NAHCON Allays Fears Of Further Increase In 2023 Hajj Fare

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured intending pilgrims to this year’s hajj that there won’t be further changes in fare.

Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, gave the assurance at the opening of a one day workshop organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with NAHCON in Abuja yesterday.

The workshop was part of efforts to train Nigerian hajj managers on crowd control and management of communication skills, information and awareness campaign.

The chairman said despite the $250 increase imposed by the air carriers, the commission would not impose the extra cost on the pilgrims.

“It is true that the air carriers have increased the charges by $250 because of the closure of the Sudanese airspace. We are still consulting to find an avenue to address the increase.

“However whatever decision we arrive at won’t require pilgrims to pay additional charges,” Hassan said.

Meanwhile,  Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has approved the appointment of Ustaz Alhaji Zakariya Zaak Abubakar Aliyu as the state’s Amirul Hajj for the 2023 hajj exercise.

This was disclosed in a statement by the chairman of the commission, Sheikh Luqman Imam Abdullahi, who said Ustaz Alhaji Zakariya Zaak Abubakar Aliyu, a retired public servant and a veteran in the hajj exercises.

Aliyu hails from the eastern senatorial district of the state.

According to the chairman, all intending pilgrims who are yet to submit their international passports to the commission should do so immediately.