The acting chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Bar. Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari would go down history lane as one Nigerian leader, in recent times, to have changed Hajj narrative in the country.

Speaking at the Independent Hajj Reporters Annual Excellence Award ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, Bar. Mukhtar said in addition to drastic measures in reducing Federal Government expenses on Hajj, President Buhari has systematically redesigned the date for the change of baton between outgoing and the incoming board of the Commission by about a year.

He said as against the former system of handing and taking over at the twilight of the government of any incumbent president which deprived those concerned, the needed attention on choice and appointment of members of any new board of the Commission, because of the heated politicking in the swearing-in of the new government after months of tedious electioneering campaigns and political contests among political gladiators, has now been put to rest.

The chairman stated that, as things stand now, the new board of the Commission coming in, when inaugurated will outlive President Buhari’s administration by at least a year and this will give those concerned the time and frame of mind to do the needful on issues related to the board of the Commission.

He commended the Saudi ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan Botaji, and his home government over the many concessions and considerations to the peculiarities of Nigerian Hajj affairs, and expressed the hope that the ambassador and his home government will give the incoming board the maximum support and understanding for them to take Hajj affairs in Nigeria to the highest level possible.

“No Hajj administrator would ever succeed without the support, cooperation and understanding of all, I therefore, call on all stakeholders in Hajj affairs in the country, to rally round Hajj administrators at all levels for a hitch free and successful Hajj exercises in Nigeria,” Mukhtar said.

He commended the fore sightedness of those who founded the Independent Hajj Reporters, because that singular decision has tremendously reduced unethical and unprofessional reportage of Umrah and Hajj matters in Nigeria and in the holy land, advising that they maintained the tempo, by reviewing past performances with a view of building on successes and making corrections on recorded lapses.

The event had in attendance representatives of Katsina, Yobe, Borno and Kaduna State governors, some senators, members of House of Representatives, former national and state Hajj administrators and many stakeholders.

•President Buhari

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