*Photo: Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan*
The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and professions, has attributed the on-going refund to Nigerian pilgrims who went for the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia to the spirited efforts of the estwhile Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan.
The group made the remarks as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) urges Nigerian pilgrims who went for the 2023 Hajj to expect more refunds for services that were not rendered during the pilgrimage.
The Companion spoke in a statement by the National Amir Engr. Kamil Olalekan and the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muideen Adeleke.
” The then NAHCON boss Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan was credited with the far-reaching reforms undertaken under his watch to change the narrative in hajj administration in Nigeria”, said the statement.
The Companion recalled the painstaking efforts of the ex NAHCON Chairman at ensuring effective service delivery by Mutawwif especially during the period of the main hajj rites in Mina and at Mount Arafat.
The release commended the noticeable improved services enjoyed by the Nigerian pilgrims during the tenure of office of Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan.
“It’s on record that Alh. Zikrullah Hassan ‘s tenure as NAHCON Chairman was dogged by the outbreak of the global pandemic in 2019 which shut the doors against intending hajj pilgrims from countries outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including Nigeria,” the release lamented.
The foremost Muslim organization lauded the pivotal role played by Alhaji Hassan during his tenure which catapulted him to the position of the leader and mouthpiece of African Non-Arab nations on hajj affairs.
“It was quite heartening and exhilarating seeing an innovative Nigerian with shrewd experience, take the centre stage and thus become the role model in hajj administration globally,” the statement contended.
The Companion stressed that the groundwork for the refund of hajj fees for the poorly rendered services during the 2023 pilgrimage was laid by Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan in 2022, adding that he deserves proper recognition forthwith and a national award for his patriotic service to the nation.