* Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, others bag exemplary awards for Hajj 2024
* Resume in acting capacity as NAHCON chair, FG orders Prof Usman
The Director of the Academic Planning Unit at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Prof. Wasiu Gabadeen, has stressed the need for strategic time management to ensure a successful Hajj 2025.
Prof. Gabadeen, who is also the Deputy Rector (Academics) of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) said Hajj operations involve complex activities and dealing with large number of people.
The Don made these remarks at the annual public lecture and awards ceremony organised by the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) on September 4, 2024, at the Auditorium of the National Mosque, Abuja.
Some of the winners at the annual awards for exemplary leadership service during the Hajj 2024 include the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, who received award for the Best State Coordination and Response to Pilgrims; the Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris, emerged as the best state pilgrims Board administrator.
Also, Nasarawa State Pilgrims Board as Best/closest accommodation to grand mosque in Makkah; Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Malam Abubakar Salihu was honoured with the Most Dedicated Hajj Official, among others.
Muslim News can confirm that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has begun preparations for Hajj 2025.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who oversees NAHCON, has directed the newly appointed Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prof. Usman Abdullahi, to immediately assume office in an acting capacity pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
The directive was in a bid to strengthen the preparations for the next hajj.
In his lecture, Prof. Gabadeen underlined the essence of time, noting it is a commodity that cannot be created or retrieved.
“Once a moment passes, it’s gone forever. This scarcity necessitates careful management to maximize its use and achieve our goals maximally,” he said.
“Time management is a critical skill that can significantly impact your personal and professional life if managed effectively. It involves planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks to achieve your goals efficiently.
“Strategic time management is particularly crucial for Hajj operations, given the large number of pilgrims, complex logistics, and the need to provide a seamless and fulfilling experience for the guests of Allah.”
Prof. Gabadeen charged Hajj managers in Nigeria to set clear and measurable goals as part of strategic time management as he also suggested the adoption of emerging technologies to ease tasks and improve efficiency.
“There is a need to establish clear and measurable goals for the Hajj operations, such as ensuring a safe and comfortable pilgrimage for all participants, providing timely and efficient services, and promoting a positive spiritual experience.
“We also have to develop a comprehensive plan outlining the key activities, timelines, responsibilities and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for each stage of the 2025 Hajj Operations.
“There should be categorization of tasks based on their urgency and importance to prioritize effectiveness. Focus on tasks that are both urgent and important, delegate tasks that are important but not urgent, and eliminate tasks that are neither urgent nor important.
Gabadeen opined that the management of Hajj can no longer be based on trial and error while insisting that the appointment of managers and officials of NAHCON should be free of sentiments.
“The management of Hajj can no longer be based on trial and error, appointment or selection of pilgrims’ managers and officials can no longer be on sentiments, screening and licensing of service providers can no longer be on political affiliations, subscribing for hajj by intending pilgrims can no longer be at any time; hence, the need for professionalization of hajj management for sustainable development and operational efficiency through effective time management of 2025 Hajj operations.
“Hajj management globally has undergone a series of developmental processes and reforms in the areas of visa processing, accommodation, feeding, transportation, pilgrims’ education, immigration services and other logistics, especially after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging on emerging technologies for real-time solutions to operational matters,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of NAHCON, Prince Anofi Olarenwaju Elegushi, Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate & Licensing, and Aliu Abdulrazaq, Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management & Finance, praised Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) for providing a valuable platform to discuss and review the challenges of the previous Hajj.
NAHCON commended IHR for fostering open dialogue and invited them to participate in broader stakeholder meetings to further enhance Hajj operations.
Earlier in his remarks, Ibrahim Muhammed, National Coordinator of Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), underscored IHR’s critical role in providing oversight on Hajj operations and promoting accountability among stakeholders.
He noted the importance of time management as Nigeria faces pressing deadlines for the 2025 Hajj and urged the Senate to expedite the approval of the new NAHCON chairman.
Muhammed also highlighted Nigeria’s significant contribution to the global Hajj pilgrimage and praised the Saudi government for its commitment to serving pilgrims.
He emphasized the need to address negative media coverage by identifying individual failings in Hajj administration rather than criticizing institutions as a whole.
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