NAHCON Chairman Reaffirms Commitment to Successful 2025 Hajj Operation
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NAHCON Chairman Reaffirms Commitment to Successful 2025 Hajj Operation
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has reassured stakeholders of his dedication to delivering a smooth and successful 2025 Hajj operation.
This commitment was made during a meeting with Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards at the NAHCON headquarters in Abuja.
Usman expressed gratitude for the gathering and emphasized the Commission’s dedication to overcoming challenges and repositioning itself for greater efficiency.
He acknowledged the unresolved claims and operational bottlenecks that hindered progress in the past but assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to address these issues.
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The Chairman highlighted the resolution of contentious issues, including the refund of 150 Saudi Riyals for poorly rendered electricity services during the 2023 Hajj.
He also affirmed his administration’s commitment to settling the 2% service charges earmarked for the State pilgrims’ board in relation to the 2024 Hajj.
To ensure early preparations for the 2025 Hajj, Professor Usman urged Chief Executives to expedite remittances to the Commission.
He also announced plans to visit the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to engage with governors, religious scholars, and traditional rulers to garner support and blessings for the 2025 Hajj.
The first Pre-Hajj Visit to Saudi Arabia is scheduled for January 2025, comprising a delegation of members from both NAHCON and Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards. They will attend Hajj preparation meetings, finalize agreements with service providers, and inspect arrangements in Jeddah.
The NAHCON Chairman emphasized the importance of teamwork, describing NAHCON staff and State Chief Executives/stakeholders as the strongest pillars of the Commission. He urged all stakeholders to work together as one family to achieve the common goal of providing a seamless and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
In his remarks, the Commissioner-in-Charge of Operations, Prince Anofi Olarewaju Elegushi, said a 51-page guiding document from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has been distributed to streamline operations, urging the stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and adhere to the operational timelines.
The meeting also addressed unresolved issues from the 2024 Hajj, including the payment of refunds to states.
The Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management & Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu Abdulrazak, announced that the NAHCON Chairman has approved the commencement of refund payments after reconciliation with the Finance and Accounts Division.
