Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement in which he announced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of the agency.

“Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.

“He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.

“The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”

Arabi, who was appointed in October, ran into trouble over the 2024 Hajj which the Federal Government released N90 billion to subsidise.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested Arabi and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over the issue.

An EFCC source had said a total of 314,098 Saudi Riyals was recovered from the sacked NAHCON chairman.

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Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson to Tinubu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the president has directed Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the outgoing chairman of NAHCON, to proceed on three-month pre-retirement leave.

According to the statement, the leave is in line with the provision of the public service rule (PSR) 120243, adding that it is with effect from October 18, leading to his eventual retirement from service on January 17, 2024.

President Bola Tinubu has also approved the dissolution of the Board of NAHCON.

The President expects that the new NAHCON leadership will serve in reverence of Allah and with utmost adherence to the precepts of service according to the Holy Qur’an.

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A statement signed by the public relations officer of the board, Alh Badaru Karofi said “the first batch of about 101 intending pilgrims who couldn’t make it to the 2022 hajj exercise and applied for their money has been refunded”.

The Executive Director of the board Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki who was represented by the Director of Finance of the board Alhaji Sagir Abdullahi Inde presented the cheques to zonal pilgrims’ officers today on behalf of the pilgrims.

The Director stated that the sum of N133, 280: 00 (one hundred and thirty-three million, two hundred and eighty thousand naira) has so far been disbursed to 101 pilgrims in the first batch, saying the refund exercise will be a continuous one, especially for those who are willing to collect their 2022 hajj fare.

The post Breaking: Katsina Commence Refund For Pilgrims Who ‘Missed’ 2022 Hajj appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

As result of the development, NAHCON has directed states boards and private tour operators to grant requests of any pilgrim that demanded a refund of their fare.

NAHCON added that other intending pilgrims that wished to roll over their funds to next year, 2022, should also be granted that wish, considering the outbreak of Coronavirus that force the Saudi authorities to limit attendance.

The Commission, assured stakeholders including pilgrims of NAHCON’s open-door policy and cooperation to address whatever challenges that may arise after the cancellation.

NAHCON promises came hours after the Saudi Arabian government barred pilgrims from Nigeria and other foreign countries from participating in 2021 hajj and limited the number of pilgrims to take part in the religious rites to 60,000 worshippers with strict adherence to coronavirus.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, in a statement on Saturday, urged pilgrims and other stakeholders to wait for further advice and decisions by the board.

“As in the previous year, those pilgrims who request for refund of their Hajj deposits will be granted such without unnecessary delay. As for those who would still wish to roll over their funds, the Commission strongly urges them to wait for further advice and decisions by the board”.

Hassan, in a statement issued by Head, Public Affairs of the commission in Abuja, Fatima Usara, said that NAHCON respected the decision of Saudi Arabia in this regard no matter how painful that decision might be to the commission and intending pilgrims worldwide.

He said: “We have accepted it and believe it is Allah’s divine design that multitudes will again this year not perform the Hajj. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is only playing out a script ordained by our Maker long before the creation of the universe. Our prayer is that we collectively turn to Him in repentance so that He admits us for Hajj in the coming years.

According to him, the lessons from the 2020 and 2021 cancellations of Hajj for foreign pilgrims’ was in the “Prophet’s Hadith (teachings) urging Muslims to perform Hajj while they could before they are prevented from doing so.

He noted that it was only Allah that selects those who would be performing hajj, adding the resilience of Nigerian intending pilgrims and the support they have shown during the long and tortuous wait.

The chairman said he was particularly impressed and humbled by the level of support and respect evidenced by their adherence to each instruction given by the commission.

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The statement disclosed that the directive became necessary in the light of the health challenges posed by the COVID-19 infection with its potency of rapid transmission most especially in large gatherings. It is therefore among NAHCON’s priorities to protect pilgrims as well as intending pilgrims from hazardous circumstances whether in or outside the country.

“In addition, Federal Government, in line with advisory from National Centre for Disease Control has banned all public gatherings whether religious or social. This is to support social distancing and as a COVID-19 containment strategy. This measure, NAHCON totally identifies with.

The circular issued to that effect signed by NAHCON Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Sheikh Suleiman Momoh, commended state pilgrims’ boards/commissions/agencies for their efforts in pilgrims’ enlightenment. The sensitization is geared towards mentoring Nigerian pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country while in Saudi Arabia.

However, all necessary preparatory steps for 2020 Hajj goes on, the document advised.

Intending pilgrims and whom it may concern are kindly invited to note.

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The NAHCON Chair paid the visit just before his departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  for inspection of 2020 Hajj accommodation and catering services for Allah’s Guests.

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