Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board had pegged N1.5 million initial deposit for intending pilgrims willing go to 2023 Hajj.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Kano, the Executive Secretary of the board, Muhammad Abba Danbatta said the announcement followed approval received by the board to embark on activities ahead of the 2023 Hajj operation.
According to Dambatta, the N1.5 million initial deposit has been fixed before the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the final Hajj fair.
Danbatta reminded that although the board would place priority on pilgrims that were left behind during last year’s Hajj, he assured fresh depositors would not be denied the opportunity.
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” Although we made it open to everyone who is willing to refund and we have paid those that requested, those willing to keep their deposit will be treated first in 2023 Hajj. But that is not to discourage fresh intending pilgrims”, He said.
The executive secretary announced that the state pilgrims board would launch this year’s Hajj enlightenment programme before the end of January.
He disclosed that Kano would join other participating states in Saudi Arabia on 14th January 2023 for the pre-hajj signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and other engagements.
According to Danbatta, the board is presently making a refund of N50,300 a leftover payment to pilgrims of 2022. He said an additional refund for services not rendered will soon be made as soon as possible.
BizPoint reports that Saudi Arabia authority has restored 95,000 allocations to Nigeria and lifted all COVID-19 protocols for payment intended pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, a development that restored hope of hundreds of Muslims will perform the spiritual exercise.