NAHCON Leadership and Inaugural Hajj Flight 2023

NAHCON Leadership and Inaugural Hajj Flight 2023
By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

By its nature and history, Hajj is a physically demanding and energy-sapping exercise, though spiritually rewarding and worth it. That could be why Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy did not make it mandatory for all Muslims. Rather, He made it compulsory for only Muslims who are financially and physically capable of going through the rigours of it.

Just like everything else, the notorious Nigerian factor has over the years made Hajj operations even more difficult. Logistic issues, transportation challenges, shoddy flight arrangements and all that. Nigerian pilgrims over the years learn how to start suffering immediately they decide to embark on pilgrimage to the Holy Land which is supposed to be a dream come true for any Muslim.

Every year, we hear stories of intending Nigerian pilgrims spending days and nights in Hajj camps, being stranded at the airports for days and not getting the best of care from Hajj officials both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Same routine repeats itself after a successful Hajj and they are supposed to be airlifted back home.

Things have however been getting better in recent years especially under the current leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Talking about leadership, a leader in the Islamic context is that humble, simple, modest but knowledgeable servant who possesses the drive, aura and charisma to inspire others to see the light of Islam and follow Allah’s ways sincerely and religiously… That inspirational character who will lead mankind from the edge of destruction towards the right path.

While Africa’s greatest storyteller, Chinua Achebe, placed the problem of Nigeria solely on the doorstep of leadership and argued in his bestselling piece, “The Trouble with Nigeria,” that every other thing about the country is excellent except the lack of selfless and competent leadership, Dr. John C. Maxwell in his “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” also argued that: “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” The standard however has to remain the one set by the noblest of mankind, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), with the great example he set as a complete leader who possessed all the qualities one must have to manage his followers impeccably.

Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has in his brief period at the helm of affairs at NAHCON provided that sort of leadership that is rare in this part of the world. He is that big man who doesn’t carry the air of ‘bigmanism.’ Even as he allows other officials of the Commission and other stakeholders in the Hajj business to play their roles without usurping other people’s duties, the NAHCON boss is a practical and pragmatic leader who leads from the front, get things done and rises to any challenge whatsoever.

The way and manner he responded to the Sudanese challenge that threatened this year’s Hajj exercise is a great example of result-oriented leadership.

It happened that NAHCON had already signed a deal with the airlines on the basis of a four-hour trip from anywhere in Nigeria to Saudi Arabia before the Sudanese incident which increased the journey time to seven hours and forced the airlines to seek a renegotiation, a challenge which stakeholders on the side of government led by NAHCON were able to solve and this year’s Hajj is a reality.

The crowning glory of the efforts put in place by NAHCON to make this year’s Hajj a successful one was witnessed last Thursday during the official flag-off of the 2023 Hajj exercise at the Pilgrims Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a historic and reassuring speech, the NAHCON boss said the commission had put measures in place to ensure that this year’s Hajj is the best so far in terms of logistics, welfare, safety, feeding and accommodation for pilgrims.

Addressing the gathering just before President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the exercise for this year, the NAHCON chairman said: “We were able to negotiate a reasonable price for hotel accommodation in Makkah knowing full well that numerous hotels have been demolished for futuristic development. Also, we have been able to maintain the standard in Madinah whereby our pilgrims are lodged in 5-star hotels within the prestigious Markaziyya vicinity surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque.”

On the Sudan challenge, he said: “Thankfully, despite the unprecedented challenge caused by the closure of the Sudan airspace hence forcing a re-route from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we give gratitude to the Almighty for leading us to a smooth resolution of the quagmire. We appreciate federal government for waiving numerous aviation charges, the airlines for their sacrifices, the States’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards and our Pilgrims who all cooperated to arrive at an amiable solution to the seeming bottleneck.”

On the safety of pilgrims, he added: “Similarly, the Commission, in collaboration with the Mutawwif’s Company for Pilgrims of Non-Arab African Countries popularly known as Muassasa, have put in place mechanisms for the comfort and safety of our pilgrims.”

He also announced that this year’s pilgrims would be served indigenous meals which means they won’t have to be starved of their favourite Nigerian foods for that lengthy period.

“We have agreed that this year, our pilgrims would be served indigenous meals. To this end, the Commission created job opportunities for our Nigerian caterers by insisting that Saudi based caterers work in partnership with them in preparing Nigerian local cuisines for our pilgrims,” he said.

Still on the issue of local content, he told the audience: “Hiring indigenous airlines for the airlift operations is the Commission’s way of promoting local airlines to remain in business.”

“On this note, I want to restate and reassure Nigerians that this year’s Hajj won’t be just about stories but stories of success. We have made and concluded arrangements to ensure that the accommodation, feeding and transportation facilities on ground are the best,” he further said.

In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad III, who was represented by the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and Islam when they get to the Holy Land.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, lamented that the journey to Saudi Arabia may now take seven hours instead of four hours due to the closure of the Sudanese airspace.

He however expressed gratitude to Allah (SWT) and commended NAHCON’s leadership for being able to renegotiate with the airlines and strike a good deal in the face of the challenge brought by the unexpected closure the Sudanese airspace.

Other speakers at the occasion attested to the organised, meticulous and thorough nature of the NAHCON boss and the fact that he pays attention to details. They emphasised the fact that starting on time instead of the usual fire brigade approach, is one of the major reasons this year’s movement to the Holy Land is going on successfully.

The high point of the event was not just the official flag-off of this year’s Hajj flights by President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, but also the successful commencement of the flights with Max Air Plane conveying over 400 pilgrims to the Holy Land. Since that Thursday, tens of flights have taken off from different parts of the country to Saudi Arabia.

With indigenous meals for pilgrims, five-star hotels in Madina, engagement of local airlines, special arrangements for safety and welfare of pilgrims etc, there is no doubting the fact that the Hassan-led NAHCON has done a yeoman’s job ahead of this year’s Hajj season.

May Allah (SWT) reward him and his staff as well as other federal government officials who have made this year’s Hajj exercise a reality.

Abdulrahman Abdulraheem is Managing Editor Economic Confidential