The Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has solicited the support of the Nigerian Immigration Service on the realisation of the Makkah Route Initiative (MRI).
Kunle Hassan made the call during his visit to the Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammadu Babandede at the Immigration Headquarters in Abuja, Wednesday.
The NAHCON chairman during his address appreciated the role of the Nigerian Immigration Service in the operations of Hajj.
Hassan said he solicited NIS collaboration for the success of the MRI because the Service is a key stakeholder in the Hajj exercise. The initiative when operational will ease time spent in the airports during screening, Nigeria having a large contingent to Hajj.
The chairman said five other countries had already commenced the homeland screening procedure and Nigeria will hopefully be the next.
In his own remark, Comptroller General Babandede appreciated the visit, promising to deploy all resources for the success of the project. He identified key areas where the NIS has made improvement in screening of international passengers and made suggestions for further enhancement and collaboration in matters of pilgrimage.
Zikrullah Hassan had held similar coordination meetings with Minister of Interior, Ra’uf Arigbesola and Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabi’u Hamisu Yadudu, when the latter paid him a courtesy visit.
