*Photo L-R: Ambassador Lawal, Alhaji Hassan *
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has achieved one hundred percent success in airlifting all intending Nigerian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj.
Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan stated this on Saturday in Makkah, at the
Pre-Arafat Meeting held by NAHCON with the officials of States pilgrims welfare agencies, private tour operators and other stakeholders in the Nigerian Hajj sector.
Attributing the success of the outbound movement of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to the tremendous support of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,
Alhaji Hassan said that the commission had successfully transported all the 95,000 eligible Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
“I want to appreciate the support and guidance of President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, for their support in many ways where the mention of it could be very unnecessary.
“Our being here today is made possible for their support and guidance on the leadership of NAHCON,” he said.
Alhaji disclosed that a few days ago the commission out of the determination to transport all pilgrims to Saudi Arabia made a reservation of five flights extra in the event that there was any Nigerian who have a visa but had issue with flight so that the commission would bring him to Saudi Arabia.
He added that the commission after confirming that all pilgrims had been transported to Saudi Arabia decided to cancel the five extra flights on June 23.
Hassan also applauded the board, management and staff of NAHCON as well as the executive chairmen of the 36 states and the FCT pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions for their support towards ensuring successful transportation of all Nigerian eligible pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
He commended also, the Association of Umrah and Hajj Tour Operators of Nigeria for working round the clock to ensure the success of the first phase of the 2023 Hajj operation.
“When the situation of flight was troublesome we were together up to the last moment,” he stated.
On his part, Dr Usman Galadima, the Chief of Operations and Head of Nigerian Medical Team for the 2023 Hajj, revealed that the medical team recorded 30 cases of pilgrims with mental health challenge.
He also said that the team recorded six deaths, seven cases of pregnancies, two miscarriages, eight communicable diseases and offer consultation to 15,860 patients.
Earlier, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yahaya Lawal, commended the leadership of NAHCON for its tireless efforts in ensuring the success transportation of Nigerian pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
The Ambassador prayed that the return journey after the Hajj exercise would equally be a resounding success.
