Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has approved a subsidy of N500,000 for each of the state’s intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Director General of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Dan-Baffa, announced this when he addressed reporters yesterday in Kano.
“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 meant to alleviate their suffering.
“Those who have already paid part-payment to the board will benefit from the subsidy. Over 2,900 intending pilgrims have already paid to the board”, he said.
Dan-Baffa urged all intending pilgrims to pay the remaining balance before today, as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Also, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Ndume has rejected what he called the arbitrary increase in this year’s Hajj fare by NAHCON.
He described the development as unfair and a deliberate plan to deny Nigerian Muslims, especially first-timers, the opportunity to partake in the exercise.
