Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia that none of them will miss the pilgrimage due to visa-related challenges.
The VP assured them that the Federal Government would put necessary measures in place to ensure they have a smooth and hitch-free pilgrimage.
He directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to take necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all the nation’s intending pilgrims.
This was the outcome of a meeting the Vice President had yesterday with NAHCON management and board in his office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Shettima had summoned the meeting following reports that a contractual dispute with Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, could potentially lead to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.
A statement in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the VP said: “We will not allow any Nigerian intending pilgrim to miss the 2025 Hajj. The pilgrimage will be seamless, and every challenge will be addressed promptly.”
Shettima instructed the NAHCON leadership to take necessary steps to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims, saying: “NAHCON must do whatever it takes to guarantee the full participation of our pilgrims without any hindrance.
“From now on, we must set the right standards, move in the right direction and have a hitch-free hajj exercise.”
Also, the National Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, has assured intending pilgrims from Nigeria that they will not miss this year’s Hajj.
