Vice President Kashim Shettima has given Nigerians and the Muslim community a reassuring promise that every Nigerian intending to embark on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will have the opportunity to do so, and the exercise will be carried out seamlessly.
This assurance follows concerns raised about a contractual dispute between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and a Saudi service provider, which might have potentially led to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.
Shettima however directed NAHCON to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all intending pilgrimsAccordingly, he has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to take necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all the nation’s intending pilgrims.
This was the outcome of a meeting the VP held with the management and board of the commission in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Shettima had summoned the meeting, following reports that a contractual dispute with Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, could potentially lead to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.
But at the meeting, the VP said: “We will not allow any Nigerian intending pilgrim to miss the 2025 Hajj. The pilgrimage will be seamless, and every challenge will be addressed promptly.”
He, therefore, issued firm instructions to the NAHCON leadership, urging them to take necessary steps to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
“NAHCON must do whatever it takes to guarantee the full participation of our pilgrims without any hindrance.
“From now on, we must have to set the right standards, move in the right direction and have a hitch-free hajj exercise”, the VP said.
Addressing concerns about the purported contract cancellation with the Saudi-based company, NAHCON chairman, Prof Saleh Usman, had earlier reassured Nigerians that the issue would not affect the pilgrimage.
“There is no cause for alarm. No single registered pilgrim will be left behind,” Usman declared.
He also dismissed allegations from the Forum of States Pilgrim Welfare Agencies that the contract dispute could derail the pilgrimage.
