The Niger State Government says it will continue to explore all available avenues targeted at achieving a hitch-free Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year.
The Amirul Hajj of the state and Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna Attahiru II, stated this at the start of a one-day pre-Hajj conference organized by the State Pilgrims Welfare Board in Minna.
Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna explained that very soon he will be meeting with security agencies in the state to discuss better ways of attaining a peaceful and successful Hajj for the good of all.
The 2024 Niger State Amirul Hajj also charged the Area Pilgrim Officers (APOs) from the twenty-five Local Government Areas to be diligent, stating that there is no room for laxity under his watch.
He commended Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his tremendous support, which he said was responsible for the successes recorded so far.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Sheikh Muhammad Auwal Aliyu, said the essence of organizing this conference was to educate Area Pilgrim Officers, Ulama, and other critical stakeholders on the laws of Saudi Arabia, so they can pass down such training to intending pilgrims in their respective Local Government Areas.
Represented by the Chairman of the Board, Sheikh Abubakar Rabiu Beji, the Executive Secretary wants intending pilgrims to pray for the success of Governor Umar Bago’s New Niger Agenda and for peace in Niger State and Nigeria while in Saudi Arabia.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Bureau for Religious Affairs, Dr. Umar Faruk Abdullahi, appealed to the Niger State Amirul Hajj to intervene in reducing the hardship that intending pilgrims were subjected to during the screening exercise.
The Director of Operations of the Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Attahiru Duku, added that visas for all three thousand two hundred and twenty-three intending pilgrims from the state have been received, and plans have reached an advanced stage for the commencement of their departure soon.
COV/ ALIYU LAWAL
