Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has disclosed that his principal, President Bola Tinubu, subsidised the 2024 Hajj with N90 billion.
He stated this when he represented Tinubu to flag off the inaugural airlift of the 2024 Hajj exercise from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
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Shettima urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country, urging the intending pilgrims to abide by all rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urging them to avoid any illicit act capable of affecting the integrity of their Hajj.
“Mr President has been committed to this year’s Hajji due to the economic situation, he has also contributed the sum of N90 billion to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise to have a smooth and successful exercise.
”You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.
”President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.
”A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidised the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.”
He said that the government of Renewed Hope, led by Tinubu, attaches immense importance to religious pilgrimage due to the role it plays in transforming the behavioral and social vices of the believers beyond performing the pilgrimage.
Earlier in his remarks, the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, said this year’s Hajji signifies a sacred journey for thousands of devoted pilgrims who embarked on a spiritual voyage to the Holy Land.
He explained further that Hajj is a time to honoured tradition that holds great significance for Muslims around the world.
“It is a journey of faith, devotion, and unity where believers come together to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca is a profound experience that fosters a sense of community, humility, and spiritual renewal,” he said
The governor urged the people to remember the significance of this sacred ritual, adding that Hajji remained a testament to the unity of Muslim Ummah, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
“It is a time for reflection, prayer, and seeking forgiveness, as well as an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery,” he added.
He commended the Federal Government, National Hajji Commission, and those that were involved for their commitment to the successful exercise.
Idris noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was the first state to remit the 2024 Hajj fare in Nigeria, adding that intending pilgrims from Kebbi were given special treatment by the present administration to comfort them toward a successful Hajj exercise.
The governor said his administration had spent N900 for infrastructural development of the Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi to make it more conducive for the intending pilgrims
In his remarks, the NAHCON National Chairman, Alhaji Jalai Ahmad Arabi, thanked the President and Kebbi governor for their support and cooperation towards the success of this year’s Hajji exercise.