Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

The moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia declared that the Shawwal crescent could not be sighted in the Kingdom today.

As a result, the holy month of Ramadan will continue until April 9, lasting 30 days.

Eid Al Fitr will, therefore, be observed on April 10.

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia had called on all Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the Shawwal crescent on the evening of Monday, Ramadan 29.

The sighting of the Shawwal moon marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr.

Earlier, the International Astronomical Center had said that some countries that marked the beginning of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, would expect a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting might be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, leading to a conjunction occurring after sunset.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 9th and Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 as Public Holidays to mark the Islamic festival, Eid-el-Fitr.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government congratulated the Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy

month of Ramadan.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako who disclosed this in statement on Sunday in Abuja said the minister called on Muslims “to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighbourliness, compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).”

“He urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of Unity in order to improve and achieve peace and oneness in the country.

“The Minister wishes all Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and prays that the peace, blessings and favour of Allah be with everyone and our Great Nation”, the statement added.

It was learned that the gunmen contacted the families of the victims and informed them of their demands.

Agroup of gunmen who abducted three students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) on Thursday, March 28, have demanded N14 million to release two, FIJ has learned.

It was learned that the gunmen contacted the families of the victims and informed them of their demands.

governor of Russia’s Murmansk region was stabbed on April 4 after a meeting with residents in a local town hall, Russian news agencies quoted the governor’s press service as saying.

Governor Andrei Chibis was attacked in the city of Apatity and wounded in the stomach, the agencies reported, quoting the governor’s press service.

“There was an armed attack and [Chibis] suffered a knife wound in the stomach. The attacker has been detained,” the reports said.

Chibis’s press service confirmed to Interfax that the governor was wounded and hospitalized. The agencies reported that he was taken to Apatitsko-Kirov hospital.

“The governor is currently in surgery. He is conscious and made his own way to his car. On his way to the hospital he was talking and answering questions,” the reports said, describing him as “courageous” and “cheerful.”

TASS reported that his life was not in danger.

There was no information about a possible motive for the assault.

Telegram channel Baza said the alleged attacker is a 42-year-old resident of Apatity. It said he was wounded during his arrest.

Chibis was appointed acting governor of the Murmansk region in March 2019 by a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin. Later that year he was elected with 60 percent of the vote on the first ballot. His term is scheduled to end in September

Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded the Bauchi State Government over the new appointment of a State Diaspora Focal Point Officer (SDFPO), Dr. Esther Ahmed.

According to a statement by Gabriel Odu of the media and publicity unit today April 4, the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi who received the SDFPO in Abuja, on behalf of the NIDCOM Boss, urged the new Officer to be pragmatic, diligent, and forward-thinking in building and sustaining relations with the Bauchi indigenes in the Diaspora, towards effective grassroots engagement and Development National.

He assured her that the Commission is ready to help, work together within its strength, for a successful tripartite engagement.

Dr. Esther Ahmed commending the NiDCOM Chairman for all the strides the Commission has made, said that she will deploy the necessary strategies to relate with Bauchi people in the Diaspora to hit the ground running.

Other States that have also appointed State Dispora Focal Point Officers include: Adamawa, Anambra,Benue, Ebonyi, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Lagos, Nasarawa, Plateau, Yobe, Zamfara and FCT.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has reiterated enforcement of approved guidelines as a condition to enjoy the new retirement age of 65 years old and length of service of 40 years for teachers in Osun public schools.

This is contained in a circular issued by Mr Ayanleye Aina, the Osun State Head of Service, on Tuesday in Osogbo.

also said that the eligible officer would be required to apply six months before he or she attains the age of 60 years or 35 years of service, whichever was earlier.

Among others, the guidelines also state that the application must be endorsed by the head teacher or principal of the eligible officer and addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

It, however, states that the period of extension is not pensionable, and directs the Ministry of Finance and the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, to stop the payment of salaries to those already enjoying the new retirement age without fulfilling the conditions.

The circular reads: “I wish to refer to our Circulars Ref. Nos. SMD.61/VOL.III/36 dated 31st May 2022 and SMD.61/Vol.IV/52 dated 20th October 2023 on the above subject. I reiterate that the conditions stated in the aforementioned circulars still subsist.

“Consequently, all those already enjoying the new retirement age and length of service without fulfilling the necessary prerequisites have, by this circular, ceased to enjoy such benefits until compliance with the Circulars.

“For the purpose of emphasis, for any officer to enjoy the new retirement age and length of service, the concerned officer is requested to ensure that the guidelines are strictly adhered to.

“For the avoidance of doubt, a copy of the guidelines under reference is hereby attached. Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government are requested to ensure wide circulation of this Circular and strict compliance.”

Bandits, on Tuesday, attacked a mosque in Gusau, capital of Zamfara state, and abducted scores of worshippers.

According to Daily Trust, the kidnappers stormed the Mosque when Muslim faithful were observing the famous congregational prayer, Tahajjud

Tahajjud is special prayer being observed by Muslims in every last 10 days of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

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