On making 2018 Hajj better…

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to the welfare, health and security needs of Nigerian pilgrims while on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The President made this commitment after he was briefed on the 2018 Hajj memorandum of understanding Nigeria has signed with Saudi Arabian authorities on the 2018 Hajj exercise.
The President was briefed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim; and the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President was informed that Nigeria’s quota for Hajj 2018 is 95,000 with 75,000 expected to go through state pilgrims welfare boards and agencies while 20,000 would go through private tour operators.
He was also briefed about some of the new policies introduced by the Saudi Arabian government which included payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) by all consumers of goods and services in Saudi Arabia beginning January 1, 2018; Fixing of May 2018 as the deadline for the conclusion of all Hajj arrangements and the introduction of biometric data capture for all intending pilgrims.
The President, in his usual blunt self, decried the challenges currently faced by intending Umrah pilgrims. He said that Nigeria is not against the introduction of
biometrics capture by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but rather, the hardship caused by the non-preparedness of the company appointed to implement the policy in Nigeria.
He assured Nigerian pilgrims of his commitment to address the problem along with its attendant consequences on Hajj and Umrah operations in the country. And, he would address the problem besetting Hajj and Umrah, especially as he works closely with the efficient management of NAHCON.
Of course, it is worthy of note that since the appointment of Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed as chairman of NAHCON, the operations of the agency became more effective and efficient. Still, determined not to rest on its oars, despite the successes it recorded during the previous exercise, already preparations for 2018 exercise are in top gear at the NAHCON.
This year, NAHCON chairman said the agency is determined to exceed its last year’s preparations for smooth pilgrimage in every aspect. Thus, what remains is for the President, NAHCON and other stakeholders on Hajj matters to leverage on the success recorded during the 2017 hajj exercise and consolidate on future exercises.