By Ibraheem Musa
Sometimes, change creeps in gradually, largely unannounced and often unnoticed by the unwary. However, in the last Hajj operation, change was self-evident at the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency. Indeed, it came with a bang, disrupted the status quo and enriched the yearly pilgrimage, to the applause of pilgrims and stakeholders.
Essentially, in the last Hajj operation, the Agency received accolades, got recognition and recorded a string of ''firsts" at home and in Saudi Arabia. First, intending pilgrims were fed, catered for and airlifted in record time this year. Previously, they spent three to four days, in dire conditions, awaiting their outbound flights at the Mando Hajj Camp. Mostly, the pilgrims fed themselves, fuelling anger and anxiety within the vicinity. However, the last pilgrimage was different and Hajj veterans testified to this paradigm shift.
Similarly, for the first time in many years, all of Kaduna State pilgrims landed directly at Madina, spent four days in the city, visited holy sites and historic places, as part of Hajj rituals. Thereafter, they left for Makkah, spent about a week there, before going to Muna, and subsequently to Arafat. Last year, in total contrast, this trajectory was somewhat abbreviated. Specifically, some pilgrims arrived Jeddah late, and from the airport, they put on their ihrams and were herded off to Muna to commence the Hajj rites.
Significantly, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, in accommodation and feeding, was also rigorous in selecting service providers. Indeed, at 3,000 Saudi Riyals, pilgrims got the best bargain per bed space. In fact, the price was cheaper than previous years and the sector regulator, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON), adopted the same template nationally. Besides, the Houses were within trekking distances to Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Likewise, the Agency employed the same open, competitive and transparent bidding in selecting caterers and the pilgrims were the better for it. Indeed, the food was balanced, sumptuous and there was enough to go round. More so, local cuisines were served and the pilgrims ate with gusto. Daily, Hajiya Maimuna Waziri, a certified nutritionist, monitored the quality and *quantity* of the food on behalf of the Agency.
Significantly, the efforts of the Hadaya Committee, led by retired AVM Muhammad Rabiu Dabo, upped the ante of prudence, transparency and hands-on supervision in the entire Hajj exercise. First, the Committee met five times, got input from all members and fashioned out its modus operandi. Thereafter, members met with different ram suppliers and compared their prices, financial and technical capabilities. Afterward, the haggling started and after the back and forth, the Committee got the best bargain for the pilgrims. Earlier, 700 pilgrims had paid $150 per ram through the Agency, but the Committee beat down the price, slashing $50 as a result.
Indeed, the Committee went beyond price review, by going to the Abattoir, physically inspecting the rams and actually seeing them sacrificed. Thereafter, the mutton was fried and distributed to pilgrims and the balance of $50 per ram was refunded, especially to the 700 people that paid through the Agency. Pilgrims, Jama'atul Nasril Islam and Independent Hajj Reporters, including sundry stakeholders, praised the Committee's unprecedented integrity and due diligence.
Essentially, Senator Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Governor, received the greatest plaudits for the 2024 Hajj success story. Ab initio, his vision, assembling a team to drive it and giving it the free hand to operate, as well as providing the necessary support, according to Hon Jamilu Albani, the House Committee Chairman on Religious Affairs, made all the difference. Really, barring a few glitches, the difference between the last Hajj and previous ones is crystal clear.
*Ibraheem Musa, Writes from Kaduna*
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