President Goodluck Jonathan has called on members of the Board of the
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to surpass previous standards on
Hajj operations.
Jonathan, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, made the
call while inaugurating the board in Abuja on Thursday.
He charged the new members to be steadfast in their responsibilities
by meeting the high expectations of the Muslim Ummah on Hajj Operations.
According to the President, the members have been chosen based on their wealth of experience and diligence.
He said: “I charge the new members to be steadfast in their responsibilities by not only meeting the high expectations of the
Muslim Ummah on Hajj Operations, but by surpassing such expectations by discharging their duties diligently and to the best of their
ability and conscience.
“You should strive to improve on the legacies bequeathed to you by the outgoing leadership in this noble and spiritual assignment bestowed on
you. “By bearing in mind the fact that the Hajj Pilgrimage is an obligation incumbent upon every Muslim as prescribed by Allah SWT in the Glorious
Qur’an.”
Jonathan reminded the board members that their duty was not only bound by the governing rules of the board, but also that of Almighty Allah.
He commended the commission for delivering on its mandate of improving the standards of Hajj operations in the country since its inception in
2007.
This, Jonathan acknowledged, had facilitated smoother Hajj experience for the average Nigerian pilgrim.
He said: “Our pilgrims now enjoy better accommodation and better facilities during Hajj operations.
“The management of the Hajj operations has been greatly enhanced to face contemporary challenges and to accommodate the increasing number
of intending pilgrims that apply annually for this spiritual obligation.”
The President congratulated the former board members for successfully completing their tenure and for the various developments they brought
to the commission.
Responding on behalf of other board members, the Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, thanked the President and the Vice-President for
giving them the opportunity to serve their country.
He pledged their commitment to live up to expectations of all stakeholders particularly the pilgrims.
Members of the newly inaugurated board are Yusuf Adebayo, Abdullahi Modibbo, Alhaji Ibrahim Ezeani, and Adeyemi Ademola Fuad, Alhaji
Enenwary Zikey, Hajiya Aisha Maidubu Mohammed and Danjuma Usman.
The ninth member of the commission, Hajiya Ramatu Usman, is still awaiting confirmation from the National Assembly.
NAN.