By Abubakar Bello Kaoje.
Part of the objectives of establishment of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) is to promote research development and thus professionalise the conduct of Hajj in all ramifications. In order to meet this laudable mandate, since the take off of the Institute, the pioneer leadership of the Institute did not relent to allow itself to be hampered by the slow pace usually associated with the initial take off phenomenon.
In 2022, the commencement of the activities of the Institute was in top gear. In 2023, the Institute successfully organized its maiden training programme, involving all the fourth Board Members of the Commission who undertook the rigorous series of lectures and were graduated and certified.
In the same vein, the Institute organized similar training programme for all the management of the Commission and some of the Chief Executives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies.
This summit, titled “1st National Stakeholders’ of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry”and with theme Partnership , Collaboration and Teamwork: the Tripod of success to the 2024 Hajj operations, organised by the Institute in a quiet serene atmosphere of Shehu Umaru Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, is another milestone achievement of the Institute that saw the convergence of various Hajj Stakeholders.
The Summit was organized to create an avenue for Hajj and Umrah Stakeholders to come together for intensive dialogue on the way forward for Hajj and Umrah Industry in Nigeria and specifically to identify and note grey areas from the past Hajj operations to serve as a prelude for the successful preparation of Hajj 2024 in particular.
In view of this objective, distinguished top government personalities were invited to grace the occasion and some Captains of the Industry presented thought provoking papers on different aspects of Hajj to reminisce and refresh the minds of stakeholders on the intricacies and basis for a successful Hajj and Umrah Operations.
The audience who are mostly veterans in the industry were availed of the opportunity to share their knowledge and practical field experiences to crown up the Summit.
The top Government functionaries present at the Summit were the Vice president GCON, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, ably represented by Dr. Aliyu Umar Modibbo, former FCT Minister; Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, represented by Lawan Kolo Geidam; His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and President General Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), represented by Prof Ishaq Oloyede the current JAMB Chairman/CEO; Honorable Minister of Aviation, represented by Alh. Isah Osagie; Honorable Minister of Transportation, represented by Alh. Isa Ahmad; His Excellency Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria Mr, Faisal Ibrahim Al-Ghamidy, the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, fwc, Chairman/CEO of Lotus Bank, represented by Ishaq Lawani Ladan; the Executive and non-executive Commissioners of the Commission; Chief Executives of State Boards/Agencies/Commissions and Tour Operators, as well as the representative of Hajj Service Providers, members of the National Ulama Team, Seasoned Hajj Administrators and practitioners and Members of the National Media Team.
The meeting thoroughly discussed all aspects of preparations for the 2024 Hajj operations, especially in relation to the new policies by NAHCON and the Saudi Authorities.
1. OPENING CEREMONY:
The Opening Ceremony is a segment which provided the necessary impetus for the Summit. Apart from the welcome Address by the Rector of the Institute, many other important dignitaries presented the goodwill messages in form of pieces of advice either to the Summit itself or to the participants.
The following is the summary of the speeches presented by various invited distinguished personalities during the Opening ceremony of the Summit and the Keynote Speakers by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Hassan Manakhrah and Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Vice Chancellor Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, respectively.
I. WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE RECTOR OF THE HAJJ INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA (HIN).
The Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) and the organizers of the Summit, ,Prof. Mohammad Nasiru Maiturare, in his welcome address, noted that the Summit came at the time when the preparations for Hajj 2024 is at its peak. The Rector highlighted the objectives of the Summit which among others are to instill the Spirit of synergy and foster teamwork in the running of all aspects of Hajj Operations. He admonished, using Quranic verses that the arrangement of Hajj aims to achieve peace in its conduct and not wrangling and struggles. The Prof. thanked the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for all its support in the preparation for the summit and appreciated the Lotus Bank for willingly sponsoring the whole Summit.
II. DEPUTY AMBASSADOR SAUDI EMBASSY, ABUJA
The Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, in his keynote address pledged for the support of the Nigeria Hajj Authorities in ensuring the smooth and peaceful Hajj Operation.
III. NAHCON’S CHAIRMAN/CEO
The NAHCON’S Chairman/CEO, Mallam Jalal Ahmed Arabi fwc in his address, expressed satisfaction for the coming together of Hajj and Umrah Stakeholders for a discourse on how to achieve a successful 2024 Hajj operation.
The Chairman used the opportunity to reveal to the participants that about 65,000 Nigerian intending Pilgrims were billed to perform 2024 Hajj.
Similarly, he disclosed that in 2024 Hajj, Pilgrims would stay in Madina for four days instead of the usual eight days stay. He further enumerated that at present, certain major aspects of the operation such as the Pilgrims’ registration, airlifting, feeding, accommodation, Visa issuance and operational com at present ready mittees have reached advanced stage for conclusion, adding that the inaugural flight is already scheduled on the 15th of May at Birnin-Kebbi, the capital city of Kebbi State.
He finally appreciated the efforts and the supports of the Federal Government particularly the office of Vice President, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is also the spiritual leader, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and the Lotus Bank, which sponsored the summit.
He assured that the outcome of the Summit would be used as a template for the preparations of Hajj 2024 Operation.
IV. NAHCON’S COMMISSIONER OPERATION (OVERVIEW OF 2024 HAJJ OPERATION)
The Executive Commissioner Operation in person of Prince Sufyan Elegusi in his presentation, outlined the activities of his Department, particularly in relation to the preparation of Hajj 2024. He pinpointed the arrangement of the four Divisions of his Department. Under the Inspectorate and Compliance, he said the inspection of Kitchens, Accommodation have been finalized. The Aviation Division he stressed that the selection of 3 Air Careers each for both the Pilgrims and Cargo Careers were eventually approved by the federal government. The Commissioner reported that 10 Airports in the country are at present ready for the Operation and at the same 17 Field offices have been reserved for Nigeria Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, and 40 Tour Operators Companies were approved for the Operation.
V. KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE SAUDI DEPUTY MINISTER OF HAJJ.
The Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj, Dr. Hassan Manakhra, in his presentation hammered on the use of identity cards in all places by the Pilgrims for ease access to all ritual sites. He assured the support of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj for providing the pilgrims with all what they require in the course of performing the Hajj rites.
VI. KEYNOTEADDRESS BY THE CURRENT VICE CHANCELLOR OF ISTIQAMA UNIVERSITY, SUMAILA, KANO STATE
Prof. Salisu Shehu gave his keynote address which solely hinged from the morality angle of being honest, faithful and dedication in the discharge of Hajj duties. He supported his argument with many relevant quotations from the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). He counselled that mutual consultation among the stakeholders, teamwork, effective information management and communication are the cornerstone for the Hajj Operation success and decried that distrust, animosity, and suspicious are the agents of destruction in any teamwork. He succinctly concluded by alluding that personnel of Hajj Operation must work diligently with faith that Allah sees their actions.
VII GOODWILL MESSAGE BY HON. MINISTER OF AVIATION
The Minister of Aviation was ably represented by Alhaji Isah Osagie, the Director of Aviation Safety of the Aviation Ministry. The representative emphasized on the objective of the Summit which he said is to enhance Hajj operation in Nigeria. He appreciated the enormous tasks involved in Hajj Operation and advised the public to also recognize this fact and desist from criticism without basis.
VIII THE GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM HIS EMINENCE THE SULTAN OF SOKOTO GFR mni
His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto who is also the spiritual leader of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs(NSCIA), was represented by the current JAMB Chairman/CEO in person of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. The representative in his goodwill message admonished that Hajj operation must be seen as both religious and National Assignment. He delivered the message from His Eminence, He said that His Eminence said he is part of Nahcon as long as NAHCON is on the right course. The representative of His Eminence added that serving the Hujjaj is part of the Ibaadah and abandoning the service of Hujjaj attracts greater penalty.
IX. GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN SENATE COMMITTEE ON HAJJ AFFAIRS
The Chairman did not waste time in asserting the importance of the establishment of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) which according to him is to enhance the capacity building of the Hajj Managers.
He commended the efforts of the Institute for initiating the Summit. He further advised the participants to fully utilize the Summit to acquire the basic knowledge of the rudiments of Hajj Operations for the purpose of improving service delivery to the Pilgrims.
X. DECLARATION OF THE SUMMIT OPEN
Dr. Aliyu Umar Modibbo, the former FCT Minister, ably represented the Vice president, Federal republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shetima. The former Minister, in a lighter mood counselled the Nahcon’s Chairman who he described as his friend and who he said fully knows his moral responsibility to the guests of Allah, will not allow himself to go to astray. He emphasized that it is either one to choose going to paradise or hell. He prayed that Allah SWA would guide the Chairman.
While declaring the Summit open, the representative postulated that it becomes pertinent for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to develop a robust mechanism on how to maintain and sustain an enhanced Hajj operation for the year in and year out, thereafter he formally declared the Summit open.
TECHNICAL SESSION OF THE SUMMIT
The summit’s technical session contained five selected topical issues on the nitty-gritty of Hajj operation, presented by veteran Hajj Operation managers.
Each technical session comprised of some panelists with field experience in that topic to constructively criticise and advice their comments
FIRST SESSION
TOPIC: AIRLIFTING AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2024 HAJJ OPERATION
The topic presenter was Engr. Goni Sanda, a Deputy Director and Head of Aviation Division of the Operation Department in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He first of all erased the notion that NAHCON is solely responsible for the airlift of the pilgrims, the statement which he debunked, affirming that bulk of the activities of the Airlift exercise are executed by other Hajj Stakeholders and only insignificant part of it is being executed by NAHCON.
He enumerated the recurrent challenges of the Airlift exercise which he attributed among others like the late selection of Airlines, delays at the departure centres, pilgrims not turning out for flights, unreadness of pilgrims travels documents such the Visa, BTA, Yellow Cards etc and host other challenges.
Among the panelists of the session were the Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards that represented the States, who lamented on the use of the Smart Card in processing BTA and suggested for the suspension of the policy for now.
Other panelists are the representatives of Custom who urged for the enlightenment of the pilgrims on the items that constitute prohibited and advised for the display of such items in all pilgrims’ departure centres. The representative of the NDLEA, who preached against the possession of any drugs on international flight without the prescription from a government hospital.
The representative of the National Reception Team, Jeddah and who has been the head of the team. On his contribution, he called on the enlightenment of the pilgrims on the new policy of the collection of passport on arrival by the group leaders.
SECOND SESSION
TOPIC: FEEDING AND ACCOMMADATION AT MAKKAH, MADINAH AND
MASHA’IR
The presenter of this topic is no other person than the NAHCON’S Director, Inspectorate and Compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti The Director’s paper centred on the challenges of feeding and proffered solutions. He said, the Commission wants tackled the challenges of feeding and has initiated some innovations to that effect. He revealed that Hajj 2024 Operation has articulated for a joint monitoring committee, involving the NAHCON, the States and the Tour Operators’ representatives, that will monitor closely the stages of all cooking processes, right from the cooking itself, conveyance, delivery and the eventual food distribution to the pilgrims.
The panelists of the discussion are: the representatives of the States who complained that pilgrims stay longer period before being allocated rooms on arrival to their accommodation both in Makkah and Madinah.
Other panelists are the representatives from the Tour Operatives, Service Providers, NAHCON head of planning and Makkah and Madinah NAHCON’S Coordinators.
The panelists generally called for the effective synergy and the need to improve the catering services in terms of the quantity, quality and timely delivery and distribution of the food to the pilgrims.
DAY 2:
THIRD SESSION
TOPIC: MASHA’IR ACTIVITIES:
The lead discussant for Masha’ir activities Ishaq Ibrahim Ja’e and Dr. Danbaba Haruna who are both active NAHCON’S Hajj Operational Staff. Although Ishaq Ibrahim Ja’e is currently deployed to the Hajj Institute in Hospitality Management Section of the Institute.
Alhaji Ja’e who at the time of the Summit was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presented his paper via a virtual zoom meeting.
The Masha’ir paper reminisced the challenges of the immediate past Hajj Operation of last year.
The presenter lamented that the Mutawif Company in the wake of the preparation for Hajj 2023, promised to upgrade facilities at the Masha’ir and which was not effected and consequently affected the pilgrims of 2023, particularly the Nigerian Pilgrims.
The paper also highlighted the challenges encountered last year which was attributed to the lack of providing the Saudi Authorities with the actual total number of pilgrims in good time.
The paper decried that as long as there preferential treatment in the allocation of the tents’ space in Muna to our important dignitaries, some innocent pilgrims must be at the receiving end of not having a space.
The experience of the food shortage and the influx of the illegal pilgrims into the Nigerian tents even before the pilgrims arrival was highlighted to remind the Stakeholders to take extra caution against the re-occurrence of the incident. At this juncture, the new policy of pilgrims having Identify Cards became a welcome development in curtailing the challenge.
The member of the panelists for the session included the representatives from the States, Tour Operators, HSS Technical Committee, Ulama and Islamic financial Institution.
Some of the responses from the panelists are: Muassasah to make refund to the pilgrims for undelivered services.
FOURTH SESSION
TOPIC: THE ROLES OF HSS IN FACILATATING EARLY PREPARATION OF HAJJ 2025 OPERATIONS
The lead discussant for the topic was Dr. Aliyu Tanko, the HSS Coordinator and who was in Saudi Kingdom when then Summit took place. Awwal Haladu Ali, an active officer in HSS Division, ably represented Dr. Aliyu Tanko.
The HSS paper elaborated on the benefits of the Scheme to the pilgrims on one hand and on the other hand its benefits to the Hajj Operation generally.
It is generally acknowledged that if HSS is in full swing, most of the problems militating against the smooth Hajj Operation will be solved.
The paper therefore called on the Stakeholders to facilitate in developing and nurturing the Scheme to achieve maximum efficiency in Hajj and Umrah Industry.
Stakeholders advised that a mechanism for effective awareness of the Scheme be put in place for the majority of the Muslim Ummah to utilize the benefits of the Scheme.
The paper also suggested for the immediate constitution of HSS Board of Trustees that can penetrate the relevant government functionaries.
Participants also called for the involvement of other Islamic Banks in the Scheme to provide competitive market environment and engage the services of other Islamic Financial Banks to allow for more competations.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Airlifting and Local Transportation Arrangements for 2024 Hajj Operations
a. It was observed that selection of Air Carriers should commence in good time, also number of pilgrims to be determined early enough to pave way for signing with Carriers.
b. Lateness in the payment of Hajj fare by the pilgrims.
c. Issuance of travel documents is delayed due to lack of visas, issuance of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), Yellow cards.
d. No reliable flight schedule and the Air Carriers and the pilgrims not turning out for flights.
e. The registration of intending pilgrims while the Airlift is ongoing, makes planning very difficult.
f. Intending pilgrims not adequately enlightened on the importance and the implication of not turning out for their flights.
g. Insuring that all pilgrims’ travels documents are intact ie Visa, BTA, Yellow Cards etc to forestall the distortion of grouping system.
h. Most pilgrims do not have the knowledge of what constitute import prohibition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
i. Missing luggage on arrival to Saudi Arabia and back to Nigeria specifically with Air peace airline.
j. Stakeholders observed that some pilgrims luggage for Airpeace Airline Hajj 2023, got missing.
Feeding and Accommodation at Makkah, Madinah and Masha’ir
a. It was observed that in the past some caterers were found of serving tasteless meals, at times the meals are inadequate, cold and not complete/balanced as well as lateness in delivery of meals. The phenomenon which was attributed to the carelessness of the officials to checkmate activities of the catering process.
b. Pilgrims lack patience to wait for proper distribution of meals which makes it difficult to ascertain number of meals served.
c. Feeding menus were not properly embedded in the contract agreement.
d. Most accommodation providers in Madinah do not engage adequate personnel to effectively help manage the hotel facilities just to maximize profit.
e. Some state officials do not cooperate with NAHCON staff.
f. Most of the pilgrims from rural areas do not know how to use hotel facilities.
g. Pilgrims arriving Makkah from Madinah without State Officials
h. Most hotels have internet services only on the ground floor.
i. Hotels providers do not change bedding for pilgrims throughout their stay in kingdom.
j. Hotels providers not cooperating with caterers as there is no concrete arrangement from sharing meals in the hotel premises except with arrangement of paying for cleaning.
k. Tents provided in the Masha’ir are usually inadequate for the large number of Nigerian pilgrims.
l. The intrusion of illegal-immigrant into the Nigerian tents in Muna, hereby displacing our pilgrims.
Masha’ir Activities
a. It was observed that most promises made last year by the Company of Muttawif not fulfilled such as upgrading of all facilities in at Masha’ir.
b. Not giving the Saudi Companies actual number of pilgrims, thereby giving a setback in all aspects of preparation.
c. Differential treatment in allocation of tent to some Nigerian dignitaries always aggravates space shortage in Muna
The Roles of Hajj Saving Scheme (HSS) in facilitating Early Preparation of Hajj 2025 Operations
a. The slow pace of the full swing of the HSS makes planning difficult.
b. Stakeholders to facilitate in the development and nurturing of HSS.
FIFTH SESSION
The fifth session is the General Discussion Forum (GDF) and Stakeholders’ Resolutions, anchored by the Deputy Rector, Academics and the Registrar Alhaji……, both of HIN in person of…….
Part of the discussions of this session was that there is a view development in 2024 Hajj operation, such that all visas are attached to the exact number of spaces at the tents in Muna/Masha’ir, each with its full package and expected services.
The participants were unanimous on the resolutions that:
· Hajj officials should be adequately educated on the general activities of the Masha’ir as part of their job descriptions, and all intending pilgrims should equally be given orientation on Hajj activities before departure from Nigeria.
· There should be proper physical inspection of tents before pilgrims’ arrival and after payments.
· All States and Tour Operators should take over their respective tents at least 24hrs before arrival of pilgrims for the Masha’ir activities.
· NAHCON and States Officials should constitute screening teams to be vegilant and ensure that no intrusion of illegal pilgrims.
· All pilgrims should be treated equally with respect to tent allocation.
Finally, the saying of Allah (SWT) in Suratut Taubah, Verses 105 was reiterated for the entire family/stakeholders of the Nigerian Hajj/Umrah industry as guiding light.
“As say, Do (as you will), for Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the knower of the unseen and the witnessed and He will inform you of what you used to do”
RESOLUTIONS:
At the end of the discussions and exhaustive deliberations, 13-point Communiqué was read to the participants and was unanimously agreed.
During the two days fruitful sharing of ideas and experiences from the past Hajj Operations, some far reaching resolutions were unanimously reached by the Stakeholders as follows:
1. The Summit recognized that in order to achieve the maximum success in Hajj Operations, Hajj Stakeholders must note that the Hajj duty is a divine obligation that requires in its discharge, honesty and dedication with the zeal to imbibe the spirit of team work for attaining common goals.
2. The Summit noted that early preparations of Hajj is a catalyst to the success of any Hajj operation and thus resolved that all hands must be on deck to ensure the development and the nurturing of Hajj Savings Scheme to expeditiously achieve early preparations in the collection of Hajj fares remittances, selection of air carriers, securing of accommodation, procurement of travels documents, such as the Visa, BTA, Yellow cards etc.
3. To achieve a hitch-free and seamless Hajj operation, the enlightenment and orientation of the pilgrims, becomes paramount. Therefore, Hajj managers must set out special budgets for the purpose and embark on robust pilgrims’ enlightenment and orientation programmes.
4. The Jaiz Bank responsible for Hajj Savings Scheme funds should efficiently and effectively find a way of relating with Stakeholders in disbursing funds due to the other Stakeholders, such funds like the local Hajj components from the HSS pilgrims to enable smooth preparations.
5. Hajj Commission should revisit the legal framework of Hajj Savings Scheme with a view to reviewing the lacuna areas that impede the smooth administration of the Scheme and ensure harmonious and good working relationship among all Stakeholders so that together it can be nurtured and sustained.
6. A more strategic robust advocacy plan be instituted to adequately educate the Nigerian Muslim Ummah on the benefits of the Scheme by involving Emirs, opinion or religious leaders etc.
7. In order to generally improve Hajj Services render to the pilgrims particularly feeding, there was a call that Hajj Stakeholders must thoroughly and closely monitor all the stages of cooking processes ie right from the preparations, conveyance and the eventual delivery and distribution of the food to ensure standards in the quality, quantity, timely delivery, hygienic and even the warmness of the food.
8. Hajj Stakeholders should create an avenue for discussion with relevant drug regulations related government agencies to harmonise on which type of drug to possess on an international flight. This is to forestall the rampant seizure of prescribed drugs and other minor personal effects such as the condiments, sometimes even tooth paste.
9. The summit called on the Stakeholders to adequately enlighten the pilgrims on the importance and implication of turning out for flights with a view to achieving a speedy Airlift exercise within a timeframe.
10. The summit called on the Stakeholders to adequately enlighten the intending pilgrims before departure on the following areas: like grouping system, possession of Nusuk ID card, and the use of smart card for BTA and if possible to suspend the issue of smart card for this year.
11. NAHCON to constitute joint Monitoring Committee with representation from States and Company of Mudawwif to ensure adequate service delivery at the Masha’ir.
12. Hajj Stakeholders should engage the services of other Islamic banks in the country in the running of the Hajj Savings Scheme to allow for more competition.
13. The Summit recommended that Hajj Stakeholders should embark on the pre Inspection of tents at Muna to ensure everything is intact before the arrival of the pilgrims.
A.B. Kaoje
Deputy Director Information and Head Pilgrims’ Education and Orientation of Nahcon.