President Bola Tinubu has sacked Alhaji Jalal Arabi, the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who is facing a probe over the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to subsidize the cost of the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.
In replacement, has been appointed.
Persecondnews recalls that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had in May this year announced that President Tinubu approved N90 billion to subsidize the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.
He had said: “You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.
“President Bola Tinubu also worked round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.
“A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidize the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.”
However, the Presidency did not give a reason for his sack less than a year he was appointed NAHCON chairman.
Announcing the appointment of Usman, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Monday, he said it is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Ngelale said President Tinubu expected the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.
Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.
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