Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has extended a helping hand to intending pilgrims by subsidising their Hajj fares. Under the auspices of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, each Kano intending pilgrim is set to receive N500,000 to facilitate their journey for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The Director General of the Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabiu Dan Baffa, announced this while addressing journalists on Wednesday.
This is coming hours after Charmingpro reported that a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, has urged the Nigerian government and state governors to come to the aid of intending Hajj pilgrims to prevent them from losing this year’s Hajj.
Dan Baffa emphasised that the decision was prompted by the recent hike in Hajj fares by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, attributed to the volatility of the forex exchange rate.
Acknowledging the prevailing economic hardships, Dan Baffa underscored the significance of easing the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
He urged all beneficiaries to settle the balance before March 28, 2024, in compliance with NAHCON’s directives.
He said the subsidy initiative targets those who have already initiated part-payments with the board, benefiting over 2,900 intending pilgrims thus far.
NAHCON’s recent announcement of a N1,918,032.91 increase in Hajj fares brings the total to N6,617,032.91. Fresh intending pilgrims are required to pay N8,254,464.74 for the full Hajj fare this year