2023 Hajj: Senate assures Nigerian pilgrims of hitch-free exercise

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Adamu Bulkachuwa, has assured Nigerians of a hitch-free exercise in the 2023 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The senator gave the assurance at the weekend in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the 2023 pre-Hajj engagement between National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and representatives of States Pilgrims Welfare Boards and the leadership of tour operators.

Bulkachuwa expressed confidence that with the timely release of general guidelines and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the pressure that characterises the process yearly will be eliminated.

According to him, “We won’t have any excuse for failure. NAHCON will be put to test. Hopefully, necessary information has been released by Saudi Arabia. It is now left for us to put our acts together. We expect states to brace up for the exercise and help the Hajj Commission, in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.”

Earlier, stakeholders at the meeting pledged they would collaboration with NAHCON to ensure improved service delivery during the Hajj.

Addressing the stakeholders, NAHCON’s chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, appealed for support and cooperation, noting that restoration of the 95,000 pre-Covid era slots to Nigeria challenges all parties to work harmoniously in the interest of pilgrims.

He said: “We are happy for the return of our allocation. At the same time, it is a moral burden for us to justify the allocation through efficient management system and improved service to our pilgrims. Therefore, we need to work as a team to achieve these goals. We have to stick together to go through the process.”

Executive Secretary of Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Umar Makun, who spoke on behalf of other welfare boards, said states are ready to support policies aimed at improving the exercise.

Meanwhile, NAHCON has commenced the screening of accommodation and catering service applicants for the 2023 Hajj.

A statement released by Mousa Ubandawaki, NAHCON’s Assistant Director (Information and Publications), said the screening process, led by Dr. Bala Mohammad of Mass Communications Department, Bayero University, Kano, has over 100 applicants, seeking to provide accommodation and catering services in Makkah and Medina.