By Dada Ahmed
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adnan Botaji, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its cooperation, support and understanding to the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria.
Botaji gave the commendation at the annual Award of Excellencre in Abuja,organised by an NGO, the Independent Hajj Reporters, which specialises in Hajj coverage in the country.
The envoy also praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON and its acting Chairman, Barr.Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, Hajj administrators and stakeholders in the Nigeria for the exercise under review.
Botaji assured of Saudi Embassy’s continued cooperation and delivery of effective diplomatic services to Nigerians, particularly Umrah and Hajj intending pilgrims, to make their sacrifices in attaining Allah’s pleasure and blessings worthwhile.
The ambassador also commended the Independent Hajj Reporters for filing in over ninety reports on last year’s Hajj and thanked other Nigerian media organisations for effective reportage of Umrah and Hajj matters in Nigeria and in the Holyland.
In his address of welcome, the National Coordinator of the NGO, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, said the organisation was set up to ensure professional and ethical reportage of Umrah and Hajj matters.
Muhammad said that Hajj Reporters had been in diligent enlightenment of muslims on all important pillars of Islam and had been carring out oversight functions on Hajj authorities in the country and in the holy land.
Duaglobal news reports that among the recipients of the Awards of Excellence was the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board which received the Best Coordinating State during last year’s Hajj.
Its new Overseer, Alhaji Sani Dalhatu Musa went home with the Best Head of Operations award.
Other recipients include Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, which received the Best in Luggage Handling award while Abuja got the Best in Pilgrims’ camp services.
Yobe, Best in Pilgrims Welfare, Kwara Best in Enlightenment and Niger State was awarded the Most Or
