Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Wednesday received in audience officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON),even as he expressed satisfaction with the various reforms introduced by the commission for the welfare of pilgrims.
Governor Mohammed who stated this at the Government House, Bauchi when the newly appointed Chairman of the NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan led a delegation of Hajj National executives on a courtesy visit to the State Governor.
commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its plans to implement a Hajj Saving Scheme where Nigerians will have the opportunity to save money over a period of time towards their pilgrimage.
According to Governor Mohammed, Hajj is the only way an average middle level Bauchi state citizen expresses his desire to go out for spirituality and tourism and the only way a government can show it cares, is by cushioning the problems and challenges that pilgrimage go through.
“Mr Chairman, what you intend to do of looking at the best global practice in making sure that we do not only do Hajj without sorrow, but make an investment where we teach our people saving culture and thier saving can apply on the Hajj process where they get some cushion, solace and subsidy and in doing this, show to the world that this largest pilgrimage country is really coming in terms with it’s challenges, problems and making sure that at least we free resources from the system”
“I know you will achieve your desired objective in making sure that Hajj become something more than just a routine of tourism where the pilgrim goes through excruciating pains, spending money, bribing his way to be enlisted and once he gets to Saudi Arabia, he is subjected to agonizing and deplorable accommodation and in coming back, there is no arrangement and planning” he said.
He said their visit will encourage his administration to do more for the welfare of the state pilgrims thereby ensuring improvement in the hajj affairs.
Governor Mohammed informed the officials that the ongoing construction of new modern hajj camp in the state is part of the determination of his administration to cushion the challenges faced by intending pilgrims in the process.
He therefore directed the Secretary to the State Government(SSG) to provide office accommodation to the Commission for effective conduct of some of its activities in the state.
Speaking Earlier, The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Zikrullah Hassan said that Hajj is now a multi-billion dollar investment which involves management, tourism, hospitality and spirituality.
He said the new board of the commission is to open a basket fund for Hajj development level project, so that the issue of abadoned project will not continue, adding that the board will combine Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau as a single outreach of the Hajj Commission. END
