The Executive Secretary Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Mohammad Awwal Aliyu, has revealed that a single deposit of N4.5 million has been estimated for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.
The Executive Secretary made the pronouncement during the flagging off of the activities of the 2024 Hajji Exercise and issuance of Seat allocation letters to Area Pilgrim Welfare Officers (APWOs) at the Board’s conference hall, in Minna.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring a successful and smooth Hajj experience for the pilgrims from Niger State.
He also warned the Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers from the 25 LGAs of the state against collection of cash and sales of forms for the intending pilgrims to the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Sheikh Mohammad Awwal Aliyu, however, lamented over the series of reports of alleged extortions from different angles against APWOs, saying, “the Board will no longer condone such acts and that phone numbers will be provided for intending pilgrims to lay complaints on any challenge”.
The Executive Secretary also disclosed that 3,592 seats had been allocated to Niger State by the National Hajj Commission, assuring the public that all eligible applicants would have an equal opportunity to participate in the pilgrimage, regardless of their background or social status.
In his welcome Address, the Chairman House Committee on Religious Affairs in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Isah assured of the State Assembly’s continuous support to see to success of the 2024 Hajj exercise.
He also used the occasion to advice the APWOs on the need to refrain from extorting the intending pilgrims that anyone found wanting will face the wrath of the law.
While responding, the Chairman of the APWO forum and Chanchaga LGA APWO , Abu Sufyan Ahmed Sirisiri decried lack of funding for the APWOs at Local Government level as such poverty was forcing some of them to extort the intending pilgrims.
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