...As NAHCON approves four Islamic banks for Hajj savings scheme
… Announces Saudi’s new dual health measures
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman Pakistan, has announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead Nigeria’s contingent to this year’s Hajj.
Prof Saleh made the disclosure during his appearance on Freedom Radio Kaduna’s Hausa programme, Barka Da Warhaka, on Wednesday, February 26.
The Chairman stated that the Vice President would be performing the annual religious rite – the fifth pillar of Islam, as a Muslim, adding that he will also personally supervise the Hajj exercise and assess how it would be handled by those saddled with its responsibility, instead of relying on third party information.
The Hajj Commission boss said the move will guard against misinformation, which has given rise to the negative media reportage and narratives of the Hajj over the years.
Speaking on the ongoing arrangements for this year’s Hajj, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman said everything was on course as provision for over seventy thousand pilgrims from the ninety five thousand Saudi approved Nigeria’s quarter has been made already.
He expressed delight that the measures taken so far have tamed the annual astronomical rise in the cost of the yearly religious rite, saying more reliefs were still being expected for this year’s intending pilgrims from some charges and taxes intending pilgrims used to pay some government agencies during previous operations.
He further stated that, though the time frame for payment of Hajj fares had lapsed, nonetheless payment are still being accepted to a particular date the Commission kept to itself after which no payment would be accepted.
… New dual health measures
The Chairman disclosed that the Saudi authorities have introduced new dual health measures – Health Service Providers – for pilgrims which all participating countries would abide by either.
According to him, “The two categories of Health Service Providers are, the all encompassing Health Service Provider, in which all health matters of pilgrims, from supervision, diagnosis to treatment and medicaments would be exclusively handled by Saudi health officials, doctors and hospitals.
“The second provider would play supervisory role only in which the Saudi health officials would ensure conformity and adherence to laid down health laws, rules regulations and guidelines for pilgrims.”
The Chairman however added Nigeria, in the meantime, opted for the second Health Service Provider, due to the high financial implications of the first measure.
Professor Abdullahi Pakistan advised state pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions to strictly adhere to the Saudi health guidelines on pilgrim’s health condition to ensure that only healthy and able bodied persons embarked on the pilgrimage to guard against fatalities and casualties.
…Approves four Islamic banks for Hajj savings scheme
Meanwhile, the Commission has approved four banks to support and implement the Hajj Savings Scheme.
An official in the Information and Publications Division of NAHCON, Abdulbasit Abba, announced the development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
Abba stated, “A significant milestone for the Hajj Savings Scheme, three new Islamic banks—Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank—have officially joined the initiative to support Nigerian pilgrims.
“These banks will operate alongside Jaiz Bank, bringing the total number of participating financial institutions to four.
“The official signing and acknowledgment of the appointment letters took place at Hajj House in Abuja, where representatives from the three new banks received their official letters from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON),” he noted.
HSS will ease, simplify Hajj affairs in Nigeria
The NAHCON Chairman was optimistic that the Hajj Saving Scheme which is the exclusive preserve and responsibility of states pilgrim handlers under the supervision of the Commission, would ease and simplify Hajj affairs in Nigeria if diligently handled and operated.
Prof Saleh said the floodgates of the scheme would be plunged open for more banks inclined to Islamic guidelines on banking and investment to participate, hoping in few years Nigeria would meet up the standard of countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia in Hajj affairs.
Prof Saleh also welcomed constructive criticism and well intentioned advices that would improve service delivery of the Commission to the Nigerian pilgrims in particular and the Muslim Ummah in general.
He warned against mischief, unguarded utterances, and unfounded allegations against the Commission or its staff, adding that these vices benefit neither the detractor himself, nor Islam, or the Muslim Ummah.
… With additional information from NAN
Sponsored
