By Nura Ahmad Dakata The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has inaugurated its Media Team for the 2026 Hajj operations, with a strong call on members to uphold professionalism, objectivity, and ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at the Hajj House Conference Hall in Abuja, the Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, urged the team to strictly adhere to the ethics of journalism while carrying out their assignment.
Represented by the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, the Chairman emphasized the strategic importance of accurate and responsible reportage in projecting Nigeria’s image during the Hajj exercise.
He noted that the assignment places a responsibility on the media team to give adequate attention to national interests while ensuring balanced and factual reporting.
He further expressed appreciation to the Saudi Arabia for its sustained efforts in serving pilgrims, highlighting the Kingdom’s continuous investments in infrastructure and innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety, comfort, and spiritual experience of guests of Allah.
According to him, Saudi Arabia’s long-term development frameworks, including its Vision 2030 agenda, have significantly improved Hajj and Umrah services, enabling the accommodation of increasing numbers of pilgrims each year under enhanced safety and security conditions.
The NAHCON Chairman also prayed for sustained cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, seeking divine blessings for both nations in their efforts to serve the global Muslim community.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, challenged members of the media team to adopt a proactive approach in their coverage of Hajj activities.
He urged them not to wait for events to unfold before reporting, but to engage from the onset, observe developments closely, and contribute constructively to the success of the operation.
Elegushi emphasized that beyond reporting, the media team should also play an advisory role by offering professional insights that could help improve service delivery.
He noted that journalists, by virtue of their vantage position, possess the capacity to foresee potential challenges and provide guidance that would prevent negative outcomes.
He cautioned against biased reporting and encouraged members to defend truth and accuracy at all times, even in the face of criticism from colleagues or the public.
According to him, timely and factual responses to misinformation are essential in maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of the Hajj operation.
The Commissioner further appreciated the media professionals for accepting to be part of the exercise, describing their role as critical to the success of the 2026 Hajj.
He reiterated that the engagement is a partnership aimed at working together in the national interest rather than serving institutional interests alone.
The inauguration of the media team marks another step in NAHCON’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj, as the Commission intensifies efforts to ensure a smooth, transparent, and successful pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims.