Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Hajj: 30 Nigerian Pilgrims Died in Saudi Arabia — NAHCON

POSTED ON July 30, 2024 •   Metro      BY Benedicta Bassey •   VIEWS 100
The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Jalal Arabi/ Photo credit: Hajj Panorama

The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Jalal Arabi, has revealed that at least 30 Nigerians died during the just-concluded Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Arabi made the revelation at a post-Hajj press briefing in Abuja.
He explained that about four victims passed away as a result of the heat wave recorded during the Hajj exercise.

He said, “It is very true that the 2024 Hajj experienced one of the harshest weather that had ever been experienced in the past. But the good thing was that we were informed well in advance.

“It was included in the sensitisation we did and we provided the necessary tools to ensure our pilgrims were safeguarded. We provided safety kits, from umbrellas to newly innovated fans and other things that could keep them safe.

“But if anybody’s time is up, it is up, you can’t stop it. We tried the best we could to avert deliberate exposure to the weather. Of course, we lost pilgrims but not all died from the heat wave.

“From the 30 we lost, probably about four or five could be said to have died from the heat wave. We pray Allah to accept their souls.’’

The NAHCON boss also explained the circumstances that led to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of  N90bn subsidy for the pilgrimage on the heels of the increment in Hajj fares that saw pilgrims pay as much as N8m, among other issues with private tour operators.

He said, “Recall that by the final deadline of 12th February 2024, the unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates had totally complicated matters, necessitating fresh adjustment of the year’s Hajj fare from the initially announced N4.9m.

“The financial projection after the foreign exchange liberalisation was that each pilgrim would have to top up about N3.6m in addition to the initial payment. The situation required urgent intervention.

“Recognising the gravity of the situation, NAHCON promptly engaged with the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of the high cost of the foreign currency with an appeal for the government to approve a concessionary rate of N850 as exchange rate for the dollar component of the hajj fare.

“That appeal was further amplified by other reputable stakeholders in the project. We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90bn instead.

“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.

“Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance.

“However, new registrants were asked to pay N8,454,464.74, being exempted from the Federal Government’s intervention. It is on record that eligible officials and stakeholders from all tiers of government enjoyed the subsidy from the N90bn."

The NAHCON chairman stressed that the Hajj subsidy was transparently utilised and ensured an equitable access to aid good services for all future pilgrims.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Katsina Govt. applauds  NAF  strike against bandits, vows to sustain regional stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

KATSINA – The Katsina State Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for successf...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Illegal detention: Bizman slams N50m suit on NDLEA
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

NIGERIA — A businessman, Damilare Samuel, has slammed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Appeal Court invalidates verdict against Rivers LG election
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria —The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja has nullified the judgement that prevent...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Man in Police net for defiling, impregnating 15-yr-old daughter
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

CALABAR, Nigeria —A 48-year-old man, Mallam Adamu Umaru, was paraded by the Zone 6 Police Comm...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Florida Man in detention over alleged bomb plot on New York Stock Exchange
BY Benedicta Bassey November 21, 2024 0

FLORIDA, United States— A Florida man simply identified as Harun Abdul-Malik Yener has been ar...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
DHQ confirms report of 5 soldier’s death in Borno
BY Benedicta Bassey November 20, 2024 0

BORNO, Nigeria — The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday has confirmed the report that Boko...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Gov Okpebholo Suspends market Union over prices, extortion allegations
BY Benedicta Bassey November 20, 2024 0

EDO, Nigeria— Edo state Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday suspended all market Union in...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Abuja Court orders Ministry, NiDCOM to repatriate 270 Nigerians in prison
BY Benedicta Bassey November 20, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Aff...

OUR CHANNELS:

OTHER ARTICLES ::

25th November, 2024
Tinubu eyes livestock sector reform, investment to curb farmer-herder clashes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the farmer-h...


Katsina Govt. applauds  NAF  strike against bandits, vows to sustain regional stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

KATSINA – The Katsina State Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for successf...


Breaking : Supreme court voids National Lottery Act
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

The Supreme Court, on Friday, nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assemb...


ECB's renews integration call as trade war looms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

European Central Bank, President Christine Lagarde renewed her call for economic integration across...


China expands Visa-free entry to more countries to boost economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

On Friday, China announced that it would expand visa-free entry to citizens of nine more countries a...


FAO aims key outcomes at COP16 Saudi Arabia
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

The assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwae...


Illegal detention: Bizman slams N50m suit on NDLEA
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

NIGERIA — A businessman, Damilare Samuel, has slammed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency...


Appeal Court invalidates verdict against Rivers LG election
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria —The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja has nullified the judgement that prevent...


Man in Police net for defiling, impregnating 15-yr-old daughter
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

CALABAR, Nigeria —A 48-year-old man, Mallam Adamu Umaru, was paraded by the Zone 6 Police Comm...


Trump picks Pam Bondi as Attorney General following Gaetz withdrawal
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

WASHINGTON, United States  — US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, a v...


Menu