By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unparalleled compassion for providing 90 billion Naira to subsidise the 2024 Hajj at the time of the upward variation of Hajj fares as a result of the increase in the exchange rate of the Naira.
Senator Kashim Shettima made the statement at the inaugural flight of the first batch of 428 Kebbi State pilgrims to this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi.
“There were challenges in the 2024 annual Hajj fares, due to fluctuations in exchange rate. The Government of renewed hope of President Tinubu attaches importance to Religious Pilgrimage because of its efficacy in transformation of behaviour and cleansing believers of social vices.
“President Tinubu brought relief and succour by approving N90 billion to subsidy for the airlift of Pilgrims to this year’s Hajj”, the Vice president gladly affirmed.
Kashim Shettima added that President Tinubu also approved the choice of Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi for the national inaugural flight to the Hajj, saying that Kebbi state has made history.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris for providing the wherewithal towards the success of the Hajj airlift operation.
“Obey the laws, regulations and other stipulations of Saudi Arabia, be good ambassadors of Nigeria, don’t go there to quarrel with one another or cause trouble, if you have any problem, contact the Hajj Guide of your Local Government area”, Kashim Shettima warned.
The Vice president requested the pilgrims to pray fervently for the peace, security and economic prosperity of Nigeria in the course of performing the Hajj rites.
He said, “we have problems and challenges in Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and other places, we pray to GOD to intervene. As leaders we will continue to do our best”, he assured.
Addressing the departing pilgrims, Governor Nasir Idris thanked the Federal Government for the honour done to Kebbi for the commencement of the 2024 Hajj airlift.
Comrade Nasir Idris said during the 2023 exercise, pilgrims from the state departed from Sokoto airport, but this year, his administration has provided all the requirements needed at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi to make the airlift possible.
“My government spent N300 million for the construction of a fuel dump, we hired special aviation consultant for N53 million for necessary upgrade of facilities at the airport while N900 million was expended on the facelift of the Hajj camp, Birnin Kebbi”, the governor announced.
In addition, the administration gave N1 million to each of the 3000 intending pilgrims to complement the increase in Hajj fares while the two pieces of white cloth known as Ihram have been provided to all male pilgrims.
“I am authorising all Local Government Sole Administrators to provide additional funds to pilgrims while in Saudi Arabia to help in alleviating hardship”, Comrade Nasir Idris directed.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the third, tasked the pilgrims to pray for the good of the nation.
On his part, the National Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, confirmed that all arrangements for the comfort of all the pilgrims have been made both in Nigeria and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including smooth airlift of Pilgrims to and from the Hajj.
