Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had allocated N90 billion to subsidize the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Shettima disclosed this during the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State.
”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 work round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.
”A moved that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the released of N90 billion to subsidized the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj, Shettima said.
He emphasized that the Renewed Hope government, under Tinubu’s leadership, places great importance on religious pilgrimage. Shettima noted that pilgrimage plays a crucial role in transforming the behavior and social values of believers beyond just the act of performing the pilgrimage.
”Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acum and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.
”Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well being of our pilgrims both in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey.
”We are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims.”
Shettima urged the pilgrims not to relent in praying for the success of Tinubu’s administration, peace and progress of the country that ” we are proud to call our motherland.”
”Indeed, it is through our collective prayers and individual contributions that our country will prosper,” Shettima said.
He expressed gratitude to the Tinubu-led Federal Government for its efforts to ensure the successful organization of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
”As you heard that NAHCON Chairman said when all hopes were lost, light showed at one end and today we are having the inaugural flight for thr 2024 Hajj.
”We never lost hope that we will go for hajj. We are in an era of Renewed Hope. So tell Asiwaju that his real hope is still being expected to shine everywhere.
”We are looking for more, we want more of good leadership. We want to thank the President for his leadership.
”We thank the Vice President and all governors for our states who have been standing by to help the common man to survive.”
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that all outbound flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage will be completed by June 10 or earlier.
In 2024, over 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allocated 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria for the 2024 pilgrimage.
