The Borno state governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated the 2024 Amitul Hajj Committee that would ensure a hitch free, smooth, orderly, organised and proper welfare of the pilgrims from Borno state during the forthcoming 2024 hajj exercise.
Inaugurating the committee Saturday at the council chamber of the Government House, Maiduguri, Zulum assured of improved welfare for all pilgrims from Borno state during the pilgrimage.
The 21-member committee would be chaired by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The governor charged the committee members to work diligently towards meeting the expectations of pilgrims from Borno state.
He said, “I urge you to be dedicated in order to reduce some of the complaints by pilgrims.”
Zulum also stated that the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board would be upgraded to the status of a commission to reduce the financial burden resulting from the pilgrimage activities by the state government soon.
“We have to reorganise the Pilgrims Welfare Board. We shall convert the board to a commission. Establishing a commission reduces government spending and ensures more accountability and transparency,” Zulum said.
The governor also explained why the deputy governor, who has been the chairman of the state Amirul Hajj Committee for the last four years could not serve in that capacity this year.
“Since I assumed office as governor of Borno state in 2019, the deputy governor has been the chair of our hajj committee. But this year, we decided to change because I am also going for the hajj pilgrimage and don’t want to create a leadership vacuum in the state. He will oversee the affairs of the state in my absence,” Zulum said.
