The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2025 hajj

  • Hajj: 32,549 pilgrims so far conveyed to Saudi Arabia

    Hajj: 32,549 pilgrims so far conveyed to Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said 32,549 pilgrims, representing 79.1 per cent of the total number of intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, have so far been conveyed to Saudi Arabia.

    NAHCON said the feat was achieved through 79 flights it operated since the beginning of flights for the Hajj operations on May 9.

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    Many states have concluded their flights, including Adamawa and Plateau, while those with one flight only to complete their operations include Bauchi and Gombe states, with 30 pilgrims each left to be conveyed to Saudi Arabia.

    A statement yesterday by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication,  Fatima Sanda Usara, reads: “Jigawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also expected to complete their flights today (yesterday). Kwara State, with 137 pilgrims remaining, will conclude by joining a Kano Max Air flight this afternoon.

    “Meanwhile, Benue pilgrims will join intending pilgrims from the Southsouth section to undertake a combined and only flight from the region on May 23, marking the last phase of the flights for the area.

    “Importantly, no flight cancellations have been recorded since the airlift began.”

  • 2025 Hajj: FCTA commences medical screening for intending pilgrims

    2025 Hajj: FCTA commences medical screening for intending pilgrims

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the commencement of its medical screening exercise for intending pilgrims preparing for the 2025 Hajj.

    According to a statement signed by the Board’s Chief Information Officer, Ahmed Saleh, the mandatory screening will take place on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Board’s Permanent Hajj Transit Camp in Bassan Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The exercise will begin at 9:00 a.m. daily.

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    Intending pilgrims from AMAC (Municipal), Bwari, and Kuje Area Councils, as well as those under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), are scheduled for Saturday, April 12. 

    Those from Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada Area Councils, along with applicants from the Board’s Headquarters, are expected to report on Sunday, April 13.

    The Board advised participants to arrive early at the venue with their original payment receipts, noting that attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • 2025 Hajj: Kwankwaso reassures intending pilgrims of smooth operations

    2025 Hajj: Kwankwaso reassures intending pilgrims of smooth operations

    …says NAHCON chair equal to the task

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Musa Iliyasu-Kwankwaso, has urged intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj not to panic over recent reports questioning the capacity of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to conduct a successful pilgrimage.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Kwankwaso dismissed the concerns, describing them as an attempt to distract and undermine the leadership of NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman. 

    He assured that the commission is fully prepared to oversee a seamless Hajj operation.

    “The 2025 Hajj will be one of the best in Nigeria’s history. The NAHCON chairman is equal to the task,” Kwankwaso stated.

    He further criticized reports suggesting that thousands of pilgrims might be unable to participate, labeling them as falsehoods aimed at derailing NAHCON’s leadership.

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    “We are aware that this campaign of calumny is being sponsored by the opposition. They are afraid that if the NAHCON chairman is allowed he will turn things around as evidenced by his superlative performance.  

    “We are also aware that some hack writers are being sponsored by the same oppositions to spew lies against the person of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan by disseminating unverified information.

    “This is purely a distracting strategy to ensure that the Tinubu administration fails. But they will not succeed. And this misrepresentation will not be allowed unchecked.

     “It quite ironic that the authors of the said report and their sponsors decided to pick on the NAHCON chairman, despite his superlative performance and his decisiveness to ensure that the 2025 Hajj is hitch-free.

    “The NAHCON chairman had responded to their earlier accusation that he cancelled the contracts of the two companies. The contract was cancelled by the Saudi authorities. This was clarified.

    “He was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to resolve the issue once and for all, when the report came out. But because their intention is not to ensure effective deliverance of the 2025 Hajj exercise, they came up with another malicious report.” 

    Kwankwaso urged intending pilgrims to stay calm, saying the 2025 Hajj will be one of the best in the history of Nigeria.

    “I want to urge the intended pilgrims to stay calm. Pakistan was appointed by his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu based on merit. He has the capacity to deliver.

    “The 2025 Hajj will be one of the best in the history of Nigeria. They will all be happy and thank President Tinubu for appointing Pakistan to head NAHCON.

    “His Excellency Vice President Kashim Shatima has addressed this issue in a recent press statement. He said that there is no cause for alarm.

    “No single registered pilgrim will be left behind. He also dismissed allegations from the Forum of States Pilgrim Welfare Agencies that the contract dispute could derail the pilgrimage. Therefore, no iota of lies by naysayers will work. NAHCON will deliver on 2025 Hajj exercise by God’s grace,” he added.

  • Nigeria-Saudi Arabia sign MoU on 2025 Hajj

    Nigeria-Saudi Arabia sign MoU on 2025 Hajj

    Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 2025 Hajj exercise, The Nation learnt. 

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, was represented at the signing ceremony by the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman while the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat, signed on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

    Preparations for the 2025 Hajj are underway, building on the previous agreements. 

    Key activities include the bilateral meeting and MoU signing. 

    Other activities against the backdrop of the MoU signing will be the fourth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition. 

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    The platform brings all stakeholders across sectors together to enhance the Hajj experience and elevate the quality of services offered to pilgrims.

    Ambassador Tuggar, according to a statement by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding tradition of signing annual Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to facilitate the smooth conduct of Hajj pilgrimages for Nigerian Muslims. These agreements outline the responsibilities and expectations of both nations, ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive adequate services and support during the 2025 Hajj exercise.

    “These MoUs ensure Nigerian pilgrims have a seamless and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience. They facilitate collaboration on various aspects, including accommodation, transportation, and healthcare services, thereby enhancing the overall welfare of the pilgrims”. He added.

    The event was witnessed by Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Senator Aliyu Ikara Bilbis, Hon. Jafar Shatiman Borgu, the Consul General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya, Amb Mahmud Lele and  CDA Riyadh Dr Modibo Umar.

  • Tour operators urge early preparations for 2025 hajj

    Tour operators urge early preparations for 2025 hajj

    To ensure a smooth exercise, the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association (HUTOA) has called for early preparations for the 2025 hajj.

      In a statement to mark the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, the association urged its members to continue their pre-2025 hajj preparations in line with the demands of global best practices.

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      The association said it had faith in the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to ensure a better and more efficient Hajj next year.

      In the statement, signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Suleiman, the association greeted Nigerians on the Independence anniversary and prayed for continued blessings for the country.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of our noble association, we pray to Allah to continue to bless our dear country and its citizens all over the world.

    “We hereby use this medium to ask our members to continue their preparations for the Hajj 2025 while relying on the firm assurances given by NAHCON regarding a better and more efficient Hajj in the coming year.”