FG Flags Off Hajj Airlift, Charges Pilgrims on Diplomacy, Positive Nigerian Values

•Senate seeks collective role in selecting airlines, feeding 

•Lagos kicks off airlift, Oyo prepares pilgrims 

•Saudi launches 15 guidelines in 16 languages, including Hausa

Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos, Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The federal government, yesterday, flagged off the inaugural airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2024 annual Hajj, with a charge to the intending pilgrims to maintain national policies aimed at promoting unity, sustainable development and strategic diplomacy throughout the sacred exercise.

Also, yesterday, the Senate passed for second reading, an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON).

This was as the Lagos State government has said it would commence the airlift of 1,862 for the 2024 Hajj, noting that the welfare and safety of citizens was sacrosanct.

At the same time, the Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, charged the 1,007 intending pilgrims from the state to be good ambassadors by exhibiting good behaviours, following laid down rules and avoiding any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state and the country.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched 15 comprehensive guides aimed at assisting pilgrims from around the world, providing easy-to-follow information covering all stages of the Hajj rituals.

Addressing intending pilgrims at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the Hajj pilgrimage was an opportunity for Nigerian Muslims to uphold the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and project Nigeria’s positive national values on the global stage.

In a release by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, he said, “Our Nigerian pilgrims, as you prepare to depart for the Holy Land, I urge you to embody the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by exhibiting humility, perseverance, and kindness during this journey.”

The vice-president noted that the pilgrimage’s essence aligned with government policies geared towards fostering peaceful coexistence and social harmony among Nigeria’s diverse populace.

He also urged the intending pilgrims to serve as good ambassadors for Nigeria by diligently observing all Hajj protocols in Saudi Arabia in line with Abuja’s diplomatic efforts.

“I implore you to be good Nigerian ambassadors by observing the rules and regulations of Hajj,” he said.

Shettima commended government officials and agencies, saying their dedication to ensuring a hitch-free Hajj exercise symbolised “the Nigerian spirit of resilience and hospitality,” which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration aimed to showcase globally.

He also called on the pilgrims to use the sacred journey as a platform to “pray for peace, unity and sustainable development” in Nigeria.

The Kebbi State Governor, Nasiru Idris, while speaking earlier, said the state was the first among equals to remit its pilgrims fare for the annual exercise to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

The Governor further disclosed that the state government spent over N953 million on the upgrade of facilities at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport and the Hajj Camp in Kebbi to enable the airlift of pilgrims directly from Kebbi to Saudi Arabia.

On his part, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Tinubu for its efforts toward the success of this year’s Hajj.

“I want to thank the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all efforts put in place to ensure that this hajj takes place. When all hopes were lost, light showed at the end of the tunnel and today we are having this inaugural flight,” he said.

The Sultan, who said the airlift of pilgrims from Kebbi was historic, urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves in a good manner while in the holy land.

“You all know the importance of going to the holy land for hajj and I know how disciplined Nigerian pilgrims have always been. I know the pilgrims coming out of Kebbi State will be the best and I want other pilgrims from the remaining states to emulate them,” he added.

Chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, assured the pilgrims that arrangements had been concluded for them to have a rewarding hajj exercise.

“Today is undoubtedly a memorable day in the short life of the 5th Board of NAHCON because we are about to put to bed the many strategies we have conceived for the safe delivery of a well-organised hajj season.

“I assure you that all the essential services provided for the pilgrims are of high standard under the supervision of a well-motivated and dedicated staff,” the NAHCON Chairman stated.

Senate Seeks Collective Role in Selecting Airlines

The Senate, yesterday, passed for second reading, an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON).

The amendment sought to pave the way for the involvement of states and the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja), in the selection of Airlines for Hajj operations.

It also sought the  involvement of states’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under regulation of NAHCON.

The Senate’s move was sequel to arguments canvassed by Senator Abbas Aminu Iya (PDP Adamawa Central) in his lead debate on the bill which sought the amendments.

Abbas, in the lead debate, informed the Senate that NAHCON was established in 2006 to serve as regulatory agency on Muslim pilgrims, overseeing activities of states, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, FCT and Tour agents.

He however, queried the practice which allowed states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to handle accommodation and feeding of their pilgrims in Mecca.

He said NAHCON could continue to handle the issue of  accommodation and feeding of all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir (Mina and Arafat).

Senator Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North), in his contribution, described the bill as apt and germane, saying, “it is wrong for NAHCON to play dual roles of regulation and operator.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olakere (PDP Osun West) and some other Senators also threw their weight behind the bill, which made the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, to put passage of the bill for second reading to voice votes.

Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill  to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, for more legislative inputs, to report back within two weeks.

Lagos Commences Airlift of Pilgrims

The Lagos State government, yesterday, said it would commence the airlift 1,862 for the 2024 Hajj, saying the welfare and safety of citizens was sacrosanct.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry in the last year.

Layode said 3,655 Muslim pilgrims went on Hajj in 2023 and assured them that the government through the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board in collaboration with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) was in contact with the authorities in Israel to ascertain the safety of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land, particularly during the ongoing Israel Hamas war.

“While in the Holy Land during the Christian pilgrimage, the Israel-Hamas war broke out, thus the second batch of the Christian pilgrims were not able to make the trip. To the glory of God, the whole 310 pilgrims returned home safe and sound, not or absconded.”

Be Good Ambassadors, Makinde Charges Oyo Pilgrims

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, charged the 1,007 intending pilgrims performing 2024 Hajj from the state to be good ambassadors by exhibiting good behaviours, following laid down rules and avoiding any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state and the country.

He also enjoined them to focus on the main purpose of their travel to the Holy Land, spend their money wisely and look out for one another.

The governor, who stated this during the farewell ceremony for the Oyo State Hajj 2024 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, held at the Exhibition Ground of the Broadcasting Service of Oyo State, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, also tasked them to make supplications to Allah for the government, the state and Nigeria.

He congratulated the intending pilgrims for being able to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage, stating that his government supported the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) under the chairmanship of Sheik Wahab Hashim Ateere, to plan a seamless Hajj 2024.

He also tasked the state’s Hajj officials not to compromise the welfare of the pilgrims, admonishing them to ensure the safety of all pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

He added that since his assumption of office in 2019, his administration has been doing everything possible to ensure religious fairness and that he would continue to make sure every religion in the state gets its dues.

Saudi Launches 15 Guidelines in 16 Languages, including Hausa

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched 15 comprehensive guides aimed at assisting pilgrims from around the world, providing easy-to-follow information covering all stages of the Hajj rituals.

This initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing communication and awareness efforts for the Hajj season of 1445 AH / 2024 AD.

Spokesman of the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria, Muhammad Alsahabi, said the ministry announced that the awareness guides were available on its website at: https://guide.haj.gov.sa/

He said, the guides address common questions from pilgrims in over 16 widely spoken languages, including Hausa, Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian, Amharic, Persian, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Sinhalese, Uzbek, and Malaysian.

“These guides provide essential legal, health, procedural, and regulatory information using simple language, detailed images, diagrams, and educational video clips. Additionally, there is an option for audio versions of the guides.”