The minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola, has promised to support the National Hajj commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in its move to implement the Makkah Road Initiative.
The minister made the promise when he received NAHCON’s Chairman/CEO Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan and his management team at the Ministry of Interior for a courtesy visit to the Minister.
In his remarks, the Chairman informed the minister that the purpose of the visit is to seek the support of the ministry in the commission’s quest to be included among the beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative, which will make Nigeria the first beneficiary the first in Africa.
While briefing the minister on the expectations of the Commission, the Chairman described the role that the ministry will play in achieving the said goal as crucial since it oversees a fundamental aspect of the said initiative.
Alhaji Zikrullah explained that if the project is implemented, it will end the suffering Nigerian pilgrims have endured due to multiple screenings in both Nigerian and Saudi Arabian airports.
The Chairman informed “with this initiative the pilgrims will be screened by the Saudi authorities right from our homeland airports and straight to their buses when they arrive Saudi Arabia. Even their bags will be waiting for them in their hotels, to be delivered by the relevant Saudi Arabian authorities. All necessary security checks will be concluded here in Nigeria.”
He added that the Saudi Arabian authorities will send a delegation to Nigeria in order to assess the level or preparedness of the Commission and relevant agencies hence the purpose and need for the visit in order to intimate the Minister.
“This will give Nigeria the chance to be part of the Makkah Road Project” he said.
In his response the Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, promised the support of his entire ministry to the course and also added that the government is ready to do whatever it will take that will guarantee the welfare of Nigerians.
“I welcome you, I promised you all the support of the ministry and its agencies, we eagerly await the arriva
