Following talks with rulers of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to sit down with the Saudis to negotiate improved terms and conditions for our pilgrims performing the Umrah and the annual Hajj.
This followed the acceptance by the Saudi government to freely and openly discuss outstanding issues with Nigeria.
Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media), said in a statement that President Buhari, among other things, requested the Saudis to conclude all issues with NAHCON such as the undetermined outcome of their investigation into the stampede at Mina last year, where our officials believe that 274 Nigerian lives were lost.
There is also the case of compensation for six Nigerians killed in the crane incident in the precincts of the Kaaba and 35 others from the stampede whose DNA profile is feared to be missing.
Buhari equally charged the Ministry and NAHCON to seek a reduction of fees associated with the Umrah Visa.
Among the 17 issues tendered at the initial meeting between the officials of both countries, Nigeria appreciated the increase offered for Umrah pilgrimage but asked that the 76,000 seats maintained for he Hajj be similarly increased.
The meeting was led by Nigeria’s Minister of State, Mrs Fatima Abba Ibrahim and the Chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammed on the Nigerian side while the Saudi side was led by their Minister of Hajj Affairs, Dr Bandar bin Muhammad al-Hajjar. It is expected to follow up the issues in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile the President concluded the lesser Hajj on Saturday to end his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Buhari and his entourage performed the final Dawaf, which is the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’aba seven times, and offered supplications to Allah to round off the pilgrimmage.
-Leadership