By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that the commission will run the Hajj Saving Scheme concurrently with the conventional pay-as-you-go, as it was done during this year’s Hajj.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure at the 2022 Post Hajj Stakeholders’ Meeting, held at the National Mosque Auditorium, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the meeting was designed to bring together the crème de la crème of the hajj industry in Nigeria to brainstorm and collectively review the 2022 hajj and proffer solutions for improvement.

He explained that the conjectural nature of hajj fare in Nigeria was the major factor that forced NAHCON to start the implementation of the Hajj Savings Scheme without delay.

He said the scheme is an arrangement that offers an intending pilgrim a long-term contributory platform to pay for Hajj gradually within a desired period.

The arrangement, according to him, has the potential of boosting early hajj preparation with the prospect of enabling Hajj subsidy in future.

The chairman commended the leadership of the Pilgrims Boards in all States for their contribution and patriotism in the execution of Hajj Savings Scheme and by extension all other stakeholders.

Hassan said with Hajj 2023 around the corner, it behoves on stakeholders to focus on proper planning and prudence bearing in mind that the goal is to please Allah through intending pilgrims who invested so much with the sole aim of serving their Lord.

“I am happy to inform you all that unlike last Hajj when the preparation started late due to absence of information, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has intimated us that arrangement for Hajj 2023 will begin with a conference via video communication scheduled for Dec. 21, between NAHCOH and the Ministry,” he added.

He reiterated NAHCON commitment to serving pilgrims well, adding "with the support of stakeholders, we are confident that this is achievable.”

In his good will message, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pilgrimage, Hon Abubakar Nalaraba, while commending NAHCON, also advised them to work towards addressing some peculiar challenges experienced during the 2022 hajj operation with a view to ensure hitch-free 2023 hajj operations.

He restated the commitment of the National Assembly to continue to work closely with NAHCON and other stakeholders in the Hajj industry to ensure that pilgrims have value for their money.

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