The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency says it has registered 3,257 intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise.
It said N21.5bn Hajj fare had been remitted to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The agency’s chairman, Faruk Enabo, disclosed this to journalists when a delegation of the commission paid a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
He said that the agency would soon remit the final payment of N5 billion to NAHCON to beat the September 26 deadline set by the Saudi authorities for the closure of intending pilgrims’ registration.
He advised intending pilgrims who made an initial deposit of N5 million to hasten the completion of payment.
The chairman said that the agency was conducting medical screening exercises at the local government levels, adding that the exercise would progress to zonal and state levels to meet the Saudi Arabian standards.
Governor Nasir Idris commended the NAHCON for the visit aimed at facilitating the successful conduct of the exercise.
The governor said he was happy that Kebbi is leading not only in terms of the number of pilgrims but also in other aspects towards a successful Hajj operation.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, said that the commission was making committed preparations for the upcoming 2027 Hajj operation.
Usman, who is also the NAHCON Commissioner for the North-West, highlighted the need for the commission to engage stakeholders across the six geo-political zones in the country.
He said the state governors are critical stakeholders in ensuring successful Hajj operations in the country.