The Taraba State government is sponsoring 117 out of 1,007 intending Muslim pilgrims from the state for the 2024 Hajj, with Governor Agbu Kefas warning them to avoiding taking along contraband items that will bring about disrepute to the state and the nation.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Islamic religious matters, Huseini Isma’il, during a farewell programme for the intending pilgrims, the Governor urged them to include the country in their supplications to overcome its teething challenges.
He stated that “the Taraba State Government places great importance on religion, which is why it sponsored117 people to perform this year’s Hajj despite the lean financial resources being experienced by the government.
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“I implore you to be good ambassadors of the State and indeed the nation at large while in the Holy Land, pray fervently for our great nation and its leaders for peace and tranquillity to reign in the land.”
Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Chairman, Umar Gambo, in his remark, revealed that the pilgrims have been issued uniforms for easy identification and all traveling documents to avoid any hitch at the point of entry or exit.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Ahmed Chiroma, also disclosed that each pilgrim is expected to get $400 as basic traveling allowance, for which they (pilgrims) had paid an equivalent of N626,000 at an exchange rate of N1,482.375 per Dollar.
He, however, noted that a balance of N33,000 will be refunded to each pilgrim after the 2024 Hajj.
The Leader of Taraba State Hajj Delegation, HRH. Lamdo Gashaka, Zubairu Hamman-Gabdo, assured the state governor, family members and pilgrims of a hitch-free coordination at the Holy Land.