Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to take plausible measures to improve subsequent Hajj operations in the country.
The Governor spoke on Friday at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, when the Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Sale Pakistan paid him a courtesy call.
The Governor recalled with nostalgia the various challenges that bedeviled the conduct of the 2024 Hajj operations by NAHCON.
Dr. Idris recalled the poor arrangements made as regards the provision of accommodation for the pilgrims and other crucial services.
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He lamented that the pilgrims were not adequately taken off by the commission in Makkah, Medina and other holy sites.
The Governor said, ” I was also a witness as I performed the last Hajj and myself, alongside some Governors, other highly placed Nigerians and our pilgrims were stranded and left to suffer.
“However, I am extremely confident in the ability of the new NAHCON team to change the negative narratives.
“Plausible measures should be urgently taken to reverse the ugly story about the 2024 Hajj and seriously improve on the exercise.”
He promised to assist NAHCON on improving the conduct of Hajj in 2025 and beyond.
Dr Idris also said his administration is fully committed to ensuring the conduct of efficient Hajj exercise.
“We will continue to render the needed support to our Plgrims Welfare Agency (PWA)and NAHCON in this direction and we will never relent,” he vowed.
Prof. Pakistan had earlier told the Governor that the visit was part of their nationwide tour to intimate Nigerians on the excellent arrangements being made by NAHCON to organize proper Hajj operations in 2025 and beyond.
He listed some measures being taken by the commission to alleviate the suffering of the pilgrims both at home and in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, they include pondering on the payment of Hajj fares in Naira rather than the Us dollar, saying, “this is to bring down the fares.
“We have recorded some positive developments in this direction and the discussions are still on.
“We are making efforts to increase the number of banks handling the Hajj saving scheme like Taj and Lotus banks.”
Pakistan extolled the invaluable support of Dr Idris towards ensuring the success of the 2024 Hajj, urging him not to relent.
“With your support and other critical stakeholders, we are fully committed to reversing the ugly trend we inherited.”
The Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro, Enabo commended Dr Idris for making Kebbi State a trail blazer and role model in the conduct of Hajj operations in Niwgria and beyond.
He said that the choice of the state to flag off the visit in the North-West was a testament to Dr Idris’ sustained moral and financial support to the agency and NAHCON.
The Chairman attributed the series of giant strides recorded by the agency to the uncommon support and commitment of the Governor.
He stated that all the 2024 pilgrims have each received their refunds of N61,080, with the state government defraying the various bank charges as directed by Dr Idris.