Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved a subsidy of N500,000 for each intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia from the state.
WikkiTimes reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged pilgrims who registered for the 2024 Hajj before the previous deadline of February 12 to pay a balance of N1.9 million as a result of the current exchange rate.
The commission had on February 3 fixed N4.9 million as the 2024 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims, but now each prospect is to pay N8.2 million for this year’s exercise.
2024 Hajj: Intending Pilgrims to Pay Additional N1.9m – NAHCON
The hike prompted the Islamic clerics to urge the governments to subsidise the amount to enable the intending pilgrims who already made their deposit to perform the exercise.
Alhaji Lamin Dan-Baffa, the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, said this when he briefed newsmen on Wednesday in Kano, said the governor made the decision
Alhaji Lamin Dan-Baffa, the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, said this when he briefed newsmen on Wednesday in Kano, said the governor made the decision considering the current economic hardship the people are facing.
“Considering the current economic hardship the people are facing, an increase in the Hajj fare is a great challenge to many intending pilgrims, the subsidy is to alleviate their sufferings.
“Those who have already paid part-payment to the board will benefit from the subsidy as over 2,900 intending pilgrims have already paid to the board, ” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Dan-Baffa urged all intending pilgrims to ensure that they paid the remaining balance before March 28 as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
