By Salisu Sani-Idris

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has emphasised the need for governors to have a peer review mechanism on Hajj management with a view to promoting good governance.

Mohammed, who is currently performing Hajj in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, made the call while answering questions from newsmen.

He said that his administration built an ultra modern Permanent Hajj Transit Camp, which is the biggest in Nigeria and West African sub-region, out of commitment to enhance service delivery and good governance.

“Bauchi State Hajj Camp is part of good governance. The majority of our people going for Hajj is part of their religion and the annual activity that they do. They also pay for this and we should show them good governance from the point of take off.

“I built that Hajj Camp as a benchmark for others to copy. Because we are not just proud of it, we want to show that we are one of the best and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has also recognised this.

Bauchi State Ultra Modern Permanent Hajj Transit Camp[/captio

“And for my colleagues and other governors, we should have a peer review mechanism because they have something to learn from this and I can also learn from other governors on the aspect of good governance,” said Mohammed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bauchi state bagged a prestigious award of excellence as the state with Modern Hajj Camp in Nigeria and overall in camping activities during the 2022 Hajj operation.

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation monitoring Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia, organised the Hajj Lecture/Award on Sept. 22, 2022, at the National Mosque Auditorium, Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Saudi Arabian Ministry for Hajj and Umrah, on Friday in Makkah unveiled a roadmap for the 2024 Hajj.

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, unveils the roadmap at a ceremony attended by the Heads and Representatives of Hajj Missions in the Kingdom.

The meeting was to mark the end of 2023 Hajj exercise.

He said that the preparations for the 2024 Hajj would begins immediately with the issuance of letters to each country that announced the commencement of preparations.

Al Rabiah added that letters of confirmation of number of pilgrims slots for 2024 Hajj would also be issued to participating countries.

He listed the highlights of the 2014 hajj roadmap to include holding of preparatory meetings from Sept. 16 to Nov. 4, and organising of an International Symposium and Exhibition on Jan. 8, 2024.

“Conclusion of Accommodation and Masha’er Contracts: February 25th, 2024, commencement of Visa Issuance in March, 1st, 2024, closing of Visa Issuance in April 29th, 2024 and arrival of 1st set of 2024 Pilgrims into Saudi Arabia in May 9, 2024.”

Al Rabiah stated that the first Hajj Mission to conclude all preparations would have the opportunity to choose its preferred locations at the Masha’er (Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) for 2024 Hajj.

The minister thanked all agencies and hajj missions for their roles in the 2023 exercise and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving the Guests of Allah in the best manner possible by obtaining feedback from hajj Missions and improving on its services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoints of the event was the announcement of winners for the 2023 Labbaikum Hajj Services award in which Iraq emerged the overall best hajj mission for the 2023 Hajj.

Other countries like Malaysia, Gambia, Bahrain, Singapore, South Africa and Azerbaijan were recognised for excellence in various aspects of the hajj operations. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A female pilgrim from the FCT, Hajiya Amina Yunusa, passed away in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Malam Abubakar Evuti, the Director of the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the sad incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Makkah.

” With total submission to Allah, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board MPWB hereby announce the death of Yunusa.

” May Allah forgive her short comings, accept her act of worship and grant her Aljannat.”

The director, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, advised them to accept her death as the will of Allah.

” We should take solace in the fact that she passed on in the holy city of Makkah after performing Hajj Mabroor(acceptable hajj), which has the reward of Aljannatul Firdausi, as related in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. (NAN)
SSI/SH

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Alhaji Saidu Abdullahi, a member of the House of Representatives says the National Assembly will engage the appropriate Saudi Arabian authorities to provide improved services to Nigerian pilgrims in 2024.

Abdullahi, who represents Gbako/ Bida/Katcha Federal Constituency of Niger, made this known at an interactive session with newsmen, on Friday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to him, there are gaps in terms of logistics and movement of the pilgrims from one location to the other.

He said that NASS would deliberate on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) reports for the 2023 Hajj operation and identify areas that could be improved

Abdullahi said: ” We notice some areas of concern and hopefully by the time the National Assembly resume, we will raise on its instrumentality to bring about solutions to some of the gaps that we have identified.

” We expect the NAHCON will come up with a report, so that we interface with the appropriate authorities of Saudi Arabia and see areas where there can be improvement in 2024 Hajj.”

The lawmaker, however, commended the leadership of NAHCON for their efforts in management of hajj over the years.

” It’s been so far so good of course for an operation like this when you have people coming from different spares of life from all around the globe you don’t expect it to be perfect.

”I think that is one of the reasons why we have come to see things for ourselves

” I’m on the entourage of Gov. Umar Bago of Niger who is here for us to look at the hitches so that we can improve Hajj operations in the subsequent years.

” But, so far so good, we must give kudos to the organisers especially the National Hajj commission of Nigeria on what they have done is been a work in progress. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Wednesday inspected the additional 10,000 tents provided to Nigerian pilgrims by the Company of Mutawwif for African Non-Arab pilgrims.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, while conducting management team of the commission and journalists round the tents, explained that the measure was aimed at cushioning the painful effect of inadequate tents Nigerian pilgrims faced since arrival at the hilly and rocky site of Muna.

Hassan said the measure would certainly mitigate the hardships, and hoped that the pilgrims concerned would cooperate in view of the fact that only two days stay in Muna remains.

The chairman, who expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the new tents, revealed that pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory and those of Kogi as well as pilgrims from tour operators would be moved to the new site.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had been battling to solve the twin problems of inadequate tents and feeding arrangement for pilgrims faced by the Nigerian pilgrims at Muna. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Mr Jang Sungmin, Special Envoy to President of Republic of Korea (L), Mr Kim Young-Chae, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nigeria (2nd R) and Mr Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, Vice President of SK Conglomerate in Korea (R)

By Collins Yakubu–Hammer

The Republic of Korea says it is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu on various areas to enhance and lead the fourth industrial revolution.
Mr Jang Sungmin, the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr Yoon Suk Yeol, disclosed this at a media parley on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Yoon Suk Yoel has sent me as an Envoy to this great nation, because it is the leader of Africa, has the biggest market, largest population, natural resources and biggest arable land.
“Nigeria has all the criteria for economy power in Africa; and Korea is a country that has all the technologies and development know-how and economy prosperity to lead the fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Korea is already leading that industrial revolution. So, President Yeol feels that by combining forces, Korea and Nigeria cooperation will not only lead to prosperity and faster economy development for Nigeria, but also prosperity for Africa.
“The composition of my delegation shows you that President Yeol is committed and willing to find more better ways to cooperate with Nigeria.
“Specifically, we look towards a younger generation work force and natural resources that Nigeria has, especially to enhance and lead the World’s fourth Industrial Revolution,” Sungmin said.
The envoy reiterated that Korea has the technologies, knowledge, skills and human resources for technological transfer, especially in the areas of agriculture, cyber space, security, bio-technology, oil refinery, saying “Korea looks forward to a future with Nigeria”.
He further explained that as Nigeria’s new leadership under Tinubu had opened up the county for business, Korea is interested in investing more in Nigeria.
Sungmin explained that President Yoel’s comprehensive diplomacy and foreign policy is about global capital state which lies on three pillars.
“It is to enhance cooperation especially with countries who share our common values of Liberty, Peace and Prosperity. Those were the three pillars that underlines the foundation of our foreign policy.
“We will like to share and extend our cooperation, especially with countries who share these common values.
“We believe that Nigeria, especially the new government of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, is a government we can share these common values with to enhance new economy cooperation.
“Korea used to receive aid from other countries. That is how we became the 10th largest economy in the world.
“Now we are using that position to give back to the international community. So, we look forward to a cooperation with Nigeria in this sense,” he said.
Contributing, the Vice President of SK company in Korea, Mr Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, said the post-Korean war was characterised by fast development, which is a product of collaboration between public and private sectors.
He said private sector in Korea like SK, Samsung and others have supported the Korean Government to develop economy policies, adding that the model allows Korea to become a power house.
“Today, Korea is the 10th world largest economy, the fourth world largest exporter and the country which is leading the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“SK is happy to be in Nigeria. Bonnie Light Crude irrigate the world economy and Nigeria has resources and fuel that could power the 4th Industrial Revolution.
“In the last five years, the world experienced decline in the supply chain globally, and I think for this reason Korean companies would be interested to partner with countries in Africa to stabilise the supply chain,” Barthe-Dejean said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in the delegation include Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr KIM Young-chae; Deputy Secretary President Yeol for Future Policy, Mr YOO Chang-ho; and Barthe-Dejean
Others were Chief Financial Officer, LG Electronics Nigeria Corporation, Mr KIM Inkyu; Economic Attaché, Korean Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Choi Jungwon; and Ms Park Hyesong of Korea International Development Agency.
NAN also reports that early, Sungmin visited Vice President Shettima and the Permanently Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Saudi authorities have agreed to relocate about 10,000 Nigerian pilgrims to an additional site in order to decongest the present tent in Muna.

Malam Mousa Ubandawaki, Deputy Director, Information and Publication, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this in a statement in Makkah on Monday.

Ubandawaki said that the measure was part of efforts to address the problem of inadequate tents allocated to Nigerian pilgrims in Muna.

He explained that the decision was sequel to the complaint lodged by NAHCON to the Muttawwif of African Non Arabs on inadequate tents, inadequate food supply, and late food service to the pilgrims.

The Muttawwif while apologising for the treatment meted out to Nigerian pilgrims, promised to make up for the incident by relocating the pilgrims to the Turkish Arena which can conveniently accommodate about 10,000 pilgrims.

“We really want to apologise for what the Nigerian pilgrims suffered throughout today.

“I want to impress it on the commission that we will give them the utmost priority in the coming days for what they passed through” said Sindhi, who is the Chairman of the Company of Muttawifs.

“Therefore, from 2pm on Wednesday, we will relocate about 10,000 pilgrims outside the traditional tent area to the Turkish Arena which has better facilities and will also ease the crowd in the Muna area,” he added.

He expressed the appreciations of the leadership of the company to Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, Chairman of NAHCON for showing understanding and the Nigerian pilgrims for their patience and perseverance. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to screen all tents in Muna to weed out fake pilgrims.

The National Coordinator of the CSO, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, made the call in a statement isdued on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ibrahim said the CSO observed with dismay the lack of spaces for Nigerian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Muna camp leading to thousands being stranded.

“Our initial findings show that the lack of space for the pilgrims was as a result of two major issues and lapses. Firstly, the Muassasa allocated the same number of tents to Nigerian pilgrims this year as they did 2022.

“However, while the Nigerian contingent to Hajj 2022 was about 45,000, Saudi Authorities allocated 95,000 slots this year. It therefore, makes no sense that the same spaces are allocated for the two contingents.

“Secondly, the Saudi based security personnel deployed to man the tents in the area allocated to Nigerian pilgrims opened the entrances much earlier than the arrival of real pilgrims and the fake ones, mostly made up of illegal immigrants from Nigeria, popularly called ‘Tukari’, took over the spaces.”

He said that fake pilgrims went as far as producing fake wrist bands and trackers to hoodwink the security personnel.

The national coordinator, therefore, in the interim suggested that all officials from NAHCON and the 36 states and FCT should vacate the tents they are presently occupying to allow stranded Nigerian pilgrims to stay there temporarily.

“Priority should be given to only female officials. Also, NAHCON and the states should immediately go into action by screening all pilgrims inside the tent in order to weed out all fake pilgrims.

“We are sad to note that there was very poor supply of food to the pilgrims on the first day of stay in Muna. Most of the caterers brought food very late.

“We call on NAHCON to blacklist these caterers against future Hajj operations,” the group advised. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate tents for Nigerian pilgrims at Muna by the Saudi Company vested with the responsibility of securing enough facility in the area.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, stated this while answering questions from journalists after inspecting the situation at Muna on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Hassan also said that the commission was was not pleased with the feeding arrangement which, he said, the meals were inadequate and were served late to the pilgrims.

He said NAHCON envisaged that the problem was most likely to occur and earlier suggested that the commission be involved, but the Saudi authorities concerned insisted they had a mega kitchen and about three alternate plans to deliver to the satisfaction of all.

Hassan revealed that the commission had already notified the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the Nigerian plight over tents and feeding.

According to him, they were scheduled to meet later to night to review situations on ground and chart a cause on how to solve the problems encountered so far.

Hassan further stated that there has been a standing rule that only satisfactory services provided would be charged and paid for, while refunds were made for those poorly handled.

“However, pilgrims paid not to be refunded, but to have the comfort to worship Allah with ease,” said the chairman.

He said NAHCON would insist and press for a serious, meaningful and satisfactory improvement within the shortest possible time, so that Nigerian pilgrims would conclude their Hajj rituals with ease.

On the condition of the pilgrims generally, the NAHCON boss expressed delight that they were on high spirit despite the unexpected challenges they are contending with in the meantime.

“I have seen people happy only because they are people of faith, we have seen people who are totally not happy on two scores.

“Number one, obviously the tent of the camp is totally unsatisfactory, and I must tell you the camp is unsatisfactory at tent ‘C’ where the majority of the pilgrims are.

“So also is the same situation at the VIP tent. All of these facilities were paid for, but obviously the provision made were far little compared to the number of pilgrims,” Hassan said.

The chairman noted that: “Apart from the number of tents, it is also clear that food has not been adequate and also has not been timely.

“The issue of tent is exclusive to Saudi Arabian authority we have no way to expand or to contract it but we have their understanding that is enough for all.

“I must say that we are very disappointed but in the end quite a number of pilgrims were left to stay outside the camp.” (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board says the board was able to secured an accommodation closer to the Masjid Al-Haram for its pilgrims in Makkah as directed by Gov. Abdullahi Sule of the state.

The Executive Secretary, Alhaji Idris Al-Makura, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

NAN reports that it’s the responsibility of state pilgrims boards to secure decent accommodations for their pilgrims in Makkah based on the arrangements with of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Al-Makura said the board, aside from accommodating its pilgrims in a five-star hotel, also engaged the services of the best caterers to provide well-balanced diet to its contingent.

“Nasarawa State is blessed now because of the governor we have in power in the person of Engineer Abdullahi Sule.

“I am not bragging, but you can go to the Nasarawa State pilgrims accommodation in Makkah to confirm by yourself.

“It’s only Nasarawa State pilgrims that were accommodated in about 0.6.8 kilometers to the Masjid Al-Haram. That’s less than one kilometer to the Haram.

“There is no other state in Nigeria that is closer to the holy mosque than Nasarawa pilgrims and this was achieved because of the commitment of our governor and we will continue to put him in prayers for him to record more achievements.”

The executive secretary called on all Nasarawa pilgrims to reciprocate the gesture of the governor by exhibiting good conduct throughout the hajj period from Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah till they return to Nigeria.

“Myself and the management staff of the board held a meeting with all the pilgrims and admonished them to continue to protect the image of Nigeria not just Nasarawa State.

“And they should exhibit a good conduct, they should stay where they ask them to stay in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah and also to avoid going to where they are cautioned not to go near.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi