Category: Foreign

Kebbi to transport female pilgrims to Mina Thursday
Transportation
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, Executive Chairman, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, says the board will commence the transportation of female pilgrims to Mina on Thursday, 7th Dhul-Hajj.
He stated this while addressing pilgrims at Hotel Number One otherwise known as “Kebbi House” in Qudai, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairman was outlining the requisite preparations put in place by the board towards ensuring the conduct of a successful Hajj exercise.
“According to our arrangement, we are going to start transporting pilgrims on 7th Dhul-Hajj, that day will be purely for the women, while the male pilgrims will follow on 8th Dhul-Hajj.
“Therefore, I want to advise the male pilgrims, make sure that you take your bath between 2:00a.m. and 3:00a.m. because you are many in each room. Do not wait until after Subhi (dawn) prayer.
“Transportation of male pilgrims will commence immediately after Subhi prayer, it will be done Local Government by Local Government.
”Remember, the season of Hajj is a season of excitement, worship, supplication, Zikir and all other forms of worship according to the Sunnah,” he urged.
Aliyu-Enabo advised the pilgrims to use the season to glorify Allah, the Most High, saying: “Pray for yourself, your parents, your children, your family, your country, your state and of course your governor and the entire Muslim Ummah.”
The chairman passionately appealed to the pilgrims to pray for the board, just as it had started the work well, may Allah (SWT) assist it to complete the job diligently.
Aliyu-Enabo noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was leading in all aspects as far as 2024 Hajj is concerned, including preparation, housing, logistics, feeding and discipline, among others.
He appealed to the pilgrims to remain orderly especially during their transportation to Mina, adding that nobody would be left out.
“During the movement, when the pilgrims from Argungu are called to join the bus, please you from Augie, Dandi or Bagudo should not come out but wait for your turn.
“Therefore, I urge you to obey those saddled with the responsibility among you, give them the necessary support and cooperation to discharge their duties diligently,” he advised.
The chairman assured that all the leaders would not leave Makkah for Mina until all the pilgrims, especially the ordinary citizens were completely transported.
He warned that on Arfat day, nobody should come out from his/her tent unless they were called upon to do so.
Aliyu-Enabo said, ”We, as leaders, will not leave Arfat until all the pilgrims are evacuated.”
He said Gov. Nasir Idris would perform the Hajj together with the poor masses of Kebbi to give them a sense of belonging.
The chairman added that the governor has directed that his pilgrims be served with delicious meals with chicken, fish and eggs throughout the period of Hajj.
Aliyu-Enabo used the medium to appeal to the pilgrims to pray for a successful and peaceful conduct of Local Government elections scheduled to hold in due course across the state.
He observed that the success of the elections would be a landmark achievement of the governor.
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.
This followed the sighting of the moon, this year the Day of ‘Arafah falls on Saturday 15th June 2024.
Consequently, the Eid-al-Adha will be celebrated across the globe on Sunday, 10th Dhul Hijjah, equivalent to June 16. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 10, 2024
2024 Hajj: Another Nigerian pilgrim dies in Makkah
Dead
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 9, 2024 (NAN) The Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the death of another pilgrim in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
A statement by Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, gave the name of the deceased as Abubakar Abdullahi from Gulma town in Argungu Local Government Area.
The statement said that the pilgrim died after a brief illness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abdullahi is the third Kebbi Pilgrim to die in the holy land.
The statement quoted Gov. Nasir Idris as expressing shock over the death and praying to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
“The governor also urged the immediate family of the deceased, friends and Kebbi pilgrims to take heart and accept the will of God in good faith,” it added.
It said that the deceased had since been buried according to Islamic rites after a funeral prayer at Masjid Al-Ihram (Ka’aba), on Friday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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June 10, 2024
Cleric urges Muslim pilgrims to emulate Prophets
Footsteps
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, an Islamic cleric, has urged pilgrims to follow the footsteps of holy Prophets like Ibrahim and Mohammed in their Hajj rituals.
Umar-Wasagu, who is also a member of Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable exercise.
The cleric recalled that it was Prophet Ibrahim who rebuilt the Sacret House (Ka’aba) on the instructions of God Almighty.
“Today, it remains where Muslims around the globe face to observe prayer.
“There is a strong relationship between Prophet Mohammed and Prophet Ibrahim in their modes of life, their belief in Allah, among other things.”
The cleric observed that Prophet Ibrahim had never practiced shirk (associating Allah with anything), just like Prophet Mohammed never did.
Umar-Wasagu said that God purified both of them, adding that they were all pious servants of God.
He quoted the Prophet as saying: “It is your father Prophet Ibrahim that gave you the name Muslim, therefore, hold on to it.
“When you do good deeds, pray to your Lord to accept it just like the way your father, Prophet Ibrahim, prayed while re-building the Sacred House (Ka’aba).
“We should follow the footsteps of all prophets up to the time of Prophet Muhammad. We must also follow the Prophet in all his deeds, instructions and what he saw his companions observing and kept silent about it.
“It is compulsory for every Muslim to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet to the later and do his/her work for the sake of God Almighty, for your deeds to be accepted,” he advised.
The cleric admonished the pilgrims to use the opportunity in the holy land to pray to God Almighty. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 9, 2024
Danish prime minister ‘safe but shaken’ after assault
Danish prime minister ‘safe but shaken’ after assault
Assault
Copenhagen, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was taken to the hospital with a minor whiplash injury after a man hit her in central Copenhagen, her office said.
Frederiksen is “safe but shaken” by the incident, the office said, adding that her scheduled engagements on Saturday were cancelled.
Eyewitnesses told Danish media that the 46-year-old prime minister was assaulted on Kultorvet square in the capital’s historic centre on Friday but had been able to walk away from the scene.
Police quickly arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the incident.
According to local media, the suspect later appeared in a pre-trial custody hearing in a Copenhagen district court.
The man denied that he had anything against Frederiksen, saying she was “a really good prime minister” and that he had been surprised to run into her on the street.
Police investigating the assault do not believe that the attack was politically motivated.
Local media reported that the man was drunk and under the influence of other drugs at the time and that he was a Polish citizen who had been resident in Denmark for a long time.
Condemnation poured in from across Europe.
“Shocked to hear about the violence against my friend Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of our ally Denmark.
“I strongly condemn all violence against our political leaders,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on the social media platform X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a “despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe.”
“French President Emmanuel Macron denounced it as “unacceptable” and wished the leader a quick recovery.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted a get-well message on X.
“Dear Mette, I wish you a speedy recovery,” he said.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted on X: “Democracies must be free from intimidation and threats.”
“I strongly condemn any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said.
“An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy,” wrote Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X.
The incident comes as the EU’s 27 countries elect more than 700 members of the European Parliament during four days of voting that began on Thursday.
Voters in Denmark would go to the polls on Sunday.
There have been at least two attacks on politicians in Germany in the immediate run-up to the elections.
Earlier, on May 15, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and seriously injured. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris
June 8, 2024
Indonesian woman swallowed by giant python
Indonesian woman swallowed by giant python
Woman
Jakarta, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A 45-year-old woman was killed by a five-metre python while returning from her garden in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province, local media reported on Saturday.
The woman, a resident of Sidenreng Rappang district, had told her husband on Thursday she was going to sell chilies to a collector.
When she failed to return, her husband and relatives initiated a search, village head Suardi Rosi said.
The next morning, a python was discovered near the woman’s abandoned belongings, Rosi said.
Villagers, accustomed to the presence of these formidable predators, killed the snake and cut it open, revealing the woman’s body inside, the village head said. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 8, 2024
Al-Shabaab raids on army bases in Somalia kill 25 people
Al-Shabaab raids on army bases in Somalia kill 25 people
Army
Mogadishu, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) At least 25 people were killed during Islamist terrorist attacks on four army bases in central Somalia on Saturday, officials confirmed.
Somali army spokesman Abukar Mohamed Hassan said that the Al-Shabaab group carried out “a massive assault” from different directions, in the Eldheer district, with suicide bombers and heavily armed militants.
“Our national armed forces and local armed militias fought hard to deny the militants from taking over the district, killing more than 20 terrorists,” he said.
Hassan said that the country’s international partners were supporting the army in the air.
Although he did not name which foreign powers were involved in Saturday’s airstrikes, Turkey and the U.S. routinely provide military support to the Somali army.
He added that at least two Somali soldiers and three local clan militias fighting alongside the army were killed in today’s attack.
Al-Shabaab said on its Radio Andalus that its fighters had captured four army bases around Eldheer, killing dozens of soldiers.
These claims could not be immediately verified.
Muhyadiin Arabow, a local elder man said that the fighting lasted about four hours, forcing a number of residents to flee their homes.
He said Al-Shabaab rammed explosive-laden vehicles into the army posts in the area, which had destroyed civilian homes.
“I saw eight civilians with gun wounds. Both sides used heavy weapons and explosions which made the situation very stressful,” he added.
Al-Shabaab, a terrorist militia linked to Al-Qaeda, has been carrying out repeated attacks in the country of 18 million inhabitants in the Horn of Africa for years. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

June 8, 2024
Envoy encourages learning chinese for job, business opportunities
Judges at the the “Chinese Bridge” language proficiency competition for foreign college students in Abuja.
Job
By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, June 8, 2024 (NAN) Mr Li Xuda, Director of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria has emphasised the importance of learning Chinese language to enhance job prospects and business opportunities within Nigeria and globally.
Li said this on Saturday at the sideline of the “Chinese Bridge” language proficiency competition for foreign college students, hosted by the Chinese Embassy, in Abuja.
According to Li, there is an increasing demand for individuals proficient in Chinese language and culture across various sectors, ranging from business and finance to government and academia.
He also added that the growing economic ties between China and Nigeria have increased demand for individuals with proficiency in the Chinese language.
”China is Nigeria’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching over 20 billion dollars in recent years.
“Learning Chinese will not only open up job opportunities in Chinese-owned companies operating in Nigeria, but also provide a competitive edge in the global job market,”Li said.
He encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the various Chinese language programmes and resources available in the country, including Confucius Institutes and language schools.
On his part, Zhao Hongling, the Dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos, emphasised that the competition served as a bridge connecting China to the world.
Zhao added that with the increasing presence of Chinese companies in Nigeria, being able to communicate in Mandarin could significantly boost one’s career prospect.
Also, Yu Zhangbao, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka expressed his appreciation to the organisers for the competition, which had greatly inspired more young people to learn Chinese and understand its culture.
NAN reports that the “Chinese Bridge” competition, which commenced 23 years ago, has fostered interactions among Chinese language learners worldwide, aiming to deepen understanding of China and its diverse culture.
NAN also reports that the winner of the First prize will be sponsored to China, to partake in the global competition and will also have the opportunity to select from the top 10 Universities in China for further studies. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)
SAF/NCI/AMM
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Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna and Abiemwense Moru
June 8, 2024
At least 60 killed in Congo terrorist attacks
At least 60 killed in Congo terrorist attacks
Attack
Kinshasa, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) About 60 people have been killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during several attacks by an affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist group, authorities said on Saturday.
The attacks took place in Béni, a territory in the province of North Kivu.
“This week alone, they killed 29 civilians on Tuesday in Mamove and then yesterday, Friday, executed 28 other civilians near Masau,” said Kambale Gerve, a civil society leader in Beni said.
A Red Cross source in Kinshasa said that “around 60 bodies have been taken in, while others are lying on the ground in areas that are still unsafe.”
From its propaganda channels, the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) claimed the death of more than 60 “Christians.”
The Islamists released shocking videos and photos of bound bodies of victims floating on the Loulo River in Béni territory.
Gerve said the attacks were carried out by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
The ADF, a Ugandan rebel group, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 8, 2024
Germany’s Scholz sees ‘sign of hope’ from Israeli hostage rescue
Germany’s Scholz sees ‘sign of hope’ from Israeli hostage rescue
Hostages
Berlin, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the release of four Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as an “important sign of hope.”
Writing on X, he said this was “especially true for the many families in Israel who continue to fear for their loved ones.
“Four hostages are now free. Hamas must finally release all hostages. The war must end,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight from two locations in the centre of the Gaza Strip. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 8, 2024
Israeli forces rescue 4 hostages from Gaza after 246 days
Israeli forces rescue 4 hostages from Gaza after 246 days
Rescue
Jerusalem, June 8, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Israeli forces on Saturday rescued four Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas into the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 2023 while 94 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in the same area.
The hostages, 25-year-old Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, 40, Almog Meir Jan, 21, and Andrey Kozlov, 27, were abducted while attending the Nova festival, an outdoor music event in a rural area near the Gaza-Israel fence.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari, stated that the four were located in proper medical condition in two buildings at the heart of Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp.
The IDF said the operation, which has been planned for weeks, was jointly carried out with the police’s elite National Counter Terror Unit and the Israel Security Agency.
One fighter was seriously injured during the operation.
In videos released by the government, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argamani on the phone.
Following the rescue of the four, 120 Israeli hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, with 43 of them considered by Israel as dead.
“We will do everything to get them back as well,” Hagari said.
Meanwhile, local medical sources said that 94 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat camp and some other areas in the central Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 8, 2024