The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has remitted N21.5 billion in Hajj fares to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.
The agency’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro-Enabo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by an NAHCON delegation to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Yaro-Enabo said the agency had registered 3,257 intending pilgrims, the highest figure recorded by any state so far.
He pledged to remit the outstanding N5 billion to NAHCON within the next few days, ahead of the September 26 deadline for registration closure set by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
According to him, Kebbi had achieved 95 per cent registration of intending pilgrims and 85 per cent remittance of Hajj fares.
He urged intending pilgrims who had paid the initial N5 million deposit to complete their payments without delay.
The chairman also disclosed that medical screening for intending pilgrims had commenced at the local government level and would proceed to the zonal and state levels to ensure compliance with Saudi health requirements.
He noted that Kebbi had the largest contingent of health professionals during last year’s Hajj operation, adding that the state’s medical team supported not only Kebbi pilgrims but also contributed to the success of the national operation.
Yaro-Enabo commended Governor Idris for his support for the agency, which he said had contributed to the achievements recorded by the state.
In his remarks, Governor Idris commended NAHCON for what he described as significant transformation under its current leadership.
“Let us commend NAHCON for being alive to its responsibilities. We have seen many changes and transformations under the current leadership of the National Hajj Commission.
“We have seen significant improvements in the airlift of pilgrims. This is a clear indication that people with the requisite knowledge and commitment to work have been appointed to leadership and administrative positions in NAHCON,” he said.
The governor said Kebbi was leading not only in the number of pilgrims but also in other areas critical to a successful Hajj operation.
He also commended Kebbi pilgrims for their good conduct and praised Yaro-Enabo for leading the agency.
Earlier, the leader of the NAHCON delegation and Commissioner for the Northwest, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, said the commission was intensifying preparations for the 2027 Hajj.
He said the visit to the geopolitical zones aimed to engage stakeholders and present the commission’s plans for the pilgrimage.
“It is important to appreciate the efforts of the Kebbi Government towards a successful Hajj operation. Kebbi had the highest number of pilgrims last year, and you did well.
“The success was achieved through the efforts of the energetic Executive Chairman of the agency and his colleagues in this task,” Bin Usman said.
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