The Afro-Arab Youth Council, AAYC, West Africa Secretariat, has sought a strategic partnership with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to support public communication, youth engagement and citizens’ participation in pilgrimage administration.
The delegation, led by the AAYC West Africa Coordinator, Amb. Akoshile Mukhtar, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking during the visit, Amb. Yusuf said NAHCON’s statutory mandate is to ensure the safe, seamless and efficient conduct of Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims, while regulating all Hajj-related activities in the country.
He said the Commission works with a wide range of stakeholders in delivering its mandate, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, aviation operators, security agencies, the Central Bank of Nigeria, healthcare professionals, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, and private tour operators.
According to him, Nigeria records between 50,000 and 90,000 pilgrims annually, making the country’s Hajj operations one of the largest on the African continent.
“The Commission works tirelessly with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims enjoy a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience. Beyond transportation and logistics, government involvement extends to welfare services, including healthcare provision for pilgrims and consular services for those who may encounter challenges while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah,” he said.
Amb. Yusuf added that NAHCON maintains a productive relationship with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, particularly in information sharing and institutional collaboration aimed at improving pilgrimage administration in Nigeria.
He welcomed the AAYC’s offer of partnership and described young people as critical stakeholders in the future of Nigeria, Africa and the global community.
“Youth constitute the largest demographic in Nigeria and indeed Africa. Their participation in governance, policy advocacy, and development initiatives is indispensable to building stronger institutions and sustainable societies. We are therefore encouraged by the Afro-Arab Youth Council’s interest in partnering with the Commission,” he stated.
Earlier, Amb. Mukhtar said the visit was part of the Council’s mandate to build bridges between governments and citizens across Africa and the Arab world.
He explained that AAYC seeks to complement the efforts of public institutions by amplifying their policies and programmes, while providing constructive feedback from citizens and stakeholders to improve service delivery.
“The Afro-Arab Youth Council exists to promote peace, development, youth empowerment, and strategic partnerships across Africa and the Arab world. One of our core objectives is to provide a bridge between government institutions and the people by communicating policies and programmes in a manner that encourages public understanding and participation,” Amb. Mukhtar stated.
He commended NAHCON’s management for what he described as the smooth and hitch-free conduct of Hajj operations over the years and the Commission’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
“We are particularly impressed by the institutional mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure the safety, welfare, and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims. The Commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement deserves commendation,” he added.
The AAYC delegation also expressed readiness to deploy its youth network across West Africa and the wider Afro-Arab region to support public enlightenment initiatives and promote greater awareness of NAHCON’s programmes and achievements.
The visit is part of the Afro-Arab Youth Council’s ongoing engagement with strategic public institutions as part of its mission to foster collaboration, youth inclusion and sustainable development across Africa and the Arab world.
Report by: NEWS CENTURY TV
