'After Hajj Exercise What Next'

An interview of some Pilgrims that per took in the 1435 Hajj exercise(2014); sharing their experiences and impact of the hajj exercise in their lives
EXCERPT:

(Alhaji Monzur Dawud Olowosago, Publisher ORIWU SUN NEWSPAPER, A community Newspaper that will celebrate its 30 years of existence in April 2015).

" '1435 Hajj is an exercise without stress.' : Having experienced Hajj exercise for 18 years consecutively, first and foremost will like to look at the performance of those in charge of this exercise and I will prefer to rate the performance of both the Saudi Government and Lagos State Government high. For the Saudi Government, their ability to turn and reduce hajj exercise from a frustrated one 18 years ago to a stress free one in the last five years earned them this reward. They've really impressed me technology wise compared to my first year experience I 1996 to the Holy Land where at Arafat, you don’t use rug to sleep but on a floor, mosquitoes here and there and in fact pilgrims were jam-packed to a particular area. Having lots of pilgrims packed in a place...hunnn,,, it was hell then but now things changes yearly. Beside the money they realized from oil, they have positively invested the revenue they generate from their tourism to the development of their country. There is no year you will not recognize new development in their environs. Is it the Kaabah or Jamran or the new hotels and inns, their hospitality towards pilgrims and in fact their health sector. It’s a place you will always want to be yearly if you can afford it. Their government have made the system so regulated that averagely all citizens can afford a mini Air Condition. I will rate those 95 percent in all. For example, 'Kaaba alone now generates about 4000 mega watts,' information I got from their literature review. The development: Air Condition seen at every nooks and crannies of their environment, 24hrs light on, no case of light-out for a second, all these have reduced number of death rate of pilgrims yearly. They are conscious of people’s health and theirs as well and there was no case of disease what so ever despite the population, i wish Nigerian Government could learn from their Government to help improve our own country. Secondly, Lagos State Government part, I’m not just impressed both overwhelmed with their performances and handling of the yearly exercise, especially in the last five-six years. I can only speak for Lagos State anyway because I followed them yearly and in fact National Hajj Commission rated them one for their fantastic performance. They've made hajj exercise what i will call 'hajj without stress' in terms of food, basic amenities and in some cases providing funds for pilgrims, and also their medical personnel, among others, are fantastic right from Nigeria here to the holy land. But as we know, no matter how tiny we slice an onion it will have the good and the weak side, both arms still need to improve their dealings in one way or the other. For the Saudi Government, they need to allow pilgrims to take their local food to the holy land and not ban it. This is because not every pilgrims or visitors can afford to eat their (Saudi) local prepared food. The Lagos State Government on their part, to me, needs to help in area of accommodation. We can still be having at most 3 pilgrims in a room and not the five to six numbers managing a room. Lastly, hajj exercise has help increase and strengthen my faith. My prayer point is always granted each year i performed hajj and I’ve prayed to Almighty Allah to still help me improve my faith."-

(Alhaji Kazeem Ganiyu Sanni)"
'Hajj experience helps to strengthen my faith, beside I’m mostly impressed by the way rich Saudis assist the average/poor ones genuinely without any biased or should I say eye-service.' Though I was not at the last hajj but penultimate one, but my experience initially was very funny. As we all know, it’s important to settle ones family and be sure of oneself before embarking on this exercise, when I got there, I first missed the bus that would have conveyed us from our hotel to where we will tawaf, so I had to trek, in the process i missed road though stressful and hectic but was later directed to the right place by those that knows the way. I thank God that my entire request was granted but what impressed me most was the way the rich ones give out gifts genuinely without biased mind. One is just amused at people's behaviour over there, the system there is well regulated to the extent of having the assurance of buying and seeing quality things in any super market/ shop you find yourself. It’s a place you will always pray to go yearly and I pray Almighty Allah in his infinite mercy grant my wish because i wish to go there again. The Ramah of Allah in that holy land has help improved my faith greatly." -

(Ridwan Arole, a Businessman)
"Hajj 1435 is my first experience and it was lovely, right from Nigeria down to the Holy Land. The Lagos State Government really tried for the pilgrims. We were given meals though not thrice daily but they tried and for the Saudi Government, there health sector was fantastic-drugs were given free and it's not a situation where you have headache and will be given leg or body pain medicine. You are sure of getting original things wherever you go in Mecca as there system is so regulated that you can get fake things in their shops. Besides, there is no cause for alarm in any angle, whatever intention you have before going and while you are there, whether good or bad, you will definitely see the reward before leaving the holy land. Infract, I'm impressed, short of words-what more can I say. I’m happy that I’m among those that per take in this last hajj and I pray to Allah in his infinite mercy not to make it my last, because i still wish to go more and more."-

(Miftau Jimoh, an online Journalist)
"I was geared up by the way the Pakistanis, Indonesians, Arabians supplicate to Almighty Allah. Though my mission back then was two sided-spiritual and journalistic purpose. I followed an airline to cover event, though was able to practice the hajj spiritually but I’m meant to cover the exercise from the airline's angle. The little time I spent with other pilgrims from other countries: Arabs, Indonesia, Pakistan, the white generally, gave me an insight of how Islam should truly be practiced. Their ways and attitudes toward SOLAT prayers especially, have a positive impact in my way of practicing Islam now. It’s not that I’m not practicing well before going for the Hajj, but I became sounder and willingly spend most of the right time with Almighty. In fact, my imaan has improved positively, though going to the Holy land is not a prerequisite of one’s attitude towards Islam, it is a personal decision for one to change once attitude positively or not. For me, after performing hajj, have realized that Solat prayer is not just to pray and start outlining prayer points to Allah but it is a duty we must perform as a true believer to Allah and for any prayer points, we can observe Tahjuud at midnight to seek whatever we want from Allah."

Eurostar looks to the future with new e320 trains

European airlines beware: Euro-star, the high-speed train company connecting London with Brussels and Paris, has just upped its game.
On Thursday, the company unveiled its new e320 train at London's St. Pancras Station. The new train will go into commercial service at the end of 2015. The e320 is named for its max speed -- 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph).
"Over the last twenty years, we have led the way in cross-Channel high speed rail travel, cementing the link between the UK and mainland Europe," said Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, in a statement to the press.

While airplane passengers increasingly have to endure shrinking legroom, the new Eurostar trains have been built to be roomy. The ergonomically-designed reclining seats are wider, and each comes with its own USB socket and touch sensitive light controls.
“The combination of bold design, chic interiors and wi-fi connectivity will raise the bar, providing an unprecedented level of style and comfort for our customers," added Petrovic.
Other on-board perks include a 20% increase in capacity per train (seven trains will join the fleet next year), free wi-fi, and increased luggage areas. The design comes courtesy of Pininfarina, the Italian design studio that has worked with the likes of Ferrari and Maserati.
The new design was unveiled to coincide with Eurostar's 20-year anniversary. During that time, the company has served over 150 million customers, though Petrovic believes that's just the tip of the iceberg. Next year, Eurostar also plans to expand its network to include direct service to Provence, with stops in Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, followed by the launch of a direct route to Amsterdam in 2016.

PHIA Manager tasks Workers over laziness and isolation of duties

The regional general manager, South South and South East of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Mrs Ebere Okoye has advised the Portharcourt International Airport PHIA, staffs to be dedicated to their duty and also carry out their duth in team as this will help enhance efficiency and success at the airport.

Mrs Okoye gave this advise at the unveiling of the reconstructed class room blocks located at the airport, reminding the workers that success can never be achieved in an isolation.

She cautioned them against sharp practices and insubordination for they were vices that always bring down a carrier civil servant and advised them to desist from it.

Mrs Okoye, who clocked two years as the regional general manager, reiterated that all hands must be on deck to achieve any set goal and further cited the way Ebola was contained in the country. To her this was done with collective responsibilties of every Nigerian.

She noted that the airport will soon be given a face-lift as soon as its terminal was completed and appealed to airport users to bear with the management as the tough times they are going through will soon be over.

Mrs Okoye later appealed to all stakeholders in the sector and the Rivers state government to contribute their quota to the development of the airport adding that government can not do it alone.

Pilot Strike affects Airfrance profits

Air France-KLM has said last month's pilots' strike cost it €416m (£328m) in lost revenues as it reported third-quarter operating profit fell by more than half.

The airline said this on its website adding that operating profit fell to €247m from €641m a year ago.

It also affirmed that the combined effect of the strike and seasonal dip in fourth-quarter demand would remove €500m from its €2.3bn earnings target for 2014.

The airline said it will also adjust investments and cut costs in 2015.

"Over and above the effects of the strike, we also predict that the market will remain sluggish in the fourth quarter," Air France finance director Pierre-Francois Riolacci said n the airline's website

The European economy was still lacklustre, he added, but the effect on activity from concerns over Ebola remained limited.

But he denied Dutch news reports that the airline was looking at major job cuts at KLM, saying there were "no drastic or emergency measures which need to be declared".

"The airline shares stood at 1.38% lower to €6.55 in morning trade," the website says

Air France said it could also look at selling its remaining 4.4 % stake in reservation systems Amadeus as a way of boosting its finances. The airline has already reduced its shareholding in the last month.

"Our Amadeus stake immediately springs to mind but the formula is a little wider than that, and we have to look at all the possibilities for action in the current environment," Mr Riolacci said, adding that fleet plans would also be up for discussion.

Air-France has yet to take delivery of a final two Airbus 380 aircraft from an original order for 12.

Mr Riolacci said the airline had the option to swap those aircraft for two smaller A350s, which could help reduce costs, but added no decision had been made yet.

Zambian President Michael Sata dies at 77

Zambian President Michael Sata, who according to the country's national radio was nicknamed "King Cobra" for his fiery tongue and larger-than-life personality, has die.

Officials did not disclose a cause of death. But Sata had traveled to London for unspecified medical treatment last week.

He died in a hospital there Tuesday evening, the government-owned Zambia Daily Mail said.

Sata took office in September 2011 after the incumbent President tearfully conceded in a televised speech, a rare moment in a continent known for volatile elections and leaders fighting their defeat tooth-and-nail

Work Commences on Multi-storey Car Park at MMIA

Work has officially commenced on the multi-storey car park at the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.
Spokesperson for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)disclosed this recently adding that the car park which occupies a 9,000 square meter land area, located close to the international terminal building, is expected to accommodate 5,000 cars on completion.

"The construction of this new multi-story car park was necessitated by the need to minimise the inconvenience experienced by airport users as a result of inadequate parking space at the airport. It is also expected that the proximity of the new car park to the international terminal will make transportation easier for passengers," he said.

SAHCOL acquires additional equipment for efficient service delivery

In a bid to improve the face of ground handling in Nigeria, in line with International best practices, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has again taken delivery of additional Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

The equipment, manufactured by TUG, United States; Denge, United Kingdom and TBD, United Kingdom, includes Conveyor Belt Loaders and Baggage Tractors; Baggage Carts; Pallet & Container Dollies, respectively, which are already being deployed to further improve services to clients across the network. Also as part of the growing profile of the Company, SAHCOL was awarded the contracts to provide ground handling services to Max Air, Kabo Air, West Link Air, Medview Airline and Skypower Airline for the outbound and inbound of the on-going Hajj Operations.

The company currently handled seventy-five outbound flights, from Nigeria to the Saudi Arabia operated by these airlines, from Lagos, Ilorin, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, Dustse/Yola and Portharcourt.