The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, is seeking the collaboration of the Saudi Arabian Authority for successful Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Commission Alhaji Zikirullah Hassan made the plea at a dinner, organised by the Commission in honour of the new Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Faisal Bin-Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Alhaji Hassan who welcomed and congratulated the new Ambassador on his well-deserved appointment by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia solicited his supports and said Nigerian Muslim pilgrims are eager to perform this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia gives the go-ahead.
“The embassy has been our second office here because it is through the embassy that we get to start the process of Hajj and Umrah preparation. We, therefore, seek the support of the new Ambassador for the continued cooperation with the commission with regards to Hajj and Umrah”.
“I can assure you, sir … vaccine is going to play a very great role in Hajj this year, from pronouncement from the Kingdom. The Hajj Commission has discussed with the relevant agencies in Nigeria and we are on priorities as far as the Covid-19 vaccine is concerned, all we wait for is the green-light from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Inshallah,” he said.
NAHCON Chairman said the commission had applied means of enlightening the intending pilgrims on COVID-19 protocols and commended the Nigerian Government and Saudi Authorities for their commitment to managing the COVID-19 situation in both countries.
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Ambassador Ibrahim while responding assured the commission that he would consolidate the existing mutual relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Me and my counterpart Nigeria ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, we are going to work together Inshallah to build a good relationship in the area of economy, finance and social matter,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador also pledged to work closely with the commission to ensure that the Hajj and Umrah exercise succeeds.
“Before I came here I met with my predecessors and they told me about the project that is about to be operated that will simplify and ease the process of Nigerian pilgrims’ documentation when in Saudi Arabia”.
“Inshallah we would take action on the Makkah Root Project to ensure its success. So that when Nigerian pilgrims arrive in the Saudi Kingdom there would not be delay they will just go to their hotels right from the airport,” he explained.
Ambassador Faisal Bin-Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy thanked the leadership of NAHCON for organising a lavish dinner in his honour.
The Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, in his goodwill message, expressing satisfaction that the bilateral relationship between the two sister countries in all areas will be beneficial.
Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Bulkachiwa also welcomed Ambassador Al-Ghamidy to Nigeria and said Hajj and Umrah activities have improved under the current administration.
“In Nigeria today, hajj and umrah have changed under this new dispensation. I know before that when some Nigerian pilgrims go for hajj or umrah they usually abscond but this time, I can guarantee you that devices are put in place so all Nigerian Hajj or umrah pilgrims definitely come back home to Nigeria after the performance of hajj or umrah right.
Also, Honorable Kabiru Sani Idris who represented Honorable Abubakar Nalaraba, the Chairman House Committee on Pilgrims’ Affairs, ascertained the readiness of the House to work harmoniously with the Saudi Authority in ensuring pilgrim vaccination.
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