Upswing beats as Hajj 2024 beckons

“Indeed, the first House of God appointed for all people is that in the valley of Bakkah. It is most blessed and a source of guidance for all the peoples of the world. From the time of Abraham, there have remained in it clear signs – such as the Station of Abraham. Moreover, whoever enters its sanctuary shall be secure. Thus Hajj (Pilgrimage) to the sacred House in Makkah is owed to God, as an obligation upon all people who are able to attain a way to it. And as to those who disbelieve this, know, then, that God is, indeed, self-sufficient, without any need from any of His creation in all the worlds.” Qur’an 3 V 96 & 97.

Brethren, the ongoing first national stakeholders’ summit on the 2024 Hajj at the Musa Yar’Adua International Centre, Abuja is a testimony that the stage is set for this year’s spiritual exercise.

Yesterday, the opening ceremony of the two-day summit with the theme: “Partnership, Collaboration and Team work; The Tripod of success for 2024 Hajj operation” attracted all who matter in the operation and management of Hajj in Nigeria.

And without mincing words, Vice President Kashim Shettima hit the nail on the head tasking the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on prioritizing the welfare of the pilgrims. And what appeared as the icing on the cake was the announcement that the inaugural flight that would convey the first batch of pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been scheduled for May 15, 2024.

The summit is being organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), an outfit midwifed by the NAHCON and sponsored by Lotus Bank.

The Vice president explained that certain global challenges have made it imperative for stakeholders to unite efforts and pull resources to ensure a seamless hajj year.

Represented by the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Aliyu Modibbo, the vice president said the theme of the summit encapsulates the core values that are indispensable for the advancement of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah industry.

Noting that the hajj industry is not only a pillar for religious devotion, the number two citizen observed that the spiritual journey is also an avenue to strengthen cultural exchange, promote mutual existence and nurturing bilateral relations.

“There is a need for all hands to be on deck. You will recall my directive to the commission in August last year that it is absolutely essential for the commission to develop a robust mechanism to give us maximum success in managing hajj operation from year to year.

Also, because the welfare of pilgrims is at the core of the pilgrimage, as such the commission must give it the priority it deserves. This summit should serve as an avenue for fulfilling such a directive.”

NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, disclosed that close to 65,500 Nigeria pilgrims would participate in the 2024 Hajj, adding that they would be airlifted by the approved airlines from 10 departure centres across the country.

The NAHCON boss said the commission had decided that for this year’s operations, all Nigerian pilgrims would visit and spend at least four days in Madinah before the commencement of the Hajj rites proper.

He said that the approved air carriers were ready to transport all Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from over 10 departures centres.

“We as a board of NAHCON and team will be meeting with the air carriers later today (yesterday) to fashion out the departure centres and of course our partners in the aviation sector will also join us,” he said.

It would be recalled that NAHCON had earlier announced FlyNas, Air Peace and Max Air as air carriers for the 2024 hajj, Flynas will kick-start the outbound flight with Kebbi pilgrims on May 15.

Other states Flynas will ferry to Saudi Arabia subsequently are Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara.
Arabi stated further: “This is major change from the operations of Hajj in the last decade. All stakeholders are working to provide effective and efficient services to the guests of Allah (pilgrims).

“And this underscores the importance of this summit. The preparations for this year’s Hajj are characterised by different challenges but to God be the glory we are able to overcome the challenges.
“I can proudly say that close to 65,500 pilgrims of the States Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions and the Tour operators will be participating in this year’s Hajj,” he said.

He said that the commission under his watch was ready to partner, collaborate with stakeholders and work as a team for the successful conduct of the 2024 Hajj operation.

Arabi seized the occasion of the opening ceremony yesterday to acknowledge the continuous support for the growth and development of Hajj management in Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III “who always provides necessary guidance for the leadership of NAHCON as well as the Lotus Bank for extending their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gestures to NAHCON and HIN by sponsoring this programme.”

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said he recognised the significance of the Hajj and Umrah industry as the nation’s spiritual and economic well-being.

Wike, who was represented at the event described Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage as a sacred religious obligation of millions of Nigeria’s Muslims, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the journey is safe, comfortable and spiritually enriching.

“This summit provides a vital platform for stakeholders to come together, share ideas and charge a cause for the growth and development of our hajj and umrah industry.

“We must, therefore, work collectively to address the challenges facing our pilgrims from logistic accommodation, securities and other issues”, the minister added.

Earlier, the Rector of the institute, Prof. Mohammed Maiturare, said the summit was intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering cooperation and collaboration between NAHCON, states pilgrims boards, tour operators and all stakeholders in Hajj industry.

“Through open dialogue, knowledge sharing and a commitment to working together we can address challenges and potential destructions that might arise and ensure the successful execution of the 2024 Hajj,” he said.