The Chairman and CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan along with his executive commissioners have inaugurated the 2023 National Media team 2023 Hajj operations on Thursday, May 18th 2023 at Hajj House Abuja.
The team is drawn from both members of the publicity and information department of NAHCON, and personnel of various media outlets which includes print and broadcast of both Radio and Television.
The chairman in his remarks urged all members of the team to work together and build unity of purpose as the importance of the media cannot be over-emphasized. He also said that from this day of the inauguration, the media and the commission have become partners with a unity of purpose and collective responsibility to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise.
Speaking further he appealed to the media to make proper inquiries and clear up issues with officials of the commission before final publication or broadcasting. The people at home in Nigeria, pilgrims and the media will be educated and regularly updated about Hajj operations.
On the date of first airlift of intending pilgrims, he stated that an advanced team of the Hajj Commission will move to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 19, 2023 while the inaugural airlift of intending pilgrims will commence at the Namdi Azikwe International airport in Abuja with Nassarawa state pilgrims on May 25th 2023.
The commissioner for policy personnel management and Finance (PPMF), Nura Hassan Yakasai welcomed and congratulated all on the inauguration and requested fair reportage and not praise singing. He stated that the doors of various departments of the commission are always open for inquiries.
The deputy director information and publicity Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara urged all members of the team to make themselves conversant with the Guidelines handed out which consequently means knowing the media rules of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to avoid and form of embarrassment or being punished for any violations. She called on all journalists to declare all their equipment to the commission’s media team.