NAHCON establishes Hajj institute in Abuja

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Tuesday established the Hajj Institute of Nigeria to train and certify all employees in the Nigerian Hajj and Umrah sector.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure at the opening of the institute at Hajj House in Abuja.

Hassan noted that the establishment of the institute would improve the quality of manpower in the hajj and umrah sector and enable the country to be at par with global industry standards.

The chairman also said that the institute would provide an avenue for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development of youths and be reference point globally for hajj and umrah training.

He also said that the institute would play a key role in exploring the economic potentials abound in the sector which businesses and teeming youths could explore.

”I am confident that the institute will play a critical role in ensuring that Nigeria reaches and remains at the forefront of excellence in the global Hajj and Umrah industry.

”You will agree with me that the world is rapidly advancing in technology and it has become imperative that NAHCON keeps pace with these global trends.

”In view of this, it has become necessary for us to refocus our strategies and embrace the latest advancements in ICT.

The Saudi Vision 2030, which all Hajj entities across the globe need to align to, has placed a high premium on excellent pilgrims’ services driven by ICT.

”It is for this reason that the Hajj Institute of Nigeria will provide a platform for training and research on various aspects of hajj and umrah, including the use of technology to improve our operations and services.”

Hassan said that the management of hajj in modern times had gone beyond the trial by error system it was used to.

According to him, with the help of ICT, operational activities have been propelled to a more efficient levels with near-zero room for mistakes which needs the right skilled manpower to run.

”Therefore, the birth of the institute marks the commencement of academic activities which will serve as added impetus to NAHCON’s quest for sustainable hajj management system in Nigeria.

”We recognise the economic potentials of hajj and umrah and it is time for us to leverage these opportunities and make them significant contributors to Nigeria’s economy.”

Mr Hassan disclosed that 4th Board of the Commission had chosen to be the pioneer students of the institute not only because of its confidence in the quality of the programmes but to also commence the process of taking Hajj and Umrah to the next level from the very top.

”It is my strong belief that me and my colleagues in the board will emerge from this programme more educated and better prepared to steer the affairs of Hajj in Nigeria.

”Subsequently, more programmes will be rolled out for the different hajj and umrah stakeholders in the public and private sector.”

I didn’t warn my aides to stay away from Atiku’s campaign —Gov. Ortom

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has debunked claims that he gave stern warning to his cabinet members and aides not to attend the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential rally in Makurdi.

It was learnt that before the event, the State helms man issued a stern warning to his deputy, commissioners and other aides not to attend the rally which held on Monday at the Aper Aku Stadium.

The afore mentioned personalities were conspicously absent at the venue, raising concerns that the claim may be true.

However, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media/ICT Mr. Terver Akase in a reaction to our correspondent said, “No one gave any warning to anybody. Governor Samuel Ortom is a true democrat. He willingly made available the state-owned stadium and provided security for the successful conduct of the PDP presidential rally in Makurdi. I am sure you also saw members of the State Working Committee of the party and our governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Titus Uba with others in attendance. The PDP is united in Benue State. Governor Ortom is not vindictive. He is not fighting a personal battle. He is also not out to destroy PDP. He is the leader of the party in the state; a party he has made huge contributions and sacrifices to preserve.

“What is happening in the party at the national level is not about the Governor’s personal interest. He and his colleagues in the G-5 are only fighting against injustice. They want justice, fairness and equity, and they have made their stand abundantly clear”.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has said the former Vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stands alone in his call on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to review the deadline.

The National President of the Forum Alhaji Yerima Shettima asserted this during a press conference held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, Atiku’s opinion is against prominent Nigerians who made a passionate appeal for deadline review.

Alhaji Shettima added that Atiku’s call was out of place because it is coming on the heels of growing complaint about the kind of sabotage that is causing untold hardship to Nigerians over this policy.

AYCF questioned what purpose will the current difficulties people are facing serve Atiku? Why would he rather identify with the need to let the difficulties faced by rural folks to continue and for how long?