NAHCON inspects projects nationwide

The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has embarked on a familiarization and inspection tour of NAHCON’s ongoing projects across the country.

Among his entourage are the three permanent commissioners of NAHCON, the Commission’s most senior staff, Dr. lbrahim Sodangi, Director Admin and Human Resources and other members of management staff.

The delegation paid respect to the seat of government in various states and their royal fathers seeking cooperation for NAHCON’s plans as well as to acquaint them with new developments.

Also among the NAHCON team’s itinerary is a solidarity visit to the state’s Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions to identify with their hard work while advocating for more dedication. At the same time, the team inspects the hajj development levy project for assessment of works.

During the tour, Hassan enjoined their support for the success of upcoming Hajj Savings Scheme program (HSS) and establishment of the Hajj Training Institute. The NAHCON boss disclosed that among the goals of the board was to see how it could cut down the number of days spent by Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during hajj, a pledge to make hajj fare affordable through some financial engineering, and digitalization of hajj operations.

Though, he acknowledged that achieving all these would not come easy, especially with hajj fare components being foreign exchange dependent, nevertheless, he promised that NAHCON would ensure affordability of hajj for all Muslims in Nigeria. And one of the soonest ways of achieving this is through the Hajj Savings Scheme.

The NAHCON boss, lamented that an intending pilgrim must not go into a business or financial suicide in order to raise money for hajj. Alternatively he can enroll in the scheme to save for the appropriate time and hopefully raise dividends simultaneously. This is the ultimate goal of the HSS.

Hassan solicited their advice and criticisms for better hajj administration in Nigeria. The Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, expressed optimism that for the fact that international hajj did not take place in 2020, hajj fare would have been lower.

Similarly, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, expressed gladness over the Hajj Saving Scheme, noting that the government should not be spending money to sponsor pilgrimage.

The royal father recalled that hajj management in Nigeria has become better through the years. He expressed gratitude that this visit will be remembered for being the first of its kind to his institution.

The delegation has also visited the governors and emirs of Bauchi state, Kwara state, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.

In continuation with familiarization tours, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman’s delegation was at Usman Katsina House, Kaduna and Zazzau (Zaria) emirate,

While discussing, the Chairman informed the gatherings of his board’s vision. In particular, the introduction of the Hajj Savings Scheme, the Hajj Training Institute, and the hope of negotiating reduction of days spent during Hajj.

Hassan informed the State Governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai of the Commission’s plan to open an outreach office in Kaduna to facilitate its operations in the state. “This is to ease management of Hajj affairs in the state being among those with large numbers of contingents to Hajj”.

Representative of the Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i, the Secretary to the State Government, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, assured the NAHCON chairman of the state government’s support for all its plans and in establishing a NAHCON outreach office in the state.

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, congratulated and prayed for the success of the new board.

He commended the Federal government for forming such a formidable team.