Arabi Resumes Work, Pledges To Serve Pilgrims Better

Newly appointed acting chairman and chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, formally assumed office yesterday with a pledge to pursue the vision and mission of the commission in the interest of the pilgrims.

He stated this in his address yesterday in Abuja when being welcomed to the Hajj House, stressing that his appointment was not only a privilege but a call to serve.

The chairman said, “My appointment was a privilege. I am lucky to be called upon to serve the guests of Allah, knowing fully well that the reward for serving the guest of Allah will be both here and hereafter.

“I know like all establishments, we have our mission, vision and it has been pursued vigorously before now but certainly there is always room for improvement in whatever endeavour. Of course, without prejudice to what we intend to achieve through our vision and mission, I have come with three nouns that will be so cardinal and of course will be laying on the tripod. I call them ‘TSA’ and my definition is entirely different from the TSA you know.

“Let me start with my T – trust. I know most of us, if not all, know the burden of trust and responsibility on any Muslim that is so charged to carry that trust.

“My ‘S’ is sacrifice. Whoever is entrusted with trust knows that he or she makes sacrifice and my A is Allah. Allah knows all.”

He therefore solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the staff in order to make things better. “Our train is moving, we need to re-position the commission to be able to perform our job better and we shouldn’t do anything to slow it down”, adding “we shall try to address some of the complaints that have been made. We therefore need to work as a team.”

He also promised to build a well-disciplined, professional and highly motivated staff, but said they must earn it and urged the staff to re-dedicate themselves to their duties.

Earlier, commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakasai, who represented the outgoing chairman Zilkrullah Kunle Hassan, while congratulating Arabi on his appointment as the new chairman of NAHCON, reminded him that the task ahead was enormous and very challenging.

Arabi takes over from Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan as the 4th NAHCON chairman in acting capacity until 17th January.