The Vice President (North Central Zone) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Akoshile Mukhtar, has expressed strong support for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), urging Nigerians to recognise the Commission’s efforts and commitment in organising the Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.

Mukhtar, who also serves as the West Africa Coordinator of the Afro-Arab Youth Council, addressed recent criticisms of NAHCON’s performance during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. In a press statement released on June 27, he emphasised the importance of constructive engagement to enhance the Commission’s operations.

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“It is crucial to acknowledge the tireless efforts and significant strides NAHCON has made over the years in organising and coordinating the Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims. The Commission has consistently worked to improve its processes and services, despite the challenges and complexities inherent in such a large-scale operation,” the statement read.

Mukhtar highlighted NAHCON’s dedication to its mandate, noting its comprehensive approach to licensing, regulating, and supervising Hajj operations. He praised the Commission for establishing a robust framework for coordinating with relevant governmental authorities and ensuring the provision of essential services such as accommodation, transportation, and healthcare for pilgrims.

“NAHCON’s dedication to its mandate is evident in its comprehensive approach to licensing, regulating, and supervising Hajj operations. It has established a robust framework for coordinating with relevant governmental authorities and ensuring the provision of essential services such as accommodation, transportation, and healthcare for our pilgrims. These efforts have markedly improved the Hajj experience for countless Nigerians, even in the face of occasional setbacks,” he added.

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While acknowledging the unique challenges each Hajj operation presents, Mukhtar urged Nigerians to support NAHCON’s efforts rather than calling for its dissolution. He warned that scrapping NAHCON could lead to chaos in managing pilgrim affairs and open the door for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the situation.

“It is important to remind our fellow Nigerians that NAHCON is not infallible and that each Hajj operation presents unique challenges. However, the Commission has shown a commitment to learning from past experiences and making necessary adjustments to enhance future pilgrimages. Scrapping NAHCON, as some have suggested, would not only disrupt this progress but could also lead to chaos in the management of pilgrim affairs,” he cautioned.

Mukhtar also emphasised the need for collective responsibility in holding NAHCON accountable and driving further improvements. He called for collaboration among stakeholders within the Hajj ecosystem to support NAHCON in its continuous efforts to serve the Nigerian Muslim community effectively.

“As Nigerians, it is our collective responsibility to hold NAHCON accountable to its mandate. Constructive criticism and active engagement with the Commission are essential in driving further improvements. Let us support NAHCON in addressing the challenges and ensuring that future Hajj operations are conducted with the highest standards of efficiency and care,” he urged.

Mukhtar also expressed hope that through collaboration and support, the spiritual journey of Nigerian pilgrims would remain a source of pride and fulfilment for the nation. “Together, we can ensure that the spiritual journey of our pilgrims remains a source of pride and fulfilment for our nation,” he concluded.