[size=14pt]Katsina to airlift 500 pilgrims today[/size]
Written by Yusha’u A Ibrahim, Katsina Sunday, 02 October 2011 05:00

500 intending pilgrims from Katsina state are to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia today  for this year’s pilgrimage, the executive secretary, state pilgrims welfare board, Alhaji Aminu Danbaba has said.
Briefing newsmen on the state preparations for this year’s annual exercise, Danbaba said the first batch of the intending pilgrims from Funtua zone would be airlifted to the holy land at Katsina state International Airport.

Danbaba explained that, intending pilgrims from Dutsimma, Kankia, Daura, Mani, Malumfashi and Katsina zones would  follow accordingly, saying Katsina has a total of 6,070 intending pilgrims this year.

“Initially Katsina state had 6, 000 intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj, but when the Saudi Arabian government allocated additional 4,000 seats to Nigeria, we demanded for additional 500, but only secured 70 seats,” said Danbaba.

He pointed out that, Max Air was chosen by Katsina state government to be its carrier for this year’s hajj exercise, assuring that pilgrims would be airlifted and returned home at the stipulated period.

The executive secretary added that, Katsina state had already received 97 per cent of its pilgrims’ visas, while the remaining 3 percent would be secured before the commencement of the airlift.

He said government had spent N357, 795 million on pilgrims’ accommodation as subsidy for this year’s hajj exercise, saying accommodations has already been secured in both Makkah and Madinah.

He said Katsina state had paid all its hajj fares to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and that all intending pilgrims in the state had also collected their Basic Travelling Allowances (BTA) and uniforms.

http://www.dailytrust.com/sunday/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7974:-katsina-to-airlift-500-pilgrims-today&catid=41:latest-news&Itemid=26

Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency says all arrangements have been completed for the commencement of the 5,644 pilgrims in the state by next week.
The Chairman of the Agency, Alhaji Usman Bello Suru made this known Friday when Governor Sa’idu Usman Dakingari of Kebbi State paid an unscheduled visit to the Hajj camp in Birnin-Kebbi to assess the level of preparedness by the agency.

Suru said the agency had completed all medical check-ups including immunization to the intended pilgrims and all travelling documents had been processed and received.

Governor Dakingari charged leaders and officials leading this year’s state intending pilgrims to fear Allah in the discharge of their duties and ensure comfort of the pilgrims.

Dakingari called on the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state by ensuring proper knowledge of Hajj rites and being disciplined as well as law abiding at home and the holy land.

http://www.dailytrust.com/sunday/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7975:500-intending-pilgrims-from-katsina-state-are-to-be-airlifted-to-saudi-arabia-today-for-this-years-pilgrimage-the-executive-secretary-state-pilgrims-welfare-board-alhaji-aminu-danbaba-has-said-&catid=41:latest-news&Itemid=26

aloy i have not seen where 1.2bn was quoted anywhere in the article

asha 80:

aloy i have not seen where 1.2bn was quoted anywhere in the article

N357M + N795M = 1.2Bn

well it is there priority

asha 80:

well it is there priority

No we should learn how to separate religion from the affairs of the state. I wouldn't want my state to foot the bills of Christians who intend to attend Oyedepo's crusade in China or muslims who intend to travel to the middle east for prayers when our schools are in ruins. If you must worship expensive God, be ready to afford it.

Aloy you no sabi arithmetic?
Are those two different figures or the same?lol

He said government had spent N357, 795 million on pilgrims’ accommodation as subsidy for this year’s hajj exercise, saying accommodations has already been secured in both Makkah and Madinah.

The way governments at all levels in Nigeria are spending on consumption has reached an alarming proportion and all discerning Nigerians should be concerned else it might be the death knell for Nigeria.

By the way, government should stop spending on religion as it is supposed to be a personal matter. Besides, going on pilgrimage by those who can't afford it is not compulsory in any religion.