The National Hajj Commission Of Nigeria (NAHCON), says it has commenced the preparation for 2023 Hajj in earnest with a promise to learn from the challenges of 2022 Hajj.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan also disclosed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has informed the commission of its arrangements for 2023 Hajj operations.
The Chairman made the disclosure at the 2022 Post Hajj Stakeholders’ Meeting, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Alhaji Hassan explained that the meeting was designed to bring together the stakeholders 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 behooves 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 December 21, between NAHCOH and the Ministry,” he said.
The Chairman 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. The scheme is an arrangement that offers an intending pilgrim a long-term contributory platform to pay for Hajj gradually within a desired period. This arrangement has the potential of boosting early hajj preparation with the prospect of enabling Hajj subsidy in future,” Hassan said.
Alhaji Hassan commended the leadership of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and other stakeholders for their contribution and patriotism in the execution of Hajj Savings Scheme.
Hassan reiterated that NAHCON remains committed in 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 work closely with the commission 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 ensure a hitch-free 2023 hajj operations.
