By GARBA MUHAMMAD in Makkah

Stakeholders, Secretaries of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agencies and their pilgrims have stated reasons for scoring the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, over 90% for the improvement in feeding and accommodation arrangements in Mina and Arafat during this year’s Hajj exercise.

Recall that, in 2023, Nigerian Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima had charged NAHCON’s board to appeal to the Saudi authorities to rescind its decision to provide feeding for Nigerian pilgrims during the five-day Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

Sources among Saudi officials overseeing the smooth conduct of Hajj exercise said NAHCON achieved this year’s success following its commitment and determination in ensuring that the Saudi Arabia-based service providers Ithraa Alkhair hired to carry out this task, work according to the commission’s plan which led to the improved feeding arrangements at Mina and Arafat.

NAHCON Chairman/CEO Malam Jalal Arabi had sought pilgrims’ forgiveness on areas where the commission was expected to do better.

He stated this during his visits to tents and kitchens of Nigerian pilgrims in Mina on Monday night May 17^th, 2024.

He hailed the pilgrims for showing patience and understanding throughout their stay in Mina.

Alh Sharifuddeen Mohammed, a pilgrim from Kano, said they (the pilgrims) first observed the improved feeding arrangements when they arrived Mina.

“We met our meals waiting for us and served immediately. This really is a great improvement, because this is the time in the history of staying pilgrims in Mina.

“We have been enjoying uninterrupted food services. At times Rice and Chicken or Tuwo and Miyan Kuka and beef. Even yesterday (Sunday), we were served Tuwo, Miyan Kuka and beef for dinner in Mina and Arafat.

“Meals are served with mix snacks, clean and cold drinking water, Apples, Orange, Juice to mentioned but a few. In fact, NAHCON gave us VIP treatments. It’s home away from home for pilgrims this year,” he said.

This Reporter spoke with many pilgrims, and stakeholders among whom are state chairmen of pilgrims board. They particularly commended the NAHCON for the improved services.

Muyideen Bayonle Oriyomi, one of the pilgrims, said the commission has been doing well and good for pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

“We are massively being taken care of,” Independent Hajj Reporters quoted the pilgrim to had said.

Another pilgrim, Shuaibu Tahir Imam simply said: “In Mina it’s good. In Arafat, it’s very good,” while Sameera Baba female pilgrim said “Alhamdullilah in Mina and Arafat.”

Other pilgrims such as King Umar, Faisal Taub Adamu, Bilal Bin Muhammed, Isiyaku Dan Mallam and Haruna Ahmed Imam also spoke in a similar tune heaping praises on NAHCON, state officials and for ensuring that the service providers offer improved quality feeding services.

“Wallahi alhamdulillah, I score NAHCON’s 90% this year for improved services and we expect to see more from them next year’”,another pilgrim Adamu Yarima said.

Saminu Umar ,a pilgrim from Yobe said “I am in impressed with the 24-hour tea spots services with enough variety of beverages with two large electric hot water buckets strategically located around each pilgrims tent in Mina and Arafat.

“We have really seen value for our money and look forward to amore improved Hajj next year.”

On their part, NAHCON and some officials from the state pilgrim welfare agencies also expressed their excitement with the feeding arrangements at the Holy sites.

The head of kitchen for NAHCON at the Holy sites, Bilkis Awah said that her team has been going round inspecting kitchens at Muna and we are satisfied.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Salihu Abubakar described the feeding this year as “simply excellent.

“It was the same case in Arafat’. In fact there are leftovers of food because they are supplied in excess. Honestly, the arrangement is most commendable.”

Also, the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Pilgrims Board, Alh Sa’ad Hassan said the whole arrangements were “Simply Fantastic because meals were served as and when due, both in quality and quantity.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of Ogun State Pilgrims Board, Dauda Salawu, commended NAHCON for making sure that and service providers conform to its plans of timely serving enough and quality meals to pilgrims.

•NAHCON Chairman/CEO inspecting food at one of Nigerian kitchens during his visits to State tents in Mina. PHOTO: GARBA MUHAMMAD

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