Biometric registration of intending pilgrims ongoing in seven states —Hajj commission

BIOMETRIC data capturing for the 2019 intending pilgrims is ongoing in seven states of Kwara, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Zamfara and Niger, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said.

The Head, Public Affairs Department of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, explained that the states where the exercise had begun were those that had successfully uploaded details of their registered intending pilgrims on the e-portal and also completed all other necessary requirements.

Usara quoted the Executive Chairman of the commission, Malam Abdullahi Muhammad, as expressing appreciation to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Adnan Bostaji and the Kingdom’s Consulate in Kano for facilitating the early commencement of the biometric data registration.

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The NAHCON boss acknowledged VFS TasHeel, a visa outsourcing partner for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for its preparedness in starting the process immediately.

The chairman also commended the state boards currently performing the exercise for their cooperation.

Muhammad urged other state pilgrims boards to emulate those states that had fulfilled all registration requirements which enabled them to begin the data-capturing for their pilgrims.

The chairman, who advised intending pilgrims not to hesitate in making payment of the hajj fare ahead of time, said early biometric registration was essential to forestall last-minute rush and panic among intending pilgrims.

“Intending pilgrims must make their payments in banks and thereafter present the bank draft to their respective boards. They must also ensure that their correct details are uploaded in the e-portal after completing payment,” he said.