The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Saudis Authority over compensation of Nigerians who died in 2015 during the annual pilgrim as five Nigerians lost their lives and two sustained various degree injuries.
The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Faisal Al-Ghamdi handed over the checks to 5 representatives of those who lost their lives and the 2 Nigerians who sustained injuries on behalf of the Saudi government.
The Director, Consular and Legal Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi led the Nigerian delegation in the company of the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) Zikrullah Hassan to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja.
The Saudi Ambassador who spoke in Arabic prayed for the souls of the departed and prays that God continues to console their families.
Bolaji commended the Saudi government and appreciate them for the kind gesture and the hand of fellowship extended to the family of affected Nigeria.
In his words: “on behalf of the Nigerian government we want to commend the Saudi authorities, particularly the Ambassador here who during his own tenure one year of arrival here he took this up, I remember several meetings we held together in Foreign Affairs, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, His Excellency Zubairu Dada, and His Excellency Tanimu Aduda when brought this to their attention that this is pending.
“They always said continue negotiation with the Ambassador of Saudi, the Ambassador took it up, even his predecessor, may his soul rest in perfect peace he did his own best”.
“We must also give kudos to Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, our Ambassador in Riyadh, who took up the challenge as well, I think this credits goes to everyone.”
“Nigerian government is saying our friendship with Saudi will continue, we are also encouraging people not to be discourage that one accident is not enough to stop people from not performing their spiritual responsibility”.
“We will continue to relate very well with the Saudi authority, we will continue to promote our friendship and we look forward to having good news from the families of the beneficiaries, we don’t expect this to lead to fracas where they will not be able to amicably share this among themselves, but rather going to make their faith in God get stronger and their family bond to get stronger”
Bolaji further said: “We really excited by this news, we are here we have seen it the cheques has been issued in the names of the representatives of the victims, as you know 5 people died, they cannot be here physically, so the families of those 5 people sent representatives, 2 others sustains various level of injuries and they were all compensated”.
“This have great significant, number one, the Saudi Authority fulfilled their promises, also despite the fact that the ugly incident was not called by anybody, the Saudis authorities still compensate the people as they recognized that the people left the country for pilgrimage and not intention to go and die. “
“The compensations were in two grades, those who died that is permanent lost, compensation cannot bring them back but they have families and responsibilities, they were given 1 Million Saudi riyal, those who sustained injury are given half a million Saudi riyal.
On his part, the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Zikrullah Hassan disclosed that 7 people were compensated, 5 representatives of the dead and 2 who suffered injuries.
“I want to commend everyone for this effort, the Hajj Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia who has worked round the clock to ensure that today becomes a reality.”
The NAHCON Chairman further advised those intended to go to Hajj this year to upgrade their techonology skills,
“We advise those who want to go to Hajj to queue in and get ready because Hajj this year will be technologically moderated. It is not going to be as usual, we are ready at the Hajj Commission and all the States are up to it”
It was reported that in September 24, 2015, during the annual Muslim pilgrimage an accident occurred near the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, that stands as the deadliest in the long history of hajj disasters.
At least 717 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage was killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca, officials in Saudi Arabia says.
Another 863 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite. It is the deadliest incident to occur during the pilgrimage in 25 years.
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