Hajj 2016: Nigerian Embassy Commended

Jameelah Sanda in Makkah Saudi Arabia

Ahead of the pilgrimage rites that begin today in Makkah, the Consulate General of Nigeria and Charge d’affair in Saudi Arabia have praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the number of innovations brought into the 2016 Hajj administration.

The envoys gave the commendation at the stakeholders Pre Arafat meeting held at Badar Hall, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. In their assessments, the introduction of feeding of pilgrims in Makkah, Medina Mina and Arafat has ensured marked improvement in the welfare of pilgrims as well as the transportation system.

According to them, the idea of feeding the pilgrims and housing them in the highbrow Markaziya area in Madina has not only reduce the incidences of illness but also the stress of walking long distances to the holy mosque in Medina.

They however called for more collaborative efforts between the state boards and the commission to ensure that pilgrims abide strictly to Saudi regulations. Speaking in the same vein the Etsu Nupe and Leader of the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Yahaya Abubakar, said NAHCON’s feats need to be applauded as it had ensured continued success of Hajj performance in the country since its creation.

In a related development the Nigerian Consulate has revealed that the seized wristband by the Saudi Arabian government would soon be released as the embassy was in advance talk with the host government that will ensure the release of the wrist band to the states for eventual distribution to the Hajjis.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammad Mukhtar, said the 2016 Hajj was eventful coming on the heel of the unfortunate incident that happened during last year’s hajj.

While recounting the achievements recorded by the management in the preparation for the 2016 Hajj , the NAHCON boss called on the officials of the State pilgrims welfare boards to ensured that their pilgrims adhered strictly to the Saudi rules and regulation to forestall any unfortunate incident during the pilgrimage.

He also charged the state officials to place a high premium on the welfare of their pilgrims to ensure that the pilgrims not only have full value for their money but also have a reward of a successful Hajj. Abdullahi further revealed that the commission was on track to introduce bulk accommodation acquisition in the highbrow Makkah environment as being done in Medina at the moment to ensure Nigerian pilgrims get same high services like their counterparts in other parts of the Islamic World.

Abdullahi who outlined some of the challenges encountered during the hajj operations, appealed to the state officials to cooperate with the airliners to archive successful delivery of pilgrims luggage

On the movement of pilgrims during the exercise, the team leader of movement and Jamar at arrangement Rd. Aliyu Tanko said the movement would be in five stages and called on state officials to comply to the new arrangement of the Saudi authorities.

On the medical welfare of the pilgrims the head of medical team, Dr Ibrahim Kana explained that a lot of innovation had been introduced to put an end to the high mutuality of Nigerian pilgrims during hajj exercise.

He kana enjoined pilgrims to take a lot of water and guide against the effect of heat while observing the hajj rites.

On plans for departure of pilgrims after the hajj exercise the NAHCON commissioner for operations, Abdullahi modibo announced that the airlifting of the pilgrims back to the country would begin on the 17th of this month.