Jonathan urges Saudi to address pilgrims’ plight

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday charged  the Saudi Arabia new Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Fuad Rajih, to work hard to ensure that hitches being experienced by Nigerians  during  Hajj operations   were  removed.
He said the envoy should be ready to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to achieve the target.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted Jonathan as speaking while granting audience to Rajih after receiving his credence letters at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The statement reads, “President Jonathan urged him (envoy) to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to reduce or completely remove hitches and ‘grey areas’ that crop up occasionally to hinder the airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
“Noting that Nigerians are a very religious people who take their religious obligations seriously, President Jonathan told the new Ambassador that the Federal Government will greatly appreciate his cooperation and support in making the participation of Nigerian Muslims in the Hajj easier and free of hindrances.”
The President was also quoted as saying that Nigeria would  welcome greater economic relations with Saudi Arabia.