By Abdulwahab Deji

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has intensified its efforts for the success of the 2025 Hajj by conducting a catering simulation exercise at the Rawaf Mina office in Makkah.

This is contained in a statement by Ahmad Musa, Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makkah.

The exercise was conducted to evaluate the quality, timeliness and standard of catering services arranged for the Nigerian Pilgrims under the Private Tour Operator quota.

The Commission’s Makkah Deputy Coordinator, Mr Alidu Shutti, led the delegation during the exercise.

Rawaf Mina, a Saudi-based company is responsible for provision of services to Nigerian Private Tour Operators’ pilgrims at the sacred sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah during the Hajj rites.

Shutti emphasised that the quality and quantity of meals in terms of taste, portion, and nutritional value must match what would be served to the Pilgrims during the Hajj.

“Timely delivery and consistency in quality, quantity are non-negotiable,” he stated, noting that the Commission’s goal is to elevate the 2025 Hajj experience to one of the best in recent time.

In response, Rawaf Mina CEO, Mr Zuhaer Sadayu, assured NAHCON officials that a dedicated food service consultant has been appointed to oversee all stages of meal preparation and delivery.

He pledged that feedback from the inspection would be meticulously addressed and incorporated into the final service provision plans in order to ensure Pilgrims receive full value for their money.

Also present at the event was NAHCON’s Saudi Liaison Officer, Ustaz Abubakar Lamin, who expressed gratitude to the Rawaf Mina team for facilitating the meals-tasting session and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enhancing Pilgrims’ welfare across all aspects of the Hajj exercise.

This function forms part of NAHCON’s broader mission to ensure efficient and effective service delivery during the days of tashriq outing.

The Hajj Commission reaffirms that the welfare of Nigerian Pilgrims remained top priority in its operational mandate for the 2025 Hajj.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz