The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced preparation for the 2021 Hajj exercise.
Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Zikirulla Hassan, who said this in Yola on Wednesday, explained that much needs to be done to address issues arising from the cancellation of the exercise this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking when he led his team on a courtesy call on Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in the Conference Hall of Government House, Yola, the Hajj Commission chairman reiterated that though COVID-19 pandemic had made 2020 hajj operation for Muslims outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia impossible, NAHCON had since this month begun preparations for the 2021 pilgrimage.
He said issues of the ever-increasing cost of the holy pilgrimage and how to ease payment for intending pilgrims were among those the Commission was deliberating on.
He added that on a longer-term, a plan by NAHCON to establish a Hajj savings scheme has been one of the enduring ways that have been identified.