The 2023 Hajj operations may cost close to two million five hundred thousand naira ( N2. 5 m) while intending Pilgrims going through the hajj saving scheme are expected to deposit one million five hundred thousand naira.
This was disclosed by Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki, the Executive Director of the Board while briefing newsmen at the state Pilgrims Headquarters in Katsina, Thursday.
As a result of approval by the Katsina State Government and the National Hajj Commission, the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has expressed its readiness to commence the registration and collection process from intending Pilgrims for the Hajj 2023 exercise in the state.
Kuki however noted that the final decision would be based on the appropriate guidelines to be issued by the Saudi Arabian authorities and the approved Hajj slots allocated to Nigeria.
He said that based on the experience of the 2022 Hajj, the mode of registration will run concurrently through the usual Pay As You Go and the Hajj Savings Scheme.
“However, that of savings scheme is optional and open to depositors who have long plans of performing the Hajj in years to come”.
“The Board in conjunction with the Ja’iz Bank will draw a suitable modality to assist those with that intention and plan to queue into the scheme”, he explained.
Kuki stated that, while awaiting the approved allocation and guidelines on the conduct of the 2023 Hajj, intending Pilgrims are to pay a minimum deposit of N1.5 million.
The State Pilgrims Boss urged all payments to be made through a certified bank draft, payable to the board, while the registration exercise would be conducted at the seven Zonal offices of the board.
He called on the intending Pilgrims to cooperate and contact the Zonal offices for all their transactions with the board to avoid being involved with the activities of con men.
The Executive Director of the Board expressed gratitude to Governor Aminu Bello Masari and his administration for their continuous assistance and thanked NAHCON, the state Legislature, Ulamas, traditional rulers and the media for their support that has resulted in the awards bagged by the Board.
