The recent Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) report that tagged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) alongside other government agencies such as the Supreme Court, Nigerian Press Council, and others as those with weak anti-corruption efforts calls for introspection within the Hajj and Umrah industry.
Yes, the ICPC report itself didn’t mention NAHCON as the most corrupt institution or indict its officials as the most corrupt staff, but there is a cloud of smoke in the fire of the ICPC report that requires a deep reflection.
Firstly, the Hajj and Umrah industry represents the Islamic image within Nigeria’s annals of government circles. NAHCON is the apex Hajj and Umrah institution with 100 percent Muslim staff, thereby representing Islamic values.
It is self-defeating for us to compare ourselves with other MDAs whose mandates are to preside over worldly issues and whose policies focus on economics, security, and politics. This is where we should all ask ourselves a hard question and re-engineer the industry: What is my contribution to the Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria? Negative or positive?
The ICPC Report as published by various media organizations may be inaccurate or misleading or even slanted with a bias, but let’s be honest: Is there any other religion-based institution that has featured prominently in corruption-related publications in the media in recent times like NAHCON?
ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct, ad-hoc committee of the House of Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs are all probing different categories of allegations against the immediate past leadership of the commission.
The State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies, as well as Private Hajj Tour Operators, should understand that the reported procedural flaws with the system also reflect their administrative structure in the States and begin to tighten the loose ends.
NAHCON must now wake up and lead the way in preaching and acting following the laid-down administrative rules that prevent corruption from taking effect.
NAHCON Chairman is the CEO of the National Hajj Commission and by extension, the leader of the Nigerian Hajj Industry. His actions and stance against corruption will have a trickle-down effect and serve as a yardstick to measure the integrity of the system.
The 2023 Hajj refund should be used as a sample by constituting a high-powered committee to go round the states to monitor the disbursement and ensure that every pilgrim who participated in the 2023 Hajj receives the refund. That is how to dispute the ICPC Reports.
Indeed, it is a time for reflection, and as they say, reflection is the best school of wisdom.
For Almighty has commanded us as Muslims in Surah At-Taubah Ayat 119 thus “Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanut taqul laaha wa koonoo ma’as saadiqeen” meaning: O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true”.
* Muhammad is the National Coordinator Independent Hajj Reporters
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