‘Ready to move forward’ — NAHCON sets up committee for 2024 hajj preparation

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated an 11-man committee to oversee the 2024 hajj preparation.

In a statement on Monday, Jalal Arabi, the acting chairman of NAHCON, said the committee would supervise the pre-qualification of tour companies for the 2024 hajj license.

Arabi who was recently appointed chairman of the commission had in recent weeks, visited Islamic leaders and associations in parts of the country to solicit support for the next year’s hajj operation.

During the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, he said the committee would be “responsible for screening of all application vis-à-vis the requirements in the advertisement”.

He added that the committee would would determine the best way to distribute the licensed companies among the 10 groups and also propose the sharing of hajj slots.

He gave the committee 10 days to submit the report of its work.

The NAHCON chairman asked members of the committee to “live above board and be guided by the principles of transparency, honesty, fairness and the fear of Almighty God in the discharge of the assignment”.

“This assignment is very crucial and a litmus test of your integrity and the commission. If you get it right, it will be a sign that we are ready for business and ready to move forward,” he said.

“Therefore, I enjoined you to be strong, bold and firm, so that the outcome of your assignment will not be questioned or disputed. At the same time, you will make yourself and the commission very proud.

“So don’t let your personal desires and interests becloud your sense of judgment in carrying out the tasks.”