*Photo L-R: Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State and Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, NAHCON Chairman/CEO on Tuesday at the dinner organised by the Kebbi state government in honour of Mal Arabi and the NAHCON management who are in Kebbi state in preparation for the inaugural flight*
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for choosing the state to serve as the center for the 2024 inaugural airlift of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
He gave the commendation on Tuesday night in Birnin Kebbi at a dinner organized by the Kebbi State Government for the National Chairman of NAHCON,Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi and his team.
They were in Birnin Kebbi for the National Inaugural flight of the 2024 airlift of the intending pilgrims from Nigeria scheduled to hold on Wednesday.
The Governor said, “We are highly honoured for choosing Kebbi for the inaugural flight.
“This has never happened in the history of Kebbi State,but with God, it has happened this year.
‘ We will forever cherish this honour and this is memorable.”,he commended
Dr. Idsis said that all the necessary aramgements have been concluded by the state government to ensure a very successful flag off of the airlift of the Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
While assuring that pilgrims from the state will live above board, the Kauran Gwandu said that they will be assisted by both the state and local governments all through the exercise.
“I am also a pilgrim. I have directed the LGAs to make adequate arrangements for the welfare of the pilgrims, while the state will also do the same,” he assured.
Dr Nasir Idris explained that his administration has subsidized the 2024 Hajj fares for pilgrims to the tune of over N3.67 billion.
The largesse, he said, was doled out to the pilgrims through the payment of N1 million for each of them.
The governor said, “We would have defrayed the balance of N1.9millon for each of our pilgrims if not for some huge expenditures we did during the Ramadan fast.”
According to Dr Idris, the state will do everything humanly possible to ensure the success of the epochal event.
Speaking earlier, Arabi had lauded the Governor for the unexpected honour of organizing the dinner for them.
Arabi said that Kebbi State was chosen for the inaugural flight sequel to the uncommon and unwavering commitment of Dr Idris to the 2024 Hajj preparations.
He.said, “We have received tremendous cooperation from the state as the Governor has made it his own project right from inception of our arrangements.
“Kebbi has now become home to NAHCON and it was chosen due to the much energy, cooperation and determination of the Governor and his team in the PWA.”
He noted that the Kebbi State PWA has been very active, proactive and determined to ensure success as well as abiding by all the dos and donts of the 2024 Hajj operation.
“I am also a pilgrim. I have directed the LGAs to make adequate arrangements for the welfare of the pilgrims, while the state will also do the same,” he assured.
Shortly after the dinner, the governor accompanied by the State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Usman Nasamu Dakingari, Speaker ,SSG, Head of Service, Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro proceeded to the Hajj camp in Birnin Kebbi where the Governor addressed and bade farewell to the intending pilgrims.
Gov Idris charged them to be good ambassadors of the State and Nigeria and also pray for the sustenance of peace and unity of Nigeria.
” You will be in the first flight to Saudi Arabia this year, so you are making history.
‘ Mecca is a holy land , do not engage in any wrong doings, pray for Nigeria, pray for your leaders,” he urged.
The State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari called on the intending pilgrims to be responsible and take good care of their money.
Earlier, the State Chairman of Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro Enabo. told the intending pilgrims that Kebbi State would serve as the first place for the inaugural flight this Wednesday.
He assured them that the governor gave one hundred percent support for their welfare both in Nigeria and at the holy land.
