President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has directed the newly appointed Chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to assume duty pending the screening and confirmation by the Senate.
Tinubu appointed Usman on 19th August 2024 after the removal of Jalal Arabi, who was accused of misappropriation of N90 billion government intervention for 2024 hajj.
However, the office of the Vice President, Senator Shetima, in a statement on Saturday instructed Usman to resume work at Hajj House immediately.
The internal memo titled Resumption of office in Ag Capacity, addressed to Professor Saleh Usman, reads, “I am directed by His Excellency, Senator Shetima GCON, the Vice President, to convey the approval of your resumption of office as Chairman National Hajj Commission in an Acting Capacity with immediate effect, pending confirmation by the senate after resumption from recess.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has commenced preparation for 2025 Hajj operations to beat the timeline and guide already established by Saudi Arabia.
This is even as Nigeria retained the previous allocation of 95,000 pilgrims for the next Hajj, a quota NAHCON has already allocated to states and private tours by 75,000 and 20,000 seats, respectively.
Leading a Nigerian team on a virtual preparatory meeting with the Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umurah recently, Abdulrazaq commended the MOHU of Saudi Arabia for the successful 2024 Hajj operations and expressed readiness for NAHCON to kick start preparations for the 2025 exercise.
Abdulrazaq, however, raised concern over the acute shortage of pilgrim conveniences and the absence of local delicacies both at Mina, as well as challenges of transportation from Muzdalifa to Mina.
The leader of the Nigerian delegation also raised issues on tent allocation and the failure of Nigeria to secure rightful spaces despite payment of extra space to avoid shortage.
Abdulrazaq also said some pilgrims were harassed due to inactive NUSUK identity cards, which was no fault of theirs but that of the issuing authorities.
On the part of the Saudi delegation, the Director General, Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umurah, Dr. Badr Assulamy, requested full support of NAHCON to make the 2025 Hajj a success.
Badr, who doubles as the Chief Consultant in Charge of Offices of the (world) Pilgrims’ Affairs, laid out a timeline of activities as a build-up to the Hajj, pleading with the Commission to commit itself to deadlines.
He called for early payment of Hajj fares, completion of contractual agreements with service providers, and issuing of licences to air carriers and other stakeholders to be concluded before issuing of Visa would be possible.
According to him, visa issuance would commence on the 19th of February, 2025, while encouraging NAHCON to perfect arrangements to complete securing the travel document before the deadline date.
On the issues of concern, Badr urged the Commission to exercise patience over the ugly experiences. He advised NAHCON to collaborate with service providers to select the best location in Mina if the Hajj fares are remitted early.
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