The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has registered 3,257 intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise and remitted N215 billion in Hajj fares to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Chairman of the agency, Faruk Enabo, disclosed this to journalists when a delegation of NAHCON paid a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi
Enabo said the agency would soon remit the final payment of N5 billion to NAHCON to meet the September 26 deadline set by the Saudi authorities for the closure of registration for intending pilgrims
He said the agency had achieved 95 per cent registration of intending pilgrims and 85 per cent remittance of Hajj fares to NAHCON
The chairman advised intending pilgrims who had made an initial deposit of N5 million to hasten the completion of their payments
Enabo also said the agency was conducting medical screening exercises at the local government level, adding that the exercise would progress to the zonal and state levels to meet Saudi Arabian standards
In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris commended NAHCON for the visit, saying it would facilitate the successful conduct of the 2027 Hajj exercise
He said, “Let us commend NAHCON for being alive to its responsibility We have seen a lot of changes and transformation under the current leadership of the commission.
“We have seen good changes in terms of airlift of pilgrims This is a clear sign that people with knowledge and who are ready to work have been appointed into the leadership and administrative sections of NAHCON.”
The governor said he was pleased that Kebbi was leading not only in terms of the number of pilgrims but also in other areas aimed at ensuring a successful Hajj operation
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, said the commission was making committed preparations for the 2027 Hajj operation
Usman, who is also the NAHCON Commissioner for the North-West, stressed the need for the commission to engage stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones in the country
He said state governors were critical stakeholders in ensuring successful Hajj operations in the country
“It is important to appreciate the efforts of the Kebbi government towards a successful Hajj operation The success was achieved through the efforts of the energetic executive chairman of the agency,” he said.