The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Garbai, has been appointed as the National Amirul Hajj and Leader of the Federal Government’s delegation to the 2013 Hajj.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, announced this on Thursday in Abuja at the stakeholders’ meeting on the 2013 Hajj operations organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Abubakar said the appointment of Garbai was in line with the agreement that Hajj delegation should always cut across the leadership of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The Garbai is the NSCIA Deputy President.
“Therefore, another Amirul Hajj for the 2014 Hajj is expected to emerge from the southern or western part of the country,” the Sultan said.
He said that with the 20 per cent reduction in the number of those to make up the Nigerian contingent to the 2013 Hajj, priority would be accorded first timers.
Abubakar said the meeting would deliberate on issues bothering on the Hajj exercise in Nigeria, such as health, feeding and accommodation, among others.
Also speaking, the NAHCON Chairman, Malam Musa Bello, said the meeting would give opportunity to stakeholders to brainstorm on ways to tackle challenges of Hajj exercises in Nigeria.
“Any meaningful idea that will benefit the success of this year’s Hajj, will be welcomed accordingly by the commission,” he said. (NAN)
