The Chairman/CEO, Countrywide Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has asserted that Hajj operations have become increasingly sophisticated and accordingly demand competent, trained professionals alongside specialised knowledge, functional skills and a sound understanding of the evolving pilgrimage field.
The NAHCON boss made the assertion on Friday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Hajj Operations Command (MBA Hajj Operations Administration) together with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, at the Hajj House headquarters of the commission in Abuja.
It added that, “Additional details concerning admission requirements, application procedures and the commencement date will be announced by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in due direction.“
NAHCON instruction noted that it believes that this pioneering programme will strengthen experienced standards, improve the characteristic of services provided to pilgrims and outlook Nigeria as a world centre of excellence in Hajj education, training and investigation.
The programme, according to NAHCON administration, was a joint initiative of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria and the ABU Distance Learning Centre.
The commission conscious that it would be transparent to officials of NAHCON, Status Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Commissions, licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators, professionals in the transfer, tourism and hospitality sectors, religious scholars, entrepreneurs and graduates seeking careers in pilgrimage oversight in Nigeria and across the world.
According to him, the programme would integrate high-rating academic training including functional field experience to equip professionals together with the knowledge and competencies required to encounter the evolving demands of Hajj and Umrah administration.
The novel programme, according to Yusuf, would combine rigorous academic recommendation together with practical field come across to strengthen planning, co-ordination and solution delivery for pilgrims.
He described the association betwixt NAHCON and ABU, Zaria, as a essential milestone in the professionalisation of Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria.
In his own remarks, the Vice Chancellor of ABU, Professor Adamu Ahmed, said that the programme was a culmination of practically a decade of sustained discussions and alliance in the middle of the two institutions.
The Commission, therefore, encourages suitably competent Nigerians and other interested applicants to take advantage of this special opening.
NAHCON delegation, led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, included Dr Mustapha, Directors, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), Professor Nasiru Maiturare, and other senior administration staff.
Ambassador Yusuf and NAHCON, Dr Mustapha Muhammad Ali, signed the MoU on behalf of the Commission, although Prof Ahmed and the university Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila, signed on behalf of the ABU, Zaria.
At ABU, Zaria, a high-rank delegation, led by Prof Ahmed, comprised Manager of the ABU Distance Learning Centre, Prof Mohammed Bashir Mu’azu; Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Inquiry and Innovation), Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi; Leader of the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Professor Auwalu Haruna, and other senior academic and administrative officers.
Source: Hajj operations require competent, trained professionals — NAHCON boss
