Kogi set for hitch-free hajj, says Commission

From Ahmad Ibrahim Lokoja

Efforts are being intensified by the Kogi State Hajj Commission to improve on the successes recorded in last year’s holy pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Sheikh Luqman Abdullah has said.
Abdullah stated this when he led members of the commission on a courtesy visit to the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the secretariat of the council in Lokoja on Monday.
He disclosed that payment for this year’s Hajj fares which has since commenced, is expected to be closed by the 31st of March, 2018, adding that the sum of N1.540 million is expected to be deposited, pending when the National Hajj Commission takes final decision on the matter.
The executive chairman further disclosed that a befitting accommodation has been secured by the state Hajj commission in Makkah and Madinah, for the comfort of the pilgrims from the state, saying the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has directed that the welfare of the pilgrims must be accorded top priority.
While disclosing that 717 seats have been allocated to the state for this year’s pilgrimage as against 338 for last year, Sheikh Luqman further pointed out that discussions are on-going for the slots of the state to be increased before the commencement of the Hajj operation.
He therefore appealed for support from the media, noting that the cooperation of the media is very vital in effectively discharging their duties.
Responding, the state Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Adeiza MomohJimoh assured that practising journalists in the state would continue to assist the commission in the area of enlightenment to enable them carry out their duties with ease.
While commending the commission for the successes recorded in last year’s holy pilgrimage, the NUJ chairman assured that they would continue to partner with the organization to enable them do their job effectively.