That the Tinubu-Shettima administration hit the ground running is no news, as the cogent facts on the ground are there for even the blind to confirm, saving anyone saying, there was an exaggeration for one to say even an embryo in its mother’s womb can attest to that.
The things that make any government thick are decisiveness, trustworthiness; faithfulness. And infact, a government would have been worth itself if it was decisive, but pilfered with the common till than other way round.
For now, and so far, one thing that is glaringly clear, is that the Tinubu-Shettima government appears to be decisive, as for the other aspect we pray it gives a good account of itself at the end.
One commendable step this writer doffs his cap for Tinubu for, is the President’s order to domicile the the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, and the National Emergency Management Commission, NEMA, at the office of his second in command, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima. The saying that “who wears the shoe knows where it pinches most” is apt here. It is on record that Shettima, as governor of Borno State, had to endure and painfully contain with insurgency for eight years.
At a point he was threatened with withdrawal of troops and security personnel from his state for daring to call a spade, spade. With such experience, Shettima knows the meaning of emergency and therefore would appreciate the importance of swift and diligent delivery of aids and assistances when emergencies occur; and no one dares pilfer with them, as has been the hallmark of previous interventions. That’s why one should commend Tinubu’s dexterity in NEMA under Shettima.
As for NAHCON, anyone conversant with Hajj affairs in Nigeria, knows that to have a practical, not a nominal, Muslim to superintendent over the Agency vested with the responsibility of running them, is rightly putting a round peg in a round hole.
Over the years, except for some few brief times, Hajj exercises have been contending with various challenges most of them man-made and for selfish reasons. These challenges caused the establishment of NAHCON with a clear mandate to simplify and ease Hajj matters in Nigeria for the good and comfort of Nigerians who toiled so hard to raise resources to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
The law establishing the Commission has spelt out its modus oparandi and made provisions on how to regulate the Hajj sector for the benefit of Nigerian pilgrims in particular and Muslim Ummah in general. The formative years of the Commission were tasking, but nonetheless appreciative progress was made. However, it appears that the promised land is still not in sight as a result of either sabotage, poor management and comprehension of the onerous task, and, or selfishness, greed and corruption.
If Shettima’s pedigree and background are taken cognisance of, or taken into consideration, then one can be bold to say with NAHCON under his watch, all will be home and dry.
His pedigree, as a game changer, result oriented and talents hunting technocrat, as witnessed and still being witnessed in Borno, is one reason to opine that sooner than later Hajj affairs in Nigeria will be headed in the right direction needed to get to the promised land of “Hajj Made Easy” for all Nigerian Muslims.
For one believes he will not waste time in bringing all stakeholders, earthshakers and movers in Hajj affairs together to brainstorm in ensuring that NAHCON becomes more focused and remained on track in the execution of its mandate within the shortest possible time for the good of all.
His background also gives credence to this postulation. Firstly, Borno was among the first Kingdoms to come into contact with Islam and the Muslim world in Nigeria. Hence it became a bastion of Islamic knowledge, culture and commerce in northern Nigeria, nay the country as a whole. Secondly, coming from a scholarly background – his father was an Islamic teacher – Shettima cannot afford not to write his name with gold in righting the affairs of Nigerian Muslim Ummah in general and, in particular, simplifying and easing Hajj exercises in Nigeria through fortifying NAHCON to achieve the goal for which it was created to score.
Here one would love that all achievements recorded since the inception of NAHCON would be fortified, and competent, committed, dedicated and hardworking permanent or adhoc staff should be engaged for efficient service delivery.
One ugly trend that was done away with in the last eight years at both federal and state levels is the appointment of Amirul Hajj, which sadly enough appears to be rearing it ugly head for reasons best known to the proponent of this drain pipe. It is a drain pipe because of the huge human and material resources expended on the team in the name of leading pilgrims. Huge amount of money is expended on these leisure seekers for doing nothing substantial and just for adding no value whatsoever to Hajj operations.
For human resources, virtually Hajj officials are rendered subservient to these drain pipes from the day of their appointment to their arrival in the holy land, normally on the last flight. Virtually all operations and operational vehicles are diverted to their service in the Kingdom and Hajj officials would hardly have time until the drain pipes leave on the first flight back home.
One would say without any fear of contradiction that any Amirul Hajj is only a liability to the entire Hajj operation. One wonders why some governments take delight in appointing these drain pipes in the name of overseeing Hajj affairs! One may ask, what then is the use of, or function of NAHCON, Executive Secretaries and other officials of the welfare boards, agencies and commissions!?
Candidly speaking there is the need to legally outlaw the concept of Amirul Hajj in Nigeria for good.
One’s only hope is that Shettima would also hit the ground running in this direction to seal any doubt, and to solidify the fact that their government really means business, only that this time around it’s business unusual.
