The Kwara State Government has advised the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ilorin, to always refund the money of any of their pilgrims that couldn’t meet up with the exercise.
The state government said this would help to build a good reputation for the present administration as well as the state at large.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mahe Abdulkadir gave the advice when he received the management of the board led by the Permanent Secretary General Service in the Governor’s office, Alhaji AbdulRahaman Ameen who paid him a courtesy visit.
Abdulkadir commended the Board for what he described as their excellent performance which ensured the hitch-free Hajj despite the hiccups experienced in feeding of their Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Mahe said; ”I was impressed with the Board’s performances and I score the management and staff of the board 80 percent.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir prayed for the new SSG, asking for Allah’s guidance in the discharge of his duties .
He gave the SSG the Comprehensive report of the just concluded 2023 Hajj Exercise in the State and preparation ahead of next year’s operation.
Abdulkadir said that he just arrived from Abuja to attend an urgent meeting of State’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan along with all the State’s .
He disclosed that the 2024 Hajj is going to be more expensive as intending Pilgrims have been advised to deposit the sum of N4.5m, stressing that Saudi Arabia authority would stop the issuance of visa to all countries, 45 days to Arafat.
The Executive Secretary added that all State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards were advised to commence the registration of 2024 Pilgrims earlier, to ease the next year’s Hajj Exercise in their various States.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
