Managing Director and CEO of Social Plus Africa Communications Ltd joins the people of Kogi State in celebrating the 48th birthday of Governor Yahaya Bello.

According to a press statement by the Head, Corperate Affairs Unit, Hajia Maryam Abdullahi, Amb. James extends his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the esteemed Governor on this special occasion.

“Governor Yahaya Bello has been a beacon of leadership and dedication, exemplifying unwavering commitment towards the progress and prosperity of Kogi State”.

“Under his visionary leadership, the state has witnessed remarkable advancements and transformations across various sectors”.

As a dynamic and inclusive leader, Governor Bello has consistently championed initiatives that prioritize the welfare and well-being of the people of Kogi State. His relentless efforts in promoting social development, healthcare accessibility, education, and infrastructure have significantly contributed to the betterment of the state and its citizens.

Governor Yahaya Bello’s visionary approach to governance has also been instrumental in positioning Kogi State as an attractive destination for investments and economic growth. His tireless pursuit of initiatives aimed at diversifying the state’s economy and creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship is commendable.

Furthermore, Governor Bello’s commitment to youth empowerment and women’s inclusion has been a catalyst for positive change. Through various programs and initiatives, he has provided avenues for skill development, education, and financial support, uplifting countless lives and nurturing a brighter future for the youth and women of Kogi State.

Amb. James acknowledged and appreciated the Governor for his steadfast dedication to good governance, transparency, and accountability. His unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the people of Kogi State is truly admirable.

“On this joyous occasion of his 48th birthday, we extend our warmest regards and well wishes to Governor Yahaya Bello. May this milestone birthday bring him renewed strength, inspiration, and continued success in all his endeavors. We remain confident that under his visionary leadership, Kogi State will continue to thrive and prosper”.

Happy birthday, Governor Yahaya Bello!

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed deep disappointment with certain states, including Kaduna, the FCT, Gombe, and Jigawa, over their alleged refusal to allocate slots to intending pilgrims who enrolled through the Hajj Saving Scheme (HSS).

These states have claimed that the delay in slot allocation was due to NAHCON/Jaiz Bank’s failure to remit funds to the respective State Boards in a timely manner.

In response, NAHCON categorically refuted these excuses, deeming them baseless and unfounded. The Commission clarified that Jaiz Bank had promptly remitted the HSS fares to the states well ahead of this year’s Hajj season, even before many state pilgrim boards made their payments.

Furthermore, NAHCON revealed that through consultations with officials of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, it was agreed that the allocation to pilgrims should be in the ratio of 60/40, with 40 percent reserved for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme.

In the case of Kaduna State, for example, the state’s pilgrims welfare board should have reserved 40 percent of the allocation, which amounts to 2,000 slots, for HSS subscribers. However, only 108 individuals enrolled through the HSS out of the 2,000 expected participants in Kaduna State, despite the allocation of 6,255 slots to the state.

NAHCON expressed concern about the actions of certain states, noting that they have consistently sought to undermine the Commission and the HSS in various ways.

While NAHCON has displayed patience and understanding, recognizing that new schemes or policies take time to yield positive results, some states have resorted to defaming and blackmailing the Commission, showing contempt for the board and its policies.

The Commission emphasized that the information disseminated by the Kaduna State Pilgrims Board and other similar sources is not only false but also malicious, intended to vilify and blackmail NAHCON and damage its integrity.

NAHCON expressed gratitude to the numerous subscribers of the HSS for their faith and trust in the scheme.

The Commission appealed to those who have been unjustly denied participation by various pilgrims boards to remain calm and abide by the law.

NAHCON assured them that it is actively working to address the issue appropriately and bring to book those who seek to undermine its policies or deny individuals their right to participate in the religious rites of Hajj.

Arik Air, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, is set to conclude the airlift of private pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj season soon, according to information received by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The news comes as a relief to concerned stakeholders, particularly from the Lagos axis, who had expressed worry about the situation.

Fatima Sanda Usara, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON, confirmed that the Commission was aware of the issue and had been actively working to address it before it escalated further.

NAHCON has been making efforts to secure a fresh deal that would ensure the safe transportation of all pilgrims from the private sector who had paid to be airlifted by Arik Air to Saudi Arabia as planned.

Under the agreement between NAHCON and Arik Air, approximately 7,000 pilgrims registered with private travel agencies were supposed to be transported for the 2023 Hajj.

Arik Air, in turn, had signed a deal with a Saudi-based airline to carry out the airlift, deploying two aircraft stationed in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja.

However, after successfully transporting the initial batch of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-based airline failed to fulfill its obligations and did not return to complete the airlift.

This left the pilgrims feeling abandoned and caused a significant disruption to the planned operations.

The failure of the airlift was attributed to the non-release of funds that were supposed to be advanced for the engagement.

Financial restrictions prevented the necessary resources from being made available, which ultimately hindered the execution of the agreement, despite assurances from NAHCON.

In response, NAHCON has injected additional resources to salvage the contract and has been exploring alternative options, including engaging more local and foreign airlines, to ensure the completion of the airlift for private tour operators’ pilgrims.

Positive discussions have been held with several airlines, and agreements are on the verge of being signed to facilitate the continued movement of pilgrims.

NAHCON emphasized that the charter arrangement with Arik Air was made on behalf of private Hajj operators to mitigate the impact of the limited number of scheduled airlines serving the Nigeria-Jeddah route.

With an allocation of 20,000 slots, it was clear that an organized charter arrangement was necessary to handle the influx of pilgrims during the peak Hajj period. However, the responsibility of successfully ferrying their pilgrims ultimately lies with the private tour companies.

NAHCON reassured all pilgrims who registered for the 2023 Hajj of its commitment to transport them within the designated time frame of the season.

The Commission acknowledged the concerns and panic among some pilgrims but emphasized that a strategic plan was in place to ensure the movement of all intending pilgrims before the closure of Jeddah airport.

In light of the recent developments, NAHCON advised the intending pilgrims at the Lagos departure center, who had expressed their concerns through agitations, to remain calm and await their airlift to Saudi Arabia in the near future.

In a press conference held on Monday, Dr. Vincent O. Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), addressed the media to announce the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.

This landmark legislation represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward data privacy and protection.

Dr. Olatunji emphasized that having the NDPA in place is just the beginning of a comprehensive effort to establish a sustainable digital economy.

He highlighted the government’s commitment, spearheaded by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to create one million jobs through the digital economy sector.

As part of this initiative, measures will be taken to generate 500,000 jobs within the data protection ecosystem, constituting 50% of the sector’s job creation target.

The NDPA places great importance on respecting the personal data of Nigerian citizens, safeguarding their privacy, and upholding digital rights.

Dr. Olatunji emphasized that this respect is now firmly embedded in the NDPA, signaling a transformative step towards cultivating a culture where the protection of personal data is not only valued but also an inviolable obligation.

The implementation of data protection as a statutory requirement means that every organization, regardless of size, must cooperate with the government and demonstrate compliance.

Dr. Olatunji urged organizations to perceive this development as an exciting journey toward building trust, establishing robust data protection structures, and fortifying Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy landscape.

To ensure nationwide compliance, the NDPC has outlined key initiatives and future developments. In the coming months, the following targets will be pursued:

1. Public Awareness Campaigns: The NDPC recognizes that awareness is the first step toward compliance. Therefore, they will expand active public awareness campaigns to educate organizations and individuals about their roles, rights, and responsibilities under the NDPA.
2. 
   Development of Implementation Framework: Standardization is crucial, and a standardized framework for implementation will be developed to ensure consistency and clarity across all sectors. This framework will include guidance notices on key provisions of the law, such as lawful basis of data processing, data subjects’ rights, compliance audit returns, and cross-border data transfer.
3. 
   Capacity-building for Data Protection Officers (DPOs): DPOs play a vital role in ensuring compliance. The NDPC will enhance capacity-building opportunities for DPOs enrolled under the National Data Protection Adequacy Programme (NaDAP), equipping them with the skills necessary to lead their organizations toward compliance.
4. 
   Issuance of DPCO Practice Guidelines and Sectorial Guidance Notices: Regulatory frameworks for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) will be strengthened, and sector-specific guidelines, particularly for the financial and telecom sectors, will be issued.
   
   These frameworks aim to address specific vulnerabilities, risks, and opportunities while providing a clear path to compliance. More DPCOs will be licensed to provide compliance services, fostering a competitive ecosystem.
5. 
   Upscale of Registration Process: Simplifying compliance pathways and encouraging participation, the registration process for data controllers and data processors will be streamlined in the digital age.
7. Compliance Audit Filing Calendar: A defined calendar for filing annual Compliance Audit Returns will be introduced, with a target of January to December. Organizations will have the first quarter of each year to file their returns.
9. Compliance under the NDPR will be reviewed, and only compliant organizations will be eligible for inclusion on the NaDPAP Whitelist. This approach aims to ensure organizations remain up-to-date with their compliance obligations.

Dr. Olatunji concluded his address by emphasizing that these initiatives demonstrate the NDPC’s commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian organizations

The newly sworn in Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Abubakar Ohere has declared his intention to roll out employment for over 60 graduates in the District in the next few weeks.

He said after taking the oath of Office, he is ready to work to justify the confidence repose in him..

According to him, “the graduates are going to represent me as legislative assistants in the 57 wards of Kogi Central. This employment is coming up immediately.”

The Legislator said he was aware of the plight of his constituents in the areas of potable water, good roads and electricity, promising to fill the gap through a short term project to meet up the needs.

Ohere, who promised to ensure the revival of Ajaokuta Steel complex, appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello for the confidence reposed in him to serve in this capacity.

Speaking, the former Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Omolori, expressed optimism that Ohere would bring about quality representation for the people of Kogi Central.

On the elections of the leadership of the National Assembly, Omolori said he is happy on the emergence of Akpabio, describing it as the begining of a new dawn.

Also speaking, an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain and a former Governorship aspirant in Kogi State Momoh Obaro, said Ohere is a worthy grassroot representative, noting that he is capable of performing excellently, judging form his antecedents as a Commissioner.

Obaro said the expectation of the people of Kogi Central is quality representation by presenting their challenges on the front burner in the National Assembly.

He described the outcome of the election of leaders as a great feat for Sen. Godswill Akpabio to emerge as Senate President, adding that the process was democratic.

In a remark, Kogi State Commissioner for Local Govt and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Deedat said the unity of Kogi Central is a credit to Governor Bello, and expressed confidence in Senator Ohere’s ability to deliver at the red chamber.