Hajj 2018: Don’t keep us in the dark about safety of Nigerian pilgrims, Ambassador Dodo charges NAHCON, state boards

Ahead of Monday’s gathering of Muslims across the world at Mount Arafat in Makkah,  in observance of obligatory rites for Hajj,  the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON and state pilgrims officials have been urged not to keep the Nigerian Consulate in Saudi Arabia in the dark  about the safety of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy Land.

Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Justice Muhammadu Dodo gave the charge at the weekend in Makkah.

Addressing the gathering of NAHCON and state pilgrims officials at a pre-Arafat meeting with stakeholders, Ambassador Dodo appealed to NAHCON to keep his office abreast of challenges they may face in the course of taking care of pilgrims under their care.

He also cautioned the hajj officials to be alive to their responsibility in taking care of the pilgrims, as he noted that their primary duty in Saudi Arabia was to guarantee the best for the pilgrims in terms of welfare while in the  Holy Land.

He said: “You must do what is humanly possible to make this hajj a huge success. All I am appealing for is that NAHCON and state pilgrims officials ensure that pilgrims were given the best services.

“You are brought here to take care of your pilgrims. See to their health, their general welfare.  When in Arafat,  see to it that no one is neglected. We pray to Almighty  Allah to make this hajj a huge success. Anything beyond your capacity,  let us know.  That’s why we are here. May Allah ensure a safe return of Nigerian pilgrims.”

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In his remarks, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammad,

Barrister Mohammad,  NAHCON restated the admonition of Ambassador Dodo to pilgrims officials to look after pilgrims. He equally pleaded with state officials to ensure strict compliance with rules stipulated by the Saudi Arabian authorities guiding movement of pilgrims to Muna, Arafat,  Muzdallifah and other designated routes for the Hajj operations

“We’ve officials designed to ensure compliance with regulations stipulated by our host.  We should not constitute ourselves into a stumbling block.  I urge state officials to ensure that we do our best to make the operation a huge success.

“Let’s comply with the regulations on the movement, religiously. ”

The NAHCON Chief executive officer also advised leaders of state delegations not to interfere with the chairmen of pilgrims boards in the course of discharging their statutory functions

“Please, allow executive of state boards to do their jobs to curb undue interference. Your role is to complement the state officials, don’t work at cross purposes. ”

Meanwhile, the NAHCON has denied media reports that about 17,000 intended pilgrims have been stranded in Nigeria.

A national newspaper, ( not Sunday Tribune) had at the weekend reported that the pilgrims mostly from private Hajj operators were left stranded in the country.

But speaking with newsmen in Makkah, NAHCON commissioner, Operations,  Alhaji Modibbo Saleh described the report as false and misleading. He said no Nigerian pilgrim was left stranded. He attributed the delay in the airlift of pilgrims to delay in payment of hajj fares by intending pilgrims which he further noted informed the request for an extension in the deadline earlier given by the Saudi Arabian authorities.