Before the 2024 Hajj season, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has sent a 43-person advanced team consisting of 35 NAHCON officials and eight medical staff to complete arrangements for the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims.
The team's task is to arrange and manage the welcoming, housing, feeding, transportation, healthcare, and overall well-being of the pilgrims during the Hajj period in the Holy Land.
The advance team will leave Abuja on Sunday to receive the initial group of pilgrims scheduled to depart from Kebbi State on Wednesday.
This information was shared in a statement released by Mousa Ubandawaki, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Publications Division, on Saturday.
During a brief farewell event at the Hajj House in Abuja, the Commission's Chairman, Jalal Arabi, congratulated the team on their selection, emphasized the significance of their conduct, and advised them to serve the guests well.
He conveyed, “You are the first point of contact with the pilgrims. How you act will profoundly impact the Commission's reputation. If you perform well, we succeed, but if not, it'll be about crisis management.
So, you must be active to earn our appreciation here and that of Allah in the Afterlife for treating His Guests well. They are the reason you are there, so consistently treat them with courtesy and respect,” he said.
He cautioned that NAHCON will take serious measures against team members found to have violated any rules while also urging experienced members to assist the newcomers.
“Take the advice seriously; the standards have been raised, and the expectations are high. You have been chosen because of the trust we have in you, so you must be prepared. Laziness and procrastination will not be accepted.
“I encourage you to work together and support each other. Veterans should guide and help the new members so we can succeed as a team,” he added.
In response for the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmud, the Madina Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the management for their trust and promised their determination to make this year’s Hajj more successful than previous years.
“We will ensure that pilgrims receive good value for their money and make every effort to ensure that they perform their Hajj rites without any issues, God willing,” he said.
