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Tag: NAHCON

  • NAHCON 70% ready for 2024 Hajj

    NAHCON 70% ready for 2024 Hajj

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said its preparations for this year’s Hajj have reached about 70 per cent.

    Its Chairman, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad-Arabi, told reporters yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, that the commission would ensure a successful exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmad-Arabi was in the state to tour the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport and the Kebbi Hajj camp.

    The tour was meant to ascertain the suitability of the airport to be one of the centres for conveying pilgrims during this year’s hajj operation.

    He said: “So far so good. We are almost 70 per cent ready, and we are not late. Nobody should feel discouraged and nobody should fear.

    “Once you have paid and it has been acknowledged, we will get to the next stage, which will be the issuance of visas.”

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    Ahmad-Arabi hailed the state for an excellent preparation, saying: “Kebbi is well in advance. Everything has been done for the intending pilgrims in the state. We are only waiting for the gun to be blasted. The rest will begin, in shaa Allah (as Allah permits).”

    The NAHCON chairman praised the state government for its commitment towards addressing the impediments highlighted at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, hitherto hindered the airlift of pilgrims.

    He said the visit gave him opportunity to get firsthand information about the airport, adding: “The commission has no doubt that the facilities will be put in place, but seeing is believing.

    “By the time we see and compare it with those that have probably been complaining about it in the past, everything would have been sealed.

    “So, I will congratulate Kebbi in advance, because they have met the target and nothing should stop the flight out of Kebbi airport.”

  • EFCC never invited me, says ex-NAHCON boss, threatens legal action

    EFCC never invited me, says ex-NAHCON boss, threatens legal action

    The immediate past Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Zikrullah Hassan has denied reports he was grilled by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) last Monday over alleged gross abuse of office.

    Hassan, who spoke through his media aide, Shakirudeen Bankole, stated that at no time was he invited by the anti-graft agency for questioning on allegations of corruption or any related offence.

    While acknowledging that officials of the agency examined the books of the commission when he was still in office, he said NAHCON’s relevant officials provided all answers to the queries raised by the EFCC operatives.

    “On my honour as a Muslim and a decent family man, I make bold to say that not for once did the EFCC operatives on investigation mission at NAHCON consider it necessary to query me.

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    “You can’t find any evidence of my interface with contractors nor running any financial transaction in place of the relevant officials.

    “If they run their checks ten times more, the result will remain same, that is, I don’t meddle with specialised responsibilities being a responsible professional myself,” he said.

    Assuring the Muslim ummah and the general public of his untainted record while in office, Hassan promised that his team of lawyers would soon seek redress against the publishers of the online portal for “indulging in reckless falsehood bereft of any iota of truth”.

    On the recent reception held in his honour by The Companion Muslim group, Hassan further noted that it was mischievous for the so called news portal to celebrate the absence of certain individuals and officials.

    According to him, although he is a member of The Companion, he too was invited to the reception like the rest guests even as it was dedicated to honouring him for being their worthy ambassador.

    “It may well interest those insinuating their biases in the guest selection that The Companion ranks beyond their pettiness. We’re talking about a reputable association of high profile professionals and decent business men of the best rating around the world. They know what is best for whatever design they have. It is not for some idlers to volunteer unsolicited trifles,” Hassan added.

  • NAHCON seeks efficient digital service

    NAHCON seeks efficient digital service

    The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, yesterday underscored the importance of efficient digital service to the success of hajj exercise.

    Arabi stated this during a visit to the office of Galaxy Backbone, (GBB) the commission’s ICT service providers.

    The visit was necessitated by the network hitch that stalled access to the National Medical Team advertisement released on Wednesday.

    The commission boss intimated GBB management about the anticipated surge in traffic in preparation to the season’s Hajj especially with relation to application portals.

    He said the visit was to ensure proactive measures are taken to prevent any disruption in connectivity as preparations heat up.

    Highlighting the critical role of ICT in NAHCON’s operations, Arabi emphasized that over 70 per cent of the commission’s engagements rely on digital systems, particularly in light of Saudi Arabia’s digital shift.

    He stressed the need for NAHCON to stay ahead and urged GBB to prevent bandwidth overload for seamless accessibility.

    The Chairman highlighted the GBB management of the time constraint the commission has found itself in that puts the commission in a tight corner hence has little option of tolerating hitches that would affect meeting of deadlines.

    the Acting Managing Director of GBB, AbdulMalik Suleiman, agreed with the NAHCON Chairman, expressing the fact that Galaxy Backbone is up to the task.

    He reaffirmed NAHCON’s status as a premium customer and a representative of Nigeria’s international image in foreign fields therefore care must be taken in such circumstances.

    Read Also: NAHCON announces N4.9m for hajj fare

    He promised to elevate GBB’s services to the commission to prevent downtime on the NAHCON portal.

    Suleiman assured the commission that the data center is secured and runs uninterrupted, noting that it is resilient against cyber threats.

    Also, Arabi and his team visited the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure passport availability for Nigerians in preparation for the year’s pilgrimage.

    Describing NIS as partners in progress, Arabi called for a desk officer to be assigned to every State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to attend to any issues that would arise immediately. He said this is essential as Saudi Arabia has set timelines to each activity hence NAHCON cannot afford to lag behind.

    The Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Adepoju Caroline Wura-ola, represented by DCG Usman Babangida, in charge of Human Resources Management Directorate, assured that the NIS is always ready to render services to NAHCON.

    Babangida assured that they will make it a priority to address issues raised by NAHCON as critical stakeholders in their operations.

  • NAHCON announces N4.9m for hajj fare

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has announced the sum N4.9 and N4.7 million for this year’s Hajj fare.

    Its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Malam Jalal Arabi, said the foreign exchange made the commission to increase the amount from the initial N4.5 million that was charged as initial deposit.

     Arabi had actively negotiated substantial discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, striving to alleviate costs for intending pilgrims.

    He stated that the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj from about N6 million.

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    He said: “Consequently, intending pilgrims from the southern are required to pay N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the North will pay N4,699,000, for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri center will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.”

    While expressing his regret, Arabi stated that this is the will of Allah, because the commission, facing a tight deadline of February 25, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5million.

    NAHCON urged intending pilgrims to balance their Hajj fare by on or before February 12 to enable the commission transfer the funds before the imminent deadline.

    NAHCON assured the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors.

  • NAHCON signs agreement with Saudi’s hajj services

    NAHCON signs agreement with Saudi’s hajj services

    The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, on Sunday signed Hajj 2024 agreement with Ithraa Al Khair Company at the Hilton Convention Hotel, Jabal Umar, Makkah.

    This agreement contains details of service delivery expected from the group and the cost of each service along with penalties in case of violation by any party.

    Signing of this agreement followed careful survey of packages offered by other Mutawwif companies that met with the NAHCON team and others during the just concluded Hajj and Umrah exhibition.

    Chairman of the Ithraa Mutawwif Company, Dr Ahmad Sindhi and Malam Arabi cautioned officials of the company to discharge their responsibilities to the pilgrims with all sincerity as contained in the pact.

    Dr Sindhi emphasised that NAHCON will be involved fully in monitoring service provision from implementation of agreement to the end of execution.

    The NAHCON helmsman expressed that this is time to start the relationship afresh between NAHCON and the Mutawwif Company, on fresh terms built on trust.

    He urged Dr Sindhi to make sure the errors that happened in the past do not happen again.

    Read Also: NAHCON board transformative, says JNI

    Dr Sindhi promised to continue with an open line of communication to fix any problem immediately before it escalated.

    He assured of the Company’s readiness for teamwork with the singular objective of serving pilgrims well.

    He explained that working with NAHCON along the years has made them smarter and better that put them in a position to always improve.

    In another development, countries with large number of pilgrims have been mandated to sign the Tafweej (group movement) Memorandum of Understanding.

    The MoU provides a framework that each country must align itself with on Saudi Arabia’s system of moving pilgrims in groups especially during the five Hajj days.

    Secretary to the Commission, Dr Rabi’u Abdullahi Kontagora, signed the Mou on behalf of the commission.

    It would be recalled that the NAHCON Chairman, Malam Ahmad Arabi had earlier advised private Hajj managers present in the Kingdom to utilize the opportunity offered by the recently concluded Hajj and Umrah Exhibition to identify alternative service providers.

  • NAHCON board transformative, says JNI

    NAHCON board transformative, says JNI

    The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing new board members for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    In a statement yesterday by its Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the apex Islamic body in northern Nigeria described the appointment as a transformative move capable of charting a new course for the commission.

    JNI urged the NAHCON chairman to leverage the expertise of the esteemed individuals on the board for optimum performance.

    “In the noble pursuit of facilitating Hajj and Umrah travels for Nigerian Muslims, the recent board appointments by the Federal Government of Nigeria for NAHCON are both strategic and commendable. The gravity of the responsibility associated with Hajj administration requires a team that embodies competence and moral integrity.

    “JNI, therefore, commends the Federal Government of Nigeria for its foresight in selecting individuals with both academic prowess and a strong moral compass.

    “Distinguished academics and Ulama, such as Professors A. A. Yagawal, M. U. Ndagi, Fodio I. Musa, Mahfouz Adedimeji, Sheikh Bn Uthman, and Dr. Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe, alongside the inclusion of two women on the board, promises valuable insights in steering the commission through potential challenges. More so, Professors Yagawal and Ndagi as Arabists, and Dr. Tajudeen as Islamic Studies academic, hopefully, shall ensure a diverse and capable team.

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    “It is paramount that the commission’s Chairman/CEO recognises the rare competence within the board and fosters a collaborative environment by leveraging the expertise of the esteemed individuals on the board.

    “The commission can realise its objectives and positively transform the narrative surrounding Hajj administration in Nigeria. This is because four out of the appointed board members are leading Jumu’ah (Friday) Imams. They present sermons to congregants on consciousness of Allah, sincerity, probity, accountability, prudence and, of course, life after death, among many other themes and/or social norms.

    “Now is the time to bring their wealth of experience to navigate the complexities of probity in the commission’s operations. Acknowledging the enormity of the challenges ahead, the appointees are encouraged to commit themselves to collective decision-making, prayers and, above all, a deep sense of accountability to Allah, the Most High.

    “Understanding the sanctity of Hajj, legalities, and the responsibilities it entails will guide the team in overcoming hurdles and building trust among stakeholders,” the statement said.

  • Ex-NAHCON chair to professionals: be active in politics

    Ex-NAHCON chair to professionals: be active in politics

    The immediate past Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has enjoined Muslim professionals to show more interest in politics.

    As professionals, Alhaji Hassan said, they have more to contribute to the nation in politics than their various professional fields.

    He said the situation in the southwest shows Muslims are retrogressing on the political scene.

    Alhaji Hassan spoke during the 1oth Annual Convention of the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

    While noting that he doesn’t buy the notion of playing religious politics over competence, the former NAHCON boss emphasised that there are competent Muslims who need the support of the Ummah and are capable to occupy and run many offices successfully.

    He challenged leadership of GMP to produce politically-conscious Muslims that would vie for electoral positions in subsequent elections.

    Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos State Water Corporation, Mukhtar Tijani, described the GMP convention as a great platform where Muslim representation in politics can be increased.

    Tijani, an engineer, urged Muslim professionals to follow their thoughts around varying issues of interest with a firm action plan.

    According to him, the GMP convention should be a step to having more representation of Muslims in politics

    “The first step to having more representation for Muslims in politics is organising this kind of discussion and encouraging fellow Muslims. We should encourage each other, fund ourselves and pick amongst ourselves. But honestly speaking, for me, I’ve not drawn a line between any religion in politics. Most people I deal with, I don’t consider their religion. And I’ve never really had a reason to compare Muslim representation,” Tijani said.

    “I guess because of my political movement, I hear a lot of things people say about Muslim candidates or non-Muslim candidates. So, I think this is a great platform where people can meet and discuss and create some thoughts around these issues. I think the next thing that should follow this is actual action. As one of the speakers said, you join a registered party before you create your own party. And then you can now raise funds and directly promote or support candidates.”

    He enjoined Muslims to be righteous wherever they find themselves.

    Read Also: Hajj: NAHCON promises improve service delivery

    “Encourage people to do what is right. What religion preaches is righteousness. Do the right thing for the community and not just yourself,” he added.

    Another guest lecturer, Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Modupe Kadiri, said it was about time Muslim professionals set actions in motion.

    “This is not going to be a journey of a short number of years. It might be a medium to long-term plan. But definitely, we need a strategic blueprint on how we are going to actualise and concretise the discussions we have been having over the past years,” he said.

    Kadiri charged Muslim professionals to think differently by finding solutions instead of focusing on the challenges.

    He said: “Opportunity happens when people take advantage of those things that we see that are not working. You are not going to have a situation where everything is going to be perfect. In this uncertainty or hard times, some people are making it. Why are they making it? They can think differently.

    “Rather than focus on the problem, focus on how to create a solution to the problem. The economic circumstances that we face today, every other person faces it anyway. But how come some can thrive? My encouragement is for people to use the situation to think differently.”

  • Christian pilgrims’ boss visits NAHCON chair

    Christian pilgrims’ boss visits NAHCON chair

    The Acting Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, yesterday received his counterpart from the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Reverend Dr. Yakubu Pam, who was on a visit to the Hajj House.

    Revd Pam came to congratulate to Arabi.

    The visit, laden with goodwill, served as a testament to the spirit of unity and cooperation between the two religious pilgrimage bodies.

    Recognizing the challenging terrain of pilgrimage journeys, the NAHCON Chairman acknowledged the importance of collaboration in traversing its operational complexities.

    He conveyed his gratitude to his Christian counterpart for the visit.

    Read Also: Oloyede, ex-NAHCON chair, MTN chief, others for GMP convention

    The NAHCON chief described the Pam as a brother and veteran in the field, highlighting the significance of patience, shared experiences in navigating the trials associated with organizing pilgrimage.

    Malam Arabi described Rev. Pam’s visit as a pride to him.

    Revd Pam expressed sincere wishes for success of Malam Arabi in his new role and assured him of unwavering support.

    He prayed for the Chairman’s victory even in demanding moments while expressing confidence that Malam Arabi will make Nigeria and humanity proud knowing his antecedents.

    The exchange of goodwill between the leaders of Christian and Muslim pilgrimage commissions reaffirmed the commitment to harmonious coexistence and joint efforts in addressing the unique challenges posed by pilgrimage activities.

  • Hajj: NAHCON promises improve service delivery

    Hajj: NAHCON promises improve service delivery

    The Acting Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmed Arabi, has said that prioritizing and improving pilgrims’ welfare and services will be the major task during next year’s Hajj.

    Arabi said this while receiving the report of the Committee on Review of Accommodation and Feeding Guidelines at the Board Room of the Hajj House, yesterday.

    He said that delivering improved quality service is an under pinning task that the commission would pursue in fulfilment of its mandate as well as sustaining the trust and confidence of the people and pilgrims.

    Read Also: NAHCON sets up committee to review catering, accommodation guidelines

    According to him, the presentation of the Report and Recommendations therein “will go a long way to revitalize the confidence and trust of the people and pilgrims especially in us.

    He said: “I want to thank you for your devotion and dedication. This report and the recommendation will definitely contribute to enhance the progressive and practical ways of doing things. I know that there is nothing constant in life than change and therefore we need to be innovative in the way we do things.

  • NAHCON sets up committee to review catering, accommodation guidelines

    NAHCON sets up committee to review catering, accommodation guidelines

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated a committee to review the guidelines on accommodation and catering services for the purpose of engendering better service delivery for next year’s Hajj.

    Acting Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON Malam Jalal Arabi, said the review would make pilgrims get better services from service providers.

    He said: “What we are doing is to improve on the way we are doing things. Like it happens in some other parts of the world, we need to be dynamic. As it is the global practice, we have to improve in our ways, to be in conformity with the international best practices.”

    He urged the committee to approach the assignment with open mind and a keen sense of responsibility as their report would have great influence on the commission’s accommodation and catering services in Saudi Arabia.

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    “As experienced staff, I have no doubt that you will carry out the assignment with utmost good faith. You also have the leeway to expand beyond the scope of reference. Whatever recommendation/suggestion you proffer will enrich our knowledge as well as the betterment of the commission,” he said.

    Responding on behalf of the committee members, Dr Aliyu Tanko, thanked the chairman for the opportunity accorded them to serve.

    Tanko stated that though the task seems daunting but expressed the hope and confidence in the members to carry out the assignment in the best possible ways, stressing the inter relationship between the assignment and the outcome of the 2024 Hajj.