Kebbi approves N3.34bn subsidy for 3,344 prospective pilgrims

The Kebbi Government says it has approved the subsidy allocation of N3.34 billion to 3,344 prospective pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia from the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approval was to complete the payment of additional fares of about N2 million announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The decision was reached at an emergency Executive Council Meeting presided over by the deputy governor, Alhaji Umar Abubakar-Tafida, in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad, said the gesture was in furtherance of the magnanimity of Gov. Nasir Idris to uphold religious values for societal peace and tranquility.

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He explained that the amount donated to each pilgrim was to facilitate the complete payment of the fares before the closure date.

 “Out of about N2 million requested by NAHCON as additional fares, the Kebbi State Government has offset N1 million for each pilgrim while the remaining balance should be paid by individual pilgrims.

“Pilgrims who completed payment of the fares would also enjoy the N1 million magnanimity from the government,” the commissioner explained. 

N1m each for Jigawa pilgrims

Similarly, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has approved a subsidy of N1 million for each prospective pilgrim from the state participating in this year’s hajj exercise.

This was announced yesterday by the Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, during a briefing in Dutse, the state capital.

Labbo expressed concern that this sudden hike posed a significant challenge for many intending pilgrims from the state who had already paid the full amount before the additional fee was introduced.

He urged the pilgrims to ensure they paid the remaining balance of N900,000 to the board.

The director-general clarified that those who have already made partial payments to the board will benefit from the hajj subsidy, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on prospective pilgrims from the state. 

Fubara commended for N80.6m hajj subsidy 

Meanwhile, the commissioner representing South-South at NAHCON, Hajiya Zainab Musa, has commended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for subsidizing the hajj fare for the state’s intending pilgrims

The governor had approved the payment of N1.9 million extra fee for each of the 42 intending pilgrims from the state, amounting to N80.6 million.

Hajiya Zainab said the governor’s action showed that he cares for the people irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.

She, therefore, appealed to other governors in the South South geo-political zone to support Muslims in their respective states to complete the hajj fare.