The Acting Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, has commended the efforts of all stakeholders in ensuring a successful completion of the 2019 Hajj exercise.
Speaking during the post Arafat meeting Thursday night in Makkah to review this year’s Hajj exercise and develop a template for next year’s rites, the acting chairman, while talking about the three-day Mashaa’air activities in Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah decried the way pilgrims of other nations trespassed Nigerian tents unchecked.
He lamented the congestion in some tents in Muna, promising that measures would be taken for improvement.
He particularly expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Justice Isa Muhammad Dodo (rtd), the embassy staff and the Nigerian Console General and his staff for their support, cooperation, assistance and guidance.
He also commended NAHCON staff, state officials, ad hoc staff and members of the media team.He said, some of challenges faced this year would serve as a lesdon to device means of guarding against future occurrences.
He said, “I’m highly impressed with the outing of the National Medical Team this year, because of their sacrifices, innovations, commitment, perseverance and their unequaled determination to serve the Nigerian pilgrims diligently.”
He sadly announced the death of 10 Nigerian pilgrims so far at the 2019 Hajj and condoled with their families, boards and governments of the affected states.
He then prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for their families, friends, and governments of their state the fortitude to bear the loss.
On the return journey scheduled to start on August 17, Mukhtar said the commission has put everything in place to begin the airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria.
The NAHCON Boss quickly warned that there could be impromptu changes in scheduled flights because of the heavy downpour being witnessed in various parts of Nigeria.
He said, “There might be diversions or delays, I plead with us to bear with the situation when such eventuality occurs.”
He advised state officials to have firm control over the conduct of their pilgrims and warned against lawlessness, indiscipline and violation of Saudi Arabia rules, regulations and guidelines.
