By Johnson Eyiangho

One of the prime responsibilities of any government is to ensure the security of lives and property of its citizens and no responsible government toys with this constitutional and moral mandate.

By Hajara Leman

It is often said that “if you educate a male child, you educate an individual but if you educate a girl-child, you educate the entire society”. Such a dictum only re-emphasises the need to accord girl-child education the priority it deserves, in the wake of the increased advocacy for the empowerment of the woman in economic and socio-political spheres.

By Peter Onwubuariri

Penultimate week, Africa featured prominently on the agenda of U.S. President Barrack Obama, as he played host to some distinguished African guests.  At the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., Obama received in audience, some 115 young leaders from Africa, who came under the aegis of the Young African Leaders’ Forum.

By U.Z. Ahmad

In the annals of Pilgrims’ services in Nigeria, the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has been a force to reckon with. At least within the last decade or so, it has been in the limelight for one achievement or the other. Such included its consecutive lead in acquiring the largest number of Pilgrims in comparison with its peers.

That in itself was by all means a major feat, considering the fact that there are other States, which are more Muslim dominated. One wonders why teeming Pilgrims from other parts of Nigeria annually clamor, to secure seats in the State. It is only when it turns out not   feasible, that they reluctantly resort to looking elsewhere. That has principally been the reason why the State’s Pilgrims reflect divergent ethnic groupings making it a miniature Nigeria.
Other sectors of accomplishments where the State excelled relate to the smooth operation, devoid of rancor and unnecessary stampedes which mar the exercise in the other Boards. One striking feature of the hajj operation vis-à-vis Kaduna State, is the attractively friendly relations prevailing between the Pilgrims and their Warders. That cordiality attracted the attention of the ever vigilant authorities in the far away Saudi Arabia who were so overwhelmed by the calm atmosphere in places occupied by the Kaduna State Pilgrims. Hence, they hasten to award the Board certificates of honor for continuously being the most well behaved contingent.
Similarly, the Saudi Authorities could not resist the dazzling cleanliness posture displayed by the Kaduna State Pilgrims consequently; they not only commended the action but also conferred the mantle of being the neatest to the Board! It also went to the extent of advising other States and countries to emulate the  style.
Accordingly, Kaduna has always been leading while others follow in that direction.
As if that was not enough, the Board embarked on yet other equally challenging projects. It initiated quite a number of unique innovations to enhance smooth pilgrimage and its administrations. A case in point was the introduction of biometric registration of would-be Pilgrims using computers. That was essentially to forestall frauds and attendant vices. By that, the hitherto multiple registrations tendencies and proxies were eliminated. The rampant illegal acquisition of Nigerian passports by aliens who, most often than not, used to travel with Nigerian documents and  commit atrocities in the Holy land, thereby tarnishing the good image of our dear nation was hindered.
No sooner had that been introduced than the Saudi Arabian Authorities developed interest and followed suit and directing other countries to adopt the same format of registrations. It described the system as most  effective in identifying persona-non-grata, meaning unwanted immigrants. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria saw the wisdom in the approach and ordered the entire Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in the country to, immediately copy the Kaduna example. They were therefore, directed advised to  study the method, with a view to identifying the progress and adaptability of the new approach.
While that was going on, the agile Kaduna Board did not relent on its efforts.  It embarked on  other phases. It additionally looked into public enlightenment arena and devised means of reaching  the entire intending Pilgrims for them to  to get acquainted with not only the rules and regulations tenable in Saudi Arabia. They are, similarly guided to comprehend the rudiments of Hajj performance. To that effect, it published books in both Hausa and English languages which are distributed to all and sundry. It also produced audio, video cassettes and C.Ds in the respective languages. It also introduced radio quiz over selected stations. As if that was inadequate, the Board acquired slots where Islamic Scholars gave live preaching on Hajj over chosen radio and television stations.

Furthermore, the Board arranges regular interaction sessions with Islamic clerics who advise it on sensitive religious issues. Sequel to that,  such matters related to the permissibility of  transporting Pilgrims to Mina    after midnight on seventh  Zulhijjah  to forestall chaos and stampede ; the acceptability of the  presence of Pilgrims at Arafat ground a day earlier ; the issue of whether Jeddah is Miqat to Pilgrims coming from Nigeria or not, were tackled. The National Chairman, National Hajj Commission, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello, who witnessed one of the interactive sessions between Islamic Scholars and the Board in Kaduna, got so mesmerized and arranged similar encounter at the national level. It correspondingly produced an enlightenment pamphlet like that of Kaduna, which it circulated to all the other Boards.
Apparently gingered by the fact that it was one thing attain a position, but quite another to maintain it, the indefatigable Kaduna Pilgrims explored yet other avenues. In that respect, it scouted for how to provide decent local foods to its Pilgrims at affordable prices. With the general belief that the foods consumed by the pilgrims were mostly unhygienic, it consulted health officials who opined that with decent feedings the pilgrims would resist and overcome most ailments they used to suffer from. The nauseatingly disgusting meals served by the Tikaris, illegal immigrants who live in squalor and mischievously or dubiously prepare foods using expired foodstuffs, a time garnered from dustbins or garbage.
In view of that, the Kaduna Pilgrims’ Board invited local Hoteliers and food handlers and lured them to the lucrative ventures that await them in the Holy land. It promised and facilitated the exportation of consignments of local food ingredients by interested food handlers. A number of them grabbed the opportunity; obliged and made fortunes in turn.  While in the Holy land, the Caterers, secured cooking places and prepared foods at the various lodgings of the pilgrims where they served local dishes.  The situation was very encouraging as the food handlers on one hand made monetary gains and the Pilgrims on the other got tasty, healthy and variety dishes to their satisfaction. The Board in itself was the merrier as the health condition of its clients, the Pilgrims, greatly and drastically improved as only few patients patronized the outpatient departments talk less of being hospitalized. The National Hajj Commission got carried away by the development resulting in its setting up an ad hoc committee to advise it on how to direct all Pilgrim Boards to arrange for the preparation of good feeding for their respective Pilgrims. By design rather than coincidence, the Commission saddled the Kaduna Pilgrims Board’s Chief Executive with the responsibility to head the committee and produce a workable blue print. So, one is optimistic that by the next Hajj period, Nigerian Pilgrims would be provided with nicely prepared diets for their consumption while in the Holy Land. As such, they would predictably be healthier and happier.
The Kaduna Board, seemingly unmindful of the fact that it has excelled its counterparts who neither entertained the desire to catch up nor compete with it, has directed its telescope to detect more ways of improving the welfare of its Pilgrims. This relates to acquiring appropriate accommodation as near to the Holy mosques as possible at affordable fares. It however frankly pointed out that the nearest vicinities to the mosques would certainly be beyond the reach of poor Pilgrims. As such, it would not deceive them to think of lodging at house within stone throw to the Holy mosques. Nevertheless, the Board considers the possibility of making another stride in catering for the welfare of its Pilgrims. It envisages the possibility of acquiring houses for married couples wishing to lodge with their spouses in separate apartments but with higher fares.
To maximize its efficiency, the Board sponsored a great percentage of its Management Staff to a rigorous and intensive training in tourism and more cordial approach in handling affairs of Pilgrims at home and abroad. To that effect, the staff underwent training approved by the International Air Transport obtainable in other countries in the world. The two phased course had the acronyms of IATA, the International Air Transport Association and UFTA, meaning the United Federation Transport Agency.
The six months tuition course was conducted under the auspices of the Bayero University Kano. With that development, each of the trained staff earned a certificate of capability to efficiently handle the welfare of Kaduna State’s Pilgrims. While the training session was in progress Members of the National Hajj Commission led by its Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello were in Kaduna recently and visited a session of the course. . The members expressed satisfaction with the standard of the course promising to sponsor such training for staff to be drawn from other Boards of the Federation.
The contingent also visited the Mando Pilgrims’ transit camp, where it went round and familiarized itself with what obtains at the various departments there. The Chairman and his team commended the rather conducive atmosphere and healthy environment at the camp  urging the Board to continue with the good gesture. They also counseled the leaderships of the other Boards in the Federation to visit Kaduna and familiarize themselves with the efficient approach to ensure Hajj without tears.
The Alhaji Muhammadu Musa Bello led commission paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris  where it was opportune to watch the commencement of Hajj saving schemed launched by the Emir. They were full of praises for the scientific approach of the Board in linking the entire local government areas in the State with online registration at 25 centers. As displayed, an up to date data of all the registered pilgrims with their relative photographs and bio data capable of being reproduced within few seconds was kept.
A cursory look at the foregone achievements one would certainly be convinced that a lot has been attained or are on the verge of being realized. One wonders what the geneses for the successes were. A casual visitor at the Board’s premises and other places of its operations would be spell bounded by the unity between the Staff and Management. A striking feature is how they all seem conversant with what obtain in all the departments. In fact, unbelievably, the intra cohesion between them is to the extent that the absence of any staff would not stall the work or holds any section to ransom; each would fit, as if in a jig saw puzzle, and carry on with the functions performed by the staff assigned a given role. In case someone is interested in witnessing a vivid example of a teamwork spirit amidst workers  he needs not to  belabor himself to look elsewhere. A visit to the Kaduna Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board would quench the thirst of the enquiring mind.  The workers there seemingly do not to entertain  rivalry, back biting and squabble against one another, which obtain elsewhere. The apparent happiness and work satisfaction is beyond comment.
The obvious question that comes to mind is as to what are the forces that wax  the relationship between the staff vis-à-vis the general accomplishment being recorded. Other pertinent posers  needing salient answers relate to the possible secrets behind the deeds at Kaduna.  Is it because the workers are knowledgeable or because of satisfaction or due to their commitment to the job? Has the leadership of the Organization or versatility of relevant tools any bearing?  The solutions to the intriguing questions remain a myth!
While the cursor remains booting, one recalls the sayings of General Yakubu Gowon during the Nigerian civil war in the late sixties, when a swarm of journalists drew his attention to the fact the rebels were amassing arsenal, which were by far more sophisticated than that of the federal troops.  He retorted, ‘…it’s not the gun that fights, but the man behind the gun.’  That may be the obvious answer to the puzzles related to the accomplishments at the Kaduna Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board.  The summation of the staff and equipment there does not equate to the huge achievements.  So the clear arena to direct the cursor and click for explanation is the headship.
Indeed, if one looks at any other sector to determine the successes at the Kaduna Pilgrims’ Board, he may end up having far-fetched results. In reality, the trained lanky un-assuming lawyer and Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, MON, has always been up and doing. He is a class in himself and would not go for anything less. With his high tastes, he more often than not aims at what may seem utopian in handling pilgrimage matters. Thus, he gives hearing ear to any proposal from a staff for the improvement of the Board’s services.
The no nonsense, disciplined and upright Leader encourages and gives free hand to his innovative subordinates. He however, appropriately, practices the carrot and cane style in his leadership. His principles and attitude to operations is that it is and should be treated as a profession-requiring professional. He insists, at all times, that his subordinates  be knowledgeable, and permit them to acquire additional qualification to enhance their services but not at the expense of their responsibility to the Board. He too, on the other hand, has been enjoying freedom from the government to the extent that he hardly proposes anything that would not have the approval of the authorities. Consequently, he has so far worked with three successive governors. With him at the helm of affairs, the governments have always been contented with him, hence the freedom.
By the time, the National Hajj Commission members visited the then Governor of Kaduna State, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo FNIA, now the Vice President of Nigeria, they expressed satisfaction with what they saw. In fact, Captain Shehu Iyal, the Special Adviser to the President on aviation spoke confessing the uniqueness of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board under the  supervision of  Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, MON, who has convinced them that despite their status as ‘alphas and omegas’ of pilgrimage affairs  they had a lot to learn pertaining to handling pilgrimage. They succumbed and opted to dispatch some of their staff as well as others from the remaining Boards to visit Kaduna to learn the modern approach to handling Pilgrimage with a view to having hitch free hajj operations!
Captain Iyal delved extensively on the foresight and innovative tendencies of the national honor, MON, awardee Secretary. He concluded saying, “  ….with the likes of Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad MON, Hajj without tears in Nigeria would be a reality than a myth.”
U.Z.  Ahmad is the former Editor, Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo Newspaper