The first set of the Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State are billed to arrive the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj exercise on Wednesday the 15th of May 2024.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mousa Ubandawaki Deputy Director Information and Publication Division of the Commission.
According to the statement a Nigerian advance team from National Hajj Commission numbering (43) will depart Abuja on Monday to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as mark of the beginning of preparation for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Addressing the Team in a brief farewell ceremony in the boardroom of the Hajj House, the Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, congratulated the team on being chosen & urged them to live up to expectation by discharging their duties in accordance with their mandate. Stressing that their performance could make or mar the success of the exercise.
“You are the 1st point of call or contact with the pilgrims. Their impression &perception of your action or activities will go a long way towards assessing the Commission.
If you get it right, we get it right and on the contrary, if you get it wrong, the rest will just be about crisis management. Therefore, you must be up&doing in order to earn our reward here &that of Allah in the Hereafter for treating His Guests well. They are the reason you are there, so at every point in time, make sure you attend or treat them with courtesy & respect.
He however warned that the Commission would take drastic step against anyone who may be reported to have deviated from the rules of engagement, stating that he would not hesitate to recall any staff accused of dereliction of duties.
He further called on them to “take the admonition seriously, the bar has been raised & the expectation is high. You have been carefully selected because of the trust we have in you & as such, you need to brace up. Laxity & procrastination will not be tolerated.”
Malam Arabi also called on the need for medical personnel to respect their patients & pilgrims of whose essence you are going there. “You must serve & treat them fairly, gently &with utmost respect “.
The Chairman reminded the Team to work in unity& harmony as they are representatives of the Commission & 🇳🇬 as they would be assessed & monitored.
“I want to urge you to work as team, cooperate with one another. Those of you who are veterans should assist and guide those who are new on the job so that we can achieve success collectively.”
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner in Operations, Inspectorate & Licensing oil.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, called on the team to be good ambassadors of the Commission & assured them of the Management’s support. In his words,” urge you to be patient with the pilgrims, minimize their complaints & focus on the task at hand.” He prayed for Allah’s guidance for the Team in carrying out their assignment successfully and wished them a safe flight to Saudi Arabia
In the same vein, the Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics & Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal expressed gratitude to Allah for witnessing the start of the 2024 Hajj Season. He enjoined the team to represent the Commission well while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “You are our eyes & ears of the Management. Pls represent us effectively before our coming
Responding on behalf of the Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, who is the Madina Coordinator, expressed appreciation to the Management for the trust & confidence reposed in them & assured of their determination & readiness to make this year’s Hajj more successful that previous years. “We will ensure that pilgrims get value for money & also do everything possible that pilgrims perform their Hajj rites without hitches Insha Allah”.
The team is to organize & coordinate the reception, accommodation, feeding and transportation, health and general welfare of the pilgrim held in the Holy land throughout the Hajj period.
