The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organization (CSO) that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah operations, has received phase one of the 2022 Hajj performance reports from its volunteers.

IHR said it had covertly recruited some experienced Hajj administrators and experts from various fields to help collate data on the performance of Nigerian states’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Private Tour Operators and other Hajj service providers with a view to appreciating them after the 2022 Hajj exercise.

A statement signed by its National Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, on Monday, August 15, 2022 said the CSO appreciated the efforts put in place by the team.

Muhammed also commended them for the comprehensive report despite the short period given to them and the enormity of the task.

IHR also said it would interface with the Inspectorate, Evaluation and Compliance Department of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to assess the pre-Hajj policy compliance records to complement the report it has before selection of the prospective awardees.

Since its creation in 2003, Independent Hajj Reporters has instituted an annual post-Hajj service delivery recognition event to serve as a motivation and appreciation to those who excelled in various services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims both at home and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Despite the cascading challenges of 2022 Hajj, some NAHCON constituted committees; states pilgrims’ welfare boards, private Tour Operators and service providers muscled the obstacles and served pilgrims diligently,” the statement read in part.

It would be recalled that after the 2019 Hajj, IHR organised a Hajj Excellence Award that was widely attended by key stakeholders from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The late Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan Bostaji, Representatives of Yobe State Governor, Senator Ahmad Baba Kaita, Former NAHCON Chairman, Barr Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed, and the Chairman of World Hajj and Umrah Convention, Muhsin Tutla, were some of the dignitaries that graced the event in Abuja.

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