In what could have been an embarrassment, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has intervened to save Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims the agonies from the shortfall in their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) arising from the vagaries of the foreign exchange rates.
While NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give $500 as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gives each pilgrim $415 instead of $500.
In order to ensure that each pilgrim gets $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the state’s 934 pilgrims is N119,560,712.70
In ensuring that the state pilgrims perform their hajj rites without stress, and make them comfortable during the exercise, Governor Abiodun with dispatch, intervened by paying the BTA differential of N119,560,712.70 for all the 934 pilgrims for 2024 hajj exercise.
This will enable them to collect $500 as agreed.
Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal expressed appreciation to the governor for the timely intervention and prayed for the continuous success of the administration.
Governor Abiodun, however, urged the pilgrims to pray for the country, in particular, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for God to give him strength, good health and good ideas and direction to take Nigeria out of its current socio-economic crises.
He further advised them to be good ambassadors of the state and the country by not floating the rules and regulations of the host country.
