The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said a total of 51,447 intending pilgrims successfully beat the deadline for registration of the 2024 hajj under the government quota.
Kaduna state topped the list with 4,493 intending pilgrims, Sokoto came next with 3,643, Kebbi occupied third highest with 3,419, while 3,057 registered from Kano.
Though, the latest data released by NAHCON indicated 3,033 additional depositors, there is zero participant from Abia, Anambra, Cross-Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states for the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
A statement by Fatima Sanda Usara,
Assistant Director, Public Affairs,
NAHCON, which released the official figure, said the commission recognized the numerous sacrifices and support rendered by the Federal Government that eventually eased the constrains of the conventional intending pilgrims.
“After the close of registration, the official number of intending pilgrims that registered for the 2024 Hajj from Nigeria stands at 51,447 under the government quota.
“The Commission also commends the patience exhibited by the pilgrims who were caught up in the uncertainties. The concern demonstrated by the Ulamas over the pilgrims’ predicament did not go unnoticed by the Commission.
“Several stakeholders, including State Governors, rendered solutions out of the gridlock. Some media houses showed tremendous understanding of the constraints which literarily exposed the reality of the quagmire the 2024 Hajj was confronting.
Indeed, the 2024 Hajj preparations came with unexpected challenges from which lessons have been learnt. NAHCON has always known that long term planning has been the workable strategy that would have subdued the challenges that slowed down the year’s Hajj preparations.
“Going forward, long- term planning will be the Commission’s paradigm shift in its pre-Hajj operations. It is a reality that all Hajj stakeholders must queue into to avert unforeseen challenges”. Usara noted.
Saudi Arabia issued a 95,000 allocation to Nigeria for this year’s hajj. Out of the total figure, NAHCON allotted 75,000 seats to state pilgrims’ welfare boards including Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Armed Forces and Enrollees under Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS).
As it stands, only 68 per cent of the 75,000 allocation for government is being accommodated.
(PEOPLE’S PEN24)