Stakeholders laud new NAHCON boss, harp on pilgrims welfare

More encomiums have continued to throng in for the newly appointed chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, Dhikrullah Hassan, as stakeholders urged him to give the welfare of pilgrims the deserved priority.

Numerous Islamic groups including Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, NASFAT, The Muslim Congress (TMC), Al-Muminat (The believing women), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Lagos Muslim Community (UMC), Lagos Community Central Mosque and Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jamat, have expressed joy over the confirmation Hassan and wished him a successful tenure.

Executive Secretary Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rahman Ishola, said: The appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari and eventual confirmation by the Senate aptly confirms the capability of Hassan to effectively manage and stir the ship of the commission in the right direction.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi assured that Lagos State is ready to partner and cooperate with him in order to achieve a successful tenure in office.He noted that the new NAHCON boss is eminently qualified for the post considering his pedigree as a thoroughbred Islamic scholar who knows his onions.

Vice Chairman Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy said: “We believe your appointment is well deserve and will take the commission to greater height.“We urged you to render selfless service to the operation in order to ensure that the commission continues to record success in hajj operation.

“The Commission should pay more attention on pilgrim welfares’, in a way that pilgrims receive best of treatment throughout their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.“We also, recommend early preparation both material and spiritual for average Nigeria Pilgrims. “Comprehensive policy should be put in place to guide hajj operation.

“This administration should focus more on effectiveness of successive pilgrimage,” he added.
Chairman, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Community (UMC), Lai Olurode, said the new chairman needs to receive briefings from all stakeholders, study important reports and never take decisions based on emotions.

“ We urged the new Chairman to give utmost attention to issues of planning, welfare and logistics. To be more specific, solid arrangements must be put in place for frequent interactions between state Hajj Pilgrims Boards and the National Hajj Commission for there to be synergy and cooperation.

“The image of Nigeria is at stake. As a matter of fact, the National Hajj Commission is to coordinate activities of the state boards. In all these, the welfare of pilgrims and their perceptions remain the yardstick to judge effectiveness of Hajj operations.

“Concrete contracts must be sealed with aircraft owners on flight schedule – both for departure and return journey. “Movements within Saudi Arabia must be well coordinated and reception must be warm. No Nigerian pilgrim must be left at the mercy of others, no matter how philanthropic those others might be. Nigerians must not be turned into beggars in Saudi on account of flight delays or poor communication.

Amirah of Al-Muminat (The believing women), Hajia Nimotallahi Qadri said: “We urge you to maintain your good personality, give a listening hear and always seek Allah’s guidance in every decision you take. Endeavour to seek guidance from Ideal Islamic scholars in the country while discharging your duties, as this will enhance maximum performance”.

Amir (President) Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Dr. Saheed Ashafa: said: “On welfarism, wellbeing of Pilgrims must be held in high esteem not only on paper but in reality. Pilgrims from same state should be lodged with concern for proximity. They should be able to locate themselves without undue stress as it is often experienced.

“On education and enlightenment, NAHCON should emphasise on the need to educate and enlighten pilgrims by various boards and private operators on rudiments of Islam and patriotic values to protect the Country’s image.

“Embarrassment being caused Nigeria by ignorant pilgrims must be seen to have been addressed. Pilgrims must return from hajj more pious and better educated. “Long stay in Saudi Arabia due to flight arrangement and other logistics should be consciously reviewed and reduced to a bearable minimum,” he stated.

The Waali, The Muslim Congress, Lagos State, said: “Whilst we pray that your leadership brings the much-desired sanity to Hajj operation in Nigeria, we enjoin that you look into the perennial challenges associated with performing the Hajj rites by Nigerians such as the exorbitant cost of undertaking the Hajj considering the prevailing economic straits”. He said NAHCON should look at developing a strategy that will ensure that all pilgrims observe at least the minimum rites of hajj as against the current practice of some states pilgrim board.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, AbdulAzeez Folorunsho Alatoye said: We humbly wishes Haj Dhikrullah Hassan , the new chairman of the National Hajj Commission Allah (SWT) guidance, wisdom and good health in his assignments.
In Islam every service to humanity earns a great reward.

We urged you to use your good office to promote Islam and ensure good service delivery to Nigeria Muslims performing Umar and Hajj.
Chief Missioner of Nasrul Lahil-L-Fatih Society, NASFAT, Imam Mahroof Abdulazeez Onike said: Barrister Dhikrullai Kunle Hassan is someone who knows the implication of holding position of trust, he need no advice. But Almighty Allah says in His Book “And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers (Q51:55). Having said that, to refer to our brother’s new responsibility, as herculean is an understatement.

“This is because of the high expectations of the public from a man who would be in charge of ensuring that, Nigerian Muslims fulfill one of the pillars of their religion with little or no stress. To achieve this however requires passion, dedication, commitment, patience, principle, selflessness, fairness and most importantly fear of Allah otherwise referred to as piety from the holder of the position of the head of the Organization responsible for Hajj arrangements.

“These attributes are complete in Brother Hassan. As someone I had worked closely with when he was the Executive Secretary of NASFAT and having known him for close to two decades. I have no doubt in my mind that, there is a new sheriff in town. “With good people around him who share the same values of selflessness and truthfulness, he would succeed in sha’a Allah,” he said.