Kebbi State Government has announced its pledge to contribute N1 million to each of the intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj as a way of supporting its citizens embarking on the pilgrimage this year, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, during a press conference held after an emergency State Executive Council meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, on Monday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), pilgrims who registered for the 2024 Hajj before the previous deadline of February 12 are now required to pay a balance of N1.9 million due to the current exchange rate.
Ahmed revealed that out of the over 3,000 intending pilgrims from the state, the government has pledged to support each with N1 million, while the pilgrims are expected to cover the remaining balance of over N900,000.
Ahmed stated, “Out of about N2 million requested by NAHCON as additional fares, Kebbi Government has offset N1 million for each pilgrim, while the remaining balance should be paid by individual pilgrims to complete payment. Pilgrims who completed payment of the fares would also enjoy the N1 million magnanimity from the government.”
Recalling a recent visit by a committee from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Ahmed noted that the committee commended the state government for the airport facilities and assured that it was well-equipped for the airlift of pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Shehu Mu’azu, announced that the state government had established a 13-man committee to investigate a recent crisis where some hoodlums attacked foodstuff warehouses and looted food items.
Mu’azu reassured the people of the state that none of the state government’s storage facilities were targeted in the attacks and commended the efforts of the security agencies for swiftly bringing the situation under control.
