The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government and Jaiz bank, on Thursday, launched the North-East Hajj savings scheme for intending pilgrims in the region.
Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Bauchi, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, the Chairman NAHCON, said the scheme was aimed at assisting all Nigerians, irrespective of financial status, to save over a period of time for the purpose of the Hajj.
Hassan said the introduction of the scheme was to put Nigeria’s Hajj management on the same level with other Islamic nations, saying that the scheme was an important instrument of transforming the Hajj system administration from analogue to digital.
“It is abundantly clear from the experiences of other Muslim nations, like Malaysia and Indonesia, that if you must evolve into the 21st century digital age, you must embrace this new idea and reap the abundant benefits there in,” he said.
The NAHCON boss explained that the choice of Bauchi state as the host of the scheme for the North-East was not accidental, but was wisely taken from the tremendous contributions made to the Hajj administration by the state government.
Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, Hassan said that it would safeguard the intending pilgrims’ savings against the hazards of fraudsters or fire outbreak, that may arise from the traditional saving methods.
He stated that intending pilgrims need not sell or dispose of their personal assets to pay for Hajj anymore, adding that the scheme would enhance advance planning in feeding, accommodation and flight schedules.
“It offers subsidy for future reduction in Hajj fare and it serves as an avenue for job creation, through the establishment of branches of Jaiz bank.
“It would also boost the country’s economy and its Gross Domestic Produc,t among others,” he stated.
Also speaking, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said as a result of the global economic meltdown, which was further aggravated by the outbreak of COVID-19, it was becoming difficult for the common man to perform Hajj.
The governor added that some had given up hope of performing the holy pilgrimage in their lifetime.
He, however, said that the Hajj savings scheme would provide the platform for a new hope to all intending pilgrims.
“The concept demands that an interested person will open a bank account after which the money in it would be used for ‘Halal’ projects, such as investments in agriculture, investment in power and energy, education, among others.
“The cumulative investments, which are Shariah compliant, would yield profitable results which would be used to facilitate the performance of the pilgrimage,” he said.
The governor, who appreciated NAHCON and Jaiz bank for the wonderful initiative and special attention given to the state, called on them to manage pilgrims’ funds with the fear of God.
