PeakNews Online
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, former Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board, as the new Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The appointment, announced on Monday, follows the removal of the former Chairman, Jalal Arabi, and the Commission’s Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora. The dismissals came in the wake of their recent interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of diverting funds from the N90 billion subsidy provided by the Nigerian government for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Sources reported that Arabi and Kontagora were detained by the EFCC for three nights last week after failing to meet their bail conditions.
Prof. Usman, who previously served as the Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board, is expected to bring his experience to bear in overseeing the activities of NAHCON as it navigates through these challenges.
The appointment of Prof. Usman marks a significant leadership change at NAHCON as the Commission seeks to restore public confidence and ensure the proper management of Hajj affairs in Nigeria.
