Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to appeal to the Saudi authorities to allow Nigeria to feed its pilgrims during the five-day Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.
The vice president stated this yesterday when NAHCON management briefed him on the outcome of the 2023 Hajj at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima said it has become imperative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to allow Nigerian hajj agencies to feed their pilgrims to avert physical or health discomfort during the Hajj rites.
“It is essential for the kingdom to review its feeding mechanism in the Masha’ir. Many of the pilgrims, if not fed with their local delicacies, might not have the physical strength to perform the spiritual exercise which is the main purpose of the hajj.
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“I will, therefore, urge you to appeal and persuade them to temper the economic consideration in favour of the well-being of the pilgrims,” Shettima said.
The vice president, whose office now supervises the commission, praised the management for the successful completion of the 2023 hajj, urging them to embark on broad and aggressive education and enlightenment for the 2024 hajj to ensure smooth and hitch-free operation.
Earlier, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, briefed the vice president on the 2023 hajj and preparation for the 2024 exercise.
According to him, the 2023 hajj was not without its challenges, but with the support and intervention of the vice president, especially in transferring funds to the kingdom, these challenges were overcome.
