PROFILE: What you don’t know about new NAHCON executives (1)

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Barrister Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan –  Chairman/CEO 

 

 

Hajj Reporters

 

President Muhammadu Buhari, on December 3, forwarded the names of the new executives of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Senate for confirmation. Barrister Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan was nominated as Chairman of the Commission.

 

Independent Hajj Reporters presents to our dear readers the profile of the new incoming NAHCON Chief Executive Officer and his commissioners especially with regards to their requisite experiences in Hajj operations and Islamic related activities.

 

Barrister Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan –  Chairman/CEO 

Barr Hassan leading Osun state hajj officials to clean his state pilgrims accommodation during 2017 hajj

Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan is coming on board with a rich and intimidating academic and Islamic activities credentials in addition to on-the-job experience in Hajj Operations.

 

Barr Hassan was the Executive Secretary of Osun State Muslims Pilgrims Board between 2010 and 2013.

 

Born on 26 June 1961, the Osun State-born NAHCON Chairman- designate speaks Yoruba, Arabic and English.

 

Hassan holds a BSc degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos,  LLB from the Lagos State University and BL from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

 

 

His leadership qualities endeared him to other states Muslim Pilgrims Boards and Agencies Chairmen who elected him as the chairman of the Forum of States Muslim Pilgrims Boards/Agencies Chairmen in 2014.

 

As the leader of states pilgrims boards executives, Barr Hassan facilitated a harmonious relationship between NAHCON and SMPWBs. He also contributed tremendously in the formulation of some Hajj policies in the past.

 

 

The Chairman/CEO was a Senior Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Religious Affairs (2010-2018), Principal Counsel, Olakunle Hassan & Associates (2006-2010), and Chief Executive, Tafsan Tours &Travels, (Official Hajj &Umrah Operator of Nasirullahi Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT).

 

At the peak of his career, Zikirullah is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of FAJR Centre (A standardized Centre for Memorization and Teaching of Islam & Arabic ) from 2019 till date. He is the Director of Da’awah (Islamic Propagation) of The Companion (An Association of Muslim Men in Business and the Professions since 2004.

 

 

The NAHCON Chairman- Designate was Amir, Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos Area Unit 1984- 1986, National President (MSSN) 1986-1988; Secretary, Africa Secretariat of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) 1986-1990; before becoming a member of the Committee of Ulama of Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board Hajj Exercise, 2000-2002.

 

 

It is worthy of note that Zikirullah was the Amir of the Companion, Lagos District 2004-2006 and Executive Secretary, NASFAT 2004-2006.

Ustaz Zikrullah, who is happily married with children. He has attended several conferences and seminars on Hajj in London and Malaysia and has won several awards from NAHCON for the Osun State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

With his rich experience, it is expected that the new Chairman will deploy his vast knowledge to consolidate on the gains of Hajj reforms of the past and bring new innovation for the betterment of Nigerian pilgrims.

 

 

 

 

Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa – Commissioner of Operations

Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, receiving an award of Excellence from NAHCON during 2018 hajj

 

Unknown to many, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa is a trained Nurse and an astute administrator.  This is evident after he obtained a General Nursing Certificate from the School of Nursing, Maiduguri, Borno State in 1978.

 

Between 1982 to 1983, Hardawa also completed an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (APDA) with a distinction. This came before he added a Diploma in Health Administration and Management (DHAM) with credit in the University of Benin, Edo State.

 

The Commissioner of Operations – Designate started his career as Clerical Officer (Account) in 1974.

 

 

14 years later, as his career continued to flourish, Hardawa attained the position of Senior Assistant Secretary in 1987. In 1988, he became Principal Secretary.

 

 

For his insatiable desire to pursue his working career, Hardawa continued to gain promotion until he became Permanent Secretary in May, 2009.

 

 

The Commissioner Operations later in his career ventured into agriculture specifically, mixed farming activities, such as Dry Season Farming, poultry and cattle fattening.

 

 

It is worthy of note that Hardawa began his career in Hajj services in 2014 when he was appointed as the Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board by former Governor Isa Yuguda. His performance in office earned him re-appointment in 2016 by the administration of Governor M. A. Abubakar.

 

He later became the National Coordinator, Forum of Chairmen and Secretaries, Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies of Nigeria.

 

His experience also earned him a membership of the Technical Committee on Luggage Policy Reforms of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in 2010. He later became the Chairman of the committee, a position in which he made an indelible mark, until his appointment as Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Board.

 

Under his stewardship, Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, won the Independent Hajj Reporters Excellence Award, having emerged as the best state in terms of pilgrims luggage management during the 2018 hajj exercise.

 

A Recipient of Hajj Reporters Hajj Excellence Award

 

Many were not surprise considering his vast experience in the areas of luggage handling in hajj operations.

 

Bauchi state pilgrims board under the leadership of Abdullahi Magaji also received many other awards such as a “category A” operating license, issued by NAHCON; an award of excellence by NAHCON for being the best state pilgrims welfare board in hand luggage management during the 2016 hajj exercise; an award of excellence by NAHCON for being the overall third best-performing state pilgrims welfare board during the 2016 hajj exercise; an award of excellence by NAHCON for being the overall third best state pilgrims welfare board during the 2017 hajj operation.

Hardawa is coming to his new job with hands-on experience spanning more than a decade.

 

 

Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe – Commissioner Planning & Research 

 

Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe

 

 

Before his appointment,  Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe was the Vice Chairman Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Edo State.  He also served as the Vice Chairman, Edo North Council of Imams and Ulamah, Co-Secretary, Auchi/Edo North Inter-Religious Council,  Imam II of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, Maitafseer (Quran Interpreter) of  Auchi Sacred Kingdom, Da’awa  (Islamic Propagation) Committee Chairman, Muslim Student Society of  Nigeria, Auchi Polytechnic, Branch Auchi,  Vice Ameer (President) Muslim Student Society of Nigeria Auchi Central Branch,  Secretary Muslim Corp Members Association (MCAN), Gombe State,  Pioneer Secretary Nasrullahi Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) Auchi,  Director of Administration Otaru Islamic Centre, Auchi, Edo State,  and Coordinating Secretary, Auchi Council of Imams and Ulamah.

 

 

In 2007, Sheikh Momoh Suleman ventured into a Hajj program with Kamomoh where they took it upon themselves to voluntarily educate and enlighten pilgrims.

 

 

In the same year, he formed what could be termed as a collaboration with Al Iklas Travel and Tours to cater for the welfare of over 50 pilgrims that registered under the company.

 

By 2008, Sheikh Imonikhe was nominated as part of the state Hajj delegation to lead Edo state pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

He was commended by the Executive Secretary of Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Board for his immense contribution to pilgrims’ enlightenment.

 

 

The Sheikh was part of the 2019 Hajj Edo State Ulamas having been nominated by the current Edo State Pilgrims Board Chairman, Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua. He has attended many Hajj conferences and seminars.

 

 

Born in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Sheikh Imonikhe holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science (Economics), Higher National Diploma (HND) Marketing, Diploma in Dawah (Islamic Propagation/Proselytization),Certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies and a Diploma in Tafseer (Quranic exegesis).

 

 

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