By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka Abuja National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is already looking into ways to establish a guideline for journalists covering the Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia. NAHCON Chairman, Barr. Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad, said “this as become necessary in the face of inconsistencies in the Hajj reportage.” He said this when the Media Awareness Initiative for Hajj (MAI HAJJ) paid him a courtesy visit yesterday. “You have very noble objective, very clear which I indulge you to pursue and marshal out how to improve it. Earlier, the team had requested for partnership with NAHCON.
“That partnership will be on that guideline. It is a matter of concern. A hundred plus journalists went from their various media houses in 2017 Hajj,” However, there was no guideline on how this reportage was conducted. “Nobody is there as a bridge. Nobody is there to organise,” stressing that FIFA had a team who accredits those to cover the FIFA. “Why is it that we as Muslims do not have accreditation guideline for those that must cover the Hajj operations?
He said: “I believe we will work with you to create a guideline for any journalists whether from local, state or national level that will not negate the ethics of the profession and put the operation in danger. “In 2018, journalists that must be on the trip to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Hajj operations must go through the accreditation process. We will continue to make sure that our pilgrims get value for their money.” Earlier, leader of the delegation and the public relations officer of the organisation, Kabir Yusuf Kano, who represented the chairman of MAI HAJJ, congratulated the Commission for a successful 2017 Hajj.