By Mustapha Adamu
The outgoing Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barr. Abdullahi Mukhtar has thrown his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan as the new head of the commission.
Independent Hajj Reporters recalls that on 3rd December, Buhari forwarded the names of the new executives of the NAHCON, headed by Ustaz Hassan to the Senate for confirmation.
The nomination of Hassan, who hailed from Osun State, a state from the southwestern region of the country, had however generated uproar from some quarters.
However, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Barr. Mukhtar said there is nothing wrong for appointing Hassan as NAHCON’s chairman in view of his vast experience in Hajj operations since from state level, adding that he also has the zeal and passion for the job.
According Barr. Mukhtar, Buhari has done no wrong for appointing the chairman designate because the constitution of Nigeria has provided that every Muslim citizen can chair the commission, irrespective of ethnicity, tribe or region.
He also noted that other members of the new executive are good enough to help Ustaz Zikrullah record huge successes during his time.
“Those that criticise the appointment of Zikrullah need to know that Quran is not for northerners only. Islam is not for northerners only. Every citizen has the right to be appointed constitutionally.
” Lack of history is what influence some people to say this kind of things. In 1986-1989, Alhaji Babatunde Jose was the NAHCON chairman and he was a Southerner.
“As Muslims, we believe in Allah’s choice and we don’t discriminate between North and South. I therefore support the decision of Mr. President for bringing eminent people from the Hajj industry. I am satisfied with Barrister ZikirulLah Hassan and his team’s experience and ability to take to the next level the Affairs of the Hajj administration,” the ag. Chairman said
When asked about a moment that he could not forget during his reign, Barr. Mukhtar revealed that the most outstanding year to him was in 2015 when he first became a NAHCON’s Chairman, as it was the year six Nigerian Pilgrims died of crane crash and also 313 Pilgrims lost their lives due to stampede at the same year.
Asked about the disbursement of compensation funds to the victims of the two fatan incidents as promised by Saudi Arabia, Barr. Mukhtar discloses that the Nigerian ambassador in Saudi, Justice Isa Dodo had informed the commission that the money had been released to Nigeria through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He added that the moment NAHCON receive the funds, the commission would follow the proper way to distribute to the family of the victims through their respective State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, who are from three states- Kaduna, Gombe and Katsina States.
