Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has met with the Chairman, National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Jalal Ahmed Arabi, with a view to addressing challenges brought about by the recent increase in Hajj fares.
Governor Sule met with the NAHCON Chairman in Abuja on Friday.
In a chat with journalists shortly after the visit, the Governor said he was at the headquarters of the NAHCON to intervene regarding the recent increase in Hajj fares for pilgrims from Nasarawa State, as well as the country at large.
It would be recalled that the NAHCON recently announced an increase in fare for the year 2024 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by N1.9m.
NAHCON had initially pegged the fare for this year’s pilgrimage at N4.9m, but the commission is now asking those who have paid the initial amount to add a balance of N1.9m raising the amount to N6.8m.
The Commission also set March 28, 2024, as a deadline for intending pilgrims to make their payments, attributing the increase in fare to the high foreign exchange rate.
Governor Sule commended the NAHCON Chairman on his effort to extend the dateline for the intending pilgrims to complete the payment for the new rate.
“From what you have seen, there are challenges concerning the Hajj operations where pilgrims were asked to bring additional money. And I know a lot of the states are complaining, and I know what’s been going on.
“I have come firstly because of our own pilgrims in Nasarawa State and secondly for the pilgrims for the whole nation. I know I am also speaking with some of my colleagues’ governors to see what steps we can take. Now that I have first hand information from him, it gives me the opportunity to be able to share with the governors what we can do to ensure that our pilgrims are able to perform the Hajj this year,” he stated.
Also speaking, Chairman NAHCON, Jalal Ahmed Arabi, said he is encouraged by the visit by Governor Sule, especially since the Governor has always shared his knowledge and experience on the way forward.
“Each time we speak with His Excellency, including his coming in today, he has never spoken on behalf of Nasarawa alone. He speaks on behalf of his colleagues. I can’t thank him enough. He came in today, a public holiday, yet he took time off to come and see us and to continue on the words of encouragement he has been giving us.
“There are challenges but I think with the kind of visits, counseling and encouragement that we are getting from especially people like him, we will weather the storm by the grace of God,” he said.
Governor Sule was accompanied on the visit to the NAHCON headquarters by the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura.
