Kano Gov approves N500,000 subsidy for all pilgrims
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has authorised a subsidy of N500,000 for every intending pilgrim from the state.
This decision comes in response to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) directive for intending pilgrims to pay an additional N1.9 million for the 2024 Hajj fare.
During a media briefing in Kano, Alhaji Lamin Dan Baffa, the Director General of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, announced the subsidy on Wednesday.
He mentioned that the state government will cover the total sum of N1.4 billion for the 2,096 registered pilgrims.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Dan Baffa stated that the Kano State Government made this move due to the recent hike in Hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission, citing the fluctuating dollar exchange rate as the main reason.
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“We consider the current economic hardship people are facing and the increase of Hajj fare is a great challenge to many intending pilgrims. That’s why we came up with the subsidy initiative to alleviate the sufferings of intending pilgrims,” the director general said.
Danbappa added that with this subsidy, intending pilgrims should now pay N1.4m instead of N1.9m.
He said the subsidy was extended only to those who had paid the initial Hajj fare of N4.7m and were duly registered.
“I want to make it clear that the subsidy is for our 2,096 registered pilgrims who had made their part payment with the board. But fresh intending pilgrims are required to pay N8,254,464.74 as the full Hajj fare for this year as required by the National Hajj Commission”.
Alhaji Baffa urged all prospective pilgrims to ensure that they pay the remaining balance before March 28, 2024 as directed by NAHCON.
He urged NAHCON to extend the deadline of the payment so that intending pilgrims would have enough time to pay the increament.
“I am pleading with the NAHCON to plead with Saudi authorities to extend the time so that many Nigerians can attend this year’s pilgrimage,” he said.
Early this week, NAHCON announced the increase of N1,918,032.91, making the total Hajj fare to rise to N6,617,032.91.
