The Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said the state government will pay off the pilgrims’ Hadaya to reduce their hardship following the unexpected reduction in the pilgrims’ BTA from the earlier announced $500 dollars to $410 dollars.
The governor who announced this through the executive secretary of the Nasarawa state Muslim Welfare Board, Malam Idris Almakura, said each pilgrim Hadaya will cost $200 dollars at official price and government will shoulder the responsibility considering its necessity in the hajj rite.
The governor stated that the motive behind the decision was to reduce the hardship pilgrims may experience as a result of the shortfall in the BTA due to sudden change in foreign exchange rate, calling on pilgrims to avoid extravagant spending.
Meanwhile, the executive secretary of the board, Mallam Almakura, who was worried over the shortfall over the pilgrims’ BTA, said the board has since commenced disbursement of the BTA balance and will continue to enlighten pilgrims on the need to manage their spending.
Almakura advised the pilgrims to always pray for the stability of the country’s economy and the success of Governor Sule ‘s administration.
Some pilgrims interviewed to thank Governor Sule for paying their Hadaya and other welfare, just as they promised to pray for his administration and the country at large.
