By Olamilekan FAWAS
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said it would soon begin Hajj Savings Scheme to register intending pilgrims, who are desirous of performing Hajj in the next five years.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, made this disclosure while briefing newsmen at the final stakeholders’ preparatory meeting for the 2018 Hajj on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the Hajj Saving Scheme was the best way to address the challenges of annual registration of pilgrims because it would allow window for a long time savings.
Muhammad explained that appropriate submission had been made to the Federal Government to approve the legal framework and the composition of the board of trustees that would manage the scheme.
The NAHCON chairman said that all the state pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commission, had been directed to register any intending pilgrim, wishing to perform Hajj in the next five years.
He expressed optimism that the establishment of the scheme would bring to an end the annual payment of Hajj fare, where NAHCON was not certain of the number of Nigerian pilgrims, who would perform the Hajj.
Muhammad said the meeting was aimed at bringing all stakeholders in the Hajj together to review preparation and analyse its goals toward the successful delivery of the 2018 Hajj.
“We have reviewed what we have done and we are confident that the 2018 Hajj will be an improved version of the 2017 Hajj.
“Anybody, who is interested in performing Hajj in the next five years can now approach any state pilgrims welfare board and deposit his money”.
Muhammad said that based on the policy of Saudi Arabian Hajj Policy, all Hajj preparation was expected to take at least one month before the commencement of transportation of intending pilgrims.
This, according to him, will enable Saudi Authority to know who is coming to its country and be in the position to make adequate preparation for all the pilgrims from all over the world.
