The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the government agency regulating the performance of Holy Pilgrimage to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina in the country, has announced a whopping sum of four million five hundred thousand naira (4,500,000.00) as the initial hajj deposit for this year.
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Salau Babatunde, who made this known in Abeokuta yesterday said the four million five hundred thousand naira (4,500,000.00) is only the initial hajj deposit, pending the announcement of the final fare.
Alh. Babatunde also disclosed that only 1, 191 hajj seats have been allocated to Ogun State by NAHCON for next year’s Hajj and this will be distributed to intending pilgrims on a first come, first served basis.
The Executive Secretary who expressed the readiness of his board to organise a hitch free hajj pilgrimage for the year said that the initial hajj deposit should be paid through bank draft, or by paying directly through bank tellers obtainable at the Board into designated bank accounts.
He advised those that had made some deposits during 2023 hajj to top it up to meet current initial hajj deposit.
While assuring that all hands are on deck to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise, Alhaji Babatunde noted that the State Government is ready as usual to make the spiritual journey a memorable and fulfilling exercise.
He, however, urged intending pilgrims to fast-track payment of the initial hajj deposit as the old way of processing visas has changed, informing that visa issuance will be concluded at least 50 days before Arafat by Saudi Arabia.
Alh. Babatunde advised all intending pilgrims to visit the Board’s Office located at New Secretariat Complex, Block ‘B’, Governor’s Office, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta for further enquiries.
