University of Ilorin, Kwara State, in Central Nigeria, has emerged the 2017 university of first choice among student-applicants as the foremost citadel of learning in the country.It is followed by 17 others from 148 officially recognised universities in Nigeria drawn from the federal, state and private institutions, the Economic Confidential reports. In a new report obtained and carefully computed and analysed report by Economic Intelligence magazine from Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on the preferred first university of choice in 2017, University of Ilorin has the highest applications with 104,038 student-applicants. The figure represents almost about 10 per cent…

In Saudi Arabia, more than 1.7 million pilgrims are marking the start of the hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday by circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca - Islam's holiest site - and performing a series of rites that trace the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe the rites also trace the footsteps of prophets Ibrahim and Ismail - Abraham and Ishmael in the Bible. Kaaba represents the metaphorical house of God and the oneness of God in Islam. Observant Muslims around the world face toward the Kaaba during the five daily prayers. Hajj is required of all Muslims once in a…