TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the commencement of the disbursement of the 2023 Hajj refund through a constituted committee.
The Executive Secretary, Sheikh Muhammad Swell Aliyu announced in a statement that the committee is made up of the management of the Board and other liaisons in all the local government areas
He noted that the refund was a sequel to the one made to all the States by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the services not rendered to the pilgrims at the Masha’ir by the Saudi Arabia service provider during the 2023 Hajj Exercise.
He further noted that the State had received the Sum of 225,934,920 Million Naira from NAHCON as a refund for the total number of 3,699 Pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj exercise, and each of the Pilgrim would receive a refund of the sum of 61,080,00 (Sixty One Thousand, Eighty Naira) which is equivalent to R150 Saudi Riyal.
According to him, the committee had already swung into action and had started disbursing funds to the Pilgrims of the 2023 Hajj in the State.
The Executive Secretary maintained that the committee will ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement process, thereby making sure that every Pilgrim who performed the 2023 Hajj Exercise receives the money.
Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu promised to leave nothing to chance to see that there is transparency and timely disbursement of the funds and ensure that every pilgrim receives the funds.
The Board, therefore, is using this medium to inform all the 2025 intending Pilgrims that the deadline for the payment of the initial deposit of the 2025 Hajj fare has been extended from the initial 16th December 2024 to 7th January 2025, which is in line with 2025/1446 NAHCON’s calendar of events.
