Kano upbeat for seamless 2025 Hajj exercise, as Gov Yusuf receives 2024 Hajj Exercise Report
*Vows to address pilgrims' hurdles *May lead 2025 Kano pilgrims to Saudi Arabia *Kano pilgrims found worthy of state's ambassadors in Holy Land - Amirul Hajj 2024
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has assured readiness to propel a seamless spirit exercise for Kano pilgrims in 2025 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Besides, the Governor Yusuf vowed to drive extra miles to resolve all the peculiar challenges that pilgrims from the state regularly face during the rituals in the Holy Land.
Governor Yusuf gave the assurance on Friday October 11 when he received the report of 2024 Hajj operations delivered by the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Government House.
A statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Governor’s spokesperson, said the occasion marked the end of the 2024 operations and signalled the beginning of 2025 exercise.
Extending accolades to the Director General of the state pilgrims board, Governor Yusuf said the 2024 exercise had proven the tremendous efforts of the board to meet the pilgrims’ welfare.
He said positive accounts and achievements on pilgrims’ feeding, accomodation and healthcare services among others in 2024 Hajj will be further improved upon in 2025 exercise.
Yusuf, however, pledged to address peculiar predicaments that bedevilled Kano contingents, as he directed the board to commence preparations for the next year’s exercise in full force assuring all the needed support from the government.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, who served as Amirul Hajj (state leader) for the 2024 Hajj, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, reported that pilgrims from the state were found worthy of ambassadors of Kano with desirable comportment, obedience and discipline during their days in the Holy Land.
The Deputy Governor, however, raised concern over shortage of lavatories and congestion at the Masha’ir while calling the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to take urgent measures to correct the lapses.
While presenting detailed accounts of the 2024 exercise to the Governor, the Director General, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u, disclosed a total of 3,125 pilgrims from Kano preformed the last hajj.
Alhaji Rabi’u reported that four pilgrims died sooner after returned to Nigeria from the holy land.
He added that the board has settled all liabilities and outstanding fees concerning the Hajj operation just as he commended the dedication of staff to duties during the onshore and offshore operations.
The Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Yusuf Lawan, requested the State Government to provide funds for advance payment of accomodations and provide operational vehicles for the Board for easy mobility in the Holy Land.
