Tag: NAHCON

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have raided the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja, over alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion intervention for the 2024 hajj.

According to a source, the anti-graft operatives who stormed the Hajj house shut down official activities in some strategic offices, including the office of the chief executive officer, finance and procurement departments.

The source, who prefers anonymity, said the sting operation, which lasted several hours has further brought the commission under public scrutiny on the appropriation of N90 billion subsidy granted for this year’s hajj.

Apparently not satisfied with the available records, the anti-graft agency went away with the commission’s director of procurement for further investigation, our source said.

When contacted, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, confirmed the visit of operatives was on routine investigation.

Although, Bakare was silent over the nature of the investigation, he hinted the raid was necessitated after some officials of the commission refused to honor the ICPC’s invitation for questioning. 

Responding to inquiry, Bakare said: “Yes, we are investigating the National Hajj Commission. We invited some officials who either failed or refused to honour the invitation.

Read Also: EFCC grills NAHCON boss over N90b hajj fund

“We therefore paid them a friendly visit. We didn’t shut down the Commission. ICPC operates within the confines of the law, ” Bakare clarified. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had grilled the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of (NAHCON), Mal. Jalal Ahmad Arabi over the management of the controversial Ngo billion hajj subsidy.

The Investigation follows series of petitions filed against NAHCON essentially on alleged poor management of services during 2024, exercise and the utility of Federal Government intervention, the anti-graft agency said. Nevertheless, NAHCON had clarified the doubt on the allegations and further provided record how the federal government intervention was allocated in the last exercise. 

Addressing world briefing in Abuja, Arabi said the commission had paid over N1.6 million each on over 50,000 pilgrims and officials to subsidize the high cost of services occasioned by variation on naira to American dollar exchange rate.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the invitation of its Chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), is not an indictment.

Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to her, “the invitation is a normal process of safeguarding public interest’’, adding, that the “investigation is not an indictment’’.

She expressed NAHCON willingness to cooperate fully with the investigative body questioning the conduct of the just concluded 2024 Hajj operation.

Sanda-Usara said that the commission remained dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics in its dealings.

She commended the EFCC’s strong commitment in safeguarding public funds through ethical practices and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

“At this juncture, NAHCON will like to appreciate the Federal Government for its unwavering resolve to entrench accountability in the system.

“NAHCON will continue to cooperate with all institutions tasked with the responsibility of sanitising public service for more efficient services.

“Be rest assured that this matter will be resolved promptly and that our adherence to transparency, lawful and ethical standards will be reaffirmed,’’ she said.

The official expressed NAHCON appreciation for the public support, following the invitation of its Chairman by EFCC.

“The commission also expresses its heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming concern shown for its Chairman, after the news broke out that he was invited by the EFCC for questioning.

Read Also: EFCC grills NAHCON boss over N90b hajj fund

“The outpour of love and concern was amazing. Indeed, the NAHCON helmsman was invited on Tuesday, July for questioning surrounding conduct of 2024 Hajj.

“NAHCON is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support and understanding from well-wishers towards its Chairman,’’ she said.

She stressed that pilgrims had always been at the heart of the commission’s engagements, and the agency was committed to maintaining the trust and confidence that government placed in it.

(NAN)

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, has said 30 Nigerian pilgrims died during this year’s pilgrimage.

He said four of the pilgrims died of heat wave.

Arabi said the deaths had nothing to do with either negligence or poor feeding.

The NAHCON boss said the commission provided decent meals and other necessities to protect the nation’s pilgrims.

He warned Private Tour Operators (PTOs) against breaching guidelines on Hajj operations that would leave pilgrims stranded.

Arabia, who spoke at this year’s Post-Hajj Briefing in Abuja, said the pilgrimage was a “huge success”.

Read Also: NAHCON completes airlift of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia

He said: “We tried the best we could. We believe one soul is as important as a million souls. We lost 30 pilgrims but from the figure, about four or five pilgrims died from heat wave.

“We tried our best by providing necessary tools to remain safeguarded but Allah has always been Allah. We lost pilgrims but not all of them died of heat wave.”

Asked why the agency sponsored 153 Ulamas (clerics) to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj, Arabi said it was necessary to guide most pilgrims who were greenhorns and ignorant of pilgrimage rites.

He added: “If we have our way, we could have taken a thousand Ulamas to Saudi Arabia. If there are stakeholders to take to Hajj to guide the pilgrims, they are the Ulamas. We did not want the pilgrims (mostly on their first-time trip) to perform Hajj in futility.

“If you take 153 Ulamas to guide 56,000 pilgrims, that is about one Ulama to 400 pilgrims. While you know what to do, thousands do not know. It is worthwhile going with the Ulamas.

“We have never hidden anything. I wish we had enough money. The clerics would have been more than that.”

The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) will conclude the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

NAHCON said the last contingent of 2024 Hajj pilgrims is set to depart from King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, for Nigeria, marking the conclusion of the exercise.

The commission’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Usara said a total of 312 pilgrims from Kwara State will be airlifted to Ilorin on an Air Peace airline flight, marking the final leg of their hajj journey.

Read Also: FG repatriates 190 Nigerians from UAE

She said: “This marks the 119th return flight from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.

“During the first phase of the Hajj operation, NAHCON ran a total of 121 flights, which has now been reduced to 119 flights for the return journey. The reduction in flights was attributed to the maximum utilization of seats during the return journeys. The return journey ends three days ahead of schedule, being earlier planned to end by 19th of July 2024.

“The commission’s-chartered airlines took 27 days to transport all pilgrims into Saudi Arabia during the first phase of the Hajj journey, with the return phase now lasting 25 days. By the 25th day of the outbound flight from Nigeria, a total of 47,171 pilgrims were transported, while 50,091 were able to return to Nigeria within the same span of 25 days in the second phase.

“In a closing ceremony at the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah airport, chairman of the commission Jalal Arabi expressed gratitude to Allah for the successful completion of the return journey. He promised the Commission would achieve even greater success next year based on the lessons learned this year.

“The chairman also assured that preparations for the 2025 Hajj have already begun.”

A total of 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims fulfilled the sacred ritual in the holy land this year with over 50,000 of them travelling under NAHCON while over 13,000 others opted for commercial flights.

The House of Representatives yesterday raised an ad hoc committee to investigate activities of Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their agents and sub agents, in the conduct of the 2024 Hajj.

This followed a motion by Mohammed Umar Bio (APC, Kwara) accusing the Commission and Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of shoddy preparation and execution.

The Committee, headed by Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), has two weeks to carry out its report back to the House.

According to Bio, Hajj is important in the life of every Muslim ‘and is, in fact, one of the five pillars of Islam, while NAHCON was set up to provide efficient and effective services to the pilgrims through implementation of NAHCON Act’.

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He said about 50,865 pilgrims across Nigeria were under NAHCON’s care but some were neglected in terms of welfare, organisation, guidance and monitoring.

The lawmaker hinted of the humongous amount paid by pilgrims for the exercise, NAHCON’s 2024 Budget Allocation, government’s N90 billion intervention and support from the Saudi Arabian government, yet ‘NAHCON and FCTA Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board shoddy performance, especially in Makkah and Mina, is unexpected’.

Bio said ‘if this poor performance is not investigated with a view to ensure improved performance, further Hajj exercises may be more complicated and put the entire country in bad light in the committee of nations’.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has called on Nigerians, especially those who performed the just concluded hajj, to register their complaints and suggestions on services rendered during the exercise.

The commission said pilgrims who participated or paid to participate in the 2024 Hajj or Umrah and who have complaints or comments against an individual or institutions that rendered services should forward same to the commission for appropriate action.

“The complaints, comments or suggestions will assist the commission’s determination to embark on improved services for next year’s Hajj and Umrah activities. It will also guide the decision making over renewal or otherwise of the licenses of relevant Service Providers; Tour Operators, State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions, as well as enhance the commission’s role in monitoring regulation and supervision.

“Furthermore, the commission welcomes suggestions and ideas from stakeholders and members of the public on ways and means to improve Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria,” the commission said in an advertorial.

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NAHCON added that the complaints, comments or suggestions should be written with author’s full address and delivered to its Abuja office or be forwarded via e-mail to info@nigeriahajjcom.gov.ng or nahconoperations@gmailcom not later than August 10.

Recall that some pilgrims, private tour operators and state’s boards lamented the poor handling of this year’s exercise.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was the first to express displeasure with NAHCON.

The governor said the Hajj services must be decentralised to allow state governments take full control of affairs and ensure adequate welfare of pilgrims who paid through their respective pilgrim’s welfare board.

He said: “In this year’s Hajj exercise, pilgrims were subjected to untold hardship due to the unfavourable policies introduced by NAHCON and relevant stakeholders, especially the provision of less than $500 as Basic Travelling Allowance to each pilgrim, despite the exorbitant charges of over N8 million for a Hajj seat. The governors would work collectively to break the monopoly of Hajj affairs by NAHCON if measures are not taken to address the challenges identified.”

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago called on the National Assembly to probe the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to subsidise the Hajj pilgrimage.

Bago described NAHCON’s performance as a failure.

•’Forgive us where we failed you’

Chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) Alhaji Jalal Arabi has sought forgiveness from the pilgrims where they feel the commission did not meet up with their expectations during the Hajj.

According to him, most of the challenges were beyond the commission’s control. He, however, praised Nigerian pilgrims for their patience and understanding towards making the exercise a success.

The chairman, when he led the Commission’s management to monitor situation in the FCT Tent in Mina, hailed the commitment shown by the Pilgrims during the rituals, saying their humbleness and tolerance made the job easier.

He said: “We can’t thank Allah enough for giving us the strength to stand after all we have been through. The smile on your faces shows that Allah has accepted our supplications.

“Only Allah is perfect, most definitely there are a lot of expectations by either those coming for the first time or those that would have been coming all this while, please if you have noticed any shortcoming, we ask for your forgiveness. We didn’t do it to make you suffer, so find a place in your heart and forgive us just as you seek for forgiveness from Allah.”

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Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for the FCT 2024 Hajj, Dr Abdullahi Isa Kaura-Mata, commended the pilgrims for the maturity and orderliness throughout the Hajj rituals.

He also appreciated the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for their continued support towards ensuring that everything went on smoothly since their assumption of office.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said it had adopted a strategy to reduce the number of days Nigerian pilgrims spend in Saudi Arabia for Hajj rites.

The commission’s Executive Chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi, announced this while addressing reporters on arriving at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Arabi said the commission had succeeded in conveying 100 per cent of Nigeria pilgrims directly to Madinah.

“And you know the secret? Allah helping us, if we are able to achieve this target, we hope to succeed again for the first time in reducing the number of days that Nigerians spend each time they come to perform the holy pilgrimage.

“In the past, you saw Nigerians in disarray, loitering about while their counterparts from other countries would have been evacuated back home.

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“It is a very good starting and, by God’s grace, we will get good results,” he said.

Arabi praised the Presidency and the National Assembly for their support towards the success of the ongoing hajj operations.

The NAHCON chairman also hailed air carriers for living up to expectations, saying: “This is because there is trust and we didn’t lie to them. We made them to believe and they believe and they performed.

“We lack adequate words to give praises to our Creator… We can’t thank Him enough for what He has done for us.

“I think this day will go down in history as I don’t want to say the first time in history, but the first time in a very long time since the commencement of Hajj preparations, to say that 72 hours be the closure of Saudi Arabia’s air space, 100 per cent of our pilgrims are here.

‘120 flights conveyed pilgrims to holy land’

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, has said Nigerian pilgrims will start returning to the country as from June 22.

Arabi said 120 flights took almost all pilgrims to the holy land in Saudi Arabia.

The NAHCON boss, who expressed optimism about the success of this year’s hajji, said no pilgrim would be left behind before the deadline.

Addressing reporters in Abuja on recent developments about the completion of the first phase of the Hajj operations for this year, he said: “Nobody thought there was going to be 2024 Hajji. I’m happy to say that Allah has not put us to shame.

“We must give credit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the enabler; the Vice President, state governors, and other stakeholders.

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“The pilgrimage also persevered and showed the determination to embark on the journey. They have made up their minds that they wanted to go at all costs. We are happy for the success so far.

“Pilgrims will start returning to Nigeria as from June 22. One hundred and twenty flights have airlifted pilgrims to holy land as of today, June 9.

“God helped us to do it, and it was successful. The persistence that we must get it right has been what is pushing us to do the right thing.

“Before the deadline, 72 hours before the closure (for pilgrims to arrive in Saudi Arabia), all Nigerians would have been conveyed to the holy land by tomorrow morning (today).

“We have done our best and we are living the rest to God. We pray it is going to be successful by the end of the exercise.

“Close to 66,000 pilgrims are being catered for. There are bonds to be issued, but we are tackling them one after the other.”

Commenting on those arrested in the holy land for certain offences, the NAHCON boss said the suspects were released hours after their arrest due to technical issues.

He said: “Those arrested over there within hours we got them released.”

On the controversy that ususally arose over feeding, Arabi said there was little misunderstanding, which had been resolved and that all was back to normal.

He added: “Any service provider that is found wanting will be sent back home and penalised without delay.”