By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has introduced new policy on accommodation in Madinah which allow pilgrims to spend only five days in the holy city.

The commission’s Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Malam Mousa Ubandawaki, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

Ubandawaki, who said that the policy would take effect on June 8, added that it became imperative following complaints of overcrowding of Nigerian pilgrims in the city of Madinah.

He said: “A new set of rule which will make it mandatory for pilgrims in Madinah to be moved to Makkah after five days stay in the second holiest city will take effect from Thursday, June 8, 2023.

“It is important to note that for the first time in a long time, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is given 100 per cent Nigerian pilgrims the opportunity to visit Madinah in the first phase or before Arafat.

“However, to achieve this and in order to avert sanctions against the country if there are pilgrims overcrowding in Madinah, the commission had to adopt the new policy, after wide consultations and exhaustive deliberation.”

Ubandawaki noted that it was a known fact that Nigerian pilgrims lived in the exclusive Markaziyya area during their stay in Madinah.

According to him, the decision has been overwhelmingly commended and for which the commission never intended to compromise.

“However, if the policy must be sustained, then the number of days our pilgrims must stay in Madinah had to be reduced. As it is well known that Hajj is fast changing with new developments and realities.

“If the commission must achieve the objectives of making the 2023 Hajj seamless and comfortable for our pilgrims, it is important to synchronise the transportation of pilgrims to the Holy land with the bed space available.

“So that the commission won’t be penalised for transporting more pilgrims into Madinah than the available accommodation or be forced to take the pilgrims to another area which are well below the standard of the current Markaziyya,” he said.

Ubandawaki said as tough the decision may seem, the commission felt it was a necessary action that needed to be taken.

“So that we won’t be at the receiving end of Saudi laws and at the same time it was considered more utilitarian for Nigerian pilgrims to spend five days in Madinah.

“Thereby allowing more pilgrims to travel to Madinah in the first phase from where they would be moved to Makkah to continue with their Hajj rites, than to delay their departure for want of bed spaces in the Prophet’s city.

“We, therefore, crave for the understanding and support of the pilgrims, Hajj officials and indeed stakeholders for the successful implementation of this policy. We should not give up the gains we have so far achieved.”

Ubandawaki reiterated the commitment of the commission to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims receive the best quality service in terms of facilities and welfare.

According to him, the commission is left with no choice than to adopt this measure in the overall interest of Nigerian Pilgrims. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has enjoined pilgrims to promptly lodge complain with regards to poor services offered to them in Madina and Makkah.

The Chairman, NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, said this in a statement by Mrs Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs of the commission on Tuesday.

“NAHCON enjoins any pilgrim with complain over poor services rendered, whether in poor catering services, transportation, sanitation and other unsatisfactory service delivery, to lodge their complains through NAHCON’s Madinah and Makkah coordinators.

“This will ensure prompt response to such grievances and be addressed immediately.

“NAHCON will not hesitate in taking necessary action where there is an obvious infraction on welfare of its pilgrims.

“The commission will ascertain such claims and stipulate the right penalties for the defaulters as agreed in the contract award terms,” he said.

The Chairman gave the assurance that commission would not compromise Nigerian pilgrims’ satisfaction at all times.

Hassan commended the pilgrims for their resilience and cooperation during the transportation schedules, which has so far made the exercise to go on smoothly.

He also applauded states pilgrims welfare agencies for their prompt response to departure arrangements, which had been orderly with minimal delays.

The NAHCON boss also commended other stakeholders for playing their parts well since the Hajj operations began.

“The commission has screened and selected capable hands in catering services to feed Nigerian pilgrims while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and secured sufficient standard accommodations for them.

“In addition to the selections, the commission has put in place mechanisms for checks and balances that will ensure providers render services dully paid for without shortchanging the Nigerian pilgrims,” he added.

Hassan said that the mechanisms included clearly stated terms and conditions of engagement, signed agreements and advance payment for the services.

According to him, this is being followed by constant monitoring and supervision by NAHCON staff, in addition to a portal for pilgrims to report any complain.

“The complaint line is open 24/7 in Hausa, Fulfulde, Yoruba and Igbo on 097000780.

“Alternatively, one can visit NAHCON’s portal on nahcon.gov.ng then scroll through the resources for complaint management portal,” he added. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/ Maharazu Ahmed

By Ruth Oketunde

The Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with some development partners, have pledged to create meaningful jobs for no fewer than 10 million young Nigerians by 2030.

Dr Nkemdilim Ene, Project Director, Impact Partner Organisation to the Foundation’s Young Africa Works Project, said this at the Closing Bootcamp for the Young Impact Associates Cohort 1, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development partners include Preston Associates for International Development, Cloneshouse Nigeria, ITAD and Global Integrity.

Ene said that the project aims to enable young Nigerians, especially young women to access quality education, financial services as well as dignified and fulfilling work.

She added that the first batch of the one-year long programme, had 12 young persons trained on Monitoring and Evaluation, in order to shape the evaluation space in the country.

“We are encouraging them to step into leadership roles, they should speak out and be heard and decide what should be monitored for their age groups.

“We tried to make it a dynamic experience for them and they have been exposed to a multidimensional approach to the various aspects of monitoring and evaluation from practical to the leadership aspects.

“And how to infuse new energy and look out for more traditional, indigenous ways that are appropriate to the Nigerian context in monitoring and evaluation,” she said.

Ene, while congratulating the graduands, urged them to stay updated on the latest trends in the sector and ensure that they constantly seek out opportunities for professional development.

For his part, Mr Oludotun Babayemi, Chief Executive Officer, Cloneshouse, added that the project focused on providing technical knowledge on monitoring and evaluation for young people between the ages of 25 and 35.

He added that the project which had both virtual and physical trainings, also had the beneficiaries placed in some organisations to practice what they had learnt.

“We are building young people who can actually carry out monitoring and evaluation in Nigeria.

“Especially in the context of policies of government, policies of institutions, organisations, projects of International partners, among others.

“What we have seen in the past is that monitoring and evaluation deals with compliance, but we need to move from that and move to the learning purpose,” he said.

Ms Asheadzi Yusuf-Wasuku, a beneficiary, appreciated the group for the privilege, adding that it had built her confidence in the monitoring and evaluation space.

“The Young Impact Associates Programme has given me the platform to learn different things in evaluating projects.

“Right now, I will encourage young Nigerians to key into this opportunity as it has afforded me practical skills in writing proposals, how to respond to proposal, presentation of data among others,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its unwavering commitment to uplift Hajj administration in the country.

The commission’s Head of Information and Publication Division, Malam Moussa Ubandawaki, in a statement, said the governor made the commendation during a courtesy call on NAHCON’s Headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

Lawal also applauded the commission for the seamless arrangements made in the transportation of Zamfara pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

According to him; the fact that there isn’t so much noise and fuss anywhere showed that the operation is moving smoothly with little hiccups.

“I want to commend the Management and Board of the commission for the way and manner this year’s hajj transportation is being conducted across the country.”

He stated that since he assumed office, he had decided not to interfere in the planning and execution of Hajj arrangements by the State’s Board in order not to jeopardize the exercise.

Earlier, the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan expressed delight at the style and maturity of the governor since he assumed office.

” You have been magnanimous in victory and you have continued to demonstrate that you are a progressive who is ready to serve the interest of the people of the State.

‘ I really want to commend you for that.”

The Chairman also applauded Zamfara pilgrims, officials of sokoto and Zamfara Pilgrims Welfare Boards for their efforts in ensuring that transportation in the Sokoto Zone goes on seamlessly.

“Indeed the flight operation in Sokoto Zone so far has been seamless. The pilgrims from the zones are on record to be always on time to board the aircraft promptly.”

In a related development, the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Yahaya Lawal, commended NAHCON boss for his vision and all-inclusive style of management in monitoring the organisation of the hajj operation.

“I’m so impressed with the monitoring of the hajj operation. I am so glad and delighted that the operation is getting on very well, ” he said.

Amb. Lawal who breezed into the Central Coordinating Committee Meeting at the NAHCON’s office, said he was encouraged by the event in the Situation Room to adjudge this year’s Hajj as an outstanding one.

“I have seen the result of better planning, organization and monitoring. It is a great accomplishment that you are able to utilise all the 95,000 slots allocated to Nigeria.

” Indeed, this will give us the impetus to ask for additional allocation in 2024. I want to say this year’s hajj operation has been very outstanding.”

He assured of the embassy’s readiness and commitment to support and collaborate with NAHCON to achieve its desired objective of a successful Hajj.

“We are at your disposal to collaborate with you for a successful operation this year and beyond in the discharge of your national assignment.” (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman