Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Holy land for better performance.
The Governor made the pledge during the presentation of the 2024 Hajj report by the Amirul Hajj team, led by the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, at the Government House on Monday.
Zulum described the 2024 Hajj as one of the most successful in recent years. “I want to assure you that during my tenure, “we have not seen such a degree of success in recent years. I was impressed by the way and manner our pilgrims were airlifted from Maiduguri to Madina and Jidda to Maiduguri,” Zulum stated.
He expressed particular satisfaction with the smooth airlift operations, the quality of services provided, the dedication of the Amirul Hajj team, and the conduct of the pilgrims. “
“I will continue to sanitize the system for greater productivity,” Zulum stated.
The Governor also assured the public that he would review the report thoroughly and work towards implementing the recommendations. “Within the next few hours, I will go through the report clause by clause to ensure we implement the valuable suggestions made,” he promised.
Commending the Committee for introducing innovative solutions, Governor Zulum highlighted the use of online media to inform pilgrims about their flight schedules and the publication of pilgrim names to ensure smooth operations. “The previous practice of calling names throughout the night, which was inefficient, has been eliminated,” he noted.
The Governor declared that, moving forward, the Borno State government will no longer cover the cost of excess luggage for defaulting pilgrims. “We have done it this year, but we will not do it next year. If anyone reports to the airport with excess luggage, they will bear the cost themselves,” Zulum stated.
He directed the Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Board to inform all intending pilgrims for 2025 of this new policy.
Additionally, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of technology and the engagement of local government Hajj fare collectors to identify and eliminate individuals posing as pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Chairman 2024 Amirul Hajj team, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan announced that 1,803 pilgrims performed the 2024 Hajj, five pilgrims hospitalised in the Holy land with no death recorded.
According to him, Governor Zulum has rendered enormous support to the pilgrims in areas of securing befitting accommodation in Macca, cover the differential for Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) to the tune of 260 million naira, payment of sacrificial animal amounting to 290 million naira.
Others include payment of 65 million Naira to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) as medical support and 25 million for excess luggage.
“His Excellency has extended hands of fellowship to the entire 1,815 pilgrims, Amirul Hajj team and the National Hajj Commission by extension. Some of the support rendered by Governor Zulum to the pilgrims while in the Holy land include, released of 380 million naira to secure a befitting accommodation in Macca, cover BTA differential, payment of Hadya for all the pilgrims among others” Lawan said.
Senator Kaka Shehu identified excess luggage as one of the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj operations, and emphasized that the success of this year’s pilgrimage was largely due to the unwavering support provided by Governor Babagana Zulum.