In what could have been an embarrassment, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has intervened to save Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims the agonies from the shortfall in their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) arising from the vagaries of the foreign exchange rates.
While NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give $500 as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gives each pilgrim $415 instead of $500.
In order to ensure that each pilgrim gets $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the state’s 934 pilgrims is N119,560,712.70
In ensuring that the state pilgrims perform their hajj rites without stress, and make them comfortable during the exercise, Governor Abiodun with dispatch, intervened by paying the BTA differential of N119,560,712.70 for all the 934 pilgrims for 2024 hajj exercise.
This will enable them to collect $500 as agreed.
Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal expressed appreciation to the governor for the timely intervention and prayed for the continuous success of the administration.
Governor Abiodub, however, urged the pilgrims to pray for the country, in particular, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for God to give him strength, good health and good ideas and direction to take Nigeria out of its current socio-economic crises.
He further advised them to be good ambassadors of the state and the country by not floating the rules and regulations of the host country.
As Muslim Council applauds Gov
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has commended Governor Abiodun for the fund provided to augment the shortfall in the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for the state pilgrims schedule to perform 2024 Hajj.
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The Council in a statement described the Governor’s action as a gesture that will enhance unhindered Hajj conduct and smooth performance of the rites by the pilgrims, noting that it will equally ease the affairs of the pilgrims while in the Holy land.
The Council described the Governor as a faith minded personality who exhibited the Islamic principles of tolerance, caring, friendly and supportive of good things.
The Muslim body implored the Governor to sustain his kind heartedness and goodness to the people to enhance the realisation of his “Building Our Future Together”‘ Agenda of his government.
The statement enjoined the pilgrims to reciprocate the gesture by abiding with the Saudi laws and avoid any act that will tarnish their name, family or damage the country’s image.
The volatility of the foreign exchange rate has weakened the Naira currency, thereby causing a shortfall in the exchange rate used by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in calculating the Hajj fare (inclusive of BTA) and that (rate) used by the apex bank, CBN.
