Maryam Aminu
The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) has successfully concluded its 2nd Annual Zonal Conference, held from 19th to 28th August 2024.
The conference took place across Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, providing a platform for the National Executive Council (NEC) of AHUON to meet with members from its three zones.
The event served as an opportunity to update members on the association’s activities over the past year and to gather feedback for future development.
This year’s conference was held under the theme, “Hajj Reform: The Position of AHUON,” starting in Lagos on 19th August, moving to Kano on 22nd August, and concluding with a grand event in Abuja on 28th August.
The gathering attracted top industry experts, representatives from the National Assembly, financial institutions, and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), with a NAHCON representative serving as the Chairman of the occasion.
The National President Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo commended the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its ongoing support to Nigerian pilgrims.
Ekundayo urged the government to extend similar support to pilgrims under private tour operators.
The participants unanimously call for the immediate amendment of the NAHCON Acts, which was described as outdated and inadequate for modern Hajj management, particularly in light of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms.
The participants emphasised that any future amendments to the NAHCON Acts should include provisions for private sector initiatives led by AHUON, with representation on the NAHCON board, reflecting the increasingly critical role of private tour operators in Hajj management.
Concerns were raised regarding NAHCON’s delay in closing the financial accounts for the 2024 Hajj, with a strong demand for the commission to reconcile its accounts and settle all outstanding payments before opening bids for the 2025 Hajj license.
AHUON Members also criticised NAHCON for its lack of response to AHUON’s call for intervention on the inconsistent Umrah visa regime from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, urging direct government involvement in this matter.
The conference also condemned the practice of reallocating slots meant for tour operators to other government agencies and called on NAHCON to honour the allocation of 20,000 slots reserved for private tour companies.
There was widespread dissatisfaction with the current service provider, Ithra AlKhair, due to its perceived failure to deliver optimal services.
AHUON Members called for Ithra AlKhair’s replacement or the engagement of multiple service providers, as is done in other countries.
AHUON was encouraged to pursue greater professionalism and aim for charter status, which would help consolidate its achievements in eliminating unqualified operators from the industry.
The participants also advocated for a review of the association’s constitution to align with standard practices and enhance good governance.
The conference stressed the importance of maintaining high standards in all dealings with pilgrims, who are considered guests of Allah.
It was agreed that improved cooperation and possible mergers among members would be crucial for effective operations in the future.
Recognising the need to address airlift challenges faced by pilgrims, the conference endorsed the proposal to introduce Flyadeal as a dedicated carrier for AHUON members, following its successful operations during the 2024 Hajj.
The conference concluded with the unveiling of a new logo for AHUON, symbolising a new era and the association’s readiness to embrace comprehensive Hajj reforms.
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