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Saudi Arabia intimates NAHCON on arrangements for 2023 Hajj
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has disclosed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has intimated the commission of arrangement for the 2023 Hajj operation.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure at the 2022 Post Hajj Stakeholders’ Meeting, held at the National Mosque Auditorium, on Thursday in Abuja.
Hassan explained that the meeting was designed to bring together the crème de la crème of the hajj industry in Nigeria to brainstorm and collectively review the 2022 hajj and proffer solutions for improvement.
“Hajj 2023 is around the corner, it behoves on us all to focus on proper planning and prudence bearing in mind that our goal is to please Allah through our intending pilgrims who invested so much with the sole aim of serving their Lord.
“I am happy to inform you all that unlike last Hajj when the preparation started late due to absence of information, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has intimated us that arrangement for Hajj 2023 will begin with a conference via video communication scheduled for Dec. 21, between NAHCOH and the Ministry,” he said.
Hassan revealed that the policy for Hajj 2023 fare was to maintain the status quo; “that is to run the Hajj Saving Scheme concurrently with the conventional pay-as-you-go, as it was done during this year’s Hajj.”
He explained that the conjectural nature of hajj fare in Nigeria was the major factor that forced NAHCON to start the implementation of the Hajj Savings Scheme without delay.
Read Also: NAHCON meets NCAA, others over Hajj 2022
“The scheme is an arrangement that offers an intending pilgrim a long-term contributory platform to pay for Hajj gradually within the desired period.
“This arrangement has the potential of boosting early hajj preparation with the prospect of enabling Hajj subsidy in future,” Hassan said.
The NAHCON boss commended the leadership of the Pilgrims Boards in all States for their contribution and patriotism in the execution of the Hajj Savings Scheme and by extension all other stakeholders.”
He disclosed that some states that performed exceptionally well during the 2022 hajj would be honoured.
Hassan reiterated that NAHCON remains committed to serving pilgrims well, saying “with the support of stakeholders, we are confident that this is achievable.”
Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pilgrimage, Alhaji Abubakar Nalaraba, restated the commitment of the National Assembly to continue to work closely with NAHCON and other stakeholders in the Hajj industry to ensure that pilgrims have value for their money.
Nalaraba, however, urged NAHCON to work towards addressing some peculiar challenges experienced during the 2022 hajj operation with a view to ensuring hitch-free 2023 hajj operations.
(NAN)
Saudi Arabia intimates NAHCON on arrangements for 2023 Hajj
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says a comprehensive investigation is in progress to ascertain the veracity of reports of loss of civilian lives in the course of recent airstrikes in Zamfara.
The Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said that the NAF dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area in recent airstrikes at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
“The operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF viewed with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation.
“As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the reports, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and re-assure the public.
“Please rest assured that, while our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.
“We will therefore work closely with all relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of our unwavering commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations,” he said.
The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Usman explained that the four airlines were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Muslims pilgrimage.
According to Usman, the four approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia designated airline, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.
The NAHCON boss stated that the airlines were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that were inaugurated by the NAHCON on Nov. 26, 2024.
He said that the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He also said that some members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Similarly, Prof. Usman said that one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Others, he listed, were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.
The NAHCON boss also disclosed that three excess cargo carriers were selected for the hajj operations.
He named them to include; Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd.,
The Chairman, who congratulated the successful companies, urged them to fulfil their responsibilities as promised during the screening.
Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian Government.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfatah Masahat, at the signing ceremony.
The event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to formalise this year’s Hajj engagements.
Some health stakeholders have said that Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), which serve as the backbone of the country’s healthcare system, are in dire need of revitalisation.
The stakeholder said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, (more…)
NAF investigates reports of vigilante losses in Zamfara airstrikes–official
FG approves 4 airlines for 2025 hajj operation – NAHCON Chair
Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres in need of urgent revitalisation – Stakeholders
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