The European Union (EU) on Saturday advised airlines to avoid the Lebanese and Israeli airspace for the next month due to escalating air strikes and rocket fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The European Commission, alongside the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), issued a warning about the “overall intensification of air strikes and degradation in the security situation.”

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The advisory recommends airlines “not to operate within the airspaces of Lebanon and Israel at all flight levels” until at least October 31, although this date could change depending on the situation.

The alert, part of a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB), may be “reviewed earlier and adapted or withdrawn” if the situation stabilizes.

“EASA will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the agency said, noting that any future updates would depend on how the conflict evolves.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been rising, with Israeli bombardment of southern Beirut on Friday reaching its highest intensity since the 2006 war between the two sides.

Israel claimed responsibility for an airstrike that allegedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, while the Iran-backed group retaliated with rocket fire aimed at a kibbutz and military targets in northern Israel.

With the security situation rapidly deteriorating, European authorities are focusing on ensuring the safety of airline operators and passengers flying in the region.

In a significant move to advance the establishment of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), President Bola Tinubu has submitted the names of the first Governing Board members to the Senate for confirmation.

This development was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy.

The move comes after President Tinubu signed the North West Development Commission Bill into law on July 24, solidifying efforts to establish the commission.

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The NWDC is expected to drive economic growth and social development across the North West region.

According to the statement, Ambassador Haruna Ginsau from Jigawa has been nominated as Chairman, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji from Kano is the pick for Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO).

The other nominated board members are:
Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe (Sokoto), Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi), Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara), Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman (Kaduna), Hon. Engr. Muhammad Ali Wudil (Kano), Shamsu Sule (Katsina), Nasidi Ali (Jigawa)

The statement highlighted the expectation that these individuals will bring their extensive experience to support the Commission’s objectives of fostering growth and development in the region.

President Tinubu’s administration further reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the NWDC’s mission to deliver long-term development and economic empowerment for the North West.

The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) has raised serious concerns regarding a staggering debt of over N15 billion owed to its members by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

This alarming revelation was made by AHUON President Abdullateef Ekundayo in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja.

Ekundayo explained that it is customary for the Saudi government to issue refunds to participating countries after each Hajj season based on three specific criteria: services paid for but not rendered, services that were poorly delivered, and security deposits for tents.

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He emphasized that NAHCON owes its members refunds related to these categories from the 2022 Hajj operations to the present.

The AHUON President disclosed that NAHCON confirmed receiving 20 million Saudi Riyals in refunds from Saudi authorities as early as December 2023.

However, he criticized the commission for failing to formally notify the operators about this refund or discuss payment modalities.

“If not for the EFCC’s investigation into the commission, we wouldn’t have known about this payment,” he said, expressing frustration at the lack of communication.

Further complicating matters, Ekundayo highlighted that during the recently concluded 2024 Hajj operations, NAHCON received and retained over N2.7 billion in caution deposits from tour operators.

According to their agreement, these funds were to be released two weeks after the Hajj’s conclusion, but NAHCON has not refunded any of the companies that applied for it.

Instead, they have reportedly requested additional payments for the 2023 Hajj deposits.

The AHUON President lamented that many members have passed away while waiting for these refunds and expressed concern over the commission’s failure to publish a list of companies eligible for refunds, as previously agreed upon.

He pointed out that some members have significant balances in their Saudi accounts that remain inaccessible, adding, “Our members receive nothing as income from the amounts we deposit annually.”

In response to these allegations, NAHCON has stated that it is committed to addressing the concerns raised by AHUON.

The commission’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Fatima Usara, acknowledged the issues regarding accumulated refunds and emphasized that NAHCON has maintained ongoing communication with AHUON.

She attributed the delays in resolving financial matters to the complexities involved in Hajj operations, which require coordination with multiple stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.

“NAHCON wishes to reassure AHUON and the public that it has no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds,” Usara added, as both parties seek a resolution to this pressing financial dispute.