The Yobe State Pilgrims Commission said it has paid the sum of N179.8m subsidy as approved by governor Mai Mala Buni to 1,332 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj exercise.
The Chairman of the Commission, Alh. Mai Aliyu, stated this while briefing the governor on the activities of the commission especially with regards to the airlift of the Pilgrims. A statement issued by the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor Alhaji Mamman Mohammed said the chairman confirmed every pilgrim has received the sum of N135, 000 Basic Travelling Allowance subsidy as approved by the governor.
According to the chairman, all the 1, 332 pilgrims and officials of the commission have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
“They landed in Medina the second holy city to perform religious obligations and visitations in Medina, and have now proceeded to Makkah, except for the very few still in Medina,” Aliyu said.
The Chairman explained that the commission secured hotel accommodation of breakable distance to the holy mosques in Medina and Makkah, to encourage the pilgrims to concentrate on the religious obligations. He said all the Pilgrims are in good condition and praying for the governor, and government of Yobe state, peace and prosperity of Yobe state and Nigeria.
Governor Buni commended the commission and airliners for ensuring successful airlifting of the Pilgrims in good time. He called on the commission to always consider the welfare of the Pilgrims: “The commission is there to serve the Pilgrims, you should execute your duties and responsibilities to serve the Pilgrims better.”
The governors also called on the Pilgrims to conduct themselves peacefully to perform the Hajj in accordance with the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Buni prayed to Allah “to accept this religious obligation, the individual and collective prayers of our Pilgrims, and their safe return home.”
