Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has donated 158,000 Saudi Riyals (equivalent of over N15 million) to 3,170 pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The move, according to the governor, was in a bid to ensure the pilgrims have a pleasant stay and safe return to their homeland.
Announcing the development to the pilgrims, Executive Secretary of Kano Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Abba Dambatta, explained that each pilgrim would get at least 50 Saudi Riyals, which is equivalent to N5,000.
The welfare board boss enjoined the pilgrims to desist from embarking on the journey back home with items banned by the airlines and Saudi authorities.
Dambatta expressed delight at the pilgrims’ readiness to abide by the rules and regulations of the Saudi Government and prayed that the Almighty Allah will accept their acts of worship in the holy land.
He noted that the airlift of the pilgrims would begin in earnest.
The pilgrims have expressed joy at the governor’s gesture.
According to one of them, Ibrahim Ayyuba, the provision of a suitable accommodation, balanced meals and good transportation system to various sacred sites in both Mecca and Madina by the government was commendable.
They have since completed their Hajj in Saudi Arabia, following the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamrat and they are now exploring the city of Mecca.
The pilgrims are hopeful that their prayers in the Holy Land would yield positive results for Ganduje, the state and Nigeria.
