…Sets June 21 for Return Flights
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As the 2025 Hajj operations comes to a close, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has held an evaluation meeting to assess the performance of its various committees and field operations in Saudi Arabia.
Chairman of the meeting in Makkah, the Director of the Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, expressed gratitude to the officials, particularly the Ulamas, Board staff, and the media for their commitment and contributions to the success of the exercise. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to reflect on the progress of activities and identify areas needing improvement.
The Director acknowledged the efforts of the committee on feeding but noted the issue of feeding, but noted there was still room for improvement.
However, Edah expressed dissatisfaction with the accommodation arrangement, citing a lack of proper records regarding room allocation. According to him, it was unacceptable that some rooms remained empty while others were overcrowded.
He expressed hope that the relevant committee reports would explain the anomalies and lead to better planning in future operations.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for synergy among staff members, as he urged them to look beyond their assigned committee responsibilities and work collectively for the overall success of the Hajj mission.
He disclosed that the airlift of FCT pilgrims back to Abuja begins on June 21, 2025, and sternly warned against the collection of bribes to alter flight schedules.
Providing an update on the Hadaya (sacrificial animal) arrangement, the Director said the vendor delivered as promised and that leftover funds were distributed to pilgrims, with each receiving 30 Saudi Riyals.
Also speaking, prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru-Khalid, commended the Board’s performance, describing the 2025 operation as one of the most successful ever, despite a few observed lapses.
Head of Operations, Hajiya Shade Olumo, reiterated the Board’s commitment to teamwork, stressing that the success recorded so far was the result of collective effort.
She urged staff to maintain the same spirit until the return phase is completed.
Chairman of the Board’s Staff Union, Malam Mahmoud Zubair, also praised the leadership for a smooth operation. He noted that the remaining task of airlifting pilgrims back home required extra patience, as many were now eager to return. He called for continued cooperation among staff to ensure a hitch-free conclusion to the Hajj exercise.
The meeting also cautioned pilgrims against engaging the services of unapproved cargo handlers, stating that the only officially recognized cargo company by the Board is Cargozeal Technologies Ltd.
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