Hajj 2019: Forum wants FG to address drugs, other challenges

Ahead of this year’s hajj exercise, stakeholders and participants in hajj and umrah services have urged the Federal Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to evolve new strategies and policies to address the challenges of drugs and challenges facing Nigerian pilgrims. They gave the advice yesterday in Abuja at the 27th National, […]

Ahead of this year’s hajj exercise, stakeholders and participants in hajj and umrah services have urged the Federal Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to evolve new strategies and policies to address the challenges of drugs and challenges facing Nigerian pilgrims.

They gave the advice yesterday in Abuja at the 27th National, states, local governments and other Hajj stakeholders’ conference themed: “Enhancing Nigeria’s National Hajj Management through Effective and Quality Service Delivery” organised by ITEC Consultancy Services. The Director of ITEC Mallam Abdulwakeel Ademola Abdulwahab said that reports that some unscrupulous officials were implanting banned drugs in intending pilgrims’ luggage, is worrisome and must be frontally addresses to save the pilgrims and the image of the nation.

He also urged the House of Representative and Senate Committees on Hajj to prevail on the executive arm of government to give a concessional exchange rate of dollar for Hajj operation and that all other Muslims organizations should do same.

“We are calling on all pilgrims’ handlers from local government to national level to embark on aggressive but effective sensitization programmes for the intending pilgrims to avoid any form of criminality during the pilgrimage; like drug peddling and absconding.

The execution of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia for one capital offence or others is condemned and regretted,” he said.

Also, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship and Hajj Affairs, Dr. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame, the Director, Baynakum Family Counseling Centre, Abuja, Dr. Abdulfattah Adeyemi, a former National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Mallam Jameel Muhammad and the Managing Director, M. A. Consult Limited, Kano, Mallam Adamu Aminu Yakasai urged NAHCON and other stakeholders to remember that they would account to Allah how they deal with the pilgrims.