The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, under the chairmanship of Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, successfully conducted the screening of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairmanship nominee, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
The screening session, which took place on Tuesday in Senate Committee Room 211, was attended by several committee members, including Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdullahi Yahya (Kebbi North), Umar Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), Sahabi Alhaji Yau (Zamfara North), and the Chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage Affairs, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, among others.
Senator Abubakar Sani Bello began proceedings with an opening prayer, warmly welcoming the Special Adviser to President Tinubu, Senator Bashir Lado, who introduced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman to the committee. Senator Sani Bello acknowledged the importance of this nomination, emphasizing NAHCON’s critical role in organizing and managing Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims.
Following the nominee’s introduction, Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, reviewed Professor Usman’s distinguished resume and moved a motion for him to take a bow. “Professor Usman is a man of integrity, a respected scholar with credentials from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, and a former Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board, representing the largest state pilgrim quota in the country,” Senator Aliero stated. The motion was seconded by Senator Umar Shehu Buba, affirming Professor Usman’s expertise and long-standing contributions to the sector.
In his closing remarks, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello underscored the Senate’s commitment to ensuring capable leadership for NAHCON. “The essence of this screening is to carefully assess the nominee’s qualifications and past performance,” Senator Bello noted. “After a thorough review, the committee is confident that Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman meets all the necessary criteria to effectively lead the National Hajj Commission. His background and expertise stand as a testament to his suitability for this vital role.”
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, through this screening, has reaffirmed its dedication to selecting leaders of integrity and skill to manage institutions of significant national importance. The nomination of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.
