The Yobe State Pilgrims Commission says it has paid N179.8 million subsidy to 1,332 pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Mamman Mohammed, the director-general, Press and Media Affairs to Gov. Mai Mala Buni, stated this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Damaturu on Thursday.
Mr Mohammed said the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Mai Aliyu, made the disclosure while briefing the governor on how the pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia for the exercise.
Aliyu was quoted as saying that each of the 1,332 pilgrims received N135,000 Basic Travelling Allowance, BTA, subsidy approved by the governor.
“All the 1,332 pilgrims and officials of the commission have been transported to Saudi Arabia.
“They landed in Medina the second holy city to perform religious obligations and visitations in Medina, and have now proceeded to Makkah, except for the very few still in Medina,” he said.
The chairman said the commission secured hotel accommodation for the pilgrims within walking distance of the Holy mosques in Medina and Makkah.
He said all the pilgrims were in good condition, and prayed for peace and prosperity in the state and the country at large.
Mr Buni commended the commission and the airliners, for transporting the pilgrims to the Holy land in good time.
The governor called on the commission to always put the welfare of the pilgrims before anything.
“The commission is there to serve the pilgrims; you should execute your duties and responsibilities to serve the pilgrims better,” he said.
The governor also called on the pilgrims to conduct themselves peacefully to perform the Hajj in accordance with the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Mr Buni prayed Allah to accept the pilgrims’ religious obligation and for their safe return home.
