It's unfortunate, and there is a need for the National Assembly to probe these funds," Governor Bago declared, highlighting concerns over the transparency and efficiency of NACON's financial operations.








Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago of Niger State has called for urgent action to investigate the alleged mismanagement of a staggering N90 billion federal government subsidy for Hajj pilgrimage.

Addressing the media at a press conference in Saudi Arabia, Governor Bago did not mince words as he criticised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACON) for its handling of substantial public funds allocated for the annual pilgrimage.







"It's unfortunate, and there is a need for the National Assembly to probe these funds," Governor Bago declared, highlighting concerns over the transparency and efficiency of NACON's financial operations.

The governor went further by announcing his intention to spearhead efforts within the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to propose a legislation aimed at dismantling NACON's operational authority.

"NACON is not helping matters. The government has no business in doing this business," he asserted, advocating for a privatised approach to ensure better efficiency and accountability in managing Hajj affairs.

Governor Bago criticised NACON's performance during the 2024 Hajj operation, labelling it a "resounding failure."

"In a nutshell, the 2024 Hajj operation is a failure," he emphasised, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent further mismanagement and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

His demand for legislative intervention and scrutiny of Hajj funds signals a potential turning point in the oversight of pilgrimage operations, amid growing concerns over financial accountability and operational efficiency.

Governor Bago made the statement in a video interview in Saudi Arabia, accusing NACON of going beyond its regulatory role by taking on operational responsibilities.



"But for us as a country, we have failed. We have failed and continue to fail and fail and fail," he declared in his assessment of the situation.



"NACON is supposed to be a regulator, not an operator. But NACON has decided to continue to play the part of operation and therefore they failed the programme," he asserted, citing the alleged mishandling of critical tasks including feeding, accommodation, transportation, and medical services.



Highlighting specific failures in his state, Governor Bago revealed tragic outcomes due to inadequate medical oversight under NACON's purview.



"In my state, we lost two pilgrims in Medina due to medical issues that proper screening could have prevented. Another four perished due to the heat wave," he disclosed, emphasizing the preventable nature of the losses.











The governor called for an immediate overhaul of NACON's operations, advocating for state governments to take charge of pilgrimage logistics.



"Let state governments be able to do the right thing - screen their pilgrims, check their health statuses," he said, criticising NACON for its alleged inefficiency and cultural insensitivity.



https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/23/n90billion-hajj-subsidy-scandal-niger-governor-urges-nigerian-federal-lawmakers-probe

N90bn siphoned already, APC corruption ehen.

Nlfpmod, committee will not sit on empty stomach.

Omo, even religion money too, corruption the chop am too.

Money that should be put into good use for the country is been wasted on religion adventures.

No wonder we are a poor country, but only rich with our religion exploits.

No respite in treasury looting in Nigeria o. They can loot anything they find their hands on.

What are the economic benefits of these visits to Jerusalem and Mecca? Religion and its observances are supposed to be private affairs, why should govt be spending scarce resources on a business that's not hers?

East work

West work

South work

North pray

One Nigeria yeahhhhhhhhh

It is high time government stopped wasting money on pilgrims.

Anyone who can not afford to go to mecca or Jerusalem should stay at home.

Why will government continue to waste our scare resources in things that have no economic benefits.

smh!

Even some of our Yoruba Muslims brothers benefited in one way or the other,

A cursory look at who and who were given contracts from the hajj 90 billion naira will tell you if anything will be done about this disgraceful outing or not. After collecting FG's 90 billion, pilgrims were still mandated to pay over 8 million naira each yet they were still treated more shabbily than prisoners at Kuje and Kirikiri prisons. Is there nowhere too low or too high for these people to say they won't disgrace this country anymore ? Continue hiding rubbish behind party lines instead of taking action now that there's still time

iwaeda:
It's unfortunate, and there is a need for the National Assembly to probe these funds," Governor Bago declared, highlighting concerns over the transparency and efficiency of NACON's financial operations.








Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago of Niger State has called for urgent action to investigate the alleged mismanagement of a staggering N90 billion federal government subsidy for Hajj pilgrimage.

Addressing the media at a press conference in Saudi Arabia, Governor Bago did not mince words as he criticised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACON) for its handling of substantial public funds allocated for the annual pilgrimage.







"It's unfortunate, and there is a need for the National Assembly to probe these funds," Governor Bago declared, highlighting concerns over the transparency and efficiency of NACON's financial operations.

The governor went further by announcing his intention to spearhead efforts within the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to propose a legislation aimed at dismantling NACON's operational authority.

"NACON is not helping matters. The government has no business in doing this business," he asserted, advocating for a privatised approach to ensure better efficiency and accountability in managing Hajj affairs.

Governor Bago criticised NACON's performance during the 2024 Hajj operation, labelling it a "resounding failure."

"In a nutshell, the 2024 Hajj operation is a failure," he emphasised, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent further mismanagement and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

His demand for legislative intervention and scrutiny of Hajj funds signals a potential turning point in the oversight of pilgrimage operations, amid growing concerns over financial accountability and operational efficiency.

Governor Bago made the statement in a video interview in Saudi Arabia, accusing NACON of going beyond its regulatory role by taking on operational responsibilities.



"But for us as a country, we have failed. We have failed and continue to fail and fail and fail," he declared in his assessment of the situation.



"NACON is supposed to be a regulator, not an operator. But NACON has decided to continue to play the part of operation and therefore they failed the programme," he asserted, citing the alleged mishandling of critical tasks including feeding, accommodation, transportation, and medical services.



Highlighting specific failures in his state, Governor Bago revealed tragic outcomes due to inadequate medical oversight under NACON's purview.



"In my state, we lost two pilgrims in Medina due to medical issues that proper screening could have prevented. Another four perished due to the heat wave," he disclosed, emphasizing the preventable nature of the losses.











The governor called for an immediate overhaul of NACON's operations, advocating for state governments to take charge of pilgrimage logistics.



"Let state governments be able to do the right thing - screen their pilgrims, check their health statuses," he said, criticising NACON for its alleged inefficiency and cultural insensitivity.



https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/23/n90billion-hajj-subsidy-scandal-niger-governor-urges-nigerian-federal-lawmakers-probe

Governor dey para