Yesterday in Lagos, the Chairman/CEO of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan paid a courtesy visit to the state government to seek support for certification of its land in Lagos. The outcome was positive. The call was followed by a press conference in the Deputy Governor’s conference hall.
The Lagos State Government has expressed her willingness to support the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in completing its projects in the State, according to a statement signed by Taofeek Lawal, NACHON’s Asst. Director (Public Affairs).
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat made this disclosure yesterday, while hosting the NAHCON delegation led by its Chairman/CEO, Alh.Zikhrullah Kunle Hazzan, on behalf of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, in his office at the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja.
In his reaction to the request made by the NAHCON boss in respect of its projects at the Akowonjo Hajj camp, Alimosho, the Deputy Governor said that Lagos State prides herself in doing things that will always assist the citizens of this country.
“In Lagos State we don’t do things with sentiment, we try to present the right people to right position irrespective of where they came from,” he said.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat noted that Lagos State occupies 0.3 per cent of Nigeria in terms of size and accommodates 10 per cent of its total population, he affirmed that land has always been a factor. He therefore urged NAHCON to work with the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, in order to fast track the processing of all necessary documents in respect of the projects.
He advised the NAHCON to be focused on the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) and ensure that the scheme was managed properly with a view to ensuring that people actually go for Hajj without stress which is the essence of setting it up. Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) was established to make Hajj seamless for Muslim brothers and sisters.
Similarly, the Lagos Deputy Gov. also advised the Commission to guide against the ugly experience of Indonesia where almost two billion dollars was lost when the Hajj Savings of pilgrims was plaughed into another venture.
Earlier in his speech, the NAHCON Chairman, Alh. Hassan said that they were in Lagos to brief the Governor in respect of the Commission’s property at the Akowonjo Hajj camp.
Alh. Hassan indicated that the Commission has nothing less than 15 to 20 of such properties across the federation and that out of the 17 states in the south, it is only in Lagos that it has a property on an expanse land of 30 hectare since 1975 which has now been reduced to only three hectare due to encroachment.
He noted that the Commission’s activities are not sponsored by the Federal Government but through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), hence, its decision to look inward to raise funds for all its activities through their assets that are lying fallow all over the country.
Alh. Hassan explained that the commission chose to complete the projects through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement which began with Kano State where they have build up to about 90 per cent completion, a structure comprising shopping mall, banks, etc.
He therefore seeks the support of the State Government to continue with the process of PPP. While promising to comply with the rules and regulations guiding such, he said that the edifice when completed would serve the Muslims and non-Muslims in the South West.
Speaking glowingly about Lagos, he said as far as Hajj was concerned, Lagos is the best one can find anywhere in Nigeria. He added that the pilgrims from the State are at least half of the entire pilgrims from the entire 17 southern states in the country.
Speaking glowingly about Lagos, he said as far as Hajj was concerned, Lagos is the best one can find anywhere in Nigeria. He added that the pilgrims from the State are at least half of the entire pilgrims from the entire 17 southern states in the country .
In addition, he thanked the Deputy Governor for the launch of the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) in Lagos about two years ago, stating that Nigeria was the first to do so in the entire continent of Africa, saying the only country NAHCON was looking forward to beat is Malaysia.
Alh. Hassan emphasized that government has no business in sponsoring any person on either Christian or Muslim pilgrage, stressing that the position of the National commission was that government should serve as facilitator and logistics supplier and not to expend money in taking people on pilgrimage. He added that such monies are better spent for economic empowerment.
Both the NAHCON’s delegation and Lagos State Government officials later went into a close door meeting. Then the members of the new Lagos State Pilgrims’ Board were formally introduced to the NAHCON delegation. Along with the NAHCON Chairman to address the Press Conference was the Lagos State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi. Accompanying the Chairman at the visit were Comm PRSLS, Sheikh Suleman Momoh and Board Member Representing South West, Alhaja Basirat Akintunde.
