From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The association of Hajj Media Support Professionals, AHMSP, has described as quite unfortunate and distractible, the unfounded and misleading allegation of racketeering in the selection of adhoc members for 2025 hajj exercise at National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.
DAILY NIGERIAN exclusively reported that NAHCON is facing allegations of racketeering and unscrupulous practices in its selection process for National Medical Team, NMT, ad hoc staff members for the 2025 Hajj operation.
In a swift reaction, the AHMSP, through its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, in a statement, expressed dismay about the allegation levelled against the leadership of NAHCON, “by an online newspaper, Daily Nigerian” at this material time when preparations to commence outbound airlift are on top gear.
However, according to Nagarta, “the idle and unwarranted allegations did not come as a surprise to the association of hajj media support professionals, knowing fully the habitual and sensational reportage style of the online newspaper (Daily Nigerian).
“The online newspaper is gradually loosing popularity and credibility among its few readers as a result of its armchair journalism panache and manner which restricts it (Daily Nigerian ) from digging deep to unearth the truth about any sensitive issue that requires balance, fairness and accuracy as demanded by modus operandi of civilised journalism, prior to publication for public consumption.
“To start with, the newspaper alleged that the 300 adhoc members for the national medical team, which the National hajj commission intends to recruit to cater for over 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims is excessive,”he said.
The National Coordinator faulted the online newspaper for pointing out that Nigeria is among the countries with lower number of intending pilgrims but has the highest as hoc staff.
“Additionally, the writer of that substanceless piece and laughable vilification attempt, went further to cite example with the top 10 countries according to him which have the highest number of pilgrims, pointing out that even such countries did not recruit the large number of health personnels as Nigeria did. however, the writer failed to enumerate those countries by name and the figure of pilgrims they have for those who may wish to dig further, in order to substantiate his argument for public confidence.
“Now, let us examine at this point the number of Nigerian pilgrims for 2025 hajj exercise vis- a- vis the number of health professionals to provide health services to them. By reasonable assumption, there are over 50,000 pilgrims for 2025 hajj exercise from Nigeria and 300 health workers expectedly to be engaged which many keen observers opined as grossly inadequate considering the requirement for international health standard as being advocated by the world health organisation(WHO).
“Therefore, if one critically analyses, he or she will find out that on the average, every single health personnel will have 167 pilgrims to take care for, then how can anyone sound-minded individual or group with genuine human concern and feelings dare criticise NAHCON for attempting to be considerate and proactive about the health wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims.
“On the final note, therefore, the association of hajj media support professionals is calling on the National Hajj commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to remain focused and disregard any moves and attempts by sponsored agents of doom to distract it from discharging the good work it has been doing for the overall success of the forthcoming hajj exercise.
He said the association has attached premium importance to the need for accuracy, balance, and objectivity among media practitioners while discharging their duties as professionals in order to earn public trust and confidence.
