…2,600 pilgrims receive e-passports

Speaking to newsmen in Dutse, Alhaji Usman said the figure represented 80% of the total number of slots allocated to Jigawa state for the 2009 holy pilgrimage. He further stated that the agency had already paid about N514 million as deposit to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying the state was ready for […]

Speaking to newsmen in Dutse, Alhaji Usman said the figure represented 80% of the total number of slots allocated to Jigawa state for the 2009 holy pilgrimage.

He further stated that the agency had already paid about N514 million as deposit to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying the state was ready for the operation.

Alhaji Suleiman Hadejia pointed out that all the pilgrims were asked to pay about N450,000 as deposit, explaining that what was left for the intending pilgrims to balance for the fare was not more than N30,000.

The director-general also said, in line with government’s policy, there would be no free Hajj seat for anybody this year.

Meanwhile, every intending pilgrim is to pay about 400 Saudi Riyals as money for the ram sacrifice (Hadaya), explaining that the money would be removed at source and be paid to Islamic Development Bank to handle the sacrifice.

He said the decision to decentralise the exercise was informed by the desire to avoid the happenings of the fast in which some pilgrims previously were defrauded.

The DG added that government had also paid about 250 Riyals,  as extra funds for the accommodation of its pilgrims, explaining that this time around the agency had secured a befitting accommodation in the Holy Land.