The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) midwifed Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), on Tuesday, graduated its second batch of students who completed their training programme leading to the award of professional certificates to 54 participants.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Hajj House in Abuja, NAHCON Acting Chairman/CEO, Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, challenged the graduands to translate their knowledge into positive development that would ensure improved performance and better deals for Nigerian pilgrims.
Arabi asserted that the graduation could not have come at a better time than now when the Saudi authorities had set a timeline for the conclusion of preparations and arrangements for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
While congratulating them for acquiring knowledge of Hajj management, the chairman said they had been equipped with valuable skills to effectively manage Hajj and Umrah.
“My warmest congratulations to you all. I want to commend your commitment, dedication and thirst to acquire knowledge which has seen you complete your programme successfully.
“As an alumni of this Institute, you are now equipped with valuable skills and knowledge that are crucial for the effective management of Hajj and Umrah operations,” the NAHCON chairman said.
He added, “As professionals, I therefore charge you to develop strategies on how to deliver effective and efficient service to pilgrims. It is a task that must be done.
“Secondly, you need to find what strategy to adopt- short, medium, or long-term strategy to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage for all our Muslim brothers and sisters.
“As you are aware, preparations for Hajj 2024 have begun. It is our responsibility that Muslims from Nigeria successfully perform the Hajj.
“The Saudi authority has provided calendar with timeline. Let us therefore work diligently and with dedication to meet the deadline.”
The NAHCON boss further urged the graduands to use their knowledge to find solution to the socio-economic situation of the country as, according to him, “the Nigerian economy is going through a turbulent time.
“I, therefore, tasked you to come up with a plan to ensure that Hajj and Umrah industry becomes a significant contributor to the socio-economic wellbeing of the country.”
Speaking earlier, the HIN Rector, Professor Nasir Maitulare, congratulated the graduands on the successful completion of the course on Strategic Management of Hajj and Umrah Operation.
He informed that the course was designed to enhance the capacities of Hajj and Umrah managers in the country as well as drive positive changes in the Nigerian Hajj and Umrah industry, while focusing primarily on pilgrims’ satisfaction at every stage and constantly seeking the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
The rector said that the need for competent and qualified staff made the institute take strategic steps towards creating courses and modules that would help graduands in professionalising the administration of Hajj in Nigeria.
According to him, students of the institute had the opportunity to learn from the best minds and facilitators and learned strategy, management and leadership from both Islamic and contemporary perspectives that are capable of helping to improve the administration of Hajj in Nigeria.
He then urged graduands to utilise their knowledge to help improve the administration of Hajj and subsequently delivery of efficient and effective service to pilgrims.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, commended NAHCON’s initiative in establishing the Hajj Institute of Nigeria.
He therefore called on Hajj administrators to be diligent and sincere in the discharge of their duties and ensuring that pilgrims’ welfare is at the apex of the decision-making which will in turn help the Hajj body in delivering effective and efficient service to the guests of Allah.
The graduation ceremony, according to NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, was the climax of the one-month physical and virtual study for the commission and state Muslim pilgrims welfare board officials who undertook professional training in Strategic Management of Hajj and Umrah.
Apart from Prof Na’Allah, a former NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar, was among the dignitaries that attended the ceremony.
. TheWitness
