The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has commended members of the National Media Team covering the 2026 Hajj exercise for their professionalism, patience and dedication in reporting the pilgrimage.
Speaking during an appreciation meeting with journalists in Saudi Arabia, the NAHCON Chairman acknowledged the challenging conditions under which media personnel operated throughout the Hajj season, particularly during activities in Mina and Arafat.
He noted that the Commission was aware of the sacrifices made by journalists in carrying out their responsibilities, including the long distances they often had to trek to cover events and the hazards associated with reporting from crowded pilgrimage sites.
“We know that we do not have the resources to compensate you enough otherwise. We know the kind of job you do. We know the hazards involved. We know how far you have to trek sometimes, especially during our sojourn in Mina and Arafat, given the very complicated terrain,” he said.
Ambassador Yusuf expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the journalists throughout the exercise, praising their professionalism and patience in ensuring accurate and timely coverage of Hajj activities.
“We’re very happy with the level of professionalism and the patience that you displayed, and I thought we should come here and thank you for the job well done,” he added.
The NAHCON Chairman also expressed optimism about maintaining a strong working relationship with the media in future Hajj operations.
“We look forward, honestly, to working with you in the future,” he said.
In a further show of appreciation, Ambassador Yusuf disclosed that the Commission would review its budgetary provisions for media coverage in future exercises with a view to improving compensation for journalists.
“We will review our budget next time to make sure that we give greater compensation to journalists,” he stated.
The National Media Team has been responsible for providing comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Hajj exercise, keeping Nigerians informed about the welfare of pilgrims and the activities of NAHCON throughout the pilgrimage season.
Journalists at the meeting expressed appreciation for the recognition and pledged to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting accurate and balanced reporting of Hajj operations.