By Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta
The Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team (NHMST) has cautioned the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Private Tour Operators against action capable of truncating the 2025 Hajj operations.
Besides, the Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team (NHMST), a pressure group monitoring and reporting on the Hajj exercise in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, has also vowed to expose individuals and official saboteurs conspiring to frustrate preparations for this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, in Kaduna on Tuesday, NHMST expressed concern over failed attempts by some States and Tour Operators to obstruct arrangements for a seamless spiritual exercise being perfected by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The media professionals, passionate about ensuring Nigerian intending pilgrims get value for resources expended on religious practices at the holy land, vowed to resist all impending sabotage against the Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman-led commission.
NHMST referenced the recent controversy over the alleged cancellation of a service provider’s contract by NAHCON, and issues related to Hajj fare and dollar rates being orchestrated by selfish-minded individuals within the industry to blackmail NAHCON’s leadership.
The Hajj monitoring group reminded those intending to sabotage the seamless 2025 Hajj that they should prepare for the repercussions.
NHMST’s strongly worded statement read in part: “NHMST is committed to reporting and monitoring general Hajj activities and ensuring pilgrims from Nigeria receive fair treatment.”
“Our attention has been drawn to unfolding developments regarding a purportedly cancelled contract with a Saudi-based service provider by NAHCON.”
“Those who orchestrated the controversy successfully attracted attention, but unfortunately, it was a total failure because the narrative could not hit the target. They failed because NAHCON did not cancel the supposed contract.”
“Simply put, many right-thinking individuals would wonder what could have warranted some state boards to trigger the issue, generating unnecessary tension if they are also clean about the contract. How does the cancellation of a contract in Saudi Arabia prevent intending pilgrims from going for Hajj?”
“Although those perpetrating the evil act know well that NAHCON has the statutory responsibility to cancel any contract to ease the welfare of pilgrims during the spiritual exercise, NHMST will not fold its arms to allow any element to cause national embarrassment to our intending pilgrims.”
“It is high time the saboteurs change their strategy because Professor Usman, a new Sheriff in Town, is presently in charge of the Hajj commission. He has promised to entrench transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj affairs in Nigeria. While holding NAHCON to their words, NHMST would not allow any foreign body to derail Hajj activities. It cannot be business as usual.”
Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, is the National Coordinator, Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team
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