By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The officials of Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Sunday, 12 May, 2024 departed Abuja for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State who would be arriving in the Kingdom on Wednesday, May 15.
The team, made up of 35 NAHCON officials and eight medical personnel will be in Saudi Arabia to organize and coordinate the reception, accommodation, feeding and transportation, health and general welfare of pilgrims throughout the Hajj period.
Addressing the team in a brief farewell ceremony at the Hajj House headquarters of the commission, the chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, urged the team members to live up to expectations 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 first point of call or contact with the pilgrims. Their impression and perception of your actions 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 and doing to earn our reward here and 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 and respect,” Arabi counselled.
He, however, warned that the commission would take drastic steps 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.
