In the quest to reset the Hajj and Umrah operations, the Ag. Chairman/CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, OON. fwc. Has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to provide support and assistance towards ensuring Nigerian Pilgrims have value for money.

Speaking during an interactive meeting with the executives and members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) as part of the consultation drive, the Chairman/CEO stated that in collaboration with the association, the Commission would address the challenges facing the Hajj by ensuring that there is robust partnership between the two organizations.

While reiterating the importance of partnership, he described the AHUON as a dependable and reliable who is expected to support and cooperate with the Commission to ensure service delivery to the Pilgrims. “I want to express profound gratitude to the association for being a dependable and reliable partner of NAHCON to believe success. There is no denying the fact that anyone involved in Pilgrimage knows the symbiotic relationship between the Commission and AHUON.

Though, we supervise and superintend over you, however, I extend our hands of fellowship to you, so that we can get the best for our Pilgrims”.

The Chairman assured that the Commission would continue to discharge its responsibilities with openness and transparency. According to him, “In me you have a formidable partner and we will work with you with openness, transparency, honesty and accountability and in the best interest of the Pilgrims.”

The meeting which centered in a 10-point Agenda agreed to ensure timely reconciliation, allocation of Pilgrims slots as well as remittance to the NAHCON’s IBAN Account to enabled the Commission meets its obligation and Saudi Arabia timeline.

In his response, the president of AHUON, Alhaji Yahaya Nasidi Danbare expressed the association’s willingness to support and cooperate with the Commission to achieve its objectives.

According to him, the association is ready to work together with NAHCON to ensure Nigerian Pilgrims are duly catered for. “We appreciate the support and backing of NAHCON which has assisted us to airlift all our Pilgrims to the Holy land during the 2023 Hajj and we look forward to more collaboration and cooperation towards achieving greater feat in the forthcoming 2024 Hajj”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Ag. Chairman has expressed his deep-felt sympathy to the family of one of the Tour operators who slumped and died, Danlami Umar of Hasha Travel and Tours as he made way to the venue of the meeting. In a statement, the Chairman described death as inevitable. “Death is inevitable. As Muslims our belief is that not a second can be added when the time comes. Our heart goes out to his family, friends and associates at this time. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give the members of the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Mousa Ubandawaki
Deputy Director
Information and Publications