Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has given out 100 Saudi riyals as a sallah gift to each of the 1,298 pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia for 2024 Hajj.
The state Amirul Hajj and Emir of Hadejia Dr. Adamu Abubakar Maje stated this during a visit to the Pilgrims accommodation in Makkah.
The Emir explained that, the gesture was to cushion the hardship Pilgrims encountered as a result 400 dollars BTA given to them due to foreign exchange rate.
He appreciated and urged the pilgrims for their prayers on peace and economic stability for the state and the country during the Arafat day.
Dr Adamu Abubakar Maje also appreciated a member of the press team, Alhaji Abba Sa’idu Limawa who found foreign currency in Madina and returned it through the state pilgrims board to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON.
Also speaking, the Director General Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo commended the pilgrims for obeying the laid down rules of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He called on the pilgrims not to exceed 8kg hand and 32kg luggages.
Some of the pilgrims who spoke to Radio Nigeria thanked Governor Namadi for the welfare and promised to continue to be good ambassadors of the state while at the holy land.
Governor Namadi had earlier paid off one million naira to each pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the leader of government delegation that accompanied the Amirul Hajj include the state Deputy Speaker, Chairman House Committee on Hajj among others.