Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government spent 90 billion naira to subsidize the 2024 Hajj – VP Shettima during the launch of the 2024 first flight of Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi.
Shettima, while discussing the importance of Hajj for Muslims, pointed out that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressed the challenges prior to setting this year's Hajj fares.
He said last year, the major challenge was arriving at the final Hajj fares of the 2024 pilgrims, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the responsibility to control the viral falling of our currency to relieve all Nigerians.
The President has given approval for the release of N90 billion to subsidize the cost of Pilgrimage for this year’s Hajj. Shettima therefore encouraged pilgrims to pray for the country's leaders while in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his Vice-President, Kebbi State Government, and NAHCON for enabling the inaugural flight in Nigeria, and expressed gratitude to the former Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari, for building the Birnin Kebbi international airport.
Sultan emphasized the importance of discipline to Nigeria Pilgrims, highlighting their reputation for having good leaders guiding them.
The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, who was delighted by the inaugural flight in Kebbi, revealed that his administration is working harder to address the challenges encountered by the Pilgrims agency in the state.
He explained that, last year, pilgrims from Kebbi State were airlifted from Sokoto State for reasons unknown.
The National Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, praised the Federal Government, Kebbi State Government, and other stakeholders for enabling the first airlift of the pilgrims in Kebbi State.
He urged the Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, follow instructions, obey the laws of Saudi Arabia, avoid prohibited items, and keep their valuable properties secure.
