By Al-Amin Ciroma, Abuja
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, FRIDAY, 07 August 2009)
Kano State Censorship Board yesterday arrested a prominent Hausa lyricist and playback singer, Malam Bashir Dandago, as well as one Kabir Maulana.
According to sources, they were arrested in connection with releasing a musical album, tagged ‘Tsangayar Kura’, whose circulation was banned by the board recently.
The two artistes were arraigned before a 'mobile court' in Kano yesterday. They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were denied bail.
The case comes up on Monday for hearing as the singers remain remanded in prison custody.
The relationship between Hausa filmmakers and the board under the leadership of Malam Abubakar Rabo Abdulkareem deteriorated in recent times. It will be recalled that a few weeks ago, the board arrested another singer, Aminudden Ladan Abubakar (ALA), in connection with the release of another unvetted song, “Hasbunallahu”.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Philosophy Of Supplications (Du’as)
By Al-Amin Ciroma
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, May 1, 2009)
In one of his exalted traditions, the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (S.A.W) called upon his Ummah (generation) to engage in prayers and supplications. For Du’as (supplications), according to the Allah’s messenger (may Allah be pleased with him and his purest progeny), are weapons of a mu’meen (believer).
The following are summary of philosophy behind prayers and Du’as:
•The Salat achieves acceptance if accompanied with du’as. Especially, the Tasbih el- Zahra is very beneficial.
•Presence of heart is essential for a Du’a, Recitations of mere words without the longing of the heart is insufficient. We have to be in a state of seeking/begging from the All powerful creator
•Du’a can be in any language BUT using those words used by his chosen servants have greater effect.
•Du’a with the references of HIS chosen people & recitation of Salwaatun-Nabiyyi before & After Du’a have greater effect.
•Some Du’as don't reach the level of acceptance due to our sins, especially, those where we have not given the rights of believers, cutting of relations with relatives, etc.
•We need to pray to HIM so that HE bestows on us a state where our hopes are ONLY from HIM 100% (Inqitah state, cut off form all other sources) This state is sought by the learned & pious.
•We need to ask from/remember HIM in every small / insignificant thing too & then HE will answer in our bigger crisis situation as well.
•Scientists acknowledge that Du’as have a positive impact on the well being of the individual (though Islam is not dependant upon certification of this from scientists)
•Du’as without action is inappropriate eg praying for Rizq (wealth) but without making any efforts in that direction will not produce results.
In some cases, there are those things which Allah (SWT) gives but AFTER a period of time (eg. Musa’s (as) Du’a to drown Fir’aun was answered after 30 years). or HE gives only if the asking is for x no of times, e.g. HE will give if asked for from HIM for say 25 times.
• Allah Ta’ala gives sometimes very quickly if He does NOT like the method used by seeker
•HE delays the giving if HE likes the voice/method of the seeker so that he continues to ask of HIM.
Sura No. 2 Baqarah, Ayat 216 says: “And it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.”
Allah (SWT) has hidden His Answering (your supplications) in Your prayers to Him so then do not consider any part of your prayers to Him as being insignificant as it is possible that within that prayer lies His Answering while you are not aware."
How many times we have called upon Allah (SWT), waiting patiently for an answer? We sit down to recite the extended supplications such as those in Sahifatul Sajjadiyah and the other beautiful pleas contained in Mafaatihul Jinaan thinking that the longer the prayer, the better chance that Allah (SWT) will accept it. We fail to realize that even one short Du’a of a few lines has as much a chance of being accepted by Allah (SWT) as the ‘longer’ Du’as. The key to acceptance of a Du’a of any length is to ensure that we have maintained the prerequisites of supplication mentioned in the Quran and Prophetic words of wisdom, and to pray with a pure intention.
If the prayer is fulfilled by Allah (SWT), we should realize that that is what was best for us in this life and the next; if it is deferred to the next world, then we need to accept that what we wanted may have been detrimental for our life in this world and more importantly, our status in the next life. We must accept that after all, Allah Ta’ala knows best.
A person may do what appears to the people to be good, but he may face an evil end. In this case Allah (swt) is not pleased with him. Another person may do what appears to the people to be evil, but he may face a good end. Then Allah (swt) will be pleased with him.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “By Him besides whom there is no god, one of you will act like the people of Paradise until between him and Paradise there remains but the distance of a cubit, when what is written overtakes him and he begins to act like the denizens of Hell and thus enters Hell. And another amongst will act in the way of the denizens of Hell, until there remains between him and Hell a distance of a cubit, then what is written overtakes him and then he begins to act like the people of Paradise and enters Paradise.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3208) and Sahîh Muslim (2643)].
We cannot make any declaration about the fate of someone in particular. However, we hope for the person whom we see performing good deeds and obeying Allah (swt) that Allah (swt) is pleased with him. Likewise, we fear for the person whom we see committing evil deeds and acts disobedience that he is earning Allah (swt)’s displeasure.
It is worth saying that works alone are not sufficient to earn Allah (swt)’s pleasure. Works need to be accompanied by true belief and faith in Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says about the deeds of the unbelievers: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in the worldly life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.” [Sûrah al-Furqân: 23].
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about one of the polytheists who died on unbelief, whether or not his good deeds and the help he gave to poor and needy will be of any benefit to him before Allah (swt), he replied: “No. He had never said ‘Allah (swt) is my Lord’.”
A person should never be proud of his acts and think that Allah (swt) is pleased with him and has accepted his good deeds. Our deeds are assessed in the final outcome. The Pious Predecessors used to fear that Allah (swt) would be displeased with them and would not accept their good works. One of them said: “If Allah (swt) accepts my work, I would like to die, because Allah (swt) says: ‘Allah (swt) only accepts from those who guard (against evil)’.” (The verse he quoted was to Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 27.) Likewise, we should not give a decision on behalf of Allah (swt) and decide for ourselves that Allah (swt) is displeased with a particular person or that He will not forgive that person.
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, May 1, 2009)
In one of his exalted traditions, the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (S.A.W) called upon his Ummah (generation) to engage in prayers and supplications. For Du’as (supplications), according to the Allah’s messenger (may Allah be pleased with him and his purest progeny), are weapons of a mu’meen (believer).
The following are summary of philosophy behind prayers and Du’as:
•The Salat achieves acceptance if accompanied with du’as. Especially, the Tasbih el- Zahra is very beneficial.
•Presence of heart is essential for a Du’a, Recitations of mere words without the longing of the heart is insufficient. We have to be in a state of seeking/begging from the All powerful creator
•Du’a can be in any language BUT using those words used by his chosen servants have greater effect.
•Du’a with the references of HIS chosen people & recitation of Salwaatun-Nabiyyi before & After Du’a have greater effect.
•Some Du’as don't reach the level of acceptance due to our sins, especially, those where we have not given the rights of believers, cutting of relations with relatives, etc.
•We need to pray to HIM so that HE bestows on us a state where our hopes are ONLY from HIM 100% (Inqitah state, cut off form all other sources) This state is sought by the learned & pious.
•We need to ask from/remember HIM in every small / insignificant thing too & then HE will answer in our bigger crisis situation as well.
•Scientists acknowledge that Du’as have a positive impact on the well being of the individual (though Islam is not dependant upon certification of this from scientists)
•Du’as without action is inappropriate eg praying for Rizq (wealth) but without making any efforts in that direction will not produce results.
In some cases, there are those things which Allah (SWT) gives but AFTER a period of time (eg. Musa’s (as) Du’a to drown Fir’aun was answered after 30 years). or HE gives only if the asking is for x no of times, e.g. HE will give if asked for from HIM for say 25 times.
• Allah Ta’ala gives sometimes very quickly if He does NOT like the method used by seeker
•HE delays the giving if HE likes the voice/method of the seeker so that he continues to ask of HIM.
Sura No. 2 Baqarah, Ayat 216 says: “And it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.”
Allah (SWT) has hidden His Answering (your supplications) in Your prayers to Him so then do not consider any part of your prayers to Him as being insignificant as it is possible that within that prayer lies His Answering while you are not aware."
How many times we have called upon Allah (SWT), waiting patiently for an answer? We sit down to recite the extended supplications such as those in Sahifatul Sajjadiyah and the other beautiful pleas contained in Mafaatihul Jinaan thinking that the longer the prayer, the better chance that Allah (SWT) will accept it. We fail to realize that even one short Du’a of a few lines has as much a chance of being accepted by Allah (SWT) as the ‘longer’ Du’as. The key to acceptance of a Du’a of any length is to ensure that we have maintained the prerequisites of supplication mentioned in the Quran and Prophetic words of wisdom, and to pray with a pure intention.
If the prayer is fulfilled by Allah (SWT), we should realize that that is what was best for us in this life and the next; if it is deferred to the next world, then we need to accept that what we wanted may have been detrimental for our life in this world and more importantly, our status in the next life. We must accept that after all, Allah Ta’ala knows best.
A person may do what appears to the people to be good, but he may face an evil end. In this case Allah (swt) is not pleased with him. Another person may do what appears to the people to be evil, but he may face a good end. Then Allah (swt) will be pleased with him.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “By Him besides whom there is no god, one of you will act like the people of Paradise until between him and Paradise there remains but the distance of a cubit, when what is written overtakes him and he begins to act like the denizens of Hell and thus enters Hell. And another amongst will act in the way of the denizens of Hell, until there remains between him and Hell a distance of a cubit, then what is written overtakes him and then he begins to act like the people of Paradise and enters Paradise.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3208) and Sahîh Muslim (2643)].
We cannot make any declaration about the fate of someone in particular. However, we hope for the person whom we see performing good deeds and obeying Allah (swt) that Allah (swt) is pleased with him. Likewise, we fear for the person whom we see committing evil deeds and acts disobedience that he is earning Allah (swt)’s displeasure.
It is worth saying that works alone are not sufficient to earn Allah (swt)’s pleasure. Works need to be accompanied by true belief and faith in Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says about the deeds of the unbelievers: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in the worldly life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.” [Sûrah al-Furqân: 23].
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about one of the polytheists who died on unbelief, whether or not his good deeds and the help he gave to poor and needy will be of any benefit to him before Allah (swt), he replied: “No. He had never said ‘Allah (swt) is my Lord’.”
A person should never be proud of his acts and think that Allah (swt) is pleased with him and has accepted his good deeds. Our deeds are assessed in the final outcome. The Pious Predecessors used to fear that Allah (swt) would be displeased with them and would not accept their good works. One of them said: “If Allah (swt) accepts my work, I would like to die, because Allah (swt) says: ‘Allah (swt) only accepts from those who guard (against evil)’.” (The verse he quoted was to Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 27.) Likewise, we should not give a decision on behalf of Allah (swt) and decide for ourselves that Allah (swt) is displeased with a particular person or that He will not forgive that person.
RE-BRANDING HAJJ OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA (4): The Annoying “Traditions” Of Hajj Authorities
By Al-Amin Ciroma
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, July 3, 2009)
In continuation of this discussion, I receive a lot of reactions. A friend forward to be an article, which was published some few years ago by Dr. Kabiru Isa Dandago of Bayero University, Kano and I find it interesting to share with my readers. The Hajj authorities would also find it challenging. After going through it, I extract some relevant points on the subject matter:
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), being the supreme body responsible for smooth conduct of Hajj exercise in Nigeria, it work hand-in-hand with States' Pilgrims Welfare Boards (SPWBs), the relationship between the apex body and the state regulatory centres, could be seen as that of principal and agents. Therefore, both parties should share success or failure together, using a sharing formula they should have developed by now. In other words, none of the two should take the whole blame or failure.
However, the authorities, over the years have consciously or unconsciously established, or have given room for the establishment of some "traditions" in the Nigerian Hajj affairs. Some of these "traditions" are vey much competing with the established Sunnah of the holy Prophet (S.A.W), in terms of rigours, and some are, to say the least, demoralizing, dehumanizing, anxiety creating and energy sapping.
Now, let's study some of the firmly established "traditions" of the Nigerian Hajj authorities:
*Sleeping at Hajj camp/Airports: It is a well-established "traditions" of the Hajj authorities that, when pilgrims are called to Hajj camp for screening and airlifting to the Holy land, the pilgrims must pass at least a night at the camp or airport, some will sleep for two or more days, depending on the situations. They would be kept waiting in the queue for collection of their Hajj passports or immigration/NDLEA screening, on the queue for obtaining boarding pass or on the queue for final boarding of the aircraft. This "traditions" simply renders the pilgrims dishonourable.
*Scramble to board vehicles: For fear of becoming leftovers, due to scarcity of space in vehicles (including aircraft being board to and from Saudi Arabia) and poor management of the boarding process, Nigerian pilgrims are known to be impatient scramblers when it comes to boarding vehicles. The "traditions" is more embarrassing while boarding buses to Mina, Arafat or Musdalifah, where you would see some male pilgrims would be scrambling to jump to the top of the buses exposing their private parts in the process. This "traditions", therefore is the product of incompetence, selfishness and greed and carelessness from the part of the leaders/rulers.
*Re-renting same houses: It has apparently become an issue. The government at all levels would send delegations to rent houses for pilgrims, which they will later claim to have rented fine houses and that the houses are close to al-haram. When pilgrims reach Mecca or Medina, however, they would fin themselves in the same dilapidated but renovated houses rented for them the previous year. This "traditions" suggests that the trip is a means of earning estacode for the team members.
Again, as the closer a house is to al-haram, the more expensive is its rental; the "traditions" also suggests that the team members must be making some 'windfalls' as they rent cheaper houses than the ones they claim to rent for the pilgrims. On investigation, you would learn that the amount being released for accommodation is more than enough to secure those fine hotels and houses close to al-haram for the pilgrims.
In conclusion, these are some of the "traditions" being masterminded by our Hajj authorities, for example, Nigerian pilgrims, upon arriving at the Jeddah Airport, after too much anxiety at Mecca or Medinah, could likened to a refugee camp, knowing full Nigerian pilgrims are bound to observe this "traditions", the Jeddah airport authorities, have set aside a place, popularly known as 'Ajegunle' for them. These are challenges on the Hajj authorities in Nigeria. We need to counter them in order to make it history.
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, July 3, 2009)
In continuation of this discussion, I receive a lot of reactions. A friend forward to be an article, which was published some few years ago by Dr. Kabiru Isa Dandago of Bayero University, Kano and I find it interesting to share with my readers. The Hajj authorities would also find it challenging. After going through it, I extract some relevant points on the subject matter:
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), being the supreme body responsible for smooth conduct of Hajj exercise in Nigeria, it work hand-in-hand with States' Pilgrims Welfare Boards (SPWBs), the relationship between the apex body and the state regulatory centres, could be seen as that of principal and agents. Therefore, both parties should share success or failure together, using a sharing formula they should have developed by now. In other words, none of the two should take the whole blame or failure.
However, the authorities, over the years have consciously or unconsciously established, or have given room for the establishment of some "traditions" in the Nigerian Hajj affairs. Some of these "traditions" are vey much competing with the established Sunnah of the holy Prophet (S.A.W), in terms of rigours, and some are, to say the least, demoralizing, dehumanizing, anxiety creating and energy sapping.
Now, let's study some of the firmly established "traditions" of the Nigerian Hajj authorities:
*Sleeping at Hajj camp/Airports: It is a well-established "traditions" of the Hajj authorities that, when pilgrims are called to Hajj camp for screening and airlifting to the Holy land, the pilgrims must pass at least a night at the camp or airport, some will sleep for two or more days, depending on the situations. They would be kept waiting in the queue for collection of their Hajj passports or immigration/NDLEA screening, on the queue for obtaining boarding pass or on the queue for final boarding of the aircraft. This "traditions" simply renders the pilgrims dishonourable.
*Scramble to board vehicles: For fear of becoming leftovers, due to scarcity of space in vehicles (including aircraft being board to and from Saudi Arabia) and poor management of the boarding process, Nigerian pilgrims are known to be impatient scramblers when it comes to boarding vehicles. The "traditions" is more embarrassing while boarding buses to Mina, Arafat or Musdalifah, where you would see some male pilgrims would be scrambling to jump to the top of the buses exposing their private parts in the process. This "traditions", therefore is the product of incompetence, selfishness and greed and carelessness from the part of the leaders/rulers.
*Re-renting same houses: It has apparently become an issue. The government at all levels would send delegations to rent houses for pilgrims, which they will later claim to have rented fine houses and that the houses are close to al-haram. When pilgrims reach Mecca or Medina, however, they would fin themselves in the same dilapidated but renovated houses rented for them the previous year. This "traditions" suggests that the trip is a means of earning estacode for the team members.
Again, as the closer a house is to al-haram, the more expensive is its rental; the "traditions" also suggests that the team members must be making some 'windfalls' as they rent cheaper houses than the ones they claim to rent for the pilgrims. On investigation, you would learn that the amount being released for accommodation is more than enough to secure those fine hotels and houses close to al-haram for the pilgrims.
In conclusion, these are some of the "traditions" being masterminded by our Hajj authorities, for example, Nigerian pilgrims, upon arriving at the Jeddah Airport, after too much anxiety at Mecca or Medinah, could likened to a refugee camp, knowing full Nigerian pilgrims are bound to observe this "traditions", the Jeddah airport authorities, have set aside a place, popularly known as 'Ajegunle' for them. These are challenges on the Hajj authorities in Nigeria. We need to counter them in order to make it history.
RE-BRANDING HAJJ OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA (3): The AHUON Approach
By Al-Amin Ciroma
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, June 26, 2009)
Apart from factual problems surrounding Hajj affairs in Nigeria, a lot key professionals and hajj operators are determined to tackle the issues towards ‘hitch-free’ operations by going back to the drawing table. Immediately after its debut, the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operations of Nigeria (AHUON), in its quest to create awareness in order to counter Hajj problems in Nigeria, held a maiden edition of its summit. The event, which took place at Martinus Hotel in Lagos, held in serene atmosphere.
A statement issued by Alhaji Abubakar Bello Kaoje stated that the participants were from all segments of Hajj stakeholders, which included Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao (Aare Musulmi of Yoruba Land), chief host, the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), ably represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Babatunde Balogun, the representative of the former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, who was the Chairperson, and the Special Guests of Honour, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Muhammad Musa Bello, who were both ably represented His royal highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, was the royal father of the day and was represented by the Lagos Chief Imam. Others included the representatives of the Ambassadors of Republic of Iran and Indonesia. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Lateef Adegbite, was also in attendance.
During the summit, some thought, provoking papers were presented. Abdul Majeed Abdul Fatah, the AHUON Zonal Chairman and Vice National President, in his welcome address, set the wheel of the summit in motion.
Fatah's welcome address enshrined the basis of the summit which, he said, was to create awareness of the association in the mind of the larger public which, in turn, will help the Association to get rid of quacks operating within the industry. The aim of the summit was also to let the public know the challenges facing the association and to tap from the wealth of experience of the stakeholders towards effective and efficient service delivery.
The National Vice President threw the challenge to the Hajj stakeholders generally. He called on the tour operators themselves who deal directly with pilgrims in terms of all arrangement of the journey to and from Saudi Arabia. He advised his colleagues that as a profit-making venture, they should aim at international standard service delivery for their clients.
The NAHCON was not left behind. The vice chairman expressed the happiness of the Association for the cordial relationship with the commission.
He said because of the immense benefits envisaged in having such a commission in place, the AHUON was actively involved in the process of the passing of the Act establishing the commission.
Fatah also stressed that the modest achievements of the commission within just two years of its creation are worthy of commendation and appreciated the effort of the commission in the publication of names of registered tour operators in the dailies and on its website, the inclusion of the representatives of the association in the delegation that visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2009 pre-Hajj visit. He emphasized that already the association was reaping the benefit of the visit as concrete arrangement was being made to facilitate the movement of international pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the registered tour operators unlike before when the movement of international pilgrims and their officials were hampered.
However, he advocated for the association to be left alone to source for its own air carriers and accommodation for international pilgrims. He added that tour operators should be allowed to use the airlines of their choice, be it scheduled or chartered without any strings attached to it.
He further pleaded to the commission to expedite action in the allocation of Hajj seat just as it did in the sales of application form.
His appeal also went to the Saudi Embassy to relax its stringent conditions on the issuance of visa. He specifically appealed to the ambassador to assist the association by ensuring that the demand of the embassy in making wives to bear their husbands’ names or a female pilgrim to bear the name of their Muhram is jettisoned. According to him, such condition has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. He also appealed for the extension of visa period in respect of tour operators during each Hajj.
Dr. Adegbite was requested to share his elderly wisdom with the participants. He briefly surveyed the history of Hajj operations which, he said, initially started with private Hajj operators who proved to be so inefficient and perpetrated so much atrocities which caused so much embarrassment to the Nigerian Government.
The secretary-general said the situation made the government to intervene and salvage the situation. He further stated that for over 100 years, the performance of Hajj in Nigeria continued to be performed poorly, until the last two years when the commission was established.
The National Chief Missioner of Ansaruldeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, also called for authorities concerned to intervene in the prevailing exploitative tendency in the acquisition of e-passport which he claimed had gone up to as much as N100,000. Sheikh Ahmad pointed out that the bane of pilgrims airlift is the wrong pricing which explained why no reputable airline would like to participate in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims since the fare is not attractive enough. He concluded by advising the travel agents to emulate the orderly manner the Indonesian, Turkish or Malaysian officials conduct their pilgrims in group.
The association's national president, Alhaji Nasir Koko, highlighted the activities of the association, which included the inauguration of its executive members and a courtesy call on the NAHCON headquarters Abuja. He said there is a scheduled meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Hajj commission on how to facilitate operational money transfer for the association's members.
Another resource person, an erudite scholar, Professor Tajudeen, emphasized the need for the education of official's and the pilgrims as a vital ingredient for a successful Hajj. He said officials must know how to manage their pilgrims' movement and the facilities they are to use.
A representative of Immigration Services also added impetus to the summit. He educated the participants on how to acquire e-passport which, he said, is not only for the purpose of travelling to Saudi Arabia but for travels all over the world. He hinted that the official cost for the acquisition of e-passport is N8,750.00.
Another resource person in the industry is Dr. Badmas O. Yusuf, a Commissioner Operations in the NAHCON. He was one of the representatives of NAHCON. He commented that the relationship between NAHCON and tour operators should always be cordial and should try to maintain the tempo. He advised the tour operators to consider the desire of their clients who, he said, needed first class treatment and would wish to enjoy the value of their money.
Lastly, the Secretary-General of the association, Dr. W. O. Gabadeen, presented an insightful working paper on Hajj and Umrah operations. The paper significantly captured the management of Hajj operations, especially in the areas of Product Packaging, Pricing and Marketing (PPPM). It also dwelt on regulations, public enlightenment campaigns, operational skills and other support services that included Airlift of pilgrims, operational rivalry, meeting pilgrims' demands and the public perception of Private Tour Operators.
No doubt, wind of change is now looming the scene of Hajj affairs in Nigeria. I believe as great people, we can do more to achieve our stated goals.
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, June 26, 2009)
Apart from factual problems surrounding Hajj affairs in Nigeria, a lot key professionals and hajj operators are determined to tackle the issues towards ‘hitch-free’ operations by going back to the drawing table. Immediately after its debut, the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operations of Nigeria (AHUON), in its quest to create awareness in order to counter Hajj problems in Nigeria, held a maiden edition of its summit. The event, which took place at Martinus Hotel in Lagos, held in serene atmosphere.
A statement issued by Alhaji Abubakar Bello Kaoje stated that the participants were from all segments of Hajj stakeholders, which included Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao (Aare Musulmi of Yoruba Land), chief host, the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), ably represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Babatunde Balogun, the representative of the former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, who was the Chairperson, and the Special Guests of Honour, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Muhammad Musa Bello, who were both ably represented His royal highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, was the royal father of the day and was represented by the Lagos Chief Imam. Others included the representatives of the Ambassadors of Republic of Iran and Indonesia. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Lateef Adegbite, was also in attendance.
During the summit, some thought, provoking papers were presented. Abdul Majeed Abdul Fatah, the AHUON Zonal Chairman and Vice National President, in his welcome address, set the wheel of the summit in motion.
Fatah's welcome address enshrined the basis of the summit which, he said, was to create awareness of the association in the mind of the larger public which, in turn, will help the Association to get rid of quacks operating within the industry. The aim of the summit was also to let the public know the challenges facing the association and to tap from the wealth of experience of the stakeholders towards effective and efficient service delivery.
The National Vice President threw the challenge to the Hajj stakeholders generally. He called on the tour operators themselves who deal directly with pilgrims in terms of all arrangement of the journey to and from Saudi Arabia. He advised his colleagues that as a profit-making venture, they should aim at international standard service delivery for their clients.
The NAHCON was not left behind. The vice chairman expressed the happiness of the Association for the cordial relationship with the commission.
He said because of the immense benefits envisaged in having such a commission in place, the AHUON was actively involved in the process of the passing of the Act establishing the commission.
Fatah also stressed that the modest achievements of the commission within just two years of its creation are worthy of commendation and appreciated the effort of the commission in the publication of names of registered tour operators in the dailies and on its website, the inclusion of the representatives of the association in the delegation that visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2009 pre-Hajj visit. He emphasized that already the association was reaping the benefit of the visit as concrete arrangement was being made to facilitate the movement of international pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the registered tour operators unlike before when the movement of international pilgrims and their officials were hampered.
However, he advocated for the association to be left alone to source for its own air carriers and accommodation for international pilgrims. He added that tour operators should be allowed to use the airlines of their choice, be it scheduled or chartered without any strings attached to it.
He further pleaded to the commission to expedite action in the allocation of Hajj seat just as it did in the sales of application form.
His appeal also went to the Saudi Embassy to relax its stringent conditions on the issuance of visa. He specifically appealed to the ambassador to assist the association by ensuring that the demand of the embassy in making wives to bear their husbands’ names or a female pilgrim to bear the name of their Muhram is jettisoned. According to him, such condition has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. He also appealed for the extension of visa period in respect of tour operators during each Hajj.
Dr. Adegbite was requested to share his elderly wisdom with the participants. He briefly surveyed the history of Hajj operations which, he said, initially started with private Hajj operators who proved to be so inefficient and perpetrated so much atrocities which caused so much embarrassment to the Nigerian Government.
The secretary-general said the situation made the government to intervene and salvage the situation. He further stated that for over 100 years, the performance of Hajj in Nigeria continued to be performed poorly, until the last two years when the commission was established.
The National Chief Missioner of Ansaruldeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, also called for authorities concerned to intervene in the prevailing exploitative tendency in the acquisition of e-passport which he claimed had gone up to as much as N100,000. Sheikh Ahmad pointed out that the bane of pilgrims airlift is the wrong pricing which explained why no reputable airline would like to participate in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims since the fare is not attractive enough. He concluded by advising the travel agents to emulate the orderly manner the Indonesian, Turkish or Malaysian officials conduct their pilgrims in group.
The association's national president, Alhaji Nasir Koko, highlighted the activities of the association, which included the inauguration of its executive members and a courtesy call on the NAHCON headquarters Abuja. He said there is a scheduled meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Hajj commission on how to facilitate operational money transfer for the association's members.
Another resource person, an erudite scholar, Professor Tajudeen, emphasized the need for the education of official's and the pilgrims as a vital ingredient for a successful Hajj. He said officials must know how to manage their pilgrims' movement and the facilities they are to use.
A representative of Immigration Services also added impetus to the summit. He educated the participants on how to acquire e-passport which, he said, is not only for the purpose of travelling to Saudi Arabia but for travels all over the world. He hinted that the official cost for the acquisition of e-passport is N8,750.00.
Another resource person in the industry is Dr. Badmas O. Yusuf, a Commissioner Operations in the NAHCON. He was one of the representatives of NAHCON. He commented that the relationship between NAHCON and tour operators should always be cordial and should try to maintain the tempo. He advised the tour operators to consider the desire of their clients who, he said, needed first class treatment and would wish to enjoy the value of their money.
Lastly, the Secretary-General of the association, Dr. W. O. Gabadeen, presented an insightful working paper on Hajj and Umrah operations. The paper significantly captured the management of Hajj operations, especially in the areas of Product Packaging, Pricing and Marketing (PPPM). It also dwelt on regulations, public enlightenment campaigns, operational skills and other support services that included Airlift of pilgrims, operational rivalry, meeting pilgrims' demands and the public perception of Private Tour Operators.
No doubt, wind of change is now looming the scene of Hajj affairs in Nigeria. I believe as great people, we can do more to achieve our stated goals.
Towards Re-Branding Hajj Operations In Nigeria (2)
By Al-Amin Ciroma (Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, June 19, 2009)
Last week, we discussed in preamble some basic problems being faced by Nigerian pilgrims and key preparatory arrangements by the Hajj operators and professionals. I received quite a number of reactions from readers, whom expresses their divergent opinions and inputs. That shows how greatly the problems affect most Nigerian Muslim pilgrims.
Like I said in my conclusion, in Nigeria, we have our own unique way of approaching a certain predicament, but at the end of the day, we come out with zero result in implementation. Laws are abused willingly, without being conscious of the impasse and consequences that may befall us. It is only in Nigeria that people believe in cutting cost a long successful journey to a ‘Sharp-sharp’ addendum. That does not matter wherever we are, in places of worship, mostly people absconds from any Imam that recites long Surahs in prayers. I used to caution my people, that in the five daily prayers, we have a total number of 17 Raka’ats to pray right from Subhi to Isha’I prayers. In a simple arithmetic, a rough calculation will arrive at a minimum of 3 minutes per Raka’ah, therefore, we have a total of 51 minutes for the whole of our daily prayers. Is it not worthy to extract two hours out of our 24 hours per day to conveniently perform all our daily obligations, including the Nawafil prayers? That is just a typical Nigerian that does not believe in steady activities.
The topic of discussion is Hajj operations in Nigeria. This piece intends to highlight problems and prospect of the exercise and possible ways of eradicating them to the barest minimum. It also attempts to address the policy of the Nigerian government on hajj. In doing so it has tried going some several centuries back, when the institution of hajj took roots in the West African region and then walking its way up to date. This is to enrich our appreciation of the place of hajj in the history of the region and provide us some background against which to see the policy of post independent Nigeria. It is the considered opinion of this paper that Nigerian government’s policy on hajj is to say the least ambivalent. Admittedly government itself has in recent years been plagued with instability and consumed by corruption. The ship of the nation has been adrift and the captains are too busy with internal bickering to bother about which port to sail to. And as it has been said if one does not know to which port one is sailing to, no winds are favourable. All the same, attempt has been made to raise those issues that appear to be germane to a clear and sustainable policy on hajj, for what they are worth.
I could recall in some write up by Dr. Usman Bugaje on Hajj Operations in Nigeria, he highlighted that in 1953, Alhaji Abubakar Imam appeared to have started it all, for during the Budget Session of the House of Representatives in Lagos, early in 1953, he “tabled a motion for the establishment of a ‘Nigeria Office’ in Jeddah to cater for the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia every year.” The motion, according to writer was adopted with minor amendments and he planned to make the pilgrimage that same year to be able to report back in detail what was required to be done. He immediately received a letter from Mr. Bruce Greatbatch, the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, who was then M. Ahmadu Rabah, the Sardauna of Sokoto. The letter informed him of one Haruna Dan Kassim of Kano who then wanted to build a hostel for Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah and requested him to clarify further his motion in the light of this effort of Dan Kassim. In his clarification he suggested that his report should be awaited. He obtained permission and made the hajj and wrote a detailed report on the problems and what needed to be done.
The thrusts of Alhaji Abubakar Imam’s report was that it was necessary that every year a pilgrim commissioner be officially appointed to accompany Nigerian pilgrims and lead them throughout the period of hajj. He quickly gave the qualification and added that this was not a full time job but the a three month job only. He then suggested the necessity for what he called dispensary attendant, what we today call the medical corps, giving a list of some of the most common medical complaints there. He then raised the issue of accommodation and the issue of royalties and foreign exchange procedures. He further suggested the creation of a kind of foundation for the assistance of pilgrims to which Muslims will make contributions on a continuous basis. This report was well received and A. Abubakar Imam did not hide his happiness, in his words, “What made me happy about the report I submitted on that years pilgrimage was that all the suggestions or recommendations in the report were accepted and implemented. Not a single one was left out. Alhaji Sir, Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, on becoming Premier in 1954 also became the pilgrims leader every year until his death in 1966.”
I found the book, ‘Hajj and The Nigerian Government’, very relevant, Dr. Bugaje further stated that after 1966, the hajj, like many other institutions lost that unique leadership, concern and selflessness of the Sardauna, and started to go down the drain. The private agents started to have a field day, taking pilgrims money as they pleased and doing all manners of fraud and prompting cries for change. Admittedly there was a rapid increase in the volume of pilgrims during this period, but for every increase in volume there appeared to have been a corresponding increase in fraud and inefficiency, which kept growing unchallenged. In 1975 the government of the day interfered, abolished the private agents and created the Nigeria Pilgrim Board, giving them the sole powers of organising the pilgrimage. In the decree that established it, wide duties were assigned to the Board, under section 4. The opening paragraph says, “The board shall in the course of a pilgrimage render all reasonable assistance which pilgrims may require in matters touching or concerning health, immigration, foreign exchange,.... and it shall be the duty of the board to seek and obtain advice on standards (religious or of health) and other matters appropriate to pilgrimages as the board considers necessary, and to establish, or set up and maintain - (a) a library of books .... (b) a continuing campaign, educative as well as religious ....” This by any standards is very wide powers and could allow the board to address all issues associated with the hajj. It had the immediate effect of sanitising the operations from the pollution, which the private agents had wrought.
The basic headache in Hajj operations and most challenging, according to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) was transportation. The NAHCON chairman, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, in a statement issued some months ago in Abuja that “Inability of some of the airlines to position their aircraft promptly created logistics problems for the commission. Some airlines failed to position their aircraft on schedule. This, in turn, created some logistics problems for the accommodation arrangements in Medina,’’ he said. Mallam Bello said that the idea of dedicating a separate airline for tour operators was also not effective. An airline appointed for that purpose was unable to transport pilgrims on schedule, according to him.
I believe, a typical water vendor on the street or sachet water seller in Nigeria has a way out for unraveling all our problems in Nigeria. The prayers Nigerians should engage themselves, as a matter of urgency is to get God-fearing leaders that will lead us to the right way. The topic continues next week.
Last week, we discussed in preamble some basic problems being faced by Nigerian pilgrims and key preparatory arrangements by the Hajj operators and professionals. I received quite a number of reactions from readers, whom expresses their divergent opinions and inputs. That shows how greatly the problems affect most Nigerian Muslim pilgrims.
Like I said in my conclusion, in Nigeria, we have our own unique way of approaching a certain predicament, but at the end of the day, we come out with zero result in implementation. Laws are abused willingly, without being conscious of the impasse and consequences that may befall us. It is only in Nigeria that people believe in cutting cost a long successful journey to a ‘Sharp-sharp’ addendum. That does not matter wherever we are, in places of worship, mostly people absconds from any Imam that recites long Surahs in prayers. I used to caution my people, that in the five daily prayers, we have a total number of 17 Raka’ats to pray right from Subhi to Isha’I prayers. In a simple arithmetic, a rough calculation will arrive at a minimum of 3 minutes per Raka’ah, therefore, we have a total of 51 minutes for the whole of our daily prayers. Is it not worthy to extract two hours out of our 24 hours per day to conveniently perform all our daily obligations, including the Nawafil prayers? That is just a typical Nigerian that does not believe in steady activities.
The topic of discussion is Hajj operations in Nigeria. This piece intends to highlight problems and prospect of the exercise and possible ways of eradicating them to the barest minimum. It also attempts to address the policy of the Nigerian government on hajj. In doing so it has tried going some several centuries back, when the institution of hajj took roots in the West African region and then walking its way up to date. This is to enrich our appreciation of the place of hajj in the history of the region and provide us some background against which to see the policy of post independent Nigeria. It is the considered opinion of this paper that Nigerian government’s policy on hajj is to say the least ambivalent. Admittedly government itself has in recent years been plagued with instability and consumed by corruption. The ship of the nation has been adrift and the captains are too busy with internal bickering to bother about which port to sail to. And as it has been said if one does not know to which port one is sailing to, no winds are favourable. All the same, attempt has been made to raise those issues that appear to be germane to a clear and sustainable policy on hajj, for what they are worth.
I could recall in some write up by Dr. Usman Bugaje on Hajj Operations in Nigeria, he highlighted that in 1953, Alhaji Abubakar Imam appeared to have started it all, for during the Budget Session of the House of Representatives in Lagos, early in 1953, he “tabled a motion for the establishment of a ‘Nigeria Office’ in Jeddah to cater for the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia every year.” The motion, according to writer was adopted with minor amendments and he planned to make the pilgrimage that same year to be able to report back in detail what was required to be done. He immediately received a letter from Mr. Bruce Greatbatch, the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, who was then M. Ahmadu Rabah, the Sardauna of Sokoto. The letter informed him of one Haruna Dan Kassim of Kano who then wanted to build a hostel for Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah and requested him to clarify further his motion in the light of this effort of Dan Kassim. In his clarification he suggested that his report should be awaited. He obtained permission and made the hajj and wrote a detailed report on the problems and what needed to be done.
The thrusts of Alhaji Abubakar Imam’s report was that it was necessary that every year a pilgrim commissioner be officially appointed to accompany Nigerian pilgrims and lead them throughout the period of hajj. He quickly gave the qualification and added that this was not a full time job but the a three month job only. He then suggested the necessity for what he called dispensary attendant, what we today call the medical corps, giving a list of some of the most common medical complaints there. He then raised the issue of accommodation and the issue of royalties and foreign exchange procedures. He further suggested the creation of a kind of foundation for the assistance of pilgrims to which Muslims will make contributions on a continuous basis. This report was well received and A. Abubakar Imam did not hide his happiness, in his words, “What made me happy about the report I submitted on that years pilgrimage was that all the suggestions or recommendations in the report were accepted and implemented. Not a single one was left out. Alhaji Sir, Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, on becoming Premier in 1954 also became the pilgrims leader every year until his death in 1966.”
I found the book, ‘Hajj and The Nigerian Government’, very relevant, Dr. Bugaje further stated that after 1966, the hajj, like many other institutions lost that unique leadership, concern and selflessness of the Sardauna, and started to go down the drain. The private agents started to have a field day, taking pilgrims money as they pleased and doing all manners of fraud and prompting cries for change. Admittedly there was a rapid increase in the volume of pilgrims during this period, but for every increase in volume there appeared to have been a corresponding increase in fraud and inefficiency, which kept growing unchallenged. In 1975 the government of the day interfered, abolished the private agents and created the Nigeria Pilgrim Board, giving them the sole powers of organising the pilgrimage. In the decree that established it, wide duties were assigned to the Board, under section 4. The opening paragraph says, “The board shall in the course of a pilgrimage render all reasonable assistance which pilgrims may require in matters touching or concerning health, immigration, foreign exchange,.... and it shall be the duty of the board to seek and obtain advice on standards (religious or of health) and other matters appropriate to pilgrimages as the board considers necessary, and to establish, or set up and maintain - (a) a library of books .... (b) a continuing campaign, educative as well as religious ....” This by any standards is very wide powers and could allow the board to address all issues associated with the hajj. It had the immediate effect of sanitising the operations from the pollution, which the private agents had wrought.
The basic headache in Hajj operations and most challenging, according to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) was transportation. The NAHCON chairman, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, in a statement issued some months ago in Abuja that “Inability of some of the airlines to position their aircraft promptly created logistics problems for the commission. Some airlines failed to position their aircraft on schedule. This, in turn, created some logistics problems for the accommodation arrangements in Medina,’’ he said. Mallam Bello said that the idea of dedicating a separate airline for tour operators was also not effective. An airline appointed for that purpose was unable to transport pilgrims on schedule, according to him.
I believe, a typical water vendor on the street or sachet water seller in Nigeria has a way out for unraveling all our problems in Nigeria. The prayers Nigerians should engage themselves, as a matter of urgency is to get God-fearing leaders that will lead us to the right way. The topic continues next week.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Towards Re-Branding Hajj Operations In Nigeria (1)
Hajj is one of the essential five pillars of Islam prescribed for those who can afford it. Performance of Hajj is flexible because more emphasis has been laid on affordability, but it has more emphasis on those who are wealthy in the society. No doubt, every Muslim is conscious and mindful about the significance of Hajj. Hajj was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijrah. The Holy Prophet of Islam, Abul-Qasim, Muhammad (may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him and his purest progeny) sent off 300 Muslims to Mecca so that they could perform Hajj. That was the year when it was banned for the ‘Mushrikeen’ (those who associate partners with Allah Ta’ala) to enter Ka’aba. It was also made unlawful to perform Tawaaf (circling of Ka’aba) with naked body.
By Al-Amin Ciroma (Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, June 12, 2009)
The idea of this piece is to examine the operational process of Hajj in Nigeria . Every year, pilgrims in this country counter more and more problems, right from registration to landing at the holy land, Mecca . One of the foremost problems in Hajj operations here is that things are always taken for granted and both the Government and the governed have equal share of blame in this regard because, they are all culprits in the decaying social value system the country has had to experience over the years. Hence, the exercise in Nigeria has been bedeviled with numerous problems which were countered with measures by successive governments and stakeholders. The biggest question now is that. How do we tackle these problems or at least reduced to the barest minimum? This column intends to highlight problems and prospects of Hajj operations.
Recently, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) in a bid to have a hitch-free hajj has jointly organised a One-Day seminar in Kaduna , with a view towards countering the problems of Hajj exercise in Nigeria . The theme of seminar was “The Imperatives and Challenges of Hajj Operation in Nigeria – The way Forward”. The event was blessed by attendance of prominent people and stakeholders. The chairman, house committee on foreign affairs, Honourable Umar Bature, represented the honourable speaker of the House of Representatives. All chairmen and executive secretaries of state pilgrims boards and their directors of operations were all in attendance. The organisers (NAHCON and SCSN) feel that it is imperative on them to organise the event in order to sensitise rather than criticise the Hajj operators.
The event was commissioned with the opening remarks by the president, SCSN, Sheikh Abdul Rashid Hadiyyatullah, who emphasised the need for such an event. He said, the target objectives of the programme were to mobilise and sensitise officials of hajj operation in the country and also eradicate the usual culture of inappropriate preparation of Hajj affairs in the country. Sheikh Hadiyyatulah called on all the movers and shakers of Hajj affairs in Nigeria to as a matter of urgency find lasting solutions for Hajj problems in order to have a hitch-free Hajj.
In his comments, the NAHCON chairman, Alhaji M.M. Bello highlighted the overview of Hajj problems of Nigeria and how his organisation embarks on modalities towards addressing them. All the same, the NAHCON chairman stressed most of his limitations and problems being faced by NAHCON during the exercise. He prayed that with events like these, Hajj tribulations will be reduced drastically. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Hajj pilgrims’ board of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Mukhtar congratulated the organisers and upholds that the seminar came at a right time. According to him, the most unending Hajj problem is illiteracy. He said, the only way to overcome such calamities is to engage the operators and officials of Hajj affairs to series of courses. Alhaji Mukhtar said Kaduna state government has set a pace. Adding that currently, about 25 officials of the board are undergoing special course organised by IATA in order to sensitise them on how to go about international affairs of Hajj. The Kaduna pilgrims’ boss highlighted that IATA provides series of course which includes fields of Airlines, Airports, Civil Aviation, Air Navigation Services, Cargo, Safety and Security, as well as Management and Training Skills for every level, from novice (front-line manager) to senior manager.
A lot stakeholders discussed modalities and the way forward of hajj operations in Nigeria . At the end of the seminar. The following are the communiqué:
• The Act that enacted the NAHCON should be fully implemented without undue interference by political or group interest, to ensure efficient Hajj service delivery.
• Government at all levels should ensure that competent and experience managers are appointed into the various pilgrims’ agencies, devoid of political or group interest.
• Should ensure that miscreants and socially suspected people are not allowed to perform Hajj under whatever disguise. The seminar therefore, calls on the government to consider the issue of government sponsored pilgrims, if it most sponsor, a yardstick should be ensured that only competent people are sponsored. The seminar also noted with regret that, hajj has been turned into political hetronage for compensation by some states and local governments. It is unfortunate that this government sponsored pilgrims are usually those causing problems in the Holy land .
• The seminar noted with concern the low level of pilgrims’ education vis-à-vis enlightenment about the basics the Hajj-rites and requirements that ensures the blessed Hajj (‘Hajj-Mabrur’). It therefore calls on Hajj commission to involve a comprehensive, universal and conscience educational and orientation programme for implementation by states pilgrims’ welfare board.
• States’ pilgrims’ welfare board/agencies should ensure that pregnant women and people of weak health who may not be able to stand the rigours of Hajj should not be preceded on the journey.
• The NACHON should ensure that only certified and credible airlines are engaged in the operation of pilgrims’ airlift.
• The seminar noted that the cost of aviation fuel has come down reasonably and in view of the fact that fuel components constitutes a significant portion of flights’ operations, hence the need for Hajj air-fare be reflected in the final.
• The NACHON and states pilgrims’ board/agencies should make sure that all pilgrims returned with their 40kg (as main) and 10kg (as hand luggage) provided pilgrims have complied with the luggage policy of more than the allowed and approved kilogram. However, certain weight of ‘Zam-zam’ water should be allowed per pilgrim from the holy land.
• The seminar did call for a close consultation between the NACHON and Nigeria Immigration Service in conjunction with the states’ administration, in order to ensure the issue of e-passport does not constitute a bottle-neck for this year’s hajj operations.
Something just reminds me of an adage that says a typical Nigerian has the versatility and resourcefulness of defining problems and goals, but has zero intellect and mental power for implementation. I think a time as come for all of us to think over this, just may be our minds would be touched by a divine sense of reasoning for the good of our people. May Allah (SWT) help us in realising our stated goals. Amen.
By Al-Amin Ciroma (Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers, June 12, 2009)
The idea of this piece is to examine the operational process of Hajj in Nigeria . Every year, pilgrims in this country counter more and more problems, right from registration to landing at the holy land, Mecca . One of the foremost problems in Hajj operations here is that things are always taken for granted and both the Government and the governed have equal share of blame in this regard because, they are all culprits in the decaying social value system the country has had to experience over the years. Hence, the exercise in Nigeria has been bedeviled with numerous problems which were countered with measures by successive governments and stakeholders. The biggest question now is that. How do we tackle these problems or at least reduced to the barest minimum? This column intends to highlight problems and prospects of Hajj operations.
Recently, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) in a bid to have a hitch-free hajj has jointly organised a One-Day seminar in Kaduna , with a view towards countering the problems of Hajj exercise in Nigeria . The theme of seminar was “The Imperatives and Challenges of Hajj Operation in Nigeria – The way Forward”. The event was blessed by attendance of prominent people and stakeholders. The chairman, house committee on foreign affairs, Honourable Umar Bature, represented the honourable speaker of the House of Representatives. All chairmen and executive secretaries of state pilgrims boards and their directors of operations were all in attendance. The organisers (NAHCON and SCSN) feel that it is imperative on them to organise the event in order to sensitise rather than criticise the Hajj operators.
The event was commissioned with the opening remarks by the president, SCSN, Sheikh Abdul Rashid Hadiyyatullah, who emphasised the need for such an event. He said, the target objectives of the programme were to mobilise and sensitise officials of hajj operation in the country and also eradicate the usual culture of inappropriate preparation of Hajj affairs in the country. Sheikh Hadiyyatulah called on all the movers and shakers of Hajj affairs in Nigeria to as a matter of urgency find lasting solutions for Hajj problems in order to have a hitch-free Hajj.
In his comments, the NAHCON chairman, Alhaji M.M. Bello highlighted the overview of Hajj problems of Nigeria and how his organisation embarks on modalities towards addressing them. All the same, the NAHCON chairman stressed most of his limitations and problems being faced by NAHCON during the exercise. He prayed that with events like these, Hajj tribulations will be reduced drastically. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Hajj pilgrims’ board of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Mukhtar congratulated the organisers and upholds that the seminar came at a right time. According to him, the most unending Hajj problem is illiteracy. He said, the only way to overcome such calamities is to engage the operators and officials of Hajj affairs to series of courses. Alhaji Mukhtar said Kaduna state government has set a pace. Adding that currently, about 25 officials of the board are undergoing special course organised by IATA in order to sensitise them on how to go about international affairs of Hajj. The Kaduna pilgrims’ boss highlighted that IATA provides series of course which includes fields of Airlines, Airports, Civil Aviation, Air Navigation Services, Cargo, Safety and Security, as well as Management and Training Skills for every level, from novice (front-line manager) to senior manager.
A lot stakeholders discussed modalities and the way forward of hajj operations in Nigeria . At the end of the seminar. The following are the communiqué:
• The Act that enacted the NAHCON should be fully implemented without undue interference by political or group interest, to ensure efficient Hajj service delivery.
• Government at all levels should ensure that competent and experience managers are appointed into the various pilgrims’ agencies, devoid of political or group interest.
• Should ensure that miscreants and socially suspected people are not allowed to perform Hajj under whatever disguise. The seminar therefore, calls on the government to consider the issue of government sponsored pilgrims, if it most sponsor, a yardstick should be ensured that only competent people are sponsored. The seminar also noted with regret that, hajj has been turned into political hetronage for compensation by some states and local governments. It is unfortunate that this government sponsored pilgrims are usually those causing problems in the Holy land .
• The seminar noted with concern the low level of pilgrims’ education vis-à-vis enlightenment about the basics the Hajj-rites and requirements that ensures the blessed Hajj (‘Hajj-Mabrur’). It therefore calls on Hajj commission to involve a comprehensive, universal and conscience educational and orientation programme for implementation by states pilgrims’ welfare board.
• States’ pilgrims’ welfare board/agencies should ensure that pregnant women and people of weak health who may not be able to stand the rigours of Hajj should not be preceded on the journey.
• The NACHON should ensure that only certified and credible airlines are engaged in the operation of pilgrims’ airlift.
• The seminar noted that the cost of aviation fuel has come down reasonably and in view of the fact that fuel components constitutes a significant portion of flights’ operations, hence the need for Hajj air-fare be reflected in the final.
• The NACHON and states pilgrims’ board/agencies should make sure that all pilgrims returned with their 40kg (as main) and 10kg (as hand luggage) provided pilgrims have complied with the luggage policy of more than the allowed and approved kilogram. However, certain weight of ‘Zam-zam’ water should be allowed per pilgrim from the holy land.
• The seminar did call for a close consultation between the NACHON and Nigeria Immigration Service in conjunction with the states’ administration, in order to ensure the issue of e-passport does not constitute a bottle-neck for this year’s hajj operations.
Something just reminds me of an adage that says a typical Nigerian has the versatility and resourcefulness of defining problems and goals, but has zero intellect and mental power for implementation. I think a time as come for all of us to think over this, just may be our minds would be touched by a divine sense of reasoning for the good of our people. May Allah (SWT) help us in realising our stated goals. Amen.
OVERVIEW OF SHOOT! TRAINING SERIESm --The Impact Of Its Broad Spectrum
Shoot! training programme originated from the apex body of the film industry, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC).Since its debut, the programme has served as an intermediary between filmmakers at the grassroots and the professionals in the industry. It has recorded enormous success and has helped introduce innovations into the film industry. AL-AMIN CIROMA looks at the overview of the programme and its impact on stakeholders.
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers on July 11, 2009)
The seed of Shoot! Series workshop was first planted by the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) in 2005 to serve as a training and capacity building programme for the film stakeholders and professionals in the motion picture industry. The workshop was aimed at broadening the horizon of practitioners who have individual areas of interest. It also serves as an avenue for the stakeholders to gain expertise, exchange ideas and discuss emerging creative tools and applications for quality productions.
So far, statistics shows that about 817 persons have fully participated and benefited in the programme since its inception four years ago.
Created by the need to democratise the access to content creation tools, Shoot! Observed that Nigeria was yet to be transformed into a net of exporter of quality films. Although the progamme was designed for producers and film distributors, video and television broadcasters, as well as directors of cinematography, it was also a platform where audio-visual experts in related fields and organisations reaped from its wealth of ideas.
According to the managing director/chief executive officer, NFC, Afolabi Adesanya, the workshop will be improved on in subsequent editions. He opined that NFC will keep exploring core competencies at driving this special training and improvement programme forward.
During one of its pre-programme interactive forum, held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, several professionals in the industry expressed their satisfaction on the series of courses being offered at Shoot! workshops. Present at the interactive forum were Iyen Agbonife (Designers’ Guild of Nigeria), Bond Emeruwa (Directors’ Guild of Nigeria), Emmanuel Isikaku (Film/Video, Producers’ and Marketers’ Association), Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Conference of Motion Picture Practitioners’ of Nigeria (CMPPN), Gregory Odutayo (NANTAP), Busola Halloway (ITPAN), Fidelis Ewata (Nigerian Society of Editors), Tony Anenih (Script Writers’ Guild of Nigeria). Others were Francis Onwochei of AMP and Osezua Stephen of ITPAN; Tex Benibo, director of Research and Statistics (NFC); Brian Etuk, head of Public Affairs (NFC); Mrs. Francisca Duro Oni, head of Lagos Office of the NFC and the corporation’s head of Support Services, Dr. Diran Ademiju-Bepo.
Sharing his opinion with the meida, Mahmoud Ali-Balogun reacted to the idea of instituting a football challenge for filmmakers proposed by the NFC. Although he didn't see anything wrong in practitioners engaging in recreational activities, the founding member of the CNMPP and a member of the steering committee of Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) submitted that the issue of the football challenge may have been taken out of context.
"I was at the meeting where the idea was mooted," he said, adding tha,t "the idea was only proposed as a way of promoting friendship among practitioners. I think it's just recreational, and what the NFC pledged is their support. It will help in engendering friendship among filmmakers,".
The year 2009 series of the workshop, being the 5th edition, was slated for July 20 to 24 with a theme ‘’Reel Life, Real Sound,’’ where international resource persons for all scheduled courses will showcase their talents in conducting the training courses.
According to the statement signed by the corporation’s head of Media Relations, Brian Etuk, which was made available to LEADERSHIP's INSIDE KANNYWOOD, courses for this year's event include, Documentary Film, Sound Design/Dubbing, Music Design for Film, Still Photography, Animation, Directing for the Screen, and Digital Editing/Cinematography. The statement also indicated that, registration for participation is ongoing, especially against the background of the tremendous performance by the resource persons for Shoot! 2008, who incidentally form the team for this year’s edition. They are Barbel Mauch from (Germany), Dominique Giral (France), Alfred Okoro(Nigeria), and Stephen Bayly, Sylvie Bringas, Alric Wilson and Penny Tweedie, all from the United Kingdom.
Reports further shows that participants for this year's event are in for a better deal, with the recent commissioning of additional infrastructure at the National Film Institute, venue for the five-day training programme by the minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who described them as projects of motivation, empowerment and commitment. The commissioned projects are the Sound Stage Complex an edifice capable of handling all productions from script to the screen; the new Administrative Block, and the 350 Seat Auditorium.
Last year (2008), the photo laboratory, the bookshop, canteen and cybercafé for the institute were commissioned. The combination of these five projects will, no doubt, provide additional infrastructure and conducive atmosphere for the Shoot! training workshop which is fast becoming a capacity building menu, not only for indigenous motion picture practitioners, but also those within West African sub-region.
Meanwhile, the minister of State, Information and Communication, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, is expected to perform at the closing ceremony, while Governor David Jang, governor, of Plateau State, is the special guest of honour.
(Published in LEADERSHIP Newspapers on July 11, 2009)
The seed of Shoot! Series workshop was first planted by the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) in 2005 to serve as a training and capacity building programme for the film stakeholders and professionals in the motion picture industry. The workshop was aimed at broadening the horizon of practitioners who have individual areas of interest. It also serves as an avenue for the stakeholders to gain expertise, exchange ideas and discuss emerging creative tools and applications for quality productions.
So far, statistics shows that about 817 persons have fully participated and benefited in the programme since its inception four years ago.
Created by the need to democratise the access to content creation tools, Shoot! Observed that Nigeria was yet to be transformed into a net of exporter of quality films. Although the progamme was designed for producers and film distributors, video and television broadcasters, as well as directors of cinematography, it was also a platform where audio-visual experts in related fields and organisations reaped from its wealth of ideas.
According to the managing director/chief executive officer, NFC, Afolabi Adesanya, the workshop will be improved on in subsequent editions. He opined that NFC will keep exploring core competencies at driving this special training and improvement programme forward.
During one of its pre-programme interactive forum, held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, several professionals in the industry expressed their satisfaction on the series of courses being offered at Shoot! workshops. Present at the interactive forum were Iyen Agbonife (Designers’ Guild of Nigeria), Bond Emeruwa (Directors’ Guild of Nigeria), Emmanuel Isikaku (Film/Video, Producers’ and Marketers’ Association), Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Conference of Motion Picture Practitioners’ of Nigeria (CMPPN), Gregory Odutayo (NANTAP), Busola Halloway (ITPAN), Fidelis Ewata (Nigerian Society of Editors), Tony Anenih (Script Writers’ Guild of Nigeria). Others were Francis Onwochei of AMP and Osezua Stephen of ITPAN; Tex Benibo, director of Research and Statistics (NFC); Brian Etuk, head of Public Affairs (NFC); Mrs. Francisca Duro Oni, head of Lagos Office of the NFC and the corporation’s head of Support Services, Dr. Diran Ademiju-Bepo.
Sharing his opinion with the meida, Mahmoud Ali-Balogun reacted to the idea of instituting a football challenge for filmmakers proposed by the NFC. Although he didn't see anything wrong in practitioners engaging in recreational activities, the founding member of the CNMPP and a member of the steering committee of Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) submitted that the issue of the football challenge may have been taken out of context.
"I was at the meeting where the idea was mooted," he said, adding tha,t "the idea was only proposed as a way of promoting friendship among practitioners. I think it's just recreational, and what the NFC pledged is their support. It will help in engendering friendship among filmmakers,".
The year 2009 series of the workshop, being the 5th edition, was slated for July 20 to 24 with a theme ‘’Reel Life, Real Sound,’’ where international resource persons for all scheduled courses will showcase their talents in conducting the training courses.
According to the statement signed by the corporation’s head of Media Relations, Brian Etuk, which was made available to LEADERSHIP's INSIDE KANNYWOOD, courses for this year's event include, Documentary Film, Sound Design/Dubbing, Music Design for Film, Still Photography, Animation, Directing for the Screen, and Digital Editing/Cinematography. The statement also indicated that, registration for participation is ongoing, especially against the background of the tremendous performance by the resource persons for Shoot! 2008, who incidentally form the team for this year’s edition. They are Barbel Mauch from (Germany), Dominique Giral (France), Alfred Okoro(Nigeria), and Stephen Bayly, Sylvie Bringas, Alric Wilson and Penny Tweedie, all from the United Kingdom.
Reports further shows that participants for this year's event are in for a better deal, with the recent commissioning of additional infrastructure at the National Film Institute, venue for the five-day training programme by the minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who described them as projects of motivation, empowerment and commitment. The commissioned projects are the Sound Stage Complex an edifice capable of handling all productions from script to the screen; the new Administrative Block, and the 350 Seat Auditorium.
Last year (2008), the photo laboratory, the bookshop, canteen and cybercafé for the institute were commissioned. The combination of these five projects will, no doubt, provide additional infrastructure and conducive atmosphere for the Shoot! training workshop which is fast becoming a capacity building menu, not only for indigenous motion picture practitioners, but also those within West African sub-region.
Meanwhile, the minister of State, Information and Communication, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, is expected to perform at the closing ceremony, while Governor David Jang, governor, of Plateau State, is the special guest of honour.
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