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Sunday, December 29, 2024

TO THE NAHCON CHAIRMAN (1)































Dear Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman,




Shaikhana, I have chosen to communicate with you through this medium for several reasons. Not least among them is that the contents of this letter will be read by many stakeholders in the Hajj industry who have congratulated you, in one way or another, on your assumption of office as the head of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). This letter may also prompt them to offer you further advice regarding the significant responsibility Allah has placed on your shoulders. Ultimately, the matters I discuss here will be preserved for posterity as they are published on the pages of LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER.

I write to you, Mr. Chairman, as a brother in Faith who believes that one should refrain from venturing into matters of which they are ignorant, for “every act of hearing, seeing, or feeling in the heart will be enquired into on the Day of Reckoning” (Al-Israa:36).




The Importance of Hajj

As you well know, Hajj is not merely an industry; it is a pillar of our Deen. Anyone who is aware of anything that could hinder your mission at the Commission and remains silent has committed a grave disservice—not only to you but to a cornerstone of Islam. The forces against you, of which there are many, would do better to offer constructive counsel wherever necessary, seeking Allah’s Countenance rather than striving toward your downfall. You are not NAHCON itself, nor is your tenure; rather, you are the one whom Allah has chosen to lead this institution, which oversees the operations of a cardinal principle of our Deen. If someone will not assist you in your success, they should not undermine you. The content of this correspondence, whether sweet or bitter (I apologise in advance), will revolve around this theme.




Commendations and Expectations

I would like to begin by congratulating you on the reforms you have initiated within the Commission and pray that Allah guards and guides you in their implementation. I also wish to thank you for the SAR 150 (One Hundred and Fifty Saudi Riyals) refund disbursement to the pilgrims who participated in Hajj 2023, which was allocated to state agencies and private tour operators.

Sir, this is a lengthy letter; however, I will summarise it in several parts, starting with the recent list released by NAHCON of 118 qualified companies for Hajj 2025, of which 10 lead companies were selected. These chosen 10 will form the nucleus around which all companies will operate for the Hajj, as follows:

ABUJA ZONE
1. Alkhautar Travel and Tour Ltd
2. Omosa Travels Limited
3. Portfolio Travels and Tour Limited

KANO ZONE
4. Arafat Air Services Nigeria Limited
5. Dala Air Services Limited
6. Hamsyl Travels and Tours Limited
7. Zango Travels and Tours Limited

LAGOS ZONE
8. Al Hujaaj International Umrah and Haji Services
9. Habdat Xpress Travels
10. Shebra Travels Limited




Concerns Regarding the Selection Process

Mr. Chairman, the Hajj industry is deeply concerned about the aforementioned list. The Commission must have specific criteria upon which the selection of these companies was based. Such criteria should not be solely dependent on the number of pilgrims a company handles; otherwise, the process will be fundamentally flawed. Hajj is about service delivery to the pilgrims, not merely about numbers. After each Hajj operation, NAHCON awards pilgrim agencies for excellence in various aspects of the Hajj exercise. None of these awards has ever been designated for handling a larger number of pilgrims. Similarly, Saudi Arabian Hajj authorities recognise various Hajj service providers, as we will once again witness during next year’s Hajj Expo (the 4th edition of the Hajj Conference & Exhibition in Jeddah); none of the awards has been based on the number of pilgrims served but rather on the quality of service provided in specific areas of Hajj operations.

A lead company, therefore, should be one that consistently maintains excellent Hajj services for pilgrims, regardless of their number, as long as the content of the package sold is fulfilled and promises are kept. NAHCON currently lacks a mechanism to ascertain whether the allocation of Hajj seats to any entity was utilised to serve the pilgrims of that company or sold to a third party engaged in Hajj visa trafficking.

Qualities of a Lead Company

Shaikhana, lead companies should be going concerns managed by individuals of integrity with a reputation for providing unblemished Hajj services to the guests of Allah. They should:
(a) have an impeccable record of service delivery in the Hajj industry, free from financial issues involving pilgrims and other service providers in Saudia;
(b) possess strong leadership qualities, including selflessness;
(c) be team players, good listeners, and approachable when urgent matters arise; and
(d) have relevant and practical experience in Hajj and its reforms, having participated in at least 10 successful Hajj operations. Interestingly, some of us with more than two decades of Hajj experience in the industry did not make the list!


Call for Scrutiny

Sir, I urge you to subject the list of lead companies released by NAHCON to thorough scrutiny, or it will be best described as an apocryphal list aimed at jeopardising the Hajj 2025 operations. Over half of the listed companies have issues with their operational capacity to conduct Hajj exercises. It is a scandal of monumental proportions for NAHCON to enlist a company that has abandoned its pilgrims at the peak of Hajj operations to lead others for the 2025 Hajj. Companies that defraud pilgrims by providing poor and subpar services cannot be entrusted with leadership roles.

An investigation should be conducted into how the Hajj 2025 committee compiled this list of lead companies. There are interests within the Commission that seem intent on your failure, sir. Otherwise, how can one explain that a Lagos-based company was surreptitiously introduced into Abuja and hastily opened an office, only to be listed among the lead companies from the Abuja Zone? The members of the Zone do not recognise this company. Why would NAHCON be interested in creating discord among us in the lead-up to Hajj 2025? Why should companies in the Abuja Zone be compelled to form alliances with an unknown entity? Are there no credible companies in Abuja worthy of inclusion on the list, such that NAHCON feels the need to employ the services of mercenaries?


On the Current State of Affairs

Mr. Chairman, it is evident that the commotioners (I deliberately use the term “commotioners” rather than “Commissioners”) surrounding you are displeased with our commentary regarding the developments at the Commission. They are sparing no effort to undermine us by any means necessary, generating turmoil as they are inclined to do. However, this will not deter us. They have forgotten that NAHCON is a transit camp where board members will come and go, but NAHCON itself will endure. We shall continue to observe and offer solutions to whatever challenges the Commission faces, drawing from our extensive experience in Hajj operations.

Unfortunately for you, sir, you have assumed leadership at a time when NAHCON is grappling with integrity issues that Allah knows you are not responsible for, and only He can deliver you from these challenges. These commotioners are promoting policies that will further complicate your reform efforts in pursuit of their fervent desire to push you out and ascend to the throne themselves!


Reflections on Past Leadership

Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi has been unjustly portrayed in the events leading to his exit. While I acknowledge he had some blame in some issues, as is natural for any human being, it is crucial to emphasise that the truth will eventually be revealed. My point is that Malam Jalal did not operate in isolation; he led the NAHCON Board. Why was he singled out for retribution while his colleagues continue to remain in positions of influence? I have stated this before, and I will reiterate: unless NAHCON is equipped with a new board, the same individuals who worked alongside Malam Jalal and left him in a vulnerable position will not spare you either.

Call for Action

If the Hajj institution holds any significance to the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—and I genuinely believe it does, as evidenced by what Asiwaju has accomplished with Hajj 2024—their priority should be to constitute a new board that is free from the current commotioners!

In conclusion, I pray for your success in your endeavours at NAHCON. May Allah grant you wisdom and strength as you navigate these challenging waters. Your leadership is crucial not only for the Commission but for the countless pilgrims who rely on the integrity and efficiency of the Hajj process.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Friday, December 6, 2024

INVESTIGATING NAHCON (2)



                        Honourable Sada Soli Jibiya







The first part of this piece, featured last week, was the memorandum I submitted to the Ad-Hoc Committee established by the Federal House of Representatives to investigate the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). When it was my turn to present to the Committee, I spoke to the paper rather than reading the document. I learned a great deal from the presentations of other participants who spoke before me, which allowed me to add more points to my original submission.

This Ad-Hoc Committee has done its homework diligently. The Chairman, Honourable Sada Soli, is knowledgeable and committed to thoroughly investigating the issues surrounding NAHCON in general and Hajj 2024 in particular. I plan to write a series on what transpired during the Hajj Public Hearing at the National Assembly soon, but for now, I will focus on my submission.

There is no need to repeat what my memorandum contained, as the first part of this piece included it in its entirety.


INVESTIGATE HAJJ 2022/23 AS WELL

I urged the Committee to broaden the scope of its investigation to include Hajj 2022 and 2023 for a more comprehensive overhaul of the Hajj industry.

Undoubtedly, Hajj 2024 was an improvement over the 2022 and 2023 pilgrimages. For instance, in Hajj 2022, one of the airline companies bid USD 50 less, but when the final ticket fare was announced, this reduction was not reflected in what the pilgrims paid. Every approved air carrier received equal payment, including those that did not request full payment. Why should I be compensated for something I did not request?

In Hajj 2022, many pilgrims were not accommodated properly and did not receive adequate meals at the Mashaa'ir, yet no refunds were issued to them.

During the airlift preparations for Hajj 2023, all designated carriers requested an additional USD 200 on the agreed rate—Max, Air Peace, and Azman. They claimed this was due to the closure of the Sudan airspace. Fly Nass did not request this additional fee, yet all pilgrims were charged the extra USD 200, including those who flew with Fly Nass. The issue of refunding those pilgrims was never raised.

Additionally, in Hajj 2023, thousands of pilgrims were accommodated outside the Markaziyyah (Central) area of Madinah, which is the vicinity surrounding the Prophet's Masjid. Pilgrims staying in this area can easily access the Mosque without the long walk faced by those accommodated outside this preferred location. The fact that pilgrims placed outside the Markaziyyah area during Hajj 2023 received no compensation for subpar services is concerning.



APPROVED 2024 HAJJ FARE

I brought to the Committee's attention some items in the Approved 2024 Hajj Fare released by NAHCON. This annual ritual involves announcing the Hajj fare according to various components of Hajj operations. This year’s fare includes 27 chargeable items that contribute to the price per pilgrim. NAHCON should not announce Hajj prices for states; it should instead set standards and guidelines for services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims and ensure compliance, penalising errant entities as necessary. States should determine their Hajj fare based on the quality and proximity of accommodations to the Haram and other logistical considerations, subject to NAHCON's approval. Uniform fares for Hajj are impractical, as hotels vary in location, service quality, and amenities.

The Ministry of Hajj deposits of SAR 50.00 are listed as item No. 7 in the Approved 2024 Hajj Fare. Why must each pilgrim pay this amount, and is it refundable? If so, who has ever received this refund, and when?

Feeding at the airport is item No. 8, requiring pilgrims to pay SAR 20.00 each. It is problematic when pilgrims are served takeaway meals in plastic bags before boarding buses from Makkah to the airport for their return trip to Nigeria. (1) The pilgrims paid for meals throughout their stay in the Kingdom, so this takeaway meal should differ from the SAR 20.00 airport meal, which is a separate charge. (2) The SAR 20.00 was intended for hot meals, chilled juices, and fruits at the airport while waiting to board their flights. The purpose of this arrangement is undermined when they receive takeaways in plastic bags from Makkah. (3) Each pilgrim who did not receive this meal at the airport should be refunded SAR 20.00.

Regarding feeding (No. 9), each pilgrim was charged SAR 1,225 for 35 days of meals at SAR 17.5 per meal, even though not all pilgrims stayed for the full 35 days. This charge is based on a half-board arrangement—breakfast and dinner—totalling SAR 35 per pilgrim daily. This contract does not account for the five-day Mashaa’ir Package (contract), which includes meals, for which each pilgrim paid SAR 4,770 (item No. 5). Consequently, pilgrims are effectively paying twice for meals in both item 9 and item 5 of the NAHCON Approved 2024 Hajj Fare. The cost for the five-day meals per pilgrim is SAR 175. This issue must be addressed.




OFFICIAL HAJJ VISA

Every year, the Saudi Hajj authorities allocate a certain number of official Hajj visas to officials in all countries participating in Hajj operations. This special Hajj visa grants privileges and facilitates easier access to areas where the regular Hajj visa has restrictions. However, NAHCON denies such visas to private Hajj operators in Nigeria. For Hajj 2024, NAHCON received 850 of these visas from Saudi Arabia, distributing them as follows: 650 to administrative officials, 150 to medical personnel, and 150 to media representatives—none were allocated to Private Hajj Operators. Is there any entity more deserving of these visas than state pilgrim officials and Private Tour Operators? Why should these visas go to individuals who do not have a single pilgrim?


INDUCTION COURSE FOR INTENDING PILGRIMS

Item No. 22 of the 2024 Hajj Fare set by NAHCON charged N5,000 per pilgrim for an enlightenment programme. With the total number of pilgrims for that year, this amounts to a significant sum. Why must the pilgrim pay to be educated about Hajj rites when the NAHCON Act, Section 4(1)(g), mandates that it conduct enlightenment campaigns for Hajj and Umrah in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory?

The pilgrim enlightenment program should cover Hajj rites, restroom/ elevator usage, currency identification, and more. Virtual Reality (VR) could immerse pilgrims in the Holy vicinity before their journey, giving them a feel of the Haram while still in Nigeria. Airline companies contracted to carry Nigerian pilgrims for Hajj should be required to show NAHCON's enlightenment videos during flights so that pilgrims can refresh their knowledge before arriving in Saudi Arabia. Does NAHCON have a template for pilgrim education? If not, isn’t it high time it developed one?


PAYMENT BY BANK DRAFT

My grandmother paid for her Hajj seat via a bank draft, and today, her great-grandchildren still witness this payment method, even as banking has gone digital and people rarely use cheques for cash withdrawals.

Why is the payment for Hajj seats still conducted via bank draft? Why not transition to online payment for greater efficiency and convenience? Why can’t there be a fully automated system that simplifies the Hajj process from payment through to accommodation assignments in Makkah, Madinah, and Mashaa’ir? Pilgrims should be informed of their flight details and return dates according to the timing of their payment. As a writer once said, "One of the signs of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."



In conclusion, this Ad-Hoc Committee of the Honourable House of Representatives must address these systemic issues to ensure Nigerian pilgrims receive the quality of service and accountability they deserve. By expanding the scope of the investigation to include earlier Hajj operations, revisiting pricing structures, and implementing modern payment methods, Nigeria can significantly enhance the pilgrimage experience for its citizens. Consideration of these recommendations is not just about improving logistics; it is about respecting the faith and sacrifices of millions of pilgrims who undertake this sacred journey. The hope is that through this investigation and the subsequent reforms, Hajj operations can reflect the dignity and reverence that such a spiritual endeavour warrants.