Editor’s note: The Saudi government and nations that lost its citizens to the Hajj stampede are still trying to process the tragedy and deal with its consequences. The Naij.com columnist, Joachim MacEbong, scrutinises the Nigerian government’s approach to the incident and readiness to support Nigerians in their darkest hours.
While the world counts the human cost and seeks to hold the Saudi government accountable for the deaths of hundreds of worshippers in Mina last Thursday, the nations who lost citizens in the stampede mourn. At least 54 Nigerians were lost in the tragedy, one of whom was Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf, veteran journalist and activist in the North.
Many others are injured or missing, so while the management of the Hajj by the Saudis comes under deserved scrutiny, the response of Nigerian authorities needs to be examined as well.
The Nigerian Hajj Commission is yet to fully account for all the Nigerian pilgrims who went for the Hajj, leaving their families in a state of painful limbo, like this gentleman:
Please help RT to find my father in Saudi Arabia. We’ve not heard from him in 4 days now 😢😢😥😥 @Omojuwa @Ayourb pic.twitter.com/DroZeWAII8
— E pluribus unum (@LUCASY2G) September 27, 2015
Can u believe this? This isn’t right. My dad is still missing #HajjStampede @APCNigeria @Ayourb @Omojuwa @channelstv http://t.co/dtb3Wr0Ebd — E pluribus unum (@LUCASY2G) September 29, 2015
There are many more like him, hoping against hope that their family members are still alive, or at least seeking some closure as to their fate. It has led to a statement from the presidency, ordering an immediate accounting of all Nigerians who went for the Hajj.
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PRESIDENT BUHARI ORDERS NAHCON TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL NIGERIAN PILGRIMS IN SAUDI ARABIAPresident Muhammadu Buhari has…
Posted by Garba Shehu on Monday, 28 September 2015
It is also worth noting that in the hours after the tragedy, there was no hotline set up by the Hajj Commission, or embassy officials in Saudi Arabia, to take calls from concerned family members. This has still not been done, forcing the president to get involved.
This kind of behavior is broadly in keeping with the attitude of the Nigerian government, at all levels, to the lives of citizens. Whether at home or abroad, Nigerians are expendable and treated with disregard. Even the renewal of passports cannot be done without headaches.
President Buhari and the APC came into office on a change message, and this is another opportunity to show that things will indeed be done differently. Rebuilding the trust of the people in their government will not happen overnight.
What must now follow, and should have happened days ago, is notifying the listed next-of-kin about the status of their loved ones. In the coming weeks, the FG must maintain pressure on the Saudi government for a full enquiry into the stampede and appropriate sanctions, and be part of the review process which will ensure that future pilgrimages do not become reasons to mourn.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria got N656 million in this year’s budget, but there have been growing calls for the funding of pilgrimages to be reviewed in light of declining revenues. Their performance so far is further ammunition for those who are of the opinion that money is better spent elsewhere.
Joachim MacEbong for Naijcom
Joachim MacEbong is a communications professional and political analyst.
This article expresses the author’s opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com or its editors.
The post Hajj Stampede: The Nigerian Government Cannot Afford To Fail Its People Again appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
Hajj Stampede: The Nigerian Government Cannot Afford To Fail Its People Again
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