…As NAHCON Chairman advises pilgrims to be law abiding
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the management of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, for doing everything humanly possible to ensure a smooth take-off of this year Hajj exercise.
President Buhari gave the commendation on Thursday (May 25, 2023) at the pilgrims terminal of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, while flagging off inaugural flight for this year’s Hajj.
He equally enjoined the pilgrims to pray for peace, development and progress of the country while in the holy land.
The President, who spoke through the Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, described the NAHCON’s arrangements towards recording a hitchfree 2023 Hajj operations as very apt and worthwhile.
Buhari however, called on Nigerian pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Islam and the nation in the holy land by obeying all laws, rules and regulations of the host country.
The President therefore advised NAHCON to build on all successes it recorded so far by ensuring continuous provision of qualitative and diligent services to Nigerian pilgrims, both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, implored the pilgrims to be good representatives of Nigeria by abiding to the rules and regulations of their host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“All Nigerian Pilgrims traveling for Hajj 2023 are ambassadors of Nigeria in the Kingdom, hence, they should be law abiding to the regulations of the Kingdom, uphold the tenets of Islam, be courteous to their fellow pilgrims and above all, they should be well acquainted with the obligations of Hajj which is the main purpose of their journey.On this note, I want to restate and re assure Nigerians that this year’s Hajj won’t be just about stories but stories of success. We have made and concluded arrangements to ensure that the accommodation, feeding and transportation facilities on ground are the best.
“We are all aware of the crisis in Sudan, we plead with our pilgrims as they will have to traverse through a route longer than usual. In the light of the above, the States are urged to properly enlighten their pilgrims.
I commend the Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board for ensuring the readiness of her pilgrims which has culminated in making this day a reality. I also wish to express my sympathy to the government, and the people of Nasarawa over the motor accident that occurred when some of the pilgrims were traveling yesterday from Nasarawa to Abuja.
“I must commend the Custodians of the Two Holy mosques for their hospitality to pilgrims from all over the world. Truly they pride themselves as hosts to the Guests of the Most Merciful and they must be commended for playing this role well. I enjoin our pilgrims, here present and others that will follow, to pray for the peace and progress of our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of all Stakeholders in the Hajj arrangements so far, however, it is now time for execution of these plans, we therefore urge you all to ensure readiness on all fronts, as you are aware, lapses in flight operations have a multiplier effect on other aspects of operations.
“I wish our pilgrims safe journey to and from Saudi Arabia. I pray they return to meet their families safely and I wish them a memorable Hajj mabrur” he added.
