Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has called for greater investment in education by governments, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to develop global billionaires and industry leaders. Speaking at Ekiti State University’s 29th convocation, where he received an honorary Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa), Bamidele emphasized education’s role in national development and economic transformation.

He noted that developed nations in Asia, Europe, and North America have effectively used education to drive socio-economic progress. He urged Nigeria to adopt similar strategies by creating a competitive learning environment and making sustained investments in young people.

Bamidele highlighted how world-renowned entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Page, benefited from well-structured educational systems. He stressed that Nigeria could achieve similar success with the right policies and support.

Ekiti State University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ayodele Joseph commended Bamidele’s contributions to the institution, citing projects such as hostels for medical students, a mini stadium, and an FM radio station. He also credited the Senate Leader for facilitating an increase in the university’s monthly subvention from N260 million to N410 million.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has assured that the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport will operate 24 hours a day, positioning it as a competitive hub in the South-West. Speaking during his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor,” Oyebanji emphasized plans to enhance the airport’s infrastructure to attract airlines and facilitate pilgrimage flights by next year.

To support round-the-clock operations, the state government is set to install an Instrument Landing System (ILS), a technology that enables night operations and landings in extreme weather. The governor disclosed that the system, estimated to cost N4.6 billion, will be in place before the end of the year, making the airport only the second in the region after Lagos to have such a facility. Discussions are also underway with a vendor to provide a hangar for airport services.

Additionally, a cargo shed is under construction to serve as a storage facility for agricultural products and cash crops. Oyebanji credited Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for securing the project’s inclusion in the national budget.

The governor highlighted economic growth in the state, citing an increase in businesses, improved internally generated revenue, and enhanced security. He expressed confidence that the airport, once operational, would be among the most competitive in the country.

The House of Representatives has adopted a report recommending major reforms in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to improve the Hajj experience, enhance transparency, and prevent financial mismanagement.

A key recommendation is the creation of a Hajj Tribunal to handle contract breaches, financial disputes, and service failures involving NAHCON, tour operators, and pilgrims. According to Sada Soli, chairman of the ad-hoc committee, the tribunal will provide a platform for pilgrims to seek redress for grievances.

The House also called for a review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which currently allows Saudi-owned airlines to airlift 50% of Nigerian pilgrims. Lawmakers argue that this arrangement has negatively impacted domestic airlines that have demonstrated the capacity for the airlift. The government has been directed to renegotiate the agreement to ensure a fairer distribution of contracts.

To improve financial transparency, NAHCON must publish a breakdown of all Hajj charges, justify costs, and implement a uniform fee structure with clear variations where applicable. The House also recommended increasing the $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to better support pilgrims.

Accommodation management is to be decentralized, allowing state pilgrims welfare boards and private tour operators to negotiate benchmark prices. A service rating system for accommodation providers will be introduced, alongside timely fund disbursement to prevent last-minute changes that force pilgrims into substandard hotels. NAHCON must also implement an effective refund mechanism and impose penalties on service providers who fail to meet contractual obligations.

The House further directed NAHCON to establish a complaints and resolution unit to handle grievances related to accommodation, feeding, transportation, and other services. It must also ensure that official Hajj visas are issued transparently to registered tour operators in proportion to the number of pilgrims they manage.

Warning against unilateral decision-making, lawmakers urged NAHCON to engage tour operators, airlines, state pilgrims welfare boards, and regulatory agencies in policy decisions. The commission must also strengthen its enforcement capacity to ensure compliance with Hajj standards.

On feeding, the House recommended that Nigerian food caterers be contracted to provide culturally appropriate meals for pilgrims.

Additionally, the House has directed anti-graft agencies and the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAGF) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the N90 billion federal subsidy allocated to NAHCON for the 2024 Hajj operations.