The Yobe State Pilgrims Commission said it has paid N179.8 million subsidy approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni to 1,332 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj pilgrimage.
The chairman of the commission, Alhaji Mai Aliyu, stated this while briefing the governor with updates on the airlift of the pilgrims.
He said every pilgrim received N135,000 basic travelling allowance 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 accommodations of trekkable distances 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 the government of Yobe State, peace and prosperity of Yobe State and Nigeria.
Buni commended the commission and airliners for ensuring successful airlifting of the pilgrims in good time and called on the commission to always consider the welfare of the pilgrims first.
“The commission is there to serve the pilgrims. You should execute your duties and responsibilities to serve the pilgrims better,” he said.
The governor also called on the pilgrims to conduct themselves peacefully to perform the Hajj in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad.
Governor Buni prayed to Allah “to accept this religious obligation, the individual and collective prayers of our Pilgrims and their safe return home.”
