The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has disclosed plans to reduce the number of days pilgrims often spend during Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Hassan, dropped the hint during a familiarization and inspection tour of the commission’s ongoing projects across the country.
During the tour, according to a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, Mr Hassan was in the company of the three permanent commissioners of NAHCON; Director of Admin and Human Resources, Dr. lbrahim Sodangi; and other members of management staff.
The statement also noted that the NAHCON delegation visited Bauchi, Kwara, Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.
According to the statement, in each of the states visited, the delegation paid respect to the Executive Governors and Royal Fathers, seeking cooperation for NAHCON’s policies and programmes.
Speaking during the visits, the NAHCON boss solicited support for the upcoming Hajj Savings Scheme program, HSS, establishment of the Hajj Training Institute and digitalisation of Hajj operations.
The NAHCON chair also restated his commitment towards making Hajj fare affordable, “through some financial engineering, and digitalization of Hajj operations”.
While acknowledging that achieving all fare reduction would not come easy, especially with foreign exchange fluctuations, Mr Hassan promised that NAHCON would ensure affordability of Hajj for all Muslims in Nigeria.
The NAHCON chairman lamented that an intending pilgrim must not go into a business or financial suicide in order to raise money for Hajj.
He said: “Alternatively, he can enroll in the scheme to save for the appropriate time and hopefully raise dividends simultaneously.
While in Jigawa State, Governor Muhammad Badaru expressed confidence that had international Hajj took place in 2020, fare would have been lower.
Similarly, the Emir of Dutse, Muhammadu Sanusi, expressed his excitement by the introduction of Hajj saving scheme, saying that government at all levels should not be spending money to sponsor pilgrimage.
