The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NAHCON

  • Saudi authorities hail Nigeria’s Hajj management

    Saudi authorities hail Nigeria’s Hajj management

    Saudi Arabia authorities have voted Nigeria’s hajj operations as one of the best in the world.

    Also, the country has been ranked second behind Pakistan in health management.

    The Commissioner in Charge of Health, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Dr. Ibrahim Kana, who  disclosed these to journalists in Arafat, said Nigeria impressed the Saudi authorities with the comprehensive health policy introduced this year by NAHCON compared to the haphazard arrangement of the past.

    He said the Saudi Health Ministry has invited him to a meeting slated for next week to see how Nigeria’s experience would help in the Kingdom’s plan to computerise pilgrims’ health and medical matters while on Hajj or Umrah.

    Dr. Kana said NAHCON would ensure proper and comprehensive health service delivery to pilgrims.

     

  • Five Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

    Five Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said on Tuesday that five Nigerian pilgrims have died since the beginning of the 2017 Hajj operation.

    The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, disclosed this during the 2017 Pre-Arafat meeting with stakeholders organised by the Commission in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    Muhammad, however, did not disclose the names of the deceased, saying the Commission would first reach out to the families of the deceased before revealing their identify to the public.

    Similarly, the NAHCON chief said the Commission recorded one delivery and one miscarriage, assuring that it would continue to provide effective healthcare service to pilgrims.

    Muhammad vowed that no amount of threat, arm twisting, ill motivated criticisms and real or imaginary hurdles would deter the Commission from achieving its goals.

    He also called on all stakeholders to put all hands on deck to ensure a hitch free exercise.

    He said no one should rest on his oars until every pilgrim successfully carried out the hajj rites and safely returned to Nigeria.

    A total 81,200 Nigerian pilgrims would join their Muslims counterparts from around the world to perform this year’s hajj.

    Over two million pilgrims from around the world and Saudi Arabia have assembled in Mecca to perform the 2017 hajj rites beginning from Wednesday, according to a local Newspaper, The Saudi Gazette.

    Afterwards, the pilgrims would move to Muna where they will stay for five days during which they will throw pebbles at Satan.

    NAN

  • Hajj 2017: Saudi authorities assure Nigerian pilgrims of safety

    Hajj 2017: Saudi authorities assure Nigerian pilgrims of safety

    The Saudi Arabian authority has reiterated its commitment towards the safety and security of Nigerian pilgrims as the 2017 hajj rites commences in earnest.

    Giving this assurance Tuesday was the Deputy Governor of Madina, Dr. Wahid Alsihli.

    He spoke during a parley with Nigeria’s Charge de Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Umar Z. Salisu and officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, where he conveyed the Saudi government’s readiness to contain the excesses of some its security operatives.

    The Secretary, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Dr. Bello Tambuwal had petitioned the Kingdom to express his dismay over the overzealous behaviour of some its security operatives at the Madina Airport.

    It would be recalled that some two Nasarawa State pilgrims were roughly handled by the security agents on arrival at the Airport.

    NAHCON’s petition had prompted the intervention of the Saudi government.

    The deputy governor, said that it was unfortunate that the guests of Allah could be badly treated by those who are supposed to show kindness to them and this he vowed will not be tolerated, hence the decision to punished the overzealous agents to serve as deterrent to others.

    The deputy governor along with the deputy Minister in charge of Hajj and Umrah Affairs in the Kingdom, Muhammad Abdurrahman Bijawy, were at the Nigerian pilgrims’ hotel to personally apologise to the victims, NAHCON, Nigerian government and pilgrims over the issue.

    Responding, the Nigerian Charge de Affairs, Ambassador Umar Z. Salisu expressed delight over the Saudi Arabian government’s humility, as to accept the mistakes of its overzealous agents, tender an apology and above all to send high ranking government officials to apologise to the two victims from Nasarawa State, Alhaji Audu Damina Muhammad and Alhaji Ibrahim Nani Godi.

    Ambassador Salisu also commended the NAHCON management in Madina for their prompt proactive measure in handling the issue.

  • NAHCON opens three clinics in Saudi Arabia

    NAHCON opens three clinics in Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it has opened three clinics to provide adequate healthcare services for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

    The Commission’s Medical Coordinator in Medina, Dr. Hamidu Liman, stated this on Tuesday in Medina.

    Liman said based on the regulations of Saudi Authorities, the Commission was allowed to operate primary healthcare centres in Saudi Arabia.

    He said NAHCON had opened three clinics in Medina for pilgrims, adding that all the clinics are well stocked with anti-malaria drugs, analgesic and ambulance services.

    According to him, the clinics are presently functional while they would be strengthened and made fully operational as the number of pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia increased.

    Liman said: “The medical team came three days in advance before the arrival of pilgrims to make sure that we clean the premises and set up the clinics to render service to pilgrims.

    “Anything beyond what we can handle will be appropriately referred to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hospitals for proper management.

    “In terms of facilities or equipment, basically everything that we need to run primary healthcare service is adequately provided by the Commission.”

    NAN

     

  • No health crisis among Nigerian pilgrims, says NAHCON

    •Saudi Arabia hails Nigeria

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has described as spurious allegations in some quarters that Nigerian pilgrims presently in Saudi Arabia may have been hit by health crisis.

    A statement issued by NAHCON’s Head of Media Uba Mana yesterday said the report credited to an online media was the handiwork of some unscrupulous elements trying to discredit the different reforms initiated by the commission.

    Contrary to the report, Mana said “Nigeria does not operate or have pilgrims’ camp in Saudi Arabia as erroneously published by the medium”.

    He added: “What exists and what we are operating is pilgrim residence in five or at least three star hotel accommodation in both Makkah and Madina with full compliments of feeding – breakfast and dinner. No fewer than 50 medical health personnel, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses are in Saudi Arabia to dispense services to the pilgrims.

    “About 20 members of the national medical team were part of the first batch of Nigerian officials to arrive Saudi Arabia on the 29th July, 2017 when the inaugural flight from Nigeria departed for Saudi Arabia.

    “It is quite clear from the news report that the media is working hand in glove with a Hajj cabal, who have not hidden the fact that they want the commission to fail.

    “No wonder the media could not mention any credible source of its story instead it claim an unknown source, which we are sure are no other than the cabal. The “Cabal” having failed to tarnish the image and integrity of the leadership of the commission at both chambers of the national assembly during the controversy over 2017 Hajj fare vowed and threatened to disrupt the 2017 Hajj exercise by every means, and we are therefore not surprised that they come up with this untruth and false information which in the main is not only fallacious, but mischievous to create panic in the Nigerian tents and Nigeria at home.”

    Besides, he said to enhance the performance and efficiency of the medical team, the commission flew malaria drugs worth over N10 million, which have been distributed and stored in the Nigerian clinics located in Markaziyya area in Madina, where the bulk of Nigerian pilgrims are accommodated.

    “The same situation exists in Makkah, where the commission has about four functional clinics distributed across the different Nigerian accommodation/residence in Makkah.

    But, the Saudi Arabia has hailed Nigeria for its improved handling of the religious rites so far.

    The Kano Zone Coordinator of the Nigerian Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Alhaji Omar Bala stated this in an interview with members of the NAHCON Media Team in his office.

    He said the airlift of pilgrims from the zone is hitch-free so far with Max Air making two trips yesterday with over a thousand Kano pilgrims airlifted to the holy land.

    He added that Flynas Airline is expected to start the airlift of Bauchi State pilgrims in the third flight from the zone scheduled for today.

     

     

     

     

     

    Bala stated that over 10,000 pilgrims from Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa states are expected to be airlifted to the holy land through the Kano Zone.

    The coordinator said cordial relationship, understanding and cooperation exist among stakeholders in hajj operation.

     

  • Hajj 2017: Saudi authorities laud Nigeria’s operations 

    Hajj 2017: Saudi authorities laud Nigeria’s operations 

    Commendation has come to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia high command for being among the first three nations consulted by the Saudi authorities on Hajj and Umrah matters, due to the nation’s improved handling of the religious rites thus far.

    The Kano Zone Coordinator of the Nigerian Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Alhaji Omar Bala stated this in an interview with members of the NAHCON Media Team in his office.

    He said the airlift of pilgrims from the zone is hitch free so far with Max Air making two trips on Tuesday with over a thousand Kano pilgrims airlifted to the holy land, adding that Flynas Airline is expected to start the airlift of Bauchi State pilgrims in the third flight from the Zone scheduled for Wednesday.

    Alhaji Omar Bala further stated that over ten thousand pilgrims from Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa States are expected to be airlifted to the holy land through the Kano Zone.

    The Coordinator said there exists a cordial relationship, understanding and cooperation among all stakeholders in hajj operation in the country.

  • NAHCON moves 9,300 pilgrims to Mecca

    NAHCON moves 9,300 pilgrims to Mecca

    No fewer than 9,347 of the 26,000 Nigerian pilgrims now in Saudi Arabia for hajj have been moved from Madinah to Mecca.

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said the 26,000 pilgrims were earlier transported to Madinah.

    The Deputy Coordinator in Charge of Madina Operations of NAHCON, Malam Ahmad Maigari, said in a statement that the pilgrims were taken to Medinah first to observe the tradition of spending at least eight days observing obligatory prayers in the Prophets Holy Mosque in Madinah and visiting some Islamic holy sites.

    “So far, both the transportation of intending pilgrims from Nigeria to Madinah and their movement to Mecca from Madinah is going on smoothly without any hitch.

    “We would have over 10,000 pilgrims in Mecca by the end of this weekend and all of them have settled in their various accommodations,” he said.

    According to him, over 26,950 pilgrims have been transported to Madinah and Jeddah in 26 flights since the inauguration of the 2017 Hajj exercise through the approved Max Air, Fly Nas and Medview Airlines.

    He added that more flights are expected into both Jeddah and Madinah Airports.

    The Head of Media Team for 2017 Hajj, Malam Adamu Abdullahi, said NAHCON officials are enjoying mutual relations with pilgrims which had ensured smooth operations so far.

    He, however, asked pilgrims to notify Hajj officials of any concern and challenge for adequate and immediate response.

  • NASS sets up committee to resolve 2017 hajj controversy

    NASS sets up committee to resolve 2017 hajj controversy

    The National Assembly has set up an adhoc committee to resolve issues arising from the 2017 hajj fares announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACON).

    The Chairman, House Committee on Nigeria and Saudi Inter-Parliamentary Friendship, Dr. Abdullahi Salame, stated this at a National Hajj and Umrah Stakeholders’ Conference on Saturday in Abuja.

    Salame said the committee had been mandated to investigate the true picture of this year’s hajj fares and suggest ways to bring down the fares if possible.

    The lawmaker assured that NASS would continue to give necessary support to ensure that religious activities within and outside the country are conducted with little hitches.

    Salame, however, urged NAHCON to always involve stakeholders on hajj when taking decisions to avoid unnecessary controversy in future.

    The Guest Speaker at the workshop, Dr. Usman Bugaje, urged the commission to intensify efforts aimed at overcoming problems hindering smooth hajj operation in the country.

    NAN

     

     

  • ‘NAHCON not responsible for hike in hajj fares’

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has denied allegations that it is responsible for the hike in hajj fares.

    The Executive Chairman, Abdullahi Muktar Mohammad, who addressed reporters in Abuja yesterday, said hajj fares are usually determined by factors which are not within the commission’s control.

    According to him, hajj fares are largely paid in dollars to ease transaction between the host country Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, since the naira is not accepted in Mecca and Medina, the major towns where pilgrims converge during the yearly exercise.

    He said: “Between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, there is no naira exchange; but there’s one thing that unifies us, the dollar. The hajj package is made up of 98 per cent dollar component and just two per cent naira component.

    “However, for this year’s hajj, we have tried to reduce the dollar component substantially.”

    Mohammad recalled that in 2015, the total dollar component was $4,721 and $750 Basic Transport Allowance (BTA), and based on N160 official exchange, pilgrims paid N760,000.

    “In 2016, the total dollar component was $5,077, in addition to $750 BTA, at N197 official exchange rate. However, for 2017, the total dollar component is $4,839 while the BTA is $800 at the official exchange rate of N305, making N1.5 million.”

  • NAHCON inaugurates security committee for Hajj

    As part of efforts to ensure security of Nigerian pilgrims during 2017 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday inaugurated a Central Security Committee for the exercise.

    NAHCON Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, while inaugurating the committee, said the effort would help the pilgrims to abide by the rules and regulations of the Saudi authority.

    Represented by Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, the Commissioner for Personnel Planning Policy and Finance, Mohammed urged members of the committee to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.

    Members of the committee were drawn from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons.

    Others are from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the first time the commission has inaugurated a central security committee for hajj operations.

    The transportation of pilgrims is expected to commence on July 24, while Jeddah International Airport will close for Hajj operations on August 26.