The Companion (an association of Muslim men in business and professions) has described the retiring Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NACHON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan as an astute hajj administrator whose indelible mark at the commission would stand the test of time in Nigeria.
A statement by the National Amir of the faith-based non-governmental organization, Alh. Kamil Olalekan and the Public Affairs Secretary Muideen Adeleke, acknowledged the fact that Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan succeeded in raising the bar of hajj administration in Nigeria albeit in Africa, with the ground breaking reforms adopted to revolutionise all aspects of the operations of the commission.
The group recalled that even though the retiring NAHCON Chairman faced daunting challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of his appointment, he hit the ground running and never looked back on making Nigeria a role model in hajj management globally.
The Companion believed that Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan would be fondly remembered for ensuring the take-off of the Hajj Saving Scheme; establishment of the Hajj Institute for the training of hajj operators; making the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NACHON self-financing; increased awareness and sensitization on hajj by taking the message to the grassroots and for driving the policy of inclusivity and openness in hajj management.
The group therefore congratulated the legal expert for his enviable track record spanning about two decades including his times at Tafsan Private Hajj Operators and as the Amirul-hajj for almost eight years in Osun State.
Specifically, The Companion lauded the painstaking efforts of Alhaji Kunle Hassan at repositioning the Hajj administration in Nigeria while in office as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON and wished him good health and more success in the future.
While commending the present government for its policy of meritocracy in the appointment of Nigerians into positions of authority, the group stressed the need to embrace inclusivity to engender a sense of belonging that bridges ethnic and religious divides. “We particularly observed the lopsidedness in the appointments so far made from the South West geopolitical zone, which have been largely skewed against adherents of Islam despite the overwhelming support the President received from Muslims. We are hopeful the administration will correct this anomaly soonest.”
