NAHCON meets NASS on 2020 Hajj, visits NITDA on digital transformation

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in collaboration with Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has concluded plans on a strategic digital transformation of Hajj operations and management in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement sent to The DEFENDER by Head of Public Affairs of the. Commission, Fatimah Sanda Usara, on Wednesday.

The rollout meeting was held Tuesday, 9th, June 2020 in the Hajj House conference room.

Speaking during the parley with the NITDA team, NAHCON’s Commissioners, senior management and ICT staff, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman NAHCON, outlined the importance of digital technology in the 21st century.

He said the plan is to make the Commission’s operations ICT driven for efficiency and advancement.

Leader of the NITDA team presented a transformation planning model to NAHCON, emphasising that the strategy they want to adopt needs the leadership and staff to have a mind-set ready to think out of the box like a private venture.

He called for a resolve by staff and management to accept digital transformation culture and be ready to switch to it and to sustain it. He also explained the implementation roadmap.

“It is believed that with the transformation program, pilgrims’ experience will be greatly improved through an end-to-end automation of services to them. It is also hoped that the system will help increase NAHCON’s revenue through cutting of waste and creativity in revenue generation.

“A pilot team comprising a select management staff, some ICT members and the NITDA facilitators was formed during the meeting.”, Usara said.

In another development, the NAHCON Chairman and his entourage visited the National Assembly on the invitation of the House Committee on Pilgrimage.

The visit was to update the committee members on Hajj 2020 preparations by the Commission and to identify areas where the NAHCON needed assistance. In his presentation, the NAHCON helmsman explained the 2020 Hajj feasibility studies conducted by the Commission and adjustment strategies deployed against the global challenge posed by Covid-19.

He disclosed that NAHCON is in consultation with critical stakeholders in any decision it will take while soliciting the NASS members’ intervention where it has difficulties.

Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan reiterated NAHCON’s preparedness whether Hajj takes place or not.

Meanwhile, the NAHCON delegation also seized the opportunity to brief the Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs of NAHCON’s plans in respect of Hajj 2020.

Senator Muhammad Adamu Bulkachuwa appreciated the team and assured them of the Committee’s readiness to assist the Commission where it needs help.

He commended the NAHCON leadership for always keeping them updated. Similarly, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba commended the NAHCON team’s presentation and assured them of their support always.