The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said all its efforts to get additional slots for Hajj 2022 for Nigerian intending pilgrims has failed.
A statement by the commission’s Assistant Director Public Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Tuesday, said NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa led a delegation to table the request for additional slots.
According to the statement, “NAHCON’s formidable team of representatives as well as the strong presentation made request through our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah; unfortunately, the promise could no longer be fulfilled. Therefore, Nigeria’s Hajj industry is left with its initial allocation of 43,008.”
NAHCON said the request became necessary because of the Private Tour Operators’ genuine outcry over shortfall in number of clients they would be able to accommodate for the Hajj. It was also targeted at managing pressure of other Nigerians desperate to be participants in the season’s pilgrimage.
The commission solicited the understanding of the “aggrieved due to the failure to be counted among this year’s successful Haji applicants. NAHCON beseeches them to accept it as the will of the Almighty and look forward to next opportunity if God spares our lives. The Commission has done its best but the Almighty has decided the rest.”
The commission said its Chairman Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan and other management members did their possible best to make sure that slots were distributed equitably, but not everyone who is qualified would make it to this year’s Hajj due to the relatively low number of allocated slots.
The statement said the commission is “aware of the agitation from all its publics, to wit, the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, subscribers through the Hajj Savings Scheme, Private Tour Operators, including its own staff as well. NAHCON management said it did not ostracize any group in the distribution of available Hajj seats, but of course, not all would be successful, because, the Commission was working within the boundaries of what was available.
“Yet, management understands the frustration of many who were desperate to participate in this year’s pilgrimage after two years of blockade. As people of faith we should remember that Hajj is a divine call that one would answer at the destined time; no matter one’s wealth, health status, age or free time.”
Meanwhile, NAHCON had sought for waiver for Hajj officials above 65 years of age who due to their relevance to the Hajj operation, their presence in Saudi Arabia is crucial.
This request too was turned down by Saudi Arabia. Hence any official above 65 years is exempted from participating in the 2022 Hajj duties.
