The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has partnered the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, for the digital transformation of Hajj operations and management in the country.
Speaking during the parley between the NITDA team and NAHCON’s Commissioners, senior management and ICT staff on Tuesday, the NAHCON’s Chairman, Zikrullah Hassan, said the partnership was aimed at making the commission’s operations ICT driven for efficiency and advancement.
The NAHCON’s Head of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda-Usara, in a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN, quoted the leader of the NITDA team as calling on staff and management of the commission to accept digital transformation culture and be ready to switch to it and to sustain it.
According to her, during the meeting, a pilot team comprising a select management staff, some ICT members and the NITDA facilitators was formed during the meeting.
“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 the cutting of waste and creativity in revenue generation,” Mrs Sanda-Usara stated.
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.
Mr 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, Senator Muhammad Adamu Bulkachuwa, of NAHCON’s plans in respect of Hajj 2020.
While appreciating the team’s hard work, Mr Bulkachuwa assured them of the Committee’s readiness to assist the Commission where it needs help.
