In early preparations for the 2018 hajj operations, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for services, with the National Adilla Establishment, a Saudi Arabian Agency in charge of coordinating all pilgrims’ activities in Madina.
The Establishment is in charge of receiving pilgrims at Airports and Land entry points, taking custody of the pilgrims’ passports, liaising with transportation companies and landlords for the provision of transportation and accommodation service and handling any other issue involving pilgrims during their stay in Madina.
The signing was done by the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad and Vice Chairman/CEO of the Adillah Establishment, Essam bin AbdulAziz Demyati, at the Adillah’s Madinah Headquarters on January 7.
The Nigerian Delegation at the Meeting include Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Isah Mohammed Dodo; the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship and Hajj, Dr. Abdullahi Salame; NAHCON’s Commissioners PPMF, Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo Ibrahim and Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Modibbo Saleh; the Nigerian Consul-General, Ambassador Sani Yunusa; NAHCON Board Members; Representatives from the Office of the Secrertary to the Government of the Federation; State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Leadership of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHUON) and Staff of the Nigerian Embassy; Consulate and NAHCON.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, the two parties reviewed the 2017 Hajj for the purpose of harmonizing their efforts for better 2018 Hajj arrangements. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the trends of partnership between them. Some of the issues discussed included the problem of some Tour Operators’ passengers that failed to comply to their return flight schedule; Problems caused by Gratis Visas given by Saudi Foreign Missions in Nigeria; late arrival of some Pilgrims into Madina, among others.[myad]