Tinubu Appoints New Boards For Christian Pilgrim Commission, National Hajj Commission

President Bola Tinubu has appointed new boards for the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) to ensure hassle-free experience for Nigerians in the upcoming pilgrimage season.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, revealed the names of the new members on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

Colonel Aloche Adole will serve as the chairman of the NCPC, while Stephen Adegbite will become the secretary. Bishop Raphael Benjamin Nwankwo, on the other hand, will be the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

At the zonal level, Tinubu named six members. They include Omowumi Olubunmi Ogunlola (South West), Clement Alobu Nweke (South East), Chief Prince Weli Wosu (South-South), Prof. Joseph Haruna Mamman (North West), Dr. Toma Hamidu Ragnjiya (North East) and Dr. Simon Abu Samson Dolly (North Central).

Tinubu also approved 12 new members in NAHCOM, pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, to ensure hitch-free and seamless 2024 Hajj operations.

Jalal Arabi, who was appointed in October will serve as Chairman of NAHCOM, while Aliu Abdulrazaq will be the commissioner of policy, personnel and finance. Prince Anofi Elegushi and Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal will be commissioners of operations and planning & research, respectively.

As far as zonal representation is concerned, Muhammad Umaru Ndagi, Abba Jato Kala, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Othman, Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe, Aishat Obi Ahmed and Zainab Musa will look after North Central, North East, North West, South West, South East and South-South, respectively.

Professor Musa Inuwa Fodio will handle Jama'atu Nasril Islam while Professor Adedimeji Mahfouz Adebola will lead the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

"The President mandates the appointees to dedicate themselves to the task of ensuring that operations of the National Hajj Commission are more efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of Nigerians," Ngelale added.

The recent appointments come ahead of the start of the Christian Pilgrimage season, which is expected to begin by the end of this month when pilgrims will travel to Rome and Greece. Whereas, the Hajj pilgrimage will start in June.

Last week, the President appointed six new executive directors in two agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.