2025 Hajj - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
May, Fri, 2025

2025 Hajj: Our pilgrims will enjoy quality meals, says NAHCON

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By Deji Abdulwahab

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it will ensure the contracted catering facilities comply with standards while serving meals to Nigerian pilgrims.

The commission’s Medina Feeding Committee, headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, said this in a statement issued by its Public Affairs Officer, Malam Ahmad Muazu, in Abuja on Friday.

Kabir said this during an inspection to the seven contracted catering facilities in Madina.

“As more than 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims already arrive in Medina for the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON has implemented a rigorous oversight system to ensure consistent quality in its extensive feeding operation.”

According to him, the committee inspectors examine the quality of all food ingredients, verifying that raw materials meet nutritional standards before the preparation process.

“They scrutinise expiration dates on every packaged item, from spices to preserved goods, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for expired products.

“Additionally, inspectors verify strict adherence to NAHCON’s mandate for natural ingredients, prohibiting artificial flavour enhancers and preservatives that could compromise the nutritional value or authenticity of traditional Nigerian dishes.

“These recurring inspections ensure that kitchens maintain compliance with NAHCON’s exacting standards while serving thousands of meals twice daily,” Kabir said.

According to him, the commission’s Medina Feeding Committee, conducts regular inspections of the catering facilities, maintaining vigilant supervision as the massive feeding operation unfolds.

“The continuous monitoring of every aspect of the feeding programme demonstrates an institutional commitment that extends beyond mere sustenance to encompass dignity and cultural respect.”

Kabir said that the committee evaluated all the seven contracted kitchens in Medinah.

The kitchens are Africana Home Restaurant, Amjad Alghraa, Al-Andalus, Mawasim Khairat, Na’a Azad, Zowar Muktara, and Kabala Catering.

He said that the criteria for evaluation include sanitation protocols, equipment functionality, and staff performance.

Kabir added that the inspections extended to workforce composition requiring the employment of Nigerian cooks and support staff within each kitchen operation.

According to him, this provision ensures culturally authentic meal preparation while creating employment opportunities for Nigerians during the Hajj season.

During a meeting with food service providers, Madinah Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin, addressed concerns regarding packaging standards.

“The use of substandard containers is categorically unacceptable,” Oloyin said.

Oloyin directed the use of uniform packaging designed to preserve food safety while enhancing the dignity of the dining experience.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

2025 Hajj: Committee inspects pilgrims feeding facilities

Ismail Abdulaziz
May, Fri, 2025

Religious

2025 Hajj: Committee inspects pilgrims feeding facilities

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By Deji Abdulwahab

The Madina feeding committee, headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, has inspected the kitchens contracted to serve Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj operation.

This is contained in a statement by Suwaiba Ahmed, the Information Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Friday in Abuja.

Ahmed noted that the committee conducted the NAHCON Advance Team, led by the Madina Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin, round the seven kitchens contracted for the Hajj feeding operation.

She said that the inspection was to ascertain their readiness of caterers to serve Nigerian pilgrims, adding that the team also focused on hygiene, quality and quality of the food as well as the facilities.

The NAHCON information officer said that among the areas inspected at the facilities were the cleanliness and equipments as well as workforce in order to determine effective delivery during the Hajj operations.

She said that Oloyin had met with the contractors and raised the issue of food packaging, where he said some of the caterers use sub-standard plastic containers.

“The meeting agreed on a particular packaging to be used uniformly by all the caterers.

“Oloyin also reiterated the importance of the following; the menu given to them by NAHCON as well as delivering the food to the pilgrims’ accommodation on time, saying there will be consequences on violators.

“Meanwhile the committee in charge of accommodation is working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place before the arrival of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims into Saudi Arabia scheduled to start on May 9, 2025.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Saudi Arabia announces penalties for unauthorised Hajj pilgrims, facilitators

Muhyideen Jimoh
Apr, Wed, 2025

Foreign , Religious

Saudi Arabia announces penalties for unauthorised Hajj pilgrims, facilitators

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The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj and for those who facilitate such violations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry said the following penalties will begin from Dhul-Qi’dah 1 until the end of Dhul-Hijjah 14.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah’’ is the period from the first day of the 11th month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, until the last day of the 12th month, Dhu’l-Hijjah.

NAN reports that this period is significant as it includes the month preceding the Hajj pilgrimage and the month where Hajj itself takes place.

The ministry said fine of up to SAR 20,000 (5,332 U.S dollars) will be imposed on individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and visitors trying to enter or stay in Makkah during this period.

The second fine is that SAR 100,000 (26,661.00 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

The fine will multiply for each individual involved, the ministry said.

It said the same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

The ministry added that those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims’ housing sites, would also be fined when caught.

According to the ministry, this includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay, the fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

The ministry said the third are, the illegal infiltrators attempting to perform Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

The ministry said the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.

NAN also reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stated that the airlift for Nigerian intending pilgrims who paid for the 2025 Hajj would commence on May 9.

A statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, revealed that 43,000 pilgrims paid for the pilgrimage.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Halima Sheji

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Fri, 2025

General News

NAHCON approves Max Air for 2025 Hajj

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Max Air

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved Max Air to transport intending pilgrims from Jigawa for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmed Labbo, announced this in a statement signed by the Board’s spokesman, Mr Habibu Yusuf, on Thursday in Dutse.

“NAHCON has officially appointed Max Air as the designated airline for airlifting Jigawa State pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj,” Labbo stated.

He explained that the decision followed a management meeting and the signing of an agreement with airlines at NAHCON headquarters in Abuja.

Labbo expressed satisfaction with NAHCON’s extensive preparations and assured that all necessary arrangements had been made for a smooth journey for the pilgrims.

He added that the travelling bags and uniforms for the state’s intending pilgrims are ready for collection.

Labbo further reassured the intending pilgrims of a seamless experience at home and abroad.

According to him, selecting Max Air as an air carrier for the 2025 Hajj reflects NAHCON’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and comfort for all pilgrims.

Labbo also commended Gov. Umar Namadi for his continued support and leadership, which have made the board’s operations transformative and successful. (NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola / Kamal Tayo Oropo