The Chairman, Edo Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Ibrahim Oyarekhua, has said intending pilgrims in the state have up till April 21 to complete their full payment.
Oyarekhua, while speaking with newsmen in Benin, said failure to comply, would deny them the opportunity to perform the 2023 holy pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
“The Hajj fare for Edo pilgrim is N2,958,000, and the deadline for the payment for the Hajj fare is April 21.
“Those who have made part payment for the fare should pay the balance, on or before April 21, to be able to take part in the Hajj operation.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has fixed the inaugural flight for pilgrims for May 21.
“In Edo state, intending pilgrims payment responses have been very encouraging following the announcement of the complete fare by NAHCON, and the state government has been very supportive in ramifications,” he said.
The board chairman noted that about 350 intending pilgrims had so far made either full or part-payment for the 2023 Hajj operation in the state, but noted, however, that the target was 400.
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“Our target is 400. We have applied for additional 150 slots and during our emergency meeting, we have officially presented the request to NAHCON chairman, and he has promised to oblige us with the request,” he said.
Also, the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed April 21, as deadline for the completion of hajj fares by state’s prospective pilgrims for the 2023 pilgrimage.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Badaru Bello-Karofi, made the announcement in a statement recently in Katsina.
He said it was sequel to the meeting of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) with Chief Executive Officers of the pilgrims welfare offices of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The PRO said: “The NAHCON fixed N2.91 million only as hajj fare for states in the North, where Katsina State belonged.”
Accordingly, the PRO “the Katsina Pilgrims Welfare Board is calling on intending pilgrims who registered for the hajj and made deposits to settle their balances between now and April 21.”
He, therefore, advised the prospective pilgrims to approach any of the board’s zonal offices to complete their payments.
The officer revealed that all payments must be made via bank draft, payable to the state pilgrims welfare board, as “no cash payment is allowed”.
He further called for continued support and cooperation from the public in its preparations for the successful exercise.
Bello-Karofi also prayed the Almighty Allah to enable the board to conduct a hitch-free hajj operation.
Katsina has 4, 913 hajj seats this year as allocated by NAHCON.
