By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Friday in Abuja announced eight different 2023 hajj fares regime for the Northern States and other parts of the country.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the announcement at a news conference shortly after a meeting with the Chief Executives of the 36 States and FCT pilgrims boards, agencies and commissions.

“The 2023 Hajj fare incidentally has eight different costs. Pilgrims in Maiduguri and Yola departure centre in the North East will pay the sum of N2,890,000 and this includes their 800 dollars Basis Travelled Allowance (BTA).

” For the other Northern States, we have agreed that the cost is N2,919,000, we now move to South which has six different price regime, Edo State is N2,968,000 and the entire South-South and South East are in this same price regime.

” Ekiti and Ondo States N2,880,000, Osun state is N2,993,000 and Cross River State incidentally has the cheapest which is N2,943,000, while that of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states is N2,999,000.”

Hassan explained that the inflation rate both in Nigeria Saudi Arabia and the scarcity of aviation fuel were largely responsible for the increase in the fare when compare with the 2022 fare which was N2.5million.

” And I must also say that there has been an increase in the exchange rate of Naira to a dollar at the official rate.

” However, NAHCON and the state pilgrims boards and agencies made several efforts in order to keep the fare at the barest minimum level, while also considering the economic feasibilities and reality of the situation.

” I am sure all of you will also agree with me that there has been a global trend in countries of the world by hike in the hajj fare.”

He revealed that NAHCON and all the 36 states and the FCT pilgrims’ boards have reviewed the 2022 hajj operation and adopted strategies for a hitch free 2023 hajj operation.

” We have agreed with all having reviewed the 2022 operation to do everything that will make us to get every pilgrim that registered to Saudi Arabia in good time.

” We have also discussed the issue of Basic Travelled Allowance (BTA) and Yellow Card and we have devised means to ensure that we are in control of the situation .

” We have also agreed that there will be zero tolerance for flight delay or cancelation this year and if there is such there will be sanction on the state or pilgrim or airline that is responsible for it.”

Hassan also disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved seven airlines that the commission was going to operate with this year.

According to him, Air Peace, Azman Air, Flynas, Aero Contractors and Max Air, will fly pilgrims from the 36 states and FCT, while Arik Air and Value Jet Air will serve as chattered flights for the Licenced Tour Operators.

He noted that NAHCON and State Pilgrims boards have agreed to close the
portal for new registration of intending pilgrims who are going through the Hajj Saving Scheme for hajj on April 7.

” After deliberations with the Chief Executives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, we have agreed on the day that the intending pilgrims must complete their money.

” Secondly, we have also agreed that today April 7, we are closing the portal for new registration of intending pilgrims who are going through the Hajj Saving Scheme for hajj.

” But we have also agreed that April 21, which is two weeks from today will be the day for the final remittance of funds by those who want to go to hajj either through the hajj saving scheme or through the normal pay as go.

” We have also agreed that May 21, 2023, will be the day for the inaugural flight for the 2023 Hajj.”

Also, the Executive Chairman, Yobe Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mai Aliyu Usmam, said all the states executives were part of the decision on the 2023 hajj fares.

He said that members of the various boards have been to Saudi Arabia with the NAHCON officials twice, adding that all decisions and agreements were done together in the interest of the intending pilgrims.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government says it has completed the Loko-oweto bridge and the 2nd Niger Bridge and both would be commissioned and handed over before the in-coming administration by May 29.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola said this during the inspection of the completed Loko-oweto road and bridge on Tuesday in Nasarawa.

According to him, the contractors had promised that the project would be completed by the end of March and they made good their promise.

“So that’s why we’re here today. Today is the 4th of April. So, they indicated last week that they had finished and you saw as we crossed each of the sections all of them with our officers reported completion.

“So, we essentially made the timeline we set; so we’ve kept to that timeline, courtesy of our contractors, and also our staff and I think we deserve the commendation of all Nigerians for the work that have been done.

“What remains now on this project is to send a report to the Office of the President to say that on this project, mission accomplished, and whatever date is then possible, to do a ceremonial handover,” he said.

Speaking further on the value of the oweto bridge Fashola said it crosses the River Benue while the second Niger bridge crosses the River Niger and that it is a North-South link while the river Niger is an East-West link.

“Coming from the South-East, for example, and you go through Otukpo to link Nasarawa, instead of going through Lafia to Keffi, you can now pass Loko and burst out at Keffi. That reduces your journey time by about four hours.

“This is what this bridge has done in terms of business efficiency, reduction of travel time, reduction of travel costs, and ultimately, ease of doing business.

“In terms of scope, there are two bridges here, the main bridge is 1.8 kilometers long. So it is 200 meters longer than the main bridge of the second Niger bridge.

“Although the second Niger bridge has a total of three bridges, and in terms of project scope, they aggregate to about 2.6 kilometres.

“The two bridges here aggregate to 2.2 kilometres. But individually, in terms of river crossing, this is 200 metres longer than Niger bridge,” Fashola said.

The minister said that the administration should be commended because this was a development that many African countries could not accomplish in today’s economy.

“We should be proud to project these developments because they are the basis of our future prosperity – linking people, creating opportunities, creating trade, driving commerce, and economic exchange.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there is over 70 kilometres of road linking Benue State to Nasarawa State and 74 kilometres of road linking Benue and Nasarawa into the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is funded by SUKUK IV.

Speaking further on the Second Niger bridge, Fashola said it would be opened to traffic on May 15.

“The dates that we have now for the completion of the link road, because the bridge itself is finished.

“The link road that we formally opened to traffic, the date we have now is the May 15 as of yesterday. We are rolling out all the stops to support the contractor to see that that date is achieved.

“Just about two weeks before the end of term, the President will be invited to the completion, and maybe any day thereafter, he will be able to fly in and do the ceremonial.

“But by the May 15, the bridge should be fully open to traffic.” Fashola said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbeshola

Completion

By Perpetua Onuegbu

 The Federal Government says it has completed the Loko-Oweto Bridge and the 2nd Niger Bridge and both would be commissioned and handed over before May 29.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this during the inspection of the completed Loko-oweto road and bridge on Tuesday in Nasarawa.

Fashola said that the contractors had promised to complete the project by the end of March and they made good their promise.

“So that’s why we’re here today. Today is the 4th of April. So, they indicated last week that they had finished and you saw as we crossed each of the sections all of them with our officers reported completion.

“What remains now on this project is to send a report to the Office of the President to say that on this project, mission accomplished, and whatever date is then possible, to do a ceremonial handover,” he said.

Speaking further on the value of the Oweto bridge, Fashola said it crosses the River Benue while the second Niger bridge crosses the River Niger and that it is a North-South link while the river Niger is an East-West link.

“Coming from the South-East, for example, and you go through Otukpo to link Nasarawa, instead of going through Lafia to Keffi, you can now pass Loko and burst out at Keffi.

That reduces your journey time by about four hours. This is what this bridge has done in terms of business efficiency, reduction of travel time, reduction of travel costs, and ultimately ease of doing business.

“In terms of scope, there are two bridges here; the main bridge is 1.8 kilometers long. So it is 200 meters longer than the main bridge of the second Niger Bridge.

“Although the second Niger Bridge has a total of three bridges, and in terms of project scope, they aggregate to about 2.6 km.

“The two bridges here aggregate to 2.2 km. But individually, in terms of river crossing, this is 200 metres longer than Niger bridge,” Fashola said.

The minister said that the administration should be commended because this was a development that many African countries could not accomplish in today’s economy.

“We should be proud to project these developments because they are the basis of our future prosperity – linking people, creating opportunities, creating trade, driving commerce, and economic exchange.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there is over 70 km of road linking Benue State to Nasarawa State and 74 km of road linking Benue and Nasarawa into the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is funded by SUKUK IV.

Speaking further on the Second Niger bridge, Fashola said it would be opened to traffic on May 15.

“The link road that we formally opened to traffic, the date we have now is the May 15 as of yesterday. We are rolling out all the stops to support the contractor to see that that date is achieved.

“Just about two weeks before the end of term, the President will be invited to the completion, and may be any day thereafter, he will be able to fly in and do the ceremonial.

“But by the May 15, the bridge should be fully open to traffic.” Fashola said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Sunday repatriated 217 destitutes, street baggers and vagabonds, evacuated from the street of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

Alhaji Sani Amar-Rabe, Director, Department, Social Welfare Services, Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the FCTA, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre in Bwari Area Council.

The director spoke to NAN shortly after dispatching officials of the department to transport the destitutes and beggers to their various states.

He explained that the repatriation was in compliance with the order by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, who instructed the department of social welfare services to rid the city of human and environmental nuisances.

He stated that it was the responsibility of the FCTA to ensure that those evacuated from the streets were repatriated to their various states.

” We are here in respect of repatriation of the apprehended destitutes, street baggers, street boys and vagabonds who were profiled, their health challenges were equally attended to and they show no interest in learning vocational skills.

” They only show interest to be out to be attended to what they consider to be a liberty sort of, to continue doing their destitution.

“But those who have good mindset, embrace skills acquisition for empowerment. So, that is the purpose of our coming to this centre today.

” Today we don’t have many; they are just 217 beggers and street boys that are to be repatriated, mostly to Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

“And this time around we have some from Abia, Imo and Delta states.”

Amar-Rabe revealed that the FCT Minister of State, Aliyu, had been in contact with some of the state governments through their Liaison Offices, to ensure that the affected states were more responsive in addressing and managing the repatriated destitutes and beggers.

” What we noticed from some of the destitutes and baggers as well is that they consider the FCT safer and economically viable, especially those of the North West and the North East.

” So people from these zones move to Abuja for survival and some of them, we discovered that begging and destitution has become an attitude to them.

” The street boys that constitute menace and defaced the Federal Capital City, some of whom at a particular point in time, manifest into another threat to the security of the residents especially those that do sleep under bridges claiming to be destitutes but most of them are criminals.”

The director called on the FCT residents, especially the well to do, to desist from giving alms and charity to the street beggers “because it is encouraging them to continue to remain on the streets and constitute nuisance to the city.”

” We have been on that advocacy through different media and we are appealing to the media both print and electronics, to continue to enlighten the public about the negative impact of patronising street beggers.

” We have clusters of Persons with Disabilities in KaronMajigi Community on the airport road and we have many orphanages, anybody who wish to donate can go to such places and give charity.

” Also, in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council, by the roadside, there is Alheri Special Village, the village is mainly for persons affected with leprosy and their family.

“It is a very large cluster with a very large population of humans who are indigents and deserve such charity.”

Malam Bala Dantsoho, the Principal, FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Bwari, said most of those that were repatriated are untrainable. Therefore, they have to be repatriated to their various states.

Dantsoho, who decried the proliferation of street baggers and destitutes in the FCT, urged state governments to be more proactive in tackling destitution.

(NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government, on Friday expressed its determination to strengthen the capacity of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to build a resilient mechanism towards supporting less privileged Nigerians.

Dr Sani Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr Sani Gwarzo, stated this at a one-day capacity building workshop for NGOs and its Social Development workers in Abuja.

Represented by Mr Ahmed Mahmoud, Gwarzo noted NGOs played a critical role towards complementing government efforts in providing the necessary support to members of the society.

“The NGOs, through their activities and partnership with different levels of government are able to facilitate development through the use of advocacy and training they derive their popularity out of the numerous benefits they provide.

“They promote religious tolerance and harmony, educate the masses on government policies as well as monitor the policies and galvanise people through advocacy to participate on issues of considerable benefits to the society,” he said.

He therefore, urged them to develop competent and performance-based policies as well as implement institutional monitoring programmes to ensure better outcomes.

“We should all work harmoniously and focus on mutual benefits by ensuring a win-win strategy, training programmes such as this are necessary to update ourselves on the Ministry’s mandate to better the lot of the vulnerable members of our society.

“It is opportunity to brainstorm on strategies for addressing their concerns, hence the need for partnership as a key to bridging the gaps which organisations experience when they stand alone,” he said.

The permanent secretary said the ministry had partnership with an International NGO, Save the Children Foundation, to monitor as a third-party the federal government Social Investment Programme in states.

On his part, the Director, Social Development of the ministry, Mr Taiwo Bashorun, said the workshop was necessary to upgrading the capacity of the participants for optimal productivity.

Bashorun, therefore, urged the participants to utilise the opportunity and share ideas with a view to achieving the desired goals of the programme. (NAN) (www.nnannews.ng).

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slammed a fine of N5 million on Channels Television for breaking the broadcasting law in a programme with Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate.

This is contained in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the television station and dated March 27.

The letter was exclusively obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The letter, with the title: “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction”, was signed by Balarabe Ilelah, the commission’s Director-General.

It read in part:” The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22.

“Dr Baba-Ahmed said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities,” Ilelah said in the letter.

He noted that the broadcast was volatile and capable of inciting public disorder and therefore violated some sections of the broadcasting code.

This, according to him, includes the section that said no broadcast shall encourage, or incite, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organisation, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.

Ilelah added that according to the broadcasting code, broadcasters shall ensure that no programme contained anything which amounted to subversion of constituted authority.

He recalled that the NBC had engaged Channels Television severally to consider public interest before any programme is broadcast.

This, he said, was to ensure that the country was not plunged into anarchy.

“Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance,” he said.

He added that any further infraction by the television station would attract higher sanctions.

“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated,” the NBC Director-General said (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reiterated commitment to mitigate any threat posed by flood, which is expected to increase from the global impact of climate change.

The Director-General of FEMA, Dr Abbas Idriss, said this during the 2023 joint tour of flood prone areas of Apo-Dutse, Gudu Districts of the FCT on Wednesday.

Idriss noted that the tour was a preparedness and awareness measure for the 2023 rainy season, adding that the importance of the exercise could not be over-emphasised.

He said that flood remained the greatest threat to lives and property- including food security where farm lands were washed away.

He said that 2023 Nigerian Meteorological Agency Seasonal Climate Prediction and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) Annual Flood Outlook had multi sectoral implications on the FCT- including disaster management.

” My conviction on our ability to keep lives and property safe from the threat of flood stems from the commitment and support given by the FCT Minster, Muhammad Bello.

“This has seen many structures standing on water ways and flood plains being demolished, to restore the FCT Master Plan, which has suffered gross violations over the years.

“ I belief the architects of the Abuja Master Plan envisaged the global threats that weather and climatic elements pose to cities, and took that into consideration in their design to make the FCT qualify as a safe city over time.”

“Therefore, if we succeed in restoring the Master Plan, we would have succeeded in reducing the flood threats facing us by 50 per cent, and continue to manage other factors that are not subject to human control as best as possible to stay safe.”

He assured that the agency would continue to expand and deepen flood sensitisation campaign across the FCT, through community outreach and the various media platforms using different languages to drive home our early warning and early action messages.

Idriss commended the support and increasing participation of communities- driven by traditional rulers and volunteers, who are taking greater responsibility for their own safety.

He encouraged communities and all residents to become more aware of what constitutes flood risk and how to reduce their vulnerability, and also be able to respond effectively to avoid loss of lives and property.

He explained that the Emergency Marshalls, who are to be drawn from the six area councils would further strengthen the disaster management architecture of the FCT.

He appealed to volunteers to keep an eye on installations such as flood warning sign boards mounted by FEMA in flood prone locations for road users to be cautious when they get to such spots.

” These installations, including other facilities are being vandalised by criminal elements, these tend to undermine our collective efforts at ensuring safety in the FCT.”

Earlier, the Director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, recalled that in 2022, FCT was the only location in the country that didn’t record any loss of life during flooding.

” And that is why this year again, we want to start on a good footing, so that we will be able to save lives and properties in the territory. So it is very important to remove all obstructions on the waterways.

” We will go round at least four different locations within the city centre, to carry out a comprehensive inspection of locations where we had flooding last year, especially the new areas we identified in 2022.

” Some of the locations that we will visit today are the Apo Dutse, Carters Court, one of the estates that was heavily flooded in 2022, Damangaza Bridge along Ebeano Supermarket, Gudu and Galadimawa Interchange,” she said.

Also, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmed, described the tour of the flood prone areas as a welcome development, timely and very proactive.

Represented by Mr Chinasaokwu Okolie, Deputy Director, Department of Engineering Services, FCDA, Ahmed, said flood was caused by the activities of man that tamper with the waterways.

” This stakeholders’ meeting will go a long way towards getting early solutions and responses to the flooding issues.”

Similarly, the Director, Department of Development Control FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, affirmed the readiness of the department to continue to demolish all structures built on waterways in the nation’s capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the event was the symbolic inauguration of the joint assessment tour of 2023 flood prone areas in the FCT by the FEMA boss. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Tuesday distributed agro-chemical products and farm inputs to 120 selected farmers across the 12 existing political wards in the area council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maikalangu presented the donation to the beneficiaries during the inauguration of the 2023 farming season tagged “Agricultural Revolution Starts Now”.

According to NAN, ten farmers each drawn from the 12 wards in the area council, went home with sack of spraying machines, assorted herbicides and other agricultural inputs .

Also, two agricultural extension agents smiled home with brand new motorcycles each to aid their movement in distribution of agricultural products in their communities.

He said that the donation is part of his administration’s committment towards fulfilling its campaign promises of reducing economic hardship biting harder on the residents.

He called on the beneficiaries to resist the temptation of selling the products, while assuring them that the exercise would be a continuous one.

“It is necessary to note that every farmer is qualified but for financial contraints, we shall continue to reach out to many farmers as possible in the next batches of our farmer-empowerment schemes,” he said.

“I wish to advise you never to contemplate on selling them for financial gains but make use of the implements so as to achieve the desired result,” he said.

Mr Emmanuel Danladi, Sarkin Noma, AMAC, appreciated the chairman for the donation, while assuring of the farmers determination to making farm produce available in the council.

Mr Solomon Thomas, an extension agent with AMAC and a beneficiary of a motorcycle, appreciated the chairman for the gesture.

“I am very happy for this donation because one of the challenge our farmers have been having is availability of farm inputs and another challenge we have been facing is transportation challenge.

“With this, we will be able to reach out to the farmers with new farming innovations and to carry out our other duties effectively,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Kayode Olaitan

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT) has unveiled constituency projects worth N2.8 billion across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Aduda, also Senate Minority Leader, inspected the projects across various wards of Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council ( AMAC) aimed at improving the living condition of the people at the weekend.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects included the 6 kilometres N1.4 billion Global Suite Road in Sabon Gari Area of Bwari
Others were the N1.4 billion road in Nyanya which passed through the Divisional Police Headquarters, Area F among others.

He also the 1.5 kilometres Government Secondary School  Kuduru Road with street light,   and expansive multipurpose Ttwn hall in Kuduru ward in Bwari Area Council.

Aduda also inspected the 2.2 Kilometres internal road project in Gbazango , Kubwa ward  and the Byhazin Across Road in Kubwa.

Speaking shortly after, the senator said that he decided to unveil the projects even after losing election for posterity.

“I did it for posterity and to  knock off the argument or remarks by some people that I didn’t do anything within the last 20 years as a  representative of FCT residents at the National Assembly.

“I want to be remembered for been very modest about some of my achievements which is  infrastructural development.

” I  have also realised that sometimes, if you don’t say what you are doing people will wonder what you have done and people will wonder and people will not know except the immediate benefiting communities.
“What I have done is to take you  round the projects I have done within the past few years and some people will wonder that within the past 20 years what have you been able to do,” Aduda said.

He added: “The more you stay as a legislator the more you have opportunities to be able  to attract so many things that are developmental to your people.
” For me, the  more a person gets reelected into the National Assembly, the more he or she garners  experience and needed contacts for facilitation of development – driven projects to his or her constituency as I have done for the people of FCT within the last 20years.”
Some residents interviewed expressed sadness over the failure of the Senator to secure his reelection bid at the Feb. 25 general election, as he lost to the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Ireti Kingibe.
Mr Dauda Babalola, a resident, said that the infrastructure development brought about by the Senator was unequalled especially in Jikwoyi.
Similarly, Chief Imam of Pipeline Mosque in Gbazango , Kubwa Ward , Kassim Abdallah urged the senator not to despair over the outcome of the election saying that the Almighty God would continue to grant him the grace to serve the people and communities alike.
” For us in this area, you are a worthy ambassador of the masses and downtrodden in government.
“The relief brought to us by the construction of Gbazango Pipeline Road is so enormous and we pray that it will manifest in success for you in all your endeavors,” he said.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A Muslim cleric, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, on Friday in Abuja urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve electronic banking services to ease the lives of citizens.

Al-Yolawi, who is the Chief Imam, Jumma’at Mosque, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, made the call while delivering his Jumma’ah Sermon, entitled: “Etiquettes of Ramadan Fast’’.

He said the Muslim faithful were expected to support the needy in the society most especially during the holy month of Ramadan to ease their lives.

Al-Yolawi regretted that the cash crunch was making life more miserable in the country.

The cleric, however, commended the CBN and the Federal Government for the recent enhanced circulation of the Naira notes in the country.

“This is to appreciate the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the recent increase in the circulation of Naira notes in the country.

“But still cash remain expensive commodity and issue of the network on money transfer is still something that the Federal Government need to look in to,” Al-Yolawi advised.

He called on Muslims to increase their chances of getting rewards and achieving maximum benefits of the precious month of Ramadan which comes once annually.

According to him, fasting is among the greatest things that help in controlling desires, suppressing lusts, purifying souls and restricting Muslims to what pleases Allah.

“The fasting person prevents his tongue from engaging in idle speech, abuse, defaming people, and spreading harmful backbiting and tale bearing.

“Fasting prevents the fasting person from cheating, deceit, giving less than due, guile, committing immorality, usury, bribery and unjustly consuming the money of people through any means or kind of fraud,’’ he said.

Al-Yolawi also emphasised the need for every Muslim to strive to feed a Muslim at the time of the breaking of fast.

“Anybody who offers meal for the breaking of the fast of another person earns the same rewards as the one who was observing the fast without taking in any way the reward of the fasting person,’’ the chief imam admonished. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Muhammad Suleiman Tola