Governor Seyi Makinde has launched Oyo State’s Hajj Savings Scheme in Ibadan Thursday.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, at the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ibadan emphasised the resolve of the government to put welfare of citizens at the front burner, Muslim ummah inclusive.
He therefore enjoined Muslims to embrace the newly launched scheme in the State.
The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Prof. Sayed Malik, in his welcome speech, stressed the benefits of the Hajj Savings Scheme to include making pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah easier for Muslims through gradual and convenient savings scheme, subsidizing the cost of performing Hajj with the profits that would accrue to the depositors.
He added that it also provides alternative means of financial inclusion and economic empowerment for Muslims.
The Chairman added that the scheme will also enhance advance planning for accommodation, feeding and airlift operation, while it strengthens the economic capacity of depositors.
The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Alhaji Barrister Zikrullah Kunle Hassan who was represented by a senior officer of the Commission, Alhaja Basirat Akintunde congratulated Muslims in Oyo State, saying the scheme would afford many Muslims the opportunity to realize their life-long ambition of going on pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah.
Alhaji Aliya Tanko, the NAHCON officer in charge of the scheme, who was also represented by Alhaji Barrister AbdulMumin Aliyu AbdulHamid explained the scheme to the people in Yoruba language, re-echoing the gains and opportunities therein as earlier explained by the Board Chairman.
The launching ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, Chief Imams and eminent Islamic scholars as well as delegates from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board and Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
