The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)

  • Hajj Operation: We have not recorded any death, road accident – NAHCON

    Hajj Operation: We have not recorded any death, road accident – NAHCON

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has not recorded any death of any Nigerian pilgrim since the beginning of the SSaudi  three weeks ago.

    The Coordinator in charge of Medina Operation and Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Bello Tambuwal, made this known while briefing journalists on Saturday in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

    According to Tambuwal, the 2017 Hajj Operation is the best outing in the past 10 years of the Hajj Commission, adding that the commission has also  not record a single road traffic accident.

    He said that since the beginning of transportation of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 30, a significant progress had been achieved by the commission in many areas.

    He said the challenge of transporting intending pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia was very minimal, adding that pilgrims transported directly through Medina International Airport and those that arrived through Jeddah Airport had smooth movement into the Kingdom.

    “So far, we don’t have serious challenges in the on-going Hajj Operation.  From my experience of the past 10 years, 2017 Hajj is the smoothest I have witnessed.

    “We were able to secure good houses and mostly within Haram area and we have not recorded a single road traffic accident or death of any Nigerian pilgrim,” Tambuwal said.

    The Coordinator said that as part of efforts to provide healthcare service to pilgrims, the commission had procured adequate drugs for pilgrims.

    He said the commission has established relationship with Saudi hospitals and any emergency that required specialised treatment would be referred to such medical facilities.

    The secretary also expressed optimism that all pilgrims would be transported to Saudi Arabia before the deadline for closure of airports.

    “We will continue to transport pilgrims directly to Medina because we have secured enough bed space here, then later we will move them to Mecca by road,” he said.

    Tambuwal disclosed that NAHCON had engaged the service of a dedicated transport company with new buses that have toilet and internet services, to transport pilgrims from Medina to Mecca.

    He said that a total of 43, 963 pilgrims from various states of the federation had so far been transported to the Holy Land.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 95,000 pilgrims, who registered through states pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and private tour operators, are expected to perform the 2017 hajj.

  • 58% intending pilgrims transported – NAHCON

    58% intending pilgrims transported – NAHCON

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) said 37,388 out of the 65,271 intending Nigerian pilgrims for the 2017 hajj had been transported to Saudi Arabia as at Aug. 16.

    NAHCON’s Head Operations, Alhaji Abudullahi Modibo, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Modibo, who presented the statistics of carrier flight performance for this year exercise, said the 37,388 represents 58 per cent of the intending pilgrims.

    He said that the remaining 27,883 (42 per cent) would be transported before Aug. 26 by four carriers NAHCON commissioned for the exercise.

    Modibbo said transportation intending pilgrims commenced in July 30, adding that the exercise would end of Aug 25 or 26.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abudullahi Mohammed, said that this year hajj had been a successful exercise, so far.

    Mohammed was represented by Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, NAHCON​Commissioner in charge of personnel, policy, management and finance.

    Mohammed further said that the commission was fully prepared for the exercise, in terms of medical treatment, transportation and accommodation of pilgrims in the Holy land, among other services.

    ” The arrangement for this year is made in a more conducive way,” he said.

    The Head of Medical Team, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said 450 medical personnel selected from all states were trained for this year hajj.

    “The team of trained health personnel arrived the Holy land, ahead of the pilgrims to set up clinic to take care of them,” Kana said.

    He stated that over 35,000 drugs had been sent for the pilgrims, adding that more drugs would soon be sent.

    Kana assured that the drugs would take care of all Nigerian pilgrims, adding that pilgrims from other countries could also benefit from the drugs.

    Kana, who is also the Chairman, Medical Team for the Hajj, identified malaria and body weakness as the major medical challenges facing pilgrims in the past five years.

    He, however, said that pilgrim would not walk far before accessing the 24-hour healthcare arranged by the commission.

  • 2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins transportation of holy water for pilgrims

    2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins transportation of holy water for pilgrims

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the transportation of Zamzam (Holy Water) for 2017 Pilgrims to Nigeria from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The Head of Media of NAHCON, Malam Uba Mana made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ), on Sunday in Abuja.

    Mana said that the measure was part of the determination of the commission to make Hajj a hassle free exercise for the Nigerian Pilgrims.

    According to him, the first consignment of the water had been delivered in Gombe State by Saudi Arabian designate Airline, Flynas Airline.

    He explained that the policy of bringing Zamzam for pilgrims was meant to ease the difficulties faced by Nigeria Pilgrims in coming home with Zamzam water during Hajj.

    “This policy guarantees every pilgrim to collect 5 litres of Zamzam on arrival from Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria.

    “Each and every Nigeria Pilgrims will be given one 5kg of Zamzam water at their various transit camps across the Country on their arrival from Saudi Arabia, ” he said.

    The head of media said that the issue of carrying Zamzam water along with Pilgrims’ excess luggage had been a major factor that prolong the length and time of conducting screening for Nigeria Pilgrims during their return Journey from Hajj.

    He recalled that during the 2016 Hajj, NAHCON pioneer the system of shipping Zamzam water back to Nigeria before the arrival of Pilgrims from the Holy Land.

    “In 2016, the Commission transported 68,000 numbers of Zamzam water before the completion of transportation of pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia.”

    On the ongoing transportation of pilgrins to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mana said over 17,000 pilgrims from nine States have so far been transported to the Kingdom by the Commission.

  • NAHCON says uproar over Hajj fares due to communication gap

    NAHCON says uproar over Hajj fares due to communication gap

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has said that the uproar over the 2017 hajj fares was a result of communication gap among stakeholders.

    The Executive Chairman of the commission, Abdullahi Muktar, made the remark at a sensitisation programme organised by NAHCON to educate Muslim clerics in Kaduna State on preparations for the pilgrimage.

    He told the 40 clerics at the event that the commission would not do anything that would impose hardship on intending pilgrims.

    Muktar, who was represented by Saleh Modibbo, Commissioner in charge of Operations, said NAHCON was ready for the commencement of hajj operations at the end of July.

    “The commission has laid solid foundation towards smooth airlifting of pilgrims from Nigerian to Saudi Arabia,’’ he said, adding that arrangements for pilgrims’ accommodation, feeding and transportation had been done.

    “We will not take anything to chance in ensuring the comfort of the pilgrims throughout the duration of the pilgrimage,’’ the executive chairman added.

    Muktar stressed that the forum was organised to inform critical stakeholders of the preparations made so far regarding the Hajj, and get inputs from the public to facilitate successful handling of the exercise.

    “If you organise a forum like this, you are exchanging ideas, you are communicating information, you are hearing questions and answers, you are getting suggestions,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 6,000 intending pilgrims will perform the 2017 hajj from Kaduna state.

  • 2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins processing visa for 40,000 intending pilgrims

    2017 Hajj: NAHCON begins processing visa for 40,000 intending pilgrims

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced processing of visas for about 40,000 intending pilgrims who have completed payment of their hajj fares in different states.

    The Head of Media of NAHCON, Malam Uba Mana, made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mana advised all intending pilgrims wishing to travel for the 2017 hajj to complete payment of their hajj fares in their respective states before the closure of Saudi Electronic-portal for visa approval.

    According to him, the first flight to convey Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj is scheduled to depart on Friday, July 30.

    He therefore urged state pilgrims boards and agencies to immediately commence the inoculation of intending pilgrims and issuance of Basic Travel Allowance.

    The NAHCON spokesman listed states with highest number of registered pilgrims to includes Kaduna with 6, 335, followed by Niger with 4, 129, Zamfara, Kano and Sokoto each with about 3, 000 pilgrims.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 95,000 pilgrims processed through state pilgrims welfare boards and agencies as well as private tour operators are expected to perform the 2017 hajj.

  • NAHCON to hold national Hajj, Umrah stakeholder’s conference

    NAHCON to hold national Hajj, Umrah stakeholder’s conference

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), says it will soon hold National Hajj and Umrah Stakeholder’s Conference to enhance hajj management and operations in the country.

    Alhaji Suleiman Usman, Chairman, Planning Committee of the Conference made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that the theme of the conference is “Hajj Management in Nigeria: Honouring the past, treasuring the present and shaping the future.”

    According to Usman, the conference will be declared open by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III from July 1st to 2nd at the National Mosque, Abuja.

    He said that invited dignitaries from States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, Tour Operators, and Aviation Industry Professionals, past Nigerian Ambassadors and Consult Generals as well as members of Ulamah are expected to attend the event.

    The chairman, planning committee also said that the conference would mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of NAHCON, which had revolutionised hajj and umrah operations in the country.

    Alhaji Abdulfattah Abdulmajeed, President, Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), said that the emergence of NAHCON in 2007, ensured sanity in the hajj and umrah sector.

    Abdulmajeed, said that since the inception of the commission Nigerian pilgrims were no longer stranded in Saudi Arabia during hajj operations, because deadline for transportation of pilgrims were met.

    He added that because of NAHCON’s commitment, Nigeria Hajj Mission emerged one of the best three countries during the 2016 hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    NAHCON was established in 2007 by the National Assembly to licence, regulate, perform over-sight, and undertake supervisory functions over agencies and other bodies who are into hajj and umrah business.

    According to the Act of NAHCON, the Commission shall be a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its name.

    “The Commission may enter into contracts and may acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy movable and immovable property of every description and may convey, assign, surrender, yield up, charge, mortgage, demise, re-assign, transfer, or otherwise.”

  • Kaduna extends Payment of Hajj fares to June 16

    Kaduna extends Payment of Hajj fares to June 16

    The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has extended deadline for payment of Hajj fares by intending pilgrims to June 16.

    The extension is contained in a statement by Yunusa Abdullahi,the Public Relations Officer of the board, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Monday.

    It indicated that the extension followed appeals by intending pilgrims unable to meet the initial deadline.

    The board had earlier announced that those who had failed to register before last Friday’s deadline, would forfeit their chances of going on the pilgrimage.

    The statement said that the Overseer of the board, Imam Hussaini Tsoho urged the intending pilgrims to complete the payments as there would be no more extension.

    It explained that completing the payment on schedule would allow the board process visas and pay off its balance of the fare to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    The statement stressed that pilgrims from the state would pay N1.53 million as Hajj fare this year.

    “Registered pilgrims in the state have already made deposits of between N800,000 and N1.2m with the Board.

    “About 6,327 intending pilgrims are expected to perform the 2017 Hajj from the state,” the statement added.

  • Jigawa intending pilgrims to pay N1.518 m

    Jigawa intending pilgrims to pay N1.518 m

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved N1, 518,683.33 as the 2017 Hajj fare for Jigawa intending pilgrims.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Hashim, Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.

    Hashim said that all intending pilgrims who had earlier paid N1 million as initial deposit would now pay the balance of N518, 683.33 as soon as possible.

    He explained that it was important for the intending pilgrims to complete the payment, to enable the board process their visa on time.

    The spokesperson called on the pilgrims to strictly work with only zonal officers to avoid fraudsters.

    NAN recalls that NAHCON allocated 2,677 seats to the state for 2017 Hajj.

     

  • Intending Muslim pilgrims from Kano to pay N1.54m fare

    Intending Muslim pilgrims from Kano to pay N1.54m fare

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved N1,537,859.97 as the 2017 Hajj fare for Kano State intending Pilgrims.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations officer of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Badamasi Nuhu and made available to newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, all intending pilgrims who earlier paid N1 million as initial deposit, are required to pay the balance of N537,859.97 within two weeks.

    “The payment should be through certified bank draft payable to Kano state pilgrims welfare boards,” the statement said.

    It explained that each pilgrim would be entitled to 800 dollars as Basic Travelling Allowance for the Hajj.

    The board, however, advised interested intending pilgrims to pay additional N38, 000 as Hadaya dues (for animal sacrifice during Hajj) which would be executed by Jaiz Bank in Saudi Arabia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 6,607 intending pilgrims from Kano state are expected to perform  this year’s Hajj.

  • Hajj Commission introduces electronic payment system

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Wednesday said it had introduced electronic payment system to avoid agents taking undue advantage of state pilgrims boards in accommodation charges during hajj.
    The Executive Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, announced this at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions in Abuja.

    He added that since the introduction of electronic payment directly to property owners, price of accommodation had crashed.

    According to him, the commission had so far saved N1.4 billion in Mecca and 12.3 US dollars in Medina.
    He used the opportunity to deny accusations in a petition that the commission manipulated the 2016 hajj operations to the detriment of service providers.

    Mohammed said the petition brought against the commission’s 2016 hajj activities and the ongoing preparation for 2017 hajj had exposed the petitioner’s lack of sufficient knowledge of the commission’s mandate.

    The petitioner said there were plans by the commission to increase transport fares of pilgrims for the 2017 hajj.

    The petitioner had, therefore, sought the intervention of the House committee to avert further overbearing attitude of the head of the commission.

    Chairman of the Committee Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta adjourned the matter till March 30 for further hearing