The Nigerian Senate has made it clear that the statements regarding the potential increase of the age limit to 18 years were individual viewpoints.

The Senate stressed that any adjustments to the age limit would require proper legislative procedures, whether they involve lowering or raising the limit.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, made this known in an interview with journalists on Wednesday.

Recall that last week, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, stated that the government is thinking about changing the minimum age for entering universities to 18 years old.

“Comment on the minimum age requirement for admission is not a law,” the lawmaker said.

“So it is just an opinion. It’s not a law. By the time the Senate resumes, whoever wants to bring that one out to make it a law, will now bring it and then the procedures will take place.

“You can bring whatever to the floor in form of a bill. When you bring it, there’s going to be public hearing.

“All the stakeholders will sit down and talk about it. The parents, teachers, legislators, civil society organisations, even foreign organisations.

“We will sit down and talk. Even if they say that the minimum age should be 30 or 12, we will all discuss it in an open forum. So it’s still a comment which cannot be taken to be the law.”

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed June 5 for report of settlement in a case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, over alleged abuse of the naira.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 17 arraigned Okechukwu on three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.

Justice Kehinde Ogundare had then adjourned the case until May 2, for hearing of the preliminary objection and trial.

When the case was called on Thursday, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), announced appearance for the defendant .

The defence counsel informed the court that the parties were exploring a settlement and have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

He told the court that if the prosecution confirmed the position as true, there would be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection and allow for a reconciliation.

In response, the prosecutor confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the application was still being considered.

Following the position, the defence counsel applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection since there was no objection from the prosecution and the court granted the same.

The court, consequently, adjourned the case until June 5, for the report of settlement.

In the charge, the defendant was said to have tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500, while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotels and Suites.

The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

The EFCC had on April 5 secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has reached an advanced stage in the processing of entry visa for the 2024 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman, NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, said this at the Maiden Stakeholders Summit on Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry on Thursday in Abuja.

Arabi said that the commission had scheduled May 15 for the inaugural flight of the 2024 Hajj.

He said that the approved air carriers were ready to transport all Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
from over 10 departures centres.

” We as a board of NAHCON and team will be meeting with the air carriers later today to fashion out the departure centres and of course our partners in the aviation sector will also join us,” he said.

The NAHCON boss said that all pilgrims from states would visit Madinah for the maximum of four days before the commencement of Hajj rites.

” This is major change from the operations of Hajj in the last decade. All stakeholders are working to provide effective and efficient services to the guest of Allah (pilgrims).

” And this underscores the importance of this summit. The preparations for this year’s Hajj is characterised by different challenges but to God be the glory we are able to overcome the challenges.

” I can proudly say that close to 65,500 pilgrims of the States Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions and the Tour operators will be participating in this year’s Hajj,” he said.

He said that the commission under his watch was ready to partner, collaborate with stakeholders and work as a team for the successful conduct of the 2024 Hajj operation.

Arabi lauded Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his continued support for the commission.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III for his continued guidance to the leadership of NAHCON.

Earlier, the Rector of the institute, Prof. Mohammed Maiturare, said the summit was intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering cooperation and collaboration between NAHCON, states pilgrims broads, tour operators and all stakeholders in Hajj industry.

” Through open dialogue, knowledge sharing and a commitment to working together we can address challenges and potential destructions that might arise and ensure the successful execution of the 2024 Hajj,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day summit was organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria established by the NAHCON.