Borno State government has released N521.4 million naira to cover the cost of sacrificial animals, also known as Hadya and the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) differential for pilgrims from the state.
The chairman of the 2024 Amirul Hajj committee, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, conveyed the governor’s approval on Wednesday during a media briefing shortly after the committee’s first meeting in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Senator Lawan said the gesture is to ensure Borno pilgrims perform the 2024 Hajj with ease.
According to the Amirul Hajj, the allocation was divided as follows: 261 million naira was earmarked for purchasing sacrificial animals. In comparison, 260.4 million naira was set aside as an essential travel allowance differential for the pilgrims.
“The governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has approved the payment of Hadya, sacrificial animals to be purchased as religious obligations during Hajj, to all pilgrims from the state amounting to N261 million,” Lawan said.
He remarked that the Borno State government has consistently supported its citizens embarking on religious pilgrimages, ensuring they are well-catered throughout their spiritual journeys.
“In addition to this, the Governor also paid N260.4 million to pay the differential due to a fall in the naira to balance up the BTA of pilgrims to round it up to five hundred dollars per person,” he added.
According to the senator, the initial arrangement was that each pilgrim would receive 415 dollars instead of 500 dollars. The governor’s singular act has relieved many pilgrims from financial challenges in the holy land.
Lawan announced that all pilgrims from the state are hale and hearty and ready to commence the Hajj rituals on Friday.
The Amirul Hajj maintained that the Committee has recorded tremendous successes in all sectors of the exercise, appreciating Zulum for his support and cooperation by members of the Hajj team.
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