Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has approved N1 million as subsidy for each of the state’s intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse, the state capital.
The decision was prompted by the recent hike in fares by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, attributed to the volatility of the forex exchange rate.
This is coming days after DAILY POST reported that a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, urged the Nigerian government and state governors to come to the aid of intending pilgrims.
Labbo urged intending pilgrims from the state to ensure that they remit the remaining balance of over N918,000 to the board.
He pointed out that those to benefit from the Hajj subsidy were those who have already paid part payment through the State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
NAHCON announced the increase of Hajj fares by N1,918,032.91, bringing the total to N6,617,032.91.