NAHCON slashes accommodation fees for intending pilgrims
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Dhikrullah Olakunle Hassan has announced a reduction in the cost of accommodation for pilgrims interested in performing the hajj to Saudi Arabia.
Hassan said this when the management of DailyTimes newspaper, led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Aliu Akoshile visited his office in Abuja on Thursday.
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The NAHCON boss said his administration is considering the most creative ways to make the least amount spent by intending pilgrims in the hajj year.
He said that “the logistics to make this dream a reality is possible, but may not be easy but we are committed to it. We are also seeing how we can creatively make voluminous reductions to come down a little bit from what it used to be in the past.
‘’We will make an attempt this year. We know it doesn’t come easy but we will try our best. We are still at the beginning process and have finalized the accommodation process.
“The next one is aviation where we will discuss with our business partners. We assured on the safety of pilgrims preparing for the forthcoming hajj.”
Speaking on the coronavirus and its impact on hajj, Hassan stated that the commission is working with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that all pilgrims are effectively screened and monitored to prevent them contracting any viral disease.
“The fear of coronavirus is the beginning of wisdom. As people of faith, our first concern is to pray to avert it. Pilgrimage is something we do when every coast is clear.
‘’Before the outbreak of coronavirus, we usually screen pilgrims to ensure that they must be fit for the pilgrimage.
‘’We are working in tandem with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that we have everything well captured so that citizens of Nigeria will be prevented from any viral disease.
‘’One of the health ministry staff is in our board. So, we are working together to ensure that we establish a position so that Nigerians cannot be negatively affected by the coronavirus,” he added.
He however, said that as people of faith, the outbreak will be a thing of the past in a few weeks to come so that people will feel comfortable to travel.
The NAHCON chairman also hinted that other measures made by the commission include interfacing with the Saudi authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Daily Times Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Aliu Akoshile noted that being the oldest newspaper in Nigeria, the newspaper is obligated to deliver factual reports, assuring that the newspaper will support the activities of the commission.
Akoshile sought for more collaboration with the commission, proposing for a joint annual summit for hajj and umrah. He also noted that the newspaper is fully back on stream both in the hard copy form and on online platform.
