Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-04-01 17:43:06
The Kebbi Government has approved a subsidy allocation of N3.34 billion to 3,344 prospective pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia from the state. This decision was made to complete the payment of additional fares of about N2 million announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The approval came after an emergency Executive Council Meeting presided over by Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar-Tafida in Birnin Kebbi.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmad, addressed the media about the outcome of the meeting, stating that the subsidy was part of Governor Nasir Idris’ commitment to upholding religious values for societal peace and tranquility. Each pilgrim received an amount to facilitate the complete payment of the fares before the closure date.
Out of the N2 million requested by NAHCON as additional fares, the Kebbi Government has offset N1 million for each pilgrim, with the remaining balance to be paid by the individual pilgrim. Pilgrims who complete the payment will also benefit from the N1 million subsidy provided by the government.
In response to recent incidents of break-ins at food stores where miscreants looted grains, Ahmad announced the formation of a 13-member committee chaired by Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Shehu Mu’azu, to investigate the matter. The rice stolen from the warehouse at Bayan-Kara belonged to Birnin Kebbi Local Government, part of the palliatives distributed by the state government to all 21 local government areas.
Mu’azu mentioned that security personnel were able to recover over 2,000 bags of rice from the looters and safely returned them. The committee has been given a five-day timeframe to investigate the root causes of the incident, identify those involved, and provide recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Overall, the subsidy allocation for Hajj pilgrims in Kebbi demonstrates the government’s support for religious activities and the commitment to ensuring a smooth Hajj experience for its citizens. The investigation into the food store break-ins underscores the government’s determination to maintain security and protect public resources. Hajj pilgrims in Kebbi who benefit from the subsidy can now focus on their spiritual journey with the financial assistance provided by the state government.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
