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Jalal Arabi: An Administrator Per Excellence
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The appointment of Jalal Ahmed Arabi who combined technocrat and bureaucrat ideas to navigate the public service as Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON was not only timely , but a right step in the right direction, and to also right the wrongs bedeviling the religious agency.
Soon after his appointment was the preparation of 2024 Hajj operations and the granting of 80B subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mitigate the performance of this years pilgrimage by Nigeria contingents.
Coming from a well groomed public service laced with asymmetrical experience, Jalal jettisoned the business as usual prevalent at the commission to carry out a thorough assignment of repositioning the agency.
Also not in tandem with the business as usual, but the welfare of the pilgrims, he asserted his position and carried out a lot of administrative decisions that will not only promote the welfare of pilgrims, but detonate the singular impression that NAHCON was a conduit pipe to siphoning public funds.
He embarked on prudent management of resources and welfare of pilgrims while at the holy land and resisted sharp practices on the part of staffers who always take advantage of pilgrimage to amass needless wealth.
With a grounded experience, he read a riot act to staff on the provision of public service rules, and the desire not to be in contradiction with the privilege available to all and sundry.
He restated his commitment to reposition the agency having had enormous experiences and sane expectations from the public service by applying transparency, accountability, diligence and hard work on the part of staff of the commission.
Matching words with action , he asserted that it is not going to be business as usual, particularly in the area of remuneration, but reward system will be sustained for hard work and dedication to duty.
He was blunt on the issue of payment of emolument, entitlements and allowances while on the assignment, stating the obvious that government was constrained by continuing to pay by reducing the allowances and the need to imbibe prudence in the management of public resources.
In the history of Nigeria, Arabi announced the cutting down of cost on public funds and cancellation of some allowances in line with the operation of public funds, and did not mince his words through his actions and announcement to the general public.
While carrying out his reforms and executing the laudable programs in NAHCON, he provided options for workers of all categories engaged in the 2024 pilgrims operations to carry out their activities according to official schedules and timing provided by the commission by spending both the maximum day or the minimum period expected of staff at the holy land.
The announcement and decisions even though does not go down well with the staff, was part of his decision to reform and introduce a new code of conduct , away from the impression of coming to feast on the subsidy provided for pilgrims at the holy land by the government.
Even though, with some teething problems with the 2024 operations, the activities of fifth columnist, the new wave of administration applied by the new commission under Jalal Ahmed Arabi had paid off through timely operations of lifting the pilgrims to and fro the holy land.
The hue and cry of some stakeholders was not intended to distract the new agency , but a plot to raise needless alarm away for the illegal status quo put in place by the previous managers.
The success story of the 2024 Hajj operations under the leadership of Jalal Ahmed Arabi who assumed duty few months to the year’s operations was a testament of his versed knowledge, exposure, and grounded experience in public service , away from other instigations and public distractions , as he ensured the welfare of both contingents and staff of the commission were protected and avoided sharp practices.
For Jalal Ahmed Arabi, the 2042 Hajj operations will be a template needed subsequently to reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of avoidable administrative lapses, that was prevalent in its operations in the previous years.
This is in line with the code of conduct, prudent management of government resources and delivering on the mandate of the commission.
ABUBAKAR YUSUF Writes on yus.abubakar@gmail.com.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.