The Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has sought the support and engagement of local government councils, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders to meet a deadline and other conditions for the 2025 Hajj operation.
The executive secretary of the Board, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris made the pledge during grassroots Hajj sensitisation tour at Warji, Ningi and Ganjuwa LGAs of Bauchi State.
Represented by the board’s director of operations, Comrade Sabiu Barau Ningi, he said the involvement of stakeholders became pertinent to meeting the timeline and other conditions set by Saudi Arabia and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He noted that NAHCON has officially pegged N8.5 million as a Hajj deposit while considering other factors, Bauchi fixed a minimum of N6.5 million as its initial deposit.
Idris added that all intending pilgrims are expected to pay a complete deposit of up to N8.5 million as declared by NAHCON before January 7, 2025.
He enjoined intending pilgrims to urgently make their complete deposit to enable the commencement of visas for Nigerian pilgrims , which will start on February 4, 2025.
He commended the state governor, Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, for his unflinching support for the welfare of state pilgrims.
According to him, the governor had subsidised the cost of the 2024 hajj fare by almost one million to each pilgrim, a sum of 100 dollars to support the pilgrims’ Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) and the traditional 300 Saudi Riyals each to pilgrims at a time when they highly needed it.
In their remarks, the executive chairman Ningi, Hon. Nasiru Zakarai and Ganjuwa’s Hon. Mohammed Idris promised to redouble efforts to enhance services to the intending pilgrims by widening the sensitisation scope.
They added that the councillors, traditional and religious leaders will be adequately used to sensitise the people at the grassroots in order to meet the deadline requirements.
