It was an encomium galore last weekend in Lagos as Muslims gathered at De Rembrandt Hotel in eye-brow Ikeja for a reception in honour of former Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan.
The event, which was hosted by the National Headquarters of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, in conjunction with Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, drew the attendance of Muslim dignitaries in the region including former Minister of Interior and former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; President of MUSWEN and Deputy President(South), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji RasakiOladejo; nonagenarian and pioneer Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Prof Dawud Noibi; veteran journalist and former NAHCON Commissioner, Alhaji Liadi Tella; Chairman, BOT of The Companion, Alhaji WaliyOnibon; Dr. Ahmed Babatunde Popoola; and Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike.
Also in attendance were Professor of Genetics at the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Professor Khalid Olajide Adekoya; Dr Muiz Banire; Engr Kamil Olalekan; Senator representing Ogun Central district, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu; Prof Ishaq Lakin Akintola; Associate Prof Tunde Akanni of LASU; Publisher of the Shield online, Alhaji Mikail Mumini, Alhaji Najimu Jimoh among several others.
President of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN and Deputy President (South), NSCIA, Alhaji RasakiOladejo, in his remark said Zikrullah Hassan has made the Muslims in the South West proud with a number of achievements during his tenure in office as NAHCON chairman.
Alhaji Oladejo recalled that former president Muhammadu Buhari having zoned the NAHCON chairmanship to the south west, called the leadership of MUSWEN to a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, asking for a nomination.
According to him, the leadership of MUSWEN immediately called for nominations and Alhaji Hassan topped several other applicants.
He thanked the former NAHCON Chairman for making MUSWEN and the South west proud.
Reflecting on Hassan’s past achievements while also acknowledging the efforts that have brought him this far, Senator Salisu said, Ustaz as he was fondly called, gave vivid accounts of himself when he led a couple of organisations during his days at UNILAG, including the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN.
He added that just like himself, Hassan’s experiences in life would have been less if he had not gone into public office.
He said: “His foray in public office including NAHCON has enriched his experience far beyond what most of us have ever done.
“Hassan is a man who never looks back in doing what is right even when he knows that will not make him popular to some. Sometimes, choosing to do what is popular to some may be at variance to the conscience and truth. You are always on the side of truth.
“As we celebrate today, it is because there was a window for him to be celebrated. We are proud of what you have achieved and I know whatever you have done today, the future looks brighter, that is the promise of Allah,” Salisu said.
The National Amir of The Companion, Engr. Kamil Olalekan in his remark said Hassan raised the bar of Hajj management in the country, with the establishment of Hajj Savings Scheme, Hajj Training Institute (for capacity building and revenue generation for the commission); creation of awareness about openness in hajj administration as well as inclusivity in hajj management.
Similar comments by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Dr Muiz Banire and many others underscored the selfless service rendered by Hassan to uplift hajj management in the country.
Responding to all the accolades, Alhaji Hassan thanked the organizers and well-wishers for all their support and prayers, adding that he had never seen himself in those beautiful words expressed to honour him.
“So many beautiful things have been said about me, even when I don’t see myself near such things. I really appreciate and thank every one of you.
“I never asked Allah for a second term in the commission. I really do not get disappointed on issues. But I know Allah has been more than merciful to me,” he said.
He canvassed the support of the Ummah for the newNAHCON leadership stressing that the current situation requires the best of the management and support of everyone.
“Let me at this point call for support of the leadership of NAHCON. They are doing their very best. They have done very well to avoid further increase in the cost of Hajj.
“The truth is that as the official rates of the forex go higher, managing it to retain the cost of hajj requires the best of managers. It requires the support of all. Muslims want to go on hajj and Saudi-Arabia wants her money amidst this high exchange rate. We all have to support them,” he said.
Alhaji Hassan became the Chairman of the Commission in December 2019. He could not organise 2020 and 2021 hajj due to the covid-19 pandemic world-over. He only had the opportunity to organise the 2022 and 2023 hajj. He proceeded on leave on November 18 when his successor, Mallam Jalal Arabi was announced.
Interestingly, the Senate, last Wednesday, confirmed the appointment of the new chairman (Ahmad Arabi) along three other commissioners: Aliu Abdulrazak, AnofiuElegushi and Prof. Abubakar Yagawal.
