Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has concluded arrangements to refund over N95 million to 1,572 pilgrims, who performed the 2023 Hajj exercise from the state.

The Director-General of the board, Alhaji Ahmad Labbo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, on Wednesday.

Labbo said the refund was for some services not rendered to the pilgrims while in the Holy Land.

He said that each of the beneficiaries would receive N61, 080 through his/her bank account.

“This refund is for 2023 Hajj exercise and the total amount to be paid is N95, 156,680 in respect of 1,571 pilgrims.

“And if you divide the said amount by the number of the pilgrims, the refund stood at N61, 080 to each of the 1,517 pilgrims that performed Hajj in 2023 from the state,” he said.

The board, he said, instructed zonal officers to obtain bank account details of the beneficiaries at their respective areas.

“This is what we are doing now and as soon as we are through, all the 1,517 pilgrims from Jigawa will be refunded with the aforementioned amount,” he explained.

The Katsina Zonal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has buried second-hand bales of clothes seized for more than four years in the state.

The exercise took place in Katsina on Wednesday, at the special refuse dump provided by the state’s emergency management agency at Barawa, in Batagarawa local government area.

The event was in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and the state emergency management agency.

The NCS Controller in the state, Mr Abba Aji said the disposal of the seized second-hand clothes worth millions of naira was necessary because they have begun to decay.

“Before taking the decision to bury these seized bales of clothes, we consulted with various stakeholders, especially the officials of NESREA and that of the state emergency management agency.

“When I assumed duty as the Controller not long ago, I realised that the seized items had decayed, becoming a hazard to public health and also the environment.

“In order to be free from such a situation, we have to consult NESREA and other stakeholders for support to evacuate and dispose of the pre-owned clothes,” he explained.

Responding, the state Coordinator of the NESREA, Alhaji Jibrin Inuwa-Kwankwaso said the agency advised the NCS to bury the decayed clothes instead of burning, to prevent air pollution.

He explained that the decision was due to the modern methods provided for evacuating refuse and preventing the contamination of the environment.

“Burning such items is dangerous to the environment. This had to be done to ensure a healthy environment,” the coordinator said.

Also, a Director from the state environmental agency, Dr Imrana Idris-Nadabo said the state government under Gov. Dikko Radda provided the refuse dump.

He said that the decision to dispose of the pre-owned clothes at the location was due to the mutual understanding and collaboration between the agency and the NCS.

According to him, the state government will not relent in its efforts to collaborate with other partners towards keeping the environment clean and healthy.

The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its

Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.

Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.

Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.

He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.

The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”

He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.

The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.

He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”

According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support

Local communities.

He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.

The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states

Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.