The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have finalised arrangements to kick-off biometrics capture of intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
This was the outcome of a meeting convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Mr Adnan bin Mahmoud Bostaji, discussed with NAHCON chairman Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad and top members of the commission on ways to ensure hitch-free biometrics capturing exercise for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to avoid last-minute rush.
Parties in the meeting stated that they had finalised “all arrangements relating to Nigerian intending pilgrims’ registration” and had provided necessary support to enable securing of visas within the approved time-frame for the 2019 Hajj.
The Saudi Embassy in Abuja and Consulate-General in Kano along with Nigerian Hajj Commission said they must deploy every means to achieve success of the arrangements.
The commission, therefore, called on intending pilgrims “who have paid for the exercise under any state of the federation to ensure that they conclude all required administrative documentations within the specified time including biometrics capturing.”
The NAHCON chairman said it was commendable the dedication of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for constantly and efficiently improving services to pilgrims.
He said “it is evident from the Kingdom’s heavy investment in Hajj infrastructure development as well as the yearly upgrade of all Hajj and Umrah related processes in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
In his remarks, Ambassador Adnan Bostaji said the Kingdom “will deploy all it can to make Hajj and Umrah easy for pilgrims as it considers it a privilege and honour to host guests of the Almighty.”
