Nigeria begins preparation for Hajj 2020, as Hassan-led team embarks on first offshore assignment

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has constituted a team of staff to proceed on the first official assignment to be carried out by its fourth board.

The Commission’s Head Public Affairs, Hajia Fatimah Sanda Usara, disclosed this in a statement she issued in Abuja and sent to The DEFENDER on Wednesday.

According to her, the offshore assignment team is “a pre-Hajj team to make necessary accommodation and feeding arrangements for the 2020 Hajj.”

Inaugurating the team Wednesday 19th February 2020, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, enjoined members of the team to dedicate their time and efforts, as well as examine all prospects of ensuring that Hajj fare goes down this year, and “hopefully” goes further down next year.

Alhaji Hassan emphasised that dedication is instrumental in addressing the issue of Hajj fare reduction, a promise he made during screening of the board and one he is determined to keep.

He called on the members to carry out this assignment without compromising quality or standard of accommodation nor feeding.

Therefore, he directed that they must focus on getting good houses for the pilgrims and insisted on decent meals from caterers.

The Chairman assured that the task was not going to be easy but one they must do avoiding temptation, compromise and lure of surrender.

In his address to the team, Commissioner in charge of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magari Hardawa, assured of all members’ commitment to meet expectations of the CEO and other Muslims to see that Hajj fare is reduced.

He also tasked members of the pre-Hajj team to make good bargains that will enable pilgrims to embark on Hajj with relative ease and get value for their money.

The team, which will be led by Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullahi Hassan, has the three permanent Commissioners among the delegation with senior management staff, staff from relevant departments and Pharm Zainab Ujudud Sheriff on the list.

Pharm Sheriff will inspect likely locations to site Nigerian clinics as well as ascertain that all conditions set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for setting up clinics by participating countries are met.