By Mikail Mumuni in Madina
*Photo: Al-Andalus Catering Services Head of Hygiene and Sanitation, Mahmoud Bashar(left), during the visit to his company *
*Photo R-L: Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar Kana, Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir and a staff of one of the companies visited*
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Sunday, May 19, conducted members of its National Media Team (NMT) round the facilities of three of the Catering Services operators engaged for Nigerian Pilgrims in Madina.
Members of the NMT are drawn from Nigeria’s print, electronic and the social media.
The tour was facilitated by the Madina Feeding Committee of NAHCON which has Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir ( NAHCON Assistant Director Admin.) as Head and Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar Kana as Secretary.
Kitchen facilities visited included those of Al-Andalus Catering Services, Africana Home Restaurant &Grill and Zowar Muktari Catering Services.
Officials of the companies took the Nigerian journalists and the facilitators across the food stuff storage and cooking facilities, among others,for inspection.
The facilities were all unique for their modernity and cleanliness.
At Al-Andalus Catering Services, the head of Hygiene and Sanitation, Mahmoud Bashar, said all staff must adhere to strict hygiene and cleanliness protocols in conformity with the Saudi Arabian regulations, the requirements of NAHCON and
to prevent any foodborne illnesses.
Bashar, a Syrian said the company has a substantial number of Nigeria staff in compliance with the demands of NAHCON in order ensure that the food provided are those truly indigenous to the pilgrims. Both the Head and Secretary of the Feeding Committee told the journalists that another major of NAHCON was the need to create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Africana Home Restaurant &Grills and Zowar Muktari Catering Services are substantially owned by Nigerians.
Nasrudeen Bakare, from Abeokuta, Ogun State is the General Manager of Africana Home Restaurant &Grills, a company established by his mother, Alhaja Khadijat Bakare.
He said pilgrims satisfaction is the hallmark of the company and said its promoters are grateful to NAHCON for the opportunity to proof that Nigerian businessmen and women are not pushovers in both local and international arenas. His counterpart at Zowar Muktari Catering Services, Alhaji Sarki Muhammed Abdullah – Secretary of the company, expressed the same.
Alhaji Abdullah in addition said the Nigerian owned company which has Saudi partners has been serving Nigerian pilgrims for decades preceeding the establishment of NAHCON and commended the Commission for helping to nurture and maintain the business ties.
On their part, the Head and Secretary of the Feeding Committee in Madina assured that NAHCON will continue to see to the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy city, while also ensuring that Catering companies engaged are top-notch.
