The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has paid a working visit to the headquarters of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to discuss matters of shared interest in between the two federal government agencies.

Among his entourage were Alhaji Magaji Hardawa, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operation along with NAHCON’s Secretary to the Commissione, Dr Rabi’u Abdullahi Kontagora among others.

They were received by the NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).

Disclosing the reason for the check out, the Hajj Commission Chairman recalled that illicit drug trafficking is one of the endemic vices tough security workers internationally.

He said NAHCON is particularly worried over the Nigerian-Saudi Arabian route considering that the kingdom is one of the precincts where the Commission’s major commitments are discharged.

Alhaji Hassan stated it has actually been a custom of the Commission to partner with the drug war company in Nigeria in sensitizing pilgrims of the danger in trafficking drugs into Saudi Arabia whose penalty is death when caught.

According to him, as this season’s Hajj methods, NAHCON discovers it profitable to seek NDLEA to magnify tracking and fortifying luggage of travelers to Saudi Arabia and to verify them physically while leaving to the holy city.

Alhaji Kunle Hassan made the call with the self-confidence that Saudi Arabia would soon lift its ban on entry into the Kingdom for Nigerian Muslims to carry out Umrah and hopefully 2022 Hajj.

He said by this demand, NAHCON means to leave no stone unturned in its desire to guarantee that couple of rascals do not cost the Nigerian Muslim citizenry their right for legitimate travel into the Kingdom for Hajj or Umrah.

He described the circumstance as troubling that even innocent individuals are implicated in the drug trafficking legend, expressing confidence in the NDLEA’s exploits.

In his reaction, the NDLEA manager, Brig. Gen Marwa agreed with his NAHCON counterpart that undoubtedly the illegal drug hazard in Nigeria is ugly. He decried the scenario as worse since those who are expected to apprehend the criminal trade are likewise found complicit in it.

Buba Marwa was pleased that NAHCON is taking this war seriously, he guaranteed Hajj Commission of the firm’s preparedness to strengthen the partnership and work with NAHCON both in Nigeria and offshore in Saudi Arabia.

Gen Marwa restated that Nigeria is well respected by Saudi Arabia whose high-powered delegation from its drug war agency had actually checked out the Nigerian NDLEA workplace to carve out a team effort method.

But for the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries would have signed a Memorandum of Understanding by now on the controlled substance trade war.

The NDLEA manager assured to team up with FAAN in baggage handling and tracking at the airports to cut cases like those of Zainab for whom the story would have been tragic if the Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, who Saudi Arabia has high regard for, had not intervened.

In an unrelated development, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan on Wednesday, 16th February led another delegation to Lagos state to solicit support for the Commission’s activities.

He identified locations where NAHCON longs for support to consist of the Hajj Savings’ Scheme, the Hajj Institute of Nigeria where he prayed Lagos state federal government would sponsor its staff for training.

Above all, the NAHCON Chairman discussed that the delegation remained in Lagos especially to look for the state government’s support in getting Certificate of Occupancy for its land positioned in the heart of Lagos.

The Chairman more lamented that out of 30 hectares of NAHCON land protected considering that 1975, advancement had gulped over 95% leaving NAHCON with just three hectares out of 30.

The Commission can not make significant progress on developing the land through Public Private Partnership (PPP) without the Certificate of Occupancy.

The NAHCON Chief Executive Officer explained that the second factor for the see was to look for assistance of the Lagos state federal government in the Commission’s PPP plan to increase methods of its internally generated profits.

He notified that the Kano state project had actually reached 90% conclusion with the strong support of the Kano state federal government. The Chairman acknowledged the Lagos state federal government for always offering support to NAHCON.

Equally, Alhaji Hassan expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would soon uplift its landing restriction into the kingdom to enable Umrah and ideally Hajj 2022.

When that occurs, the NAHCON Chairman assured that the Commission would transparently distribute Nigeria’s designated slots to states through an endorsed formular.

While welcoming the guests to his office, Dr Femi Hamzat assured the delegation of the state federal government’s preparedness to assist any person of Nigeria, Lagos being the Center of Excellence.

He directed the Lagos state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi to right away start the procedure of validating the Certificate of Occupancy for the land.

In addition, the Deputy Governor informed NAHCON Chairman that beyond the ordinary approval, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall require NAHCON with architectural assistance when needed.

Dr Hamzat concluded with the instruction that henceforth the ministry will stay the Commission’s direct contact indicate fastrack approving of NAHCON’s demand.

Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan was accompanied on the journey by Commissioner Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Sheikh Suleman Momoh, members of Technical Committee on Processing of Certificate of Occupancy for NAHCON Lands, media and Hajj Development Levy Project agents. The trip ended with re-inspection of NAHCON land in Lagos State.