Arabi was at the office of the anti-graft agency to answer questions on how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy for the exercise.

There were petitions against the chairman and the commission’s management over alleged fund mismanagement, especially during the 2024 hajj exercise.

Authoritative source from the commission said Arabi was at the anti-graft agency to provide detailed explanations on how NAHCON managed the fund allocated to it for the pilgrims.

“As of now, NAHCON chairman has been invited, he is already being interrogated by our crack detectives to provide explanations on some issues that border on allegation of fund mismanagement in the commission.

“The investigation is ongoing; it is dated back to 2021, when the issue of fraud in the commission became messier.

“There is an ongoing investigation on alleged misappropriation of N200 million before now and some officials of the commission were invited for questioning.”

According to the source, three directors from the commission have been invited to explain what they know about the issue:

‘’Now, the Chief Executive Officer has been invited to explain how the fund allocated to the commission is being spent.

“The investigation will continue until EFCC gets to the root of how the fund allocated to the commission was spent.”

According to the source, the chairman may not be detained in as much as there is a guarantee that he will make himself available when asked to do so.

“He may not be detained but will be asked to come back if the need be at the end of the day, but presently, he is still being interrogated.

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‘’The CEO has been invited and he has honoured the invitation; he will go back, there is no reason to keep him in the custody when he is already cooperating.

‘’The new EFCC is operating in accordance with international best practices; you can see that most of the people invited are always allowed to go if they comply,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesman for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, promised to revert over the invitation and other details.

Oyewale was yet to do so at the time of filing this report.

Arabi had at a news briefing on Monday, given the breakdown of how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy.

Arabi said that each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion, except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme, HSS, who enjoyed more.

“How to spread this N90 billion equitably, to such a degree that registered pilgrims would not have to pay additionally to the N4.9 million was tough.

“At first, the N90 billion would only cater conveniently for about 18,000 intending pilgrims out of the about 50,000 duly registered persons as at March 22, 2024.

“Subsequently, appreciation of the Naira to N1, 474.00 in the month of May 2024 brought respite to our calculations as it meant a reduction from what the registered pilgrims would have to top up,” he explained.

Source: NAN

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Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja, at a workshop organised by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, BPSR, in collaboration with the Office of the Government of the Federation, OSGF.

The workshop is themed “Renewing hope and strengthening of national unity through effective communication and the role of the Official Secret Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security.’’

Represented by Dr Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume said unauthorized leakage of sensitive official document constituted felony and there was no defence for such, either in the Constitution or Freedom of Information Act.

Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, provides that “Any person who, being employed in the public service, without proper authority abstracts, or makes a copy of, any document the property of his employer is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.”

Akume recalled that government had devised measures in the past to contain the leakage of sensitive official information in MDAs through the issuance of service-wide circulars by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in August 2021.

“This was reinforced by the issuance of another service-wide circular in February 2024 on the unauthorised circulation of official documents with information on social media.

“This was done to re-emphasise other extant regulations prohibiting unauthorised disclosure or leakage of official documents.

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“There is the need to regulate the activities of the civil society organisations who use the Freedom of Information Act to harass, intimidate and siphon resources from public officers through the dissemination of fake and unfounded information.

“This should be properly addressed by all the practitioners in the communication and related industries,’’ he said.

Akume commended the BPSR for organising the workshop, saying it underlined the importance government placed on the dissemination of correct and truthful information.

The Director-General of Bureau, Dr Dasuki Arabi, urged participants to equip themselves with the Official Secrets Act and effectively communicate government policies and programmes to the public.

“Your role as communication managers in MDAs is crucial, especially in our increasingly complex information ecosystem.

“In today’s environment, communications and platforms are highly fragmented. The government cannot afford to be reactive.

“It must lead the communication landscape to prevent misinformation and ensure that citizens are all informed about the activities, objectives of government and benefits of its policies and programmes to the citizens of the country.

“Accurate and prompt information delivery is essential and cannot be compromised as its impact on service delivery and governance is profound,” he said.

Arabi tasked the communication managers to take advantage of the training to use the traditional and social media platforms to ensure the public was well informed about government initiatives, programmes and services.

Source: NAN

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The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.

Arabi said the approval letter was received by Dr Abubakar Isma’eel, NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission for the 2024 Hajj Season.

“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, is happy to announce that it has received an approval to operate two main clinics in Makkah for the meantime.

“The Saudi Ministry of Health revealed this development through its Medical Consultants attached to Ithra Alkhair company, NAHCON’s chosen Service Providers otherwise known as Mu’assasa.

“The two main clinics are those located at Masfala/Kudai and Shari’e Al-Mansour areas. They serve as the Medical Head offices,” he said.

Arabi also said that approval to start running three other outpost clinics (Triage Outposts 1, 2 & 3) was still being awaited.

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“Dr A-Isma’eel expressed optimism that within the next 48-72 hours, the three outposts would also receive full approval to operate optimally.

“The proposed outposts are located at Nasarawa, Ogun/Oyo and Borno pilgrims Houses in Makkah respectively,” the chairman explained.

He said that the GPS of the outpost locations would be made available to the Nigerian pilgrims within hours of approval.

“It should be noted that the outposts are strategically situated within pilgrims’ hotel clusters to aid accessibility,” he noted.

He said that NAHCON had already deployed its team of professional medics “who are set to provide healthcare services to Nigerian pilgrims.”

The chairman solicited the cooperation of Nigerian pilgrims for the measures put in place to succeed.

Source: NAN

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Malam Mousa Ubandanwaki, Deputy Director, Information and Publications Division, NAHCON, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The commission had scheduled May 15 for the inaugural flight for the 2024 hajj.

Ubandanwaki explained that the team made up of 35 NAHCON officials and eight medical personnel would be in Saudi Arabia for the final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State, who would be arriving the Kingdom on May 15.

He said that the executive chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, while addressing the team urged them to live up to expectation by discharging their duties in accordance with their mandate.

Arabi noted that the performance of the team could make or mar the success of the exercise.

“You are the first point of call or contact with the pilgrims. Their impression and perception of your action or activities will go a long way towards assessing the commission.

“If you get it right, we get it right and on the contrary, if you get it wrong, the rest will just be about crisis management.

“Therefore, you must be up and doing in order to earn our reward here and that of Allah in the hereafter, for treating His guests well.

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“They are the reason you are there, so at every point in time, make sure you attend or treat them with courtesy and respect,” he said.

Arabi, however, warned that the commission would take drastic step against anyone who might be reported to have deviated from the rules of engagement.

The NAHCON boss stated that he would not hesitate to recall any staff accused of dereliction of duties.

He further called on them to “take the admonition seriously” stressing, “the bar has been raised and the expectation is high.”

“You have been carefully selected because of the trust we have in you and as such, you need to brace up.

“Laxity and procrastination will not be tolerated,” he added.

Arabi also stressed the need for the medical personnel to respect their patients and pilgrims on whose essence they were going there.

Responding on behalf of the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, who is the Madina Coordinator, expressed appreciation to the management for the trust and confidence reposed in them.

He assured of their determination and readiness to make this year’s hajj more successful than the previous years.

“We will ensure that pilgrims get value for money and also do everything possible that pilgrims perform their Hajj rites without hitches Insha Allah.”

The team is to organise and coordinate the reception, accommodation, feeding and transportation, health and general welfare of the pilgrim held in the Holy land throughout the Hajj period.

Source: NAN

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The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, gave the charge on Saturday in Abuja during the screening and inauguration of the team ahead of the inaugural flight scheduled for May 15.

Arabi explained that the system had changed, adding that the primary aim was to volunteer to work diligently as members of the medical team for the 2024 Hajj.

He said, “Fundamentally, you should be ready to do the job and you should be ready to volunteer to do it. That is the primary thing. Do it first whatever follows that will be it.

“We on our own volition applied because we want to do it. You have been invited here, I mean those that applied to participate in the medical team because you believe that you have something to offer.

“And I know without an iota of doubt that we all know what is expected of us before, during and after applying for what you want to do.

“And I am conscious of the fact that we know we are in a space occupied by over 200 million but we were only trying our luck, believing that if we are destined to participate Allah will make it possible for us to participate.

“I don’t mean to scare us anyway, but I owe you the duty to remind you as to the weight of the responsibility that you are about to embark on.”

According to Arabi, it is gladdening that all the members of the team have agreed to render voluntary services.

He added, “And you are volunteering to do it, that is something worth commending not even a commendation from me a mortal but commendation from the person that created me and you.

“What is important and expected of you is the service and the voluntary service but that is not to say that you won’t be acknowledged for whatever contribution you have make.”

The NAHCON boss, however, said that if it was envisaged that there were going to be challenges some funds would be given to the members of the medical team to address them.

“But certainly not as before, probably not even near what you used to receive in the past.

“We don’t expect anything less from you as Muslims, we don’t expect anything less from you as men and women of honour in your various professions, ” Arabi said.

On his part, the NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Mr Anofi Elegushi, said the medical team was one of the most important aspects of the hajj operation.

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He said, “Because, a right-thinking person will not lead over 60,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj without putting standard medical arrangements and facilities for them. I want to advise our medical team to prepare their minds to be able to tolerate our pilgrims because the kind of patient you are attending to in various medical facilities are not the same patient that you will be dealing with.

“They are different people entirely, so you have to be patient with them because some of them believe that you are rendering services that they paid for.”

Also, the Head of the 2024 Hajj Medical Mission, Dr Abubakar Ismael, said,  “those that have been screened here, we are already screening their documents in accordance with what the Saudi authority advises us, so that at the end of the day once we collect all their documents as soon as we get to Makkah we just submit the documents in an external hard drive and they will help us to register all our medical personnel.”

He urged the members of the medical team to always put service to humanity first before money or any material gain in the world.

“These are going to be our watchwords in Makkah, Madinah and during our stay in Muna, Arafat and Muzzalifah,” he said.

No fewer than 65,500 pilgrims from Nigeria are expected to join their counterparts from around the world to perform the 2024 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Source: NAN

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The Executive Chairman, NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, made this known at the maiden stakeholders summit on Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry on Thursday in Abuja.

Arabi said that the commission had scheduled May 15 for the inaugural flight of the 2024 Hajj.

He said that the approved air carriers were ready to transport all Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from over 10 departure centres.

“We as a board of NAHCON and team will be meeting with the air carriers later today to fashion out the departure centres and of course our partners in the aviation sector will also join us,” he said.

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The NAHCON boss said that all pilgrims from states would visit Madinah for the maximum of four days before the commencement of Hajj rites.

“This is major change from the operations of Hajj in the last decade. All stakeholders are working to provide effective and efficient services to the guest of Allah (pilgrims).

“And this underscores the importance of this summit. The preparations for this year’s Hajj are characterised by different challenges but to God be the glory we are able to overcome the challenges.

“I can proudly say that close to 65,500 pilgrims of the States Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions and the Tour operators will be participating in this year’s Hajj,” he said.

He said that the commission under his watch was ready to partner, collaborate with stakeholders and work as a team for the successful conduct of the 2024 Hajj operation.

Arabi lauded Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his continued support for the commission.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his continued guidance to the leadership of NAHCON.

Earlier, the Rector, Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Prof. Mohammed Maiturare, said the summit was intended to serve as a crucial platform for fostering cooperation and collaboration between NAHCON, states pilgrims boards, tour operators and all stakeholders in Hajj industry.

“Through open dialogue, knowledge sharing and a commitment to working together we can address challenges that might arise, and ensure the successful execution of the 2024 Hajj,” he said.

The two-day summit was organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria established by the NAHCON.

Source: NAN

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The executive chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, disclosed this at a news conference held at Hajj House on Friday in Abuja.

Arabi said the commission was on course in conducting a successful Hajj operation, no matter the challenges.

He reiterated that Nigerian Muslims would perform the 2024 Hajj in a number that nobody had ever imagined.

“This year’s Hajj preparations is one of the most difficult and peculiar one.

“You know in the past, we had the luxury of time to prepare at our own pace, but, this time around, the host which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came up with the timeline that we have to work within,” he said.

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Arabi said that the federal government had intervened in so many ways, especially with policies to support the commission to ensure that things did not go wrong.

“I made bold to say that there were series of interventions that government made in terms of policies to ensure that there is no unnecessary tension in the nation.

“Government has a responsibility to keep the nation one, devoid of chaos and rancour,” he said.

Arabi noted that going forward, Hajj Savings Scheme would be the surest method to adopt.

He assured that the commission would embark on adequate sensitisation and enlightenment to make sure that intending pilgrims key into it.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had allocated 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria for the 2024 pilgrimage.

Source: NAN

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The commission had on February 3 fixed N4.9 million as the 2024 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims from the Southern departure centre.

Malam Jalal Arabi, the chairman of NAHCON, in a statement, said the commission had secured substantial discount from service providers in Saudi Arabia to reduce the cost of the pilgrimage on the intending pilgrims.

“The cost of the 2024 Hajj shot up to N6 million due to the volatile currency situation in Nigeria, but for the commission’s intervention by consolidating the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services.

“Consequently, intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern centre are required to pay N4.8 million as Hajj fare.

“Those from the Northern centre will pay N4.6 million  for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri centre will pay a fee of N4.6 million for the 2024 Hajj.

“This is the will of Allah, because the commission, facing a tight deadline of February 25, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5 million which it assiduously worked for,” he said.

The commission however, said with the new forex policy, Nigerian pilgrims would be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost.

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The commission said in spite of the fact that intending pilgrims paid N4.9 million, depending on the departure zone as approved by government, they had to pay a balance of N1.9 million.

“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1.9 million latest by 11:59 p.m. of March 28.

“The commission will shut down its system by March 29 and no other payment would be accommodated after.

“Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status.”

The commission said that any new registration for 2024 Hajj from March 24 would attract the full sum of N8.2 million from Adamawa/Borno axis.

“From the North zone, fresh depositors will pay N8.2 million whereas fresh payments from the Southern zone will attract N8.4 million as Hajj fare. All categories are to pay within the same deadline.

“While the commission regrets the short notice, it has become inevitable due to Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s stern warning to Nigeria regarding the delay in adhering to the Hajj arrangement framework.

“Before now, NAHCON had pleaded for an extension which had been reluctantly granted and now the Ministry’s patience is wearing thin.”

NAHCON explained that for those who wish to withdraw their registration for the 2024 Hajj, they are advised to formally request for refund from their states which will be treated with all seriousness.

“The next four days are crucial for stakeholders, especially those willing to intervene in support of their pilgrims, to take necessary actions and ensure smooth Hajj arrangements.

“NAHCON remains committed to facilitating the pilgrimage experience for Nigerian Muslims and seeks cooperation from all parties involved.

“The Federal Government saw wisdom in deliberately intervening on behalf of the Nigerian intending pilgrims through various strategies including persuading cost reductions.

“Unfortunately, the interventions could not cover the entire number that had met the final registration deadline. This had remained the commission’s dilemma.

“To make matters worse, now about 50,000 pilgrims under the Public Quota have paid the hitherto announced fare of about N4.9 million and their payments are currently under the custody of the Commission.”

Source: NAN

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The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale in a statement.

He said the president, in his resolve to ensure hitch-free and seamless 2024 Hajj operations, appointed the Jalal Arabi — Chairman (In Office); Aliu Abdulrazaq — Commissioner, Policy, Personnel, & Finance; Prince Anofi Elegushi — Commissioner, Operations and Professor Abubakar  A. Yagawal — Commissioner, Planning & Research.

At the zonal level are Dr. Muhammad Umaru Ndagi — North Central; Abba Jato Kala — North East; Sheikh Muhammad Bin Othman — North West; Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe — South West; Aishat Obi Ahmed — South East; Zainab Musa — South South; Professor Musa Inuwa Fodio — Jama’atul Nasril Islam and Professor Adedimeji Mahfouz Adebola — Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Ngelale said the president mandated the appointees to dedicate themselves to the task of ensuring that operations of the National Hajj Commission were more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

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The airlines are Air Peace Ltd., FlyNas and Max Air.

Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Sanda-Usara also disclosed that the Tinubu-led federal government approved three other air cargo companies that will airfreight pilgrims’ excess luggage.

According to her, the three air cargos are the Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd., Nahco Aviance and Qualla Investment Ltd.

She said that the approval reinforced the federal government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and secure pilgrimage experience for Nigeria’s intending pilgrims.

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“Consequently, the federal government concurrently approved allocation of pilgrims from various states to each of the approved airlines as follows:

“​Air Peace is to transport intending pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kwara, Ondo, Rivers states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“FlyNas will transport intending pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara states.

“And Max Air with the highest allocation will be responsible for moving pilgrims from Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Oyo, Taraba, Kaduna, Armed Forces, Gombe, Jigawa and Plateau states.”

She explained that the allocation of pilgrims to the airlines was in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on the transportation of pilgrims under government quota.

“However, state governments may choose to designate any of the approved freight companies to convey their pilgrims’ excess luggage.

“Should any state enter such exclusive arrangement, the decision should be communicated to NAHCON accordingly.

“The Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, congratulated the approved airlines on their selection and called on them to gear up to facilitating smooth pilgrimage in 2024 season.”

She said that NAHCON remained dedicated to upholding the highest standards in pilgrimage organisation, with a focus on the safety and satisfaction of pilgrims.

Sanda-Usara revealed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, was set to lead a delegation from the NAHCON to partake in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the 2024 hajj on January 7.

Source: NAN

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