The Governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, and Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yahaya Lawal, have commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its unwavering commitment to uplift Hajj administration in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the commission’s head office in Abuja, Monday, the governor also lauded the commission for the seamless airlift arrangement made in the airlift of Zamfara pilgrims.
According to a statement by NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications Division, Mousa Ubandawaki, the governor stated, “the fact that there isn’t so much noise and fuss anywhere showed that the operations is moving smoothly with little hiccups.
“I want to commend the Management and Board of the Commission for the way and manner this year’s Hajj airlift is being conducted across the country.
“He stated that since he assumed office, he had decided not to interfere in the planning and execution of Hajj arrangements by the State’s Board in order not to jeopardise the exercise”.
Earlier in his remarks, according to the statement, the chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, expressed delight at the style and maturity of the governor since he assumed office, saying, “You have been magnanimous in victory and you have continued to demonstrate that you are a progressive who is ready to serve the interest of the people of the State. I really want to commend you for that”.
The chairman added that “Indeed the flight operation in Sokoto Zone so far has been seamless. The pilgrims from the Zones are on record to be always on time to board the aircraft promptly”.
In a related development, the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, commended the chairman for his vision and all-inclusive style of management in monitoring the organization of the Hajj airlift.
The statement read in part: “I’m so impressed with the monitoring of the airlift operation. I am so glad and delighted that the operation is getting on very well.
“I have seen the result of better planning, organization and monitoring. It is a great accomplishment that you are able to utilize all the 95,000 slots allocated to Nigeria. Indeed, this will give us the impetus to ask for additional allocation next year. I want to say this year’s hajj operation has been very outstanding.”
He assured of the Embassy’s readiness and commitment to support and collaborate with NAHCON to achieve its desired objective of a successful Hajj.
“We are at your disposal to collaborate with you for a successful operation this year and beyond in the discharge of your national assignment,” he said.
Present during the governor’s visit were the commissioners in charge of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakasai, Commissioner in charge of Operations/Licensing and Tour Operators, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa and the Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information & Library Services (PRSILS), Sheikh Suleiman Momoh and host of other senior management staff.
