I did not sideline any NAHCON board member – Chairman

Chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh, says he has not sidelined any member of the commission’s board.

Saleh refuted the allegations leveled against him by some board members of the commission, saying some people misunderstand the functions of the Executive and non-Executive Board members of the commission.

He added that the sideline claim by the non-executive Board members of the commission is baseless

He said the non-Executive Board members have no specific role, in either Procurement Act or the NAHCON Act, particularly in Procurement and administrative activities.

Reacting in a statement, the chairman said, “The claim by the Board member representing North East Alh Abba Jato, whom I considered as the most honourable and humble, is also baseless. Before my coming to the Commission as the Chairman, it was the tradition to take 2 members of these non-Executive Board members to participate in the pre-visit contingent.

“Therefore, during the Commission’s first pre-Hajj visit to the KSA under my leadership Two (2) of these non-executive members namely: Haj Aisha Obi a representative of the South East and Alh Abba Jato a representative of the North East were nominated to participate and they actively participated in all the pre-visit exercise.

“They were also fully paid all their travelling allowances, which includes Air Tickets, Visa, Estacode and Telephone & local transport). This record is available in the Commission.

“Therefore, there is no any time a Board member was co-opted at the Kingdom to partake in any of the Off-shore activities or sponsored himself/herself for any pre-Hajj visit, as claimed by Alh Abba Jato.

“During the last Ramadan Umrah Monitoring exercise, Two (2) other non-executive members were equally nominated to partake in the exercise. They are: Dr. Tajuddeen Agbafe a representative of the South West and Sheykh Muhammad Bin Usman a representative of the North West and they were fully paid all their entitlements.

“Also, the claim that non-executive Board members were not given official vehicles, it is important to mention that, there is no any provision in the NAHCON Act or any other provision or approval that support this claim and the Commission has never bought any such vehicles to any member in the past.

“The claim that non-Executive members could not access my office is not true. Since I assumed office, I have operated an open-door policy, not only for the Board members, but for all the staff of the Commission.

“I am particularly suprised by Mrs. A’isha Obi, the representative of the South East Zone’s allegation. This member was to some extent recognized as part of the staff of my office because of her frequent presence in the domain of the office.

“Similarly, Dr. Tajuddeen Agbafe, a member representing South West, is also a familiar face in my office. He equally brings issues and I always gave him all the necessary attention.”

He called on all Executive and non-Executive members of the Board, all members of NAHCON staff, State Executive of Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Commissions/Agencies, Private operators and other relevant stakeholders to come together and unite as a single NAHCON family.

However, Professor Abdullahi Saleh thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for entrusting him with the responsibility and assured Nigerians, especially the intending pilgrims that the 2025 Hajj would be the best in the history of Nigeria.