Hajj 2014: Kaduna registers 5,672 intending pilgrims – Overseer

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

Kaduna state Pilgrims Muslim Welfare Board overseer, Alhaji Kabiru Kasimu yesterday announced that the Board has registered a total of 5,672 intending pilgrims that would performed 2014 Hajj operations in the state.

He also declared that so far the board as also appointed all its Hajj officials for the operations in the state.

Addressing the newly inaugurated Executive Members of the state Correspondent Chapel when they paid a familiarization tour to the board, Kabiru said those appointed as officials were professionals who will assist the state to have a hitch free exercise.

On the commencement of air lift of intending pilgrims from the state, the overseer said they are still waiting for National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to fix the date.

“We are hoping to start air lifting our intending pilgrims in September, God willing; but for now, we are still waiting for NAHCON to fix the exact date for the commencement nationwide,” he said.

According to him, “Three airlines have been approved for the state; they are Kabo Air, Mars Air and Egypt airline”.

On the major challenge faced by the Board, he said in adequate allocation of hajj seats for the state is their major concern.

“This has seriously affected us; but we are putting on measures to ensure that we have a hitch-free Hajj this year in the state, because the issue is not peculiar to Kaduna state and Nigeria alone. It’s a global challenge, due to the renovation going on in Haram Mosque,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, correspondent’s chapel, Garba Muhammad, said the aim of the visit was to see how the media can partner with the Board to have a hitch-free Hajj exercise in the state.

He further commended the Board leadership for all its achievements, such as early preparation for 2014 Hajj exercise and setting up an enlightenment committee to educate intending pilgrims in all 23 local government of the state, saying it’s a very good initiative as he prayed to Allah to help the board records success in the forthcoming operations.