The Kebbi State Government has remitted N21.5 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as part of preparations for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage.
The Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk-Aliyu Yaro-Enabo, disclosed this on Wednesday when a delegation from NAHCON, led by its Commissioner for the North-West, Sheikh Muhammad Usman, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
Yaro-Enabo said 3,257 intending pilgrims had so far been registered by the state, representing 95 per cent of its registration target.
He added that the state had remitted about 85 per cent of the required Hajj fares to NAHCON, with an outstanding balance of N5 billion expected to be paid within the next few days.
According to him, the final payment would be made ahead of the September 26 deadline for registration.
“We have so far remitted N21.5 billion to NAHCON, representing 85 per cent of the required Hajj fare. The remaining N5 billion will be remitted within a few days,” he said.
The chairman urged intending pilgrims who had already paid the initial N5 million deposit to complete their payments promptly to avoid missing the registration deadline.
Yaro-Enabo also disclosed that medical screening for intending pilgrims had commenced at the local government level and would subsequently proceed to the zonal and state levels.
He explained that the exercise was designed to ensure that all pilgrims meet the health requirements stipulated by the Saudi Arabian authorities before embarking on the pilgrimage.
The chairman further stated that Kebbi had the highest number of health professionals among states that participated in the previous Hajj operation.
He noted that the state’s medical personnel provided services not only to Kebbi pilgrims but also contributed significantly to the success of the wider national Hajj operation.
Yaro-Enabo attributed the progress recorded by the agency to the support of Governor Nasir Idris, describing the governor’s backing as unwavering.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Idris said the meeting provided an opportunity for the state government and NAHCON to discuss strategies for ensuring a smooth and successful 2027 Hajj operation.
The governor commended the commission’s leadership for what he described as notable improvements in Hajj administration, particularly in the airlift of pilgrims.
Idris also praised Kebbi pilgrims for their conduct during the pilgrimage and commended Yaro-Enabo for his leadership of the state pilgrims’ agency.
Earlier, NAHCON Commissioner for the North-West, Sheikh Muhammad Usman, said the commission had intensified preparations for the 2027 Hajj.
Usman explained that NAHCON was visiting the six geopolitical zones to engage governors and other stakeholders while presenting its plans for the forthcoming pilgrimage.
He described state governors as key stakeholders whose support was essential to the success of Hajj operations.
The commissioner also praised the Kebbi Government for its contribution to the previous Hajj exercise, noting that the state recorded the highest number of pilgrims last year.
He attributed the achievement to the efforts of the state pilgrims’ agency and its leadership.
