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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for selecting the state as the centre for the 2024 inaugural airlift of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The Governor expressed his appreciation during a dinner organised by the Kebbi State Government for the National Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, and his team. They were in Birnin Kebbi for the National Inaugural flight of the 2024 airlift of intending pilgrims from Nigeria, scheduled for Wednesday.
“We are highly honoured for choosing Kebbi for the inaugural flight,” Governor Idris said. “This has never happened in the history of Kebbi State, but with God, it has happened this year. We will forever cherish this honour, and this is memorable.”
Idris assured that all necessary arrangements had been concluded by the state government to ensure a successful flag-off of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He also assured that pilgrims from the state would be well-behaved and would be assisted by both the state and local governments throughout the exercise.
“I am also a pilgrim,” he said. “I have directed the LGAs to make adequate arrangements for the welfare of the pilgrims, while the state will also do the same.”
Idris explained that his administration had subsidised the 2024 Hajj fares for pilgrims to the tune of over N3.67 billion, with each pilgrim receiving N1 million.
“We would have defrayed the balance of N1.9 million for each of our pilgrims if not for some huge expenditures we did during the Ramadan fast,” he said.
The governor emphasised that the state would do everything possible to ensure the success of the event.
In his remarks, Arabi lauded the Governor for the unexpected honour of organising the dinner. He explained that Kebbi State was chosen for the inaugural flight due to the unwavering commitment of Dr. Idris to the 2024 Hajj preparations.
“We have received tremendous cooperation from the state as the Governor has made it his own project right from the inception of our arrangements,” Arabi said. “Kebbi has now become home to NAHCON, and it was chosen due to the much energy, cooperation, and determination of the Governor and his team in the PWA.”
He noted that the Kebbi State PWA had been very active, proactive, and determined to ensure success while adhering to all the guidelines of the 2024 Hajj operation.
Shortly after the dinner, the Governor, accompanied by the State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Usman Nasamu Dakingari, Speaker, SSG, Head of Service, and Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro, proceeded to the Hajj camp in Birnin Kebbi. There, the Governor addressed and bade farewell to the intending pilgrims.
Governor Idris charged them to be good ambassadors of the State and Nigeria and to pray for the sustenance of peace and unity in Nigeria.
“You will be on the first flight to Saudi Arabia this year, so you are making history,” he said. “Mecca is a holy land, do not engage in any wrongdoings, pray for Nigeria, pray for your leaders.”
The State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari, called on the intending pilgrims to be responsible and take good care of their money.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro Enabo, informed the intending pilgrims that Kebbi State would serve as the first place for the inaugural flight on Wednesday. He assured them that the governor had given one hundred per cent support for their welfare both in Nigeria and in the holy land.
