The executive director, Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to secure government-price of dollars for the 2024 hajj intending pilgrims.
Alhaji Dankama made the call at a meeting organised by Arewa New Agenda held at the Katsina Pilgrims Welfare Board auditorium on Sunday.
The executive director said the increased cost of this year’s hajj and the limited payment time were causing obstacles in deposit payments.
Dankama thanked the executive governor of Katsina state, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, for approving payment of fare for 200 officials from the 34 LGAs of the state in addition to 130 preachers and other board officials.
He stated that there was the need for the NAHCON to announce the 2024 hajj fares, adding that the meeting organised by the Arewa New Agenda was aimed at sensitising stakeholders on hajj for them to work hard towards making the 2024 exercise a success.
Leader of Arewa New Agenda, Dr Salisu Muhammed, assured the executive director and other stakeholders on hajj exercise in Katsina state that they are committed to collaborating with relevant authorities, including religious leaders, to appeal to the president to provide dollar subsidies to Nigeria’s 2024 intending pilgrims.
Dr. Muhammed noted that 95, 000 hajj slots have been allocated to Nigeria by Saudi authority for 2024 hajj and the association wants the Nigerian pilgrims to fill it all before the expiration of the deadline.
