Rabiu Omaku
Is precisely one year after the official inauguration of Nasarawa state Amirul Hajj team leading the team of 1,682 pilgrims to the Holy land and the committee is yet to submit its report to the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
The committee’s report is dead before arrival due to the duration for the take-off of 2016 Hajj operation to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it would be recalled that in 2015 the state kick-started the air-lifting of it pilgrims in August.
Members of the Amirul Hajj team who spoke on the condition of anonymity unveiled that there was no report to present to the state governor by the team as they apportioned the blame on the Amirul Hajj, Senator Abdullahi Adamu for lack of coordination.
Further findings revealed that no end is in sight to proffer solutions to the plight faced by pilgrims in 2015 while at the Holyland, the predicaments of Nasarawa state pilgrims started from the headquarters of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board aftermath of the outbreak of inferno that engulfed their secret documents.
Vast of the pilgrims transported themselves to Abuja domestic airport after the farewell message of governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, absence of the 2015 Hajj report which was meant to address some nagging hiccups in last year exercise would place the intending pilgrims at a disadvantage side.
Some of the exigencies of 2015 Hajj operation include the intermittent change in flight of Nasarawa pilgrims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) while the Amirul Hajj remain mute over it.
Some of the obstacles faced at the Holyland were as follows
- No feeding of pilgrims at Medinah, though it was gathered that pilgrims in first and second flight were given adequate feeding as against pilgrims in third flight.
- No division of labour as members of the team relied on Amirul Hajj who was not visible at Medinah
- The Amirul Hajj team engaged the services of transport companies with obsolete vehicles to transport pilgrims from Medinah to mecca as well from mecca to Mina and Arafat respectively.
- Lack of ambulance at mecca- the only existing ambulance is outdated and only allowed to move within some parts of the kingdom due to old age.
- High handedness of the Executive Secretary of the board also contributed to the quantum of problems faced.
- Pregnant women were allowed to embarked on the 2015 Hajj operation
Problems of Amirul Hajj team /Nasarawa Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board
- Absence of identification cards to pilgrims
- Opened corruption exhibited by the officials of NSMPWB at Hajj camp in Abuja where traveling documents were missing.
- Pilgrims were stranded at Abuja airport without anyone to make explanation.
- Favoritism of the highest order was the order of the day at Hajj camp
- Frequent change of flights arrangement as people in the last flight were swap to first flight while returning to Nigeria.
- Lack of commitment by Amirul Hajj team and officials of NSMPWB.
The chairman Information committee, Yahaya Bello in an exclusive interview declined comment as he directed our reporter to the Amirul Hajj for detail as he said is not aware whether the Amirul Hajj has submitted their report.
“I can’t comment over what i’m not assured of whether the team submited the report to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura or not “.
Also the chairman Amirul Hajj was not reached as at press time, but he responded to a text message sent to his mobile phone, read his SMS below:
Your H.E Sir, I’m Rabiu Omaku reporting for Universal Reporters (online) sir i will like you to verify a report for me, NAHCON will commence the airlifting of 2016 pilgrims to the Holyland and you are yet to submit the report of 2015 hajj exercise to governor Al-Makura. Your comment is very important.
The Amirul Hajj responded thus
“Who told you we have not reported. If u’r looking for a ceremonial submission of the report, HE did not go for such ceremony; thank u”
