The national coordinator of Independent Hajj Reporters, Ibrahim Muhammed and the Executive Secretary Alh Umar Makun Lapai
Press Release
The Executive Secretary, Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Umar Makun Lapai, has disclosed that Niger state has the highest number of pilgrims during the 2019 Hajj exercise,
He made this declaration while receiving some members of Independent Hajj Reporters of Nigeria.IHR, who paid him an advocacy visit in his office.
Alh Makun also said that the board has acquired a site for the construction of the permanent Hajj Camp in the state.
He said the camp, when completed will accommodate about 500 intending pilgrims at a time, in addition to about 300 staff.
He went further to inform the visitors that the architectural design of the camp will be forwarded to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), for ratification and joint construction with the state Govt. in earnest.
Alhaji Makun further stated that the camp will be provided with modern facilities such as screening halls, with electronic screening gadgets, scanning machines, office accommodation, police post, clinic, guest lounge for relations of intending pilgrims as well as lock-up shops to generate revenue for the maintenance of the camp.
The executive secretary also pointed out that the Niger State government had established a clinic for the benefit of the pilgrims in one of the pilgrim’s accommodation in Makkah during the 2019 Hajj and pledged to sustain the gesture in subsequent Hajj operations.
He said the board will continue to accord priority to the welfare of pilgrims and improve capacity building of staff for smooth hajj operations.
He commended the National Coordinator of Independent Hajj Reporters for the visit and promised to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the board and the media. In addition, he applauded the policies of the National Hajj commission of Nigeria which are designed for the benefit of pilgrims.
The National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, had earlier explained that the purpose of their visit was to formally appreciate the state Government for rewarding hardwork and to congratulate the executive secretary, whom He describe as a ‘seasoned pilgrims administrator’ of International standard on his appointment by the state government and also to open new doors of partnership between the board and the media.
He said hajj reporters was a registered Non Governmental organization of Muslim Journalists that monitors and reports hajj activities both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and point out areas of improvement in the exercise.
Signed.
Hassan Danladi Idris
C I O
