Jigawa pilgrims to perform 2019 hajj without Amirul

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

In what appeared to be a strength development in the history of Jigawa State hajj exercise, for the first time intending pilgrims are to perform 2019 hajj exercise without Amirul hajj.

The development was confirmed by the Executive Secretary of Jigawa State Pilgrims and Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Alhassan while briefing newsmen on the level of their preparation yesterday in Dutse the state capital.

The executive secretary who insisted that the decision was made to comply with federal government’s directive that only Islamic organisation could sponsor and nominate the Amirul hajj.

He maintained that, as of Monday 15 July the closing day for the 2019 hajj exercise, no  Islamic organisation volunteered to pay for anybody as Amirul hajj for Jigawa pilgrims.

According to him, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) allocated 1,472 seats to Jigawa State, but only 893 seats were occupied and paid for the 2019 hajj exercise.

Alhaji Sani Alhassan explained that, out of the total 893 intending pilgrims, about 700 of them got their visa ready while the remaining are in process.

While speaking on the amount reduction for the 2019 hajj fare, he said  Jigawa State pilgrims got the highest reduction in the country as Jigawa State pilgrims board refund over 100,000 to each intending pilgrims.

He called on the intending pilgrims to remain good ambassadors of Jigawa State while observing their hajj exercise both at Mecca and Madina.