NAHCON completes airlift of pilgrims to Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has completed the return of Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2022 hajj in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, NAHCON said the last flight, an Azman Air with 319 pilgrims from Kaduna and Kano and officials from the various states and NAHCON, departed from King Abdul Aziz International Airport Jeddah, at about 12: 00 pm on Sunday.

“The trip signifies end of 2022 Hajj Operations from Nigeria. The last flight is coming six days ahead of deadline of Hajj airlift as set by the Saudi authorities, and three days ahead of NAHCON’s planned deadline being 10th of August 2022. For over three weeks of the operation, only two flights cancellation were recorded with maximum delay of six hours.”

According to the statement, NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, attributed success of the return trip to Almighty and appreciated the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for his tireless support to Hajj organization.

While acknowledging challenges during the outbound trip from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, Hassan attributed it to “time constraint as well as other unforeseen hiccups such as the IBAN issue that affected some Tour Operators. Nonetheless, this has spurred the commission into taking lessons.”

He stressed that the Commission would commence early planning and would embark on prequalification of airlines sooner than later to allow the carriers to cross any unforeseen hurdles in good time and promised that the commission would ensure that any contractual agreement signed is fulfilled as agreed.

“In another development, a dinner was organized yesterday, 6th August in honor of NAHCON which marked beginning of the 2023 Hajj preparations. Chairman of the Company of Mutawifs for Pilgrims from African Non-Arab Countries, Mr. Ahmad Sindi eulogized Nigerian Hajj mission as the single most important delegation to the company. In his words, “Nigeria is very special to the company”. He lamented that certain things were not done the way the company wanted but reassured that the pilgrims deserve better service and this they are ready to provide irrespective of cost.”

“Consequently, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Hassan made three formal requests at the occasion the first of which is timely communication on 2023 Hajj guidelines, second is a review of the feeding arrangement in Masha’ir, and the third is a request for quick resolution of the IBAN blockade that deterred some Tour Operators’ pilgrims from participating in the year’s Hajj. The Chairman also raised the issue of insufficient space and proper marking of conveniences in Muna.”