The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has signed an agreement with the service provider selected by the leadership of private tour operators to cater to their pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
Providing an update on Tuesday on the commission’s pre-Hajj activities, NAHCON Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Fatima Sanda Usara, informed that the service provider, Ithra Al Diyafa, formerly known as Ithra Al Khair, was chosen by the tour operators to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
According to her, as part of the NAHCON Board’s efforts to guarantee improved service delivery to Nigerian pilgrims, Prof Usman granted the private tour operators the autonomy to select their preferred providers.
Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony, the NAHCON boss urged Ithra Al Diyafa to meet the expectations of those who entrusted them with serving their pilgrims diligently.
While emphasising the company of its responsibility for the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, Usman reminded the company that the private tour operators are an integral part of the NAHCON structure.
The chairman, however, called on both Ithra Al Diyafa and the tour operators to be NAHCON’s partners in progress and ensure that pilgrims will pray for all the parties rather than against them.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, commended the chairman for fulfilling his promise not to monopolise Hajj preparations.
Speaking on behalf of the private tour operators at the signing ceremony, a Director of Positive Trend Travel and Tours, Malam Ikrimah Muhammad, expressed gratitude to the NAHCON chairman for granting them the opportunity to choose their service provider, which he said they had long desired.
Muhammad then, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to deliver the best services to the 2025 tour operators’ pilgrims.
On its part, a representative of Ithra Al Diyafa assured all parties that the company would provide the highest quality services as agreed and thanked NAHCON for renewing its trust in the company, promising that after this year’s Hajj, the three parties would gather to celebrate their successes.
In another development, the Hajj Commission has concluded a two-day inspection of accommodation, kitchen, and clinic facilities in Madinah.
Usara informed that the inspection team, led by the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal, assessed the buildings and other facilities offered by service providers who applied to cater to Nigerian pilgrims.
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