Governor Uba Sani’s decision to set up a versatile committee to oversee the affairs of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, the members’ commitment to their assignments and the cooperation of pilgrims were responsible for the success of the 2024 Hajj operation, says the Amirul Hajj or leader of the Kaduna State delegation, Engineer Suleiman Umar, the Emir of Lere.
He made the statement at a press briefing in Makka and thanked Allah (SWT) for the overall success of the pilgrimage.
Umar also pointed out that early preparations played a big role in the entire exercise, adding that the committee commenced plans for this year’s Hajj about ten months ago.
He further disclosed that the agency organised a series of sensitisation programmes about how Hajj is conducted in accordance with Islamic rites for intending pilgrims, as well as rules and regulations of the holy land.
The emir also disclosed that the committee came to Saudi Arabia and negotiated decent accommodation in Makka for Kaduna State pilgrims and at a reasonable price.
According to him, the price negotiation was so transparently done that even the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) adopted the Kaduna template for other states.
The Amirul Hajj further said that the success story of the 2024 Hajj operation began with the airlift of pilgrims at the Mando Hajj Camp, adding that ‘’intending pilgrims didn’t waste time waiting for their flights and they were fed throughout their stay, unlike in the past.’’
The leader of the delegation also commended the pilgrims for being patient with the officials and following laid down instructions at both the Hajj Camp and at the airport.
He praised the Hadaya Committee which negotiated a downward review of the price of rams that were sacrificed in Makkah, from $150 to $100, leading to the refund of $50 to each pilgrim who paid for the Hadaya through the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.
Describing their efforts as unprecedented, the emir pointed out that the Hadaya Committee members also ensured that the correct number of rams were slaughtered.
He disclosed that the outbound airlift to Nigeria will soon commence and pilgrims will be conveyed on ‘’first to come, first to leave’’ basis, adding that the first batch of pilgrims that arrived Saudi Arabia will be the first to be airlifted back home.
The Amirul Hajj counselled the pilgrims to exhibit the same orderly conduct that they demonstrated throughout their stay in the holy land, as the airlift back to Nigeria begins.
