Yobe, Kaduna and Lagos states emerged first, second and third respectively among States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, SMPWBs, with regard to their performances during the recently concluded 2022 Hajj exercise onshore and offshore.
This was contained in the report of the Committee on Assessment and Award submitted to the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON in the Hajj house Boardroom, Abuja Wednesday.
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Submitting the report, the committee chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Usman explained that the SMPWBs were assessed in 27 different areas; indices which the Assessment team selected from the Annual Hajj Calendar of event as guide, adding that the committee measured compliance to the expected milestones and awarded marks accordingly.
He added that the committee also measured official structures, facilities, discipline, and effective use of the organizational structures and facilities.
He said: “data were collated from security surveys, interviews with pilgrims, Non-Governmental Organizations present on the field during onshore operations. Other methods of data gathering were collective observations by the team members, interviews with staff and visits to various pilgrims’ accommodations.”
“The team also measured consistency in attending Hajj preparatory meetings called by the Hajj apex body in Nigeria, NAHCON. It also assessed time of remittance of Hajj fare, quality of suitcases, BTA processing, compliance to Muna outing regulations among others. Finally, the team consulted records and assessments made by groups with similar function and to its pleasant discovery, the perceptions tallied.”
“From record of the scores, Yobe state SMPWB came first with 117 points out of130 cumulative points, followed by Kaduna with 115 points and Lagos with 114 points. Other states that excelled in specific areas were also recognized and recommended for award. Finally, the Committee made recommendations from the insights they gathered during their assignment.
Receiving the report, Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan stated that members of the Committee were carefully selected from among veterans of the Hajj industry in Nigeria and renowned persons of integrity. He therefore expressed confidence in the outcome of their assignment, stating that they represent the cream of the Hajj industry in Nigeria, some of whom will be engaged to lecture in the Hajj Training Institute being people of diverse knowledge in the Hajj industry. He disclosed that NAHCON will organize its customary award ceremony where each state will be celebrated accordingly.
Commending the Committee for doing a thorough job, Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Magaji Hardawa also prayed to the Almighty to reward them for their painstaking effort. He eulogized the Committee describing it as the first of its kind. He prayed that the result would be beneficial to the entire Muslim Ummah in terms of gingering better output from all industry players.
