By Obaike Odihue
President Bola Tinubu has fired Malam Jalal Arabi as the Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Executive Chairman of NAHCON.
Though Ngelale was silent on the reasons for Arabi’s sack, there are suggestions that it may be connected to the ongoing probe of the activities of Humanitarian Ministry from where he was appointed as the NAHCON boss.
The statement by the presidency spokesman on the appointment of a new NAHCON boss reads: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“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, the statement noted.
“The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, adding that “the President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”
