The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has given up to Friday, April 28 as deadline for 2023 Hajj fare remittance by boards, agencies and commissions of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare managers.
The NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle-Hassan, gave the directive on Wednesday during a decisive and marathon meeting with Chief Executives of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/ Agencies/Commissions in the Hajj House, Abuja.
According to a statement by the NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda-Usara, the meeting was to address critical issues hinging on remittances of Hajj fare by pilgrims in order to finalize on number of eligible enrollees for the 2023 Hajj from Nigeria.
The statement noted that the determination of the number would dictate figures with which to the sign agreements with airlines.
“According to Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the Commission would gladly work with any amount remitted by Friday deadline and subsequently sign agreements for the 2023 airlift to Saudi Arabia based on that number.
“He explained that 50% down payment to the air carriers is expected upon signing of agreement while another 35% would follow after deployment of aircraft for the airlift by the carriers.
“The NAHCON highest ranking officer lamented that the remittance had to take this long bearing in mind that all other arrangements depend on the confirmed number of Hajj fare payers before conclusion,” the statement noted.
Recall that the deadline for Hajj fare remittance had been extended on several occasions since January 2023.
In another development, the Commissioner Planning, Research, Statistics and Library Studies, Suleman Momoh, revealed that screening of first batch of medical personnel for the 2023 Hajj would hold tomorrow, Thursday, adding that orientation and other ceremonies would follow after confirmation of successful candidates.
