Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved N521 million for disbursement to 2024 pilgrims performing their hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman of this year’s Amirul Hajj Committee, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, made the disclosure yesterday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Lawan, who represents Borno Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, said N521.4 million was to cover the cost of animal sacrifice obligations on the pilgrims and their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) shortfall.

In a breakdown of the disbursement, he said: “The sum of N261 million was earmarked for the buying of sacrificial animals, while N260.4 million was set aside as pilgrims’ BTA differential.”

The chairman noted that the initial arrangement for intending pilgrims was for each of them to receive $415 (N581,000) instead of $500 (N700,000).

According to him, the governor paid N260.4 million BTA differential, as the Naira depreciated to exchange at $1 to N1,400.

“The State government has maintained a consistent record of supporting its citizens on religious pilgrimages to Makkah and Jerusalem, Israel,” he said.

On the state of health of the contingent, Lawan explained: “All the pilgrims from Borno State are hale and hearty,” adding that they are to begin the Hajj rituals today.

This is even as no fewer than 1,869 Lagos State pilgrims currently performing the religious exercise in Saudi would depart Makkah for Mina to begin the major Hajj rites, which fall between the eighth and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th in the lunar months.

According to the Amir-ul-Hajj, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, the pilgrims would begin their movement to Mina between midnight and the early hours of today (Friday), which is the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah from where they would proceed to the plain of Mount Arafah, also known as Jabal Rahmah, on the ninth day (Saturday).

He stressed that in the evening of the ninth day, the pilgrims are  to depart from the plain of Arafah and proceed to Musdalifah, where they would observe both Solatul Magrib and Ishai, pick 49 pebbles each, relax briefly overnight after which they would move to the Jamarat on the 10th day (Sunday) to throw seven pebbles at the Shaetan (Satan). The throwing of pebbles continues on day 11 and 12.

On the 10th day (Monday), Muslims, who are not pilgrims, all over the world are to slaughter sacrificial rams in celebration of the Eid-ul-Kabir.

Layode emphasised that the throwing of pebbles should be for three days consecutively, beginning from the 10th to 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.

He added that the pilgrims would leave Mina in the evening and return to Makkah, where they would stay till they are airlifted back to Nigeria.