The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back home is expected to be completed within the next 10 days.

So far 42,126 of Nigerian pilgrims have been returned home in a record 100 flights after performing this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Abdullahi Mohammed, Chairman of the Commission, at a meeting with officials of the Commission on Sunday night in Makkah, thanked Allah that the sad experiences of missing pilgrims, the tug of war at the airport, the struggles to board buses, the poor feeding condition of pilgrims, accommodation, among others, witnessed in the past have all been confined to the dustbin of history.

He noted also, the need to equally improve human and intellectual knowledge on Hajj exercise, and that, “NAHCON is committed to this goal and by Allah’s grace the sky is the limit.”

The chairman enjoined all stakeholders to give a helping hand and be part of the move to reposition Hajj operations in Nigeria, through meaningful and constructive criticisms, suggestions and advises.

He charged all staff, permanent, ad-hoc and officials to redouble their efforts in promptly attending to pilgrims, and also exercise more restraint and patience with them, “as some of them have become homesick while others have almost exhausted their BTA and are therefore prone to aggressive tendencies.

“Tempers are bound to rise, and it is the responsibility of staff and officials to effectively douse tensions and tempers when they flare up,” he admonished.

The Chairman said efforts are being intensified to reposition Hajj affairs in Nigeria to match global best practices, adding: “With commitment, patience, understanding, support and cooperation among all stakeholders Nigeria’s Hajj handling will be a global reference point.

“The main focus of NAHCON is to get to the zenith of the best Hajj management where difficulties, problems and hitches of the exercise would be drastically reduced to their barest minimum if not completely eradicated.”

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