• First batch of 422 depart to Saudi Arabia
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the Federal Government paid over N90 billion to provide a cushion for over 60,000 Nigerian pilgrims against the volatility of naira to dollar exchange.
He disclosed this in Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State, yesterday, during the inaugural take-off of intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Shettima pledged the continuous support of the Federal Government to legitimate religious pilgrimage. He also urged participants to be good ambassadors of the country and dedicate time to pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria.
Earlier, Kebbi State governor, Nasiru Idris, cautioned state Hajj officials to be diligent in carrying out their responsibilities, even as he enjoined the pilgrims to be steadfast in observing the rites of Hajj and ensure compliance with rules and regulations at the Holy Land.
Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Ahmad Arabi, said the board was committed to building on the successes of its predecessors in the area of self-reliance and sustainability, through a vigorous sourcing and utilisation of resources harnessed from Nigeria’s Hajj ecosystem without any extra burden and financial responsibility on pilgrims.
Also, the first batch of 422 Kebbi State pilgrims departed on Flynas flight XY8002 to Madinah at exactly 16:54hrs to kick start the outbound flight of Nigerian pilgrims across the country.
