National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Thursday signed agreement necessary for the take-off of the Hajj Savings Scheme, HSS, which would make the performance of the yearly holy pilgrimage easier and affordable for intending pilgrims in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the NAHCON chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, described it as one of the most important achievements of the fourth board of the commission since inauguration in February this year.
Hassan explained that HSS is a contributory payment scheme for prospective Muslims wishing to undertake pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
He, therefore, praised the “spirit and good intention of the formulators of the Act as well as the doggedness of the first and second boards of the commission under the leadership of Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, who is the current FCT Minister as well as the third board under Barrister Abdullahi Muhammad Mukhtar respectively.”
According to him, the two boards made significant progress towards the implementation of the scheme, adding that registration for Hajj 2021 has commenced under state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, said promoting national cohesion and social inclusion is one of the core principles upon which this administration’s Economic Growth Recovery Plan, ERGP is built.
Mustapha, who was represented by Barrister Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, added that “government encourages programmes that have positive socio-economic impact on Nigerians, and the Hajj Savings Scheme is one of such.”
The SGF, therefore, advised NAHCON and Ja’iz Bank to invest in cyber security as they launch the scheme.
Also speaking, the chairman of Ja’iz Bank, Mallam Umar Mutallab expressed hope that the scheme will uplift NAHCON’s self-sustenance and will ensure utilization of Hajj slots allocated to Nigeria by Saudi Arabia.
Mutallab, who expressed optimistim of the success of the scheme, noted that it would be a template for other countries to emulate.
In his submission, the bank’s Managing Director, Mallam Hassan Usman disclosed that a unit in the bank has been dedicated to the scheme, with staff and befitting platform designated for success of the programme.
Mutallab on behalf of Ja’iz Bank and Hassan for NAHCON signed the agreement and advised that intending pilgrims may register by logging on to https://hajjsavings.jaizbankplc.com:8088.
