The Federal Government has formally received details of the conduct of 2023 Hajj after the successful completion of the spiritual exercise to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima who received the management board of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON who were at the villa to report to outcome of the last pilgrimage, was quick to raise appeal to Saudi Arabia government on feeding pattern.

The Vice president whose office now supervise NAHCON, appealed to the Saudi authorities to rescind its decision to continue provision of feeding to Nigerian pilgrims during the 5 days ritual at the sacred sites.

He said the weather coupled with the climate change experienced globally make it imperative for the Kingdom to allow the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to feed its Pilgrims to avert physical or health discomfort during the Hajj rites.

“It is essential for the Kingdom to review its feeling mechanism in the masha’ir with weather and climate change. Many of the Pilgrims if not fed with their local delicacies might not have the physical strength to perform the spiritual exercise which is the main purpose of Hajj. I will therefore urge you to appeal and persuade them to temper the economic consideration in favor of the well-being of the Pilgrims”.

Senator Shettima praised the management board for the successful completion of Hajj 2023, while urging the commission to embark on broad and aggressive education and enlightenment for the 2024 Hajj in order to ensure smooth and hitch free operation.

The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikiruah Kunle Hassan told the vice president that the board was at the villa to formally brief the government on the 2023 Hajj and the steps towards preparation for the 2024 Hajj.

According to him, the 2023 Hajj was not without its challenges, but with the support and intervention of the Vice President, especially in transferring funds to the Kingdom, the difficulties were overcome.

The Chairman, who highlighted some of the board’s achievements since its inception in 2020, said the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), and the development of the economy were part of the transformational arrangements to ensure a sustainable Hajj economy.

The statement by Deputy Director, Information a d Publication Mousa Ubandawaki said the Chairman’s entourage includes the Commissioner in charge of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF) Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai, Commissioner in charge of Operations and Licensing, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS) Sheikh Suleman Momoh, Secretary of thdeputy e Commission, Dr Rabiu Kontagora and a host of the management staff of the Commission.