By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
GOVERNOR Ahmed Usman Ododo has commended Kogi State Hajj Commission for making the state the first state in Nigeria to secure clearance for 460 Muslim Pilgrims from the state to perform the 2024 pilgrimage to Makkah.
effect full contribution to the Hajj Savings Scheme by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to secure clearance for 460 Muslim Pilgrims from the state to perform the 2024 pilgrimage to Makkah.
A statement from Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, revealed that the Governor Ododo gave the commendation on Tuesday after receiving the state Hajj Commission Report on the 2024.
He said it is commendable that the Commission, against the 2024 Hajj fares hike, was able to effect full contribution to the Hajj Savings Scheme of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and secured subsidy for its pilgrims on account of the 100 per cent contribution to the Hajj Savings Scheme.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation made by the state Hajj Commission and praised the immediate past administration of Alhaji Yahaha Bello for approval for the state to participate in the contributory Hajj Savings Scheme two years ago.
He stressed that his administration would sustain and consolidate on the gains of the scheme.
Governor Ododo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention by providing subsidy for Nigerian Muslim pilgrims who were distressed by the increase in the 2024 Hajj fares.
The governor assured that his administration would continue to partner the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to ease the burden of pilgrims from Kogi state through the contributory Hajj Savings Scheme in the state.
He said that increase in the 2024 Hajj fare caused by foreign exchange differentials resulted in over N1.9 million extra charges per pilgrim in Nigeria.
“Only Kogi State is now fully cleared and set to perform this year’s pilgrimage to Makkah with the over N800 million that should have been paid by its over 460 pilgrims”, he said. (Ends)