The Team was received and warmly welcomed by the Deputy Coordinator of Makkah Operations, Dr. Aliyu Tanko. He was supported by the Makkah Liaison Officer Ustaz Abubakar Lamin and Head of Makkah Accommodation, Abdulkadir Abubakar Oloyin.
The Deputy Coordinator explained to the team how this year’s Hajj was so special in its ways of posing challenges not just at Nigeria’s level rather even to the host Nation. He therefore, mentioned the rigid measures taken by the Saudi Authorities under the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
He enumerated how issue of controlling the influx of intruders into the Masha’er was taken very seriously because of safeguarding the Holy Sites.
While highlighting further on routine schedules of NAHCON’s Advance Team, he explained that they paid courtesy visit to the Consulate General of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Jeddah. There they shared information on how to go about the operations and how to face any challenges.
He therefore, urged the 2024 Media Tram to play its role objectively by addressing interests of all stakeholders involved in the Hajj exercise; the Pilgrims, the regulators, the host country and the rest of Hajj Industry participants. This entails balancing every story with the right persons.
Also as the first point of contact for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia, they visited companies that shoulders pilgrims’ affairs and comes to terms with every party’s duties and responsibilities. They as well visited the Holy Sites to witness a proportionate apportioning of tents and took them quite some time before common grounds were reached.
He stressed the importance of early arrangements and preparations which he urged Nigerians to key into it in order to keep pace with the new changes introduced in to the Hajj Management ecosystem. These early plans will help the Authority to overcome infiltration so that no one is found in the Tent camps except Pilgrims and their official supporters.
He dwelled on issues of visa and transportation but he expressed satisfaction that all the issues have been resolved. That’s why NAHCON is hoping if not all most of Nigerian Pilgrims arrived through Madinah during the first leg of the airlift so that after Hajj the Pilgrims will all exit via Jeddah.
During the interactive session, Head of Makkah Accommodations Abdulkadir Abubakar Oloyin reminded the Team to be conscious of the two types of reporting for intra and inter consumption so each is accorded its rights and duties.
The only channel the media team should direct their intra reporting (such pilgrims’ welfare issues that require immediate attention is NAHCON through the Head of Media Team) while the inter reporting need to be coordinated professionally. He added that the Makkah and Madinah Ah call Centers are almost done to start serving the pilgrims.
Mukailu Mumuni of the Shield Online and Hajj Panorama in his response reiterated their readiness to work according to the professional ethics and dictates of the job of fairness, impartiality and balancing their reports.
Balogun Ishola from Vanguard Newspapers in his contribution expressed expectations that Makkah Kitchens will provide catering services to the pilgrims similar to the standard offered at Madinah.
The interactive session ended and resolved to report accurately balanced reports that will serve the pilgrims, Nigeria as a Nation, entire Muslim Ummah and the general public.
Muhammad writes from Information and Publications, NAHCON – Makkah Office
