NAHCON restates commitment to delivering hitch-free 2024 Hajj

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The Acting Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, on Friday, restated the commission’s commitment to deliver a hitch-free 2024 Hajj, even as he urged intending pilgrims to pay up the Hajj fare to beat the Saudi Arabia deadline.

Arabi gave the assurance when he hosted a delegation of Arewa New Agenda (ANA), led by Senator Ahmed Abubakar Moh Allahyidi in Abuja.

A statement made available to Tribune Online by NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, informed that the chairman said that preparation for the 2024 Hajj was on course, adding that the Commission would not leave any stone unturned to change the narrative of Hajj affairs and administration in Nigeria.

“We will not pride ourselves of having the magic wand, but I’m sure with your support and the backing of the staff, I know it is doable. We will succeed. I know it is a daunting challenge but it is not insurmountable,” Ubandawaki quoted the chairman saying.

Arabi then appealed to the visitors to help propagate and inform the public on the new Saudi rule which makes it mandatory for Hajj Missions to remit their money and the number of pilgrims into the E-track portal at the earliest.

According to the NAHCON boss, “we want you to help us tell the people and the world that unlike what obtained in the past, money must be paid before the 31st December to enable us procure and pay for services and visas in Saudi Arabia.

“Please encourage them to go and deposit as the host (Saudi Arabia) is very serious about their timeline. Now 50 days before the Arafat, there will no longer be visa issuance.

“Therefore any state that did not turn in the payments and the number of pilgrims who have paid by the 31st December will not be able to make it. We don’t want to be caught napping and so we will be very strict and resolute with the timeline,” he said.

The NAHCON boss further urged state pilgrims welfare boards to intensify awareness campaigns to enlighten intending pilgrims on the new trend.

He said that, “strengthening of enlightenment campaign will go a long way to ginger and encourage intending pilgrims to make their deposit on time and also contribute to the actualisation of the dream of organising a hitch-free Hajj.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Convener of Arewa New Agenda (ANA), Sen. Allahyidi said that the team’s visit was informed by the need to express their support for Arabi in order to achieve success in his assignment.

“We are here to lend our support and solidarity to you. We know all eyes of Nigerians are on you and we also understand the challenges revolving around Hajj administration.

“Much as we know it is a litmus test, we have the confidence and trust in your ability to make the success of the job, just as you have done in your previous assignments,” he said.

In their separate goodwill messages, Dr Abdul Isiaq and Dr Salisu Mohammed, commended the NAHCON Chairman on his appointment and expressed their trust and confidence in his ability to achieve success.

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