The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, said that the conjectural nature of Hajj fare in Nigeria is the primary factor that forced the Commission to start the implementation of the Hajj Savings Scheme without delay.
He explained that the scheme is an arrangement that offers an intending pilgrim a long-term contributory platform to pay for Hajj gradually within the desired period.
Hassan spoke at the stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at the Auditorium of National Mosque, Abuja.
He explained that the event is designed to bring together the crème de la crème of the Hajj industry in Nigeria to brainstorm and collectively review the last Hajj and then proffer improvement solutions.
The Commission also used the event to award States which performed exceptionally well in the Hajj 2022 will be honoured.
“No organization can succeed without constant networking with its sister agencies and other patrons whose supportiveness is indispensable in accomplishing superior results. As such, the Commission considers every party here present essential to its success,” the Chairman said.
“As we are all aware, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) was established by the Act of the National Assembly in September 2006 and became fully functional as a Commission in 2007.
“It is this constitutional backing that puts the Commission in a position to license, regulate, supervise and perform oversight functions over organizations, associations or any similar bodies engaged in organizing and coordinating the movement of persons from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj or Umrah.
“Therefore, the Commission carries the burden of ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive the best services home and away. This duty is indeed intricate because it is a task that forces the Commission to be reliant, like a machine wheel that needs all its cogs to fit to spin unhindered.
“NAHCON is blessed with several stakeholders with whom it shares symbiotic relationships to function. If we play our role dedicatedly and sincerely before the Almighty, we will always return here to celebrate our successes.
“In this regard, I wish to salute the support of all Stakeholders in the successful execution of Hajj 2022 operations despite the challenges. We remain committed to serving our pilgrims well, and with your consent, we are confident that this is achievable.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the conjectural nature of Hajj fare in Nigeria is the primary factor that forced NAHCON to implement the Hajj Savings Scheme without delay.
“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 can potentially boost early Hajj preparation with the prospect of enabling Hajj subsidies in future.
“I must commend the leadership of the Pilgrims Boards in all States for their contribution and patriotism in the execution of Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), and by extension, all other Stakeholders. Our Policy for Hajj 2023 is to maintain the status quo, that is, to run the HSS concurrently with the Conventional pay-as-you-go, as it was for this year’s Hajj.
“We hope to bring stability to the Hajj industry and the cost of its performance from Nigeria. Our prayer is that the response we expect to receive matches our zeal to succeed.
“Talking of services rendered to pilgrims, Executive Commissioners of NAHCON will provide details of the Hajj 2022 and other related matters to this gathering.
“It behooves 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. In addition, I am happy to inform you all that unlike last Hajj, when the preparation started late due to the absence of information, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has intimated us that arrangements for Hajj 2023 will begin with a conference via video communication scheduled for 21st December 2022 between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Ministry.”