AFRICA

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign MoU On 2024 Hajj Operations

The federal government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Jeddah signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a hitch-free 2024 Hajj.

The Nigerian delegation to the meeting was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, while the Saudi contingent was led by the country’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taufiq Al-Rabiah.

The Assistant Director, Public Affairs National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Usara, said the Nigerian contingent to parley which had in attendance the Acting Chairman/ CEO NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, pressed for more favourable terms for Nigerian carriers during Hajj airlifts and requested for a lasting solution to the shortage of tents in Mina.

 The federal government also invited the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit Nigeria.

In response, Rabiah, acknowledged the challenge of space in Mina and assured that efforts were in place to maximise the use of the available two million square meters for the over 2 million pilgrims performing Hajj annually.

 While accepting the invitation to visit Nigeria soon, Rabiah expressed the ministry’s support for all measures aimed at giving pilgrims the best services.

He also reminded NAHCON delegation of the new reservation policy for Masha’ir spaces.

In response to NAHCON’s request for adequate space in Mina, Rabiah also highlighted the importance of early monetary deposits for reserving preferred spaces in Masha’ir, saying it aligned with the ministry’s updated policy of first-come, first-served.

He urged NAHCON to take advantage of this new policy to secure choice spaces in Masha’ir as the move was part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring fairness in space allocation.

 Other participants from Nigeria include Nigerian Consul-General in Jeddah, Bello Kazaure, senior officers from the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia and NAHCON.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

11 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

17 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

19 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

20 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

20 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

20 hours ago