worker in Washington Jailed for Diverting ₦25m Meant for Orphaned Autistic Child
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