The acting Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, on Wednesday formally assumed office pending his screening and confirmation by the Senate as substantive chairman of the commission.
Usman was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, August 19 following the removal of the immediate past Chairman/CEO of the Hajj body, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi.
Arabi’s removal came on the heels of financial malfeasance that followed the 2024 Hajj operations, particularly on the N90billion subsidy approved for Nigerian pilgrims, leading to his arrest and and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as recovery of some amount of money from him.
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Professor Usman was directed by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, via a letter dated September 5, to resume office immediately as acting chairman of the Hajj body, pending when he would eventually screened and confirmed by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
It was, however, gathered that the acting chairman was unable to resume immediately as directed as he was said to have embarked on a shirt trip on medical ground.
The experienced scholar, who previously served as the Chairman, Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, arrived the commission’s Hajj House headquarters at about 11am and was received by NAHCON commissioners, led by Alhaji Aliu Abdurazaq, the Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance (PPMF) and top management staff, among others.
Speaking at a brief reception held in honour of the acting chairman, Alhaji Abdulrazaq, while expressing delight with Prof Usman’s resumption of office, called on staff of the commission to give him (Usman) maximum support and cooperation with a view to ensuring NAHCON’s success and achieving its vision and mission.
The commissioner further enjoined staff to have the fear of Allah in executing their tasks and emphasised the need for continuity, particularly in the face of preparations for the 2025 Hajj.
On his part, NAHCON Secretary, Dr Rabiu Abdullahi Kontagora, while welcoming the acting chairman onboard, informed that the commission staff were not only hardworking but also committed.
He added that the staff are confident of the leadership being brought onboard by the new acting chairman.
The Director, Administration and Human Resources Management, Babagana Bukar, assured the acting chairman of staff’s diligence and remarkable ability I’m exceeding expectations with little or no push and motivation.
Responding on behalf of the Chairman entourage, the technical adviser to Prof Usman, Dr Shehu Makarfi appreciated the warm reception accorded the chairman by staff.
He thanked staff and management for their overwhelming support and expressed the chairman’s willingness to work with all towards uplifting the commission.
With his assumption of office, the immediate task before the acting chairman is preparing for the next phase of 2025 Hajj operations, including finalising NAHCON’s strategic plans and addressing challenges faced during previous Hajj operations.
He is to oversee all Hajj-related activities, working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure a successful Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims.
