By Okikiola Qasim
The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria held its 3rd Annual General Meeting on 14th May, 2014. At the AGM President of the Association, Alhaji Nasir Mohammed Sala Koko during this Annual General Meeting of the Association held at the Main Conference
Hall of the Abuja National Mosque recalled that the association was officially inaugurated on the 26th June, 2009, with 60 ordinary members that are fully registered and aligned themselves to the objectives and the mandate of the association. Today the association which was initially spread across the three Operational Zones of Abuja, Kano and Lagos respectively has since transformed tremendously and is now navigating to the next level with records of successful achievements since the time of their inauguration.
He confessed that there are a number of challenges confronting Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria. Some of these challenges are not new.
They have been with us ever before now or the inception of AHUON, although some have been tackled but there are rooms for improvement. Interestingly, if AHUON operations of Hajj and Umrah must improve and compete favourably with those of other countries, all identified challenges must be dealt with decisively. Both the Operators and the Governments Regulatory Agencies must work together for success. Each operational challenge must be looked into with passion and dispatch by all concerned stakeholders. He briefly touched on some of the operational challenges facing the association.
Increase in the cost of Hajj operation in Nigeria, whereby the cost of two successive Hajj operations has never been the same, whereas in some countries people can perform there Hajj with the same or less amount of money for three to five years. In other words, they enjoy a stable Hajj rate and can easily work towards it without any fear of increase. He said this was due to unfriendly galloping inflation in our own country. AHUON strongly implores the federal government to urgently arrest the growing inflation, reduce and stabilize exchange rate of the Naira to Dollar and indeed allow private Hajj operators to change their money at concessionary rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria .The President of AHUON also called on his colleague operators to improve on the quality of their services and ensure good comportment in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
On the achievements recorded so far, AHUON is currently operating from two levels these are the National Secretariat based in Abuja, and zonal offices in Abuja, Kano and Lagos States.
The President informed the members of the tremendous achievement made by the Association whereby the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) finally and warmly accepted AHOUN as a major stakeholder in Hajj and Umrah affairs in Nigeria and subsequently the Commission is closely integrating the Association in the planning and implemention of Hajj and Umrah activities within the stipulated guidelines of NAHCON Act 2006.
In the period under review, NAHCON is also introducing and projecting AHUON to Hajj and Umrah Agencies in Saudi Arabia. AHUON also presented a position paper on the proposed Guidelines on licensing and operation of Hajj and Umrah.
We were able to achieve the adoption and introduction of Evidence of Membership of Hajj/Umrah association as part of the document for processing Hajj 2014 Application as another remarkable manifestation of the NAHCON-AHUON friendship and partnership in sanitizing the Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria. AHUON issued attestation letter for over 80 Hajj Applicants. AHUON participated in series of meetings on finding practical solutions to the issue of foreign exchange particularly during Hajj and Umrah Operations. AHUON requested for concessionary exchange rate on all operational funds and transfer to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia among others.
The introduction of NAHCON- Dedicated Carrier for Pilgrims of licensed tour operators in 2007 with Medview Airlines was a welcomed development to AHUON. All necessary operational support was provided and today we are proud to associate ourselves with Medview Airlines for transforming from a chartered flight to a full-fledged local and international flight company.
AHUON within the period under review got international recognition with the presence and deep involvement of its member in the 1st and 2nd World Hajj and Umrah Conventions (WHUC) in London. The Convention was organized by Hajj People Limited following a call for papers presentation from bodies responsible for coordination of private sector led Hajj and Umrah Operations in different countries for the Second Convention, AHUON president made a paper presentation that was adjudged the Best Paper at the 2nd WHUC held in London between the 21 and 22 May, 2013.
The Delegates of the Niger Republic Hajj Mission comprising of representatives of public and private sectors visited the leadership of AHUON at the National Secretariat, Abuja. The Delegates were led to the Secretariat by the Head Tour Operators Unit, NAHCON Headquarters, Abuja and they were warmly received by the National Leadership of AHUON.
He used the occasion to appreciate all Zonal Chairmen, Members of his Exco and all those that donated one thing or the other to the success of this AGM and particularly the administration led by him, praying that may Allah reward everybody in all their undertakings.
The Chairman of the occasion who doubled as the Special Guest of Honour in his opening speech reminded the members of the objective of the first twelve members that initially came together with sincere mind to form the association. He said they faced a lot of challenges but with the sincerity of mind they were able to get to this level of achievement.
He said NAHCON under his leadership would work closely to make the AHUON what we all would be proud of. He assured that the Nigerian Prigilmage would be improved and Hajj and Umrah Operations of this year would be better packaged than ever before. He advised the incoming executives to work tirelessly to build a worthy legacy for AHUON.
The Guest Speaker at the occasion Alhaji Abdullah Mohammad Esq. in his lecture commended the outgoing leadership for a job well-done. He said none of the leaders of the association has ever misused their position for their personal interests or benefits; this is why the records of their achievements could obviously be noticed in all ramifications. He therefore advised the incoming Exco to improve and build on the well laid foundation by the outgoing leaders.
He challenged the Association to continue to build the organization to the level whereby it would become a professional body on Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria just like the MMA, NBA etc. He suggested to the incoming leadership of the association to look into founding a standard institution on Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria.
He said Hajj and Umrah is a life time project, therefore, there is the need for us to put in place a legacy for the incoming generations so as to have those that would continue and improve on the institution for successful Hajj operations in Nigeria. He advised that in any society if there is irregularity in the efficiency of the objectives set for the association the leaders must be held responsible. And all members must assist to see to the success of the organization.
The AHUON 3rd AGM did not come to an end without the new election of leaders of the association. And the former regime lead by Alhaji Nasir Koko was dissolved and a Four Men Electoral Committee was elected to oversee the successful election of new leaders headed by Alh Sagir Kumasi as Chairman, Alh. Abdul Rauf Zakari,Mrs Umar Halima and Alh Abdul Jalil as members respectively. At the end, the Electoral Committee announced the new National President in the person of Alh Abdulfatah AbdulMajeed, Deputy President (Hajj) Alh Aminu Agoha, deputy president (Umrah) Alh Salihu Butu, Gen. Sec., Alh Aminu Dangana, V. P Lagos Alh Maroof Arowosaye, V.P Kano Alh Aminu Musa and legal adviser Barr. Habib Alkoki, among others. The post of Executive Secretary was also created to head the secretariat and Dr. Abdul wasiu Garbadin was nominated and all the elected post was done unopposed and it was transparent.
The newly elected president of AHUON Alh Abdulfatah AbdulMajeed, in his acceptance speech thanked Allah who gives leadership to whomever he wishes. He challenged all the members to rise up to the new challenges ahead particularly in the plans of the Saudi Authority to expand numbers of pilgrims from 3 million to 10 million for the Hajj and Umrah exercise which would increase from 10 million to 80 million in the next two years. He said all hands must be on deck and advised that all members must come together to move the association to the next level.
The occasion was attended by all regional and zonal members of AHUON and the programme was well planned and well attended.