The President of the Association For Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), Danladi Nasidi has stated that private tour operators involved in Hajj and Umrah from Nigeria must merge- in order to participate in Hajj 2025 operations.
Alhaji Nasidi stated this on Thursday in Abuja while giving remarks at the sensitisation workshop organised by the association for its members in Abuja zone.
The event, which held at the Immaculate Diamond Hotel Abuja was attended by members of AHOUN from Abuja zone and some officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“Only 10 companies will be allowed to participate from Nigeria out of the over 2,300 members we have and we don’t want anyone to miss out so we would have to merge,” he said.
Nasidi further said the only way to ensure the merger, which he said must happen is if members trust each other.
“We don’t trust ourselves and without trust, it is impossible to merge. We must trust ourselves and we must do it in writing.
“When we merge, we must do it through a legal Memorandum of Understanding that will be sealed and signed by relevant authorities,” he said.
The AHUON President also spoke about the decision of the association to look for a new service provider in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2024 because the previous one has failed members of the association.
“We are doing this for the generality of our members some of whom are even in prison because of the problems of the past two years,” he said.
He however, said the leadership of the association is not forcing anyone to engage the new service provider with whom the leadership of the association signed an MOU
“Zones are free to sign with anyone they want if they are sure of getting better services. It is not compulsory,” he said.
Also speaking, the Ag. Chairman of NAHCON, Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, who was represented by the Director Compliance at the commission, Alidu Shutti said NAHCON was glad that AHUON has decided to organise the series of workshop for its members.
“Training and Re-training of Hajj managers is key to the success of Hajj operations,” he said.
He therefore, called on the leadership of AHUON to take advantage of the Hajj Training Institute at NAHCON to train their members.
Alhaji Shutti said as part of preparations for this year’s Hajj exercise, NAHCON will soon kick start grassroot mobilisation of pilgrims for Hajj 2024.
“Local languages will be used for this mobilisation drive and it for all pilgrims including private tour operator pilgrims,” he said.
The Director also informed the gathering that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will undertake an international conference on Hajj in January 2024.
He admonished members of AHOUN to attend en masse because it offers an opportunity for further training.
