Hajj 2023: First batch of Taraba Intending Pilgrims departs Saturday
Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says all is set for the commencement of the 2023 intending pilgrims from the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Board, Alhaji Hamza Baban Muri said the intending pilgrims are currently undergoing screening for blood tests and immunization at the Board’s premises in Jalingo.
He maintained that they are also receiving lectures, while many of them have already received their handbags and other important items.
The P.R.O. further explained that they are hoping that the first batch will be airlifted on Saturday 10/6/2023 to Saudi Arabia and Governor Agbu Kefas is expected to give them the farewell address on Friday.
According to Alhaji Hamza Baban Muri, the National Hajj Commission NAHCON had allocated 1,750 seats for the state out of which the Board reserved 100 seats for the state government but they could not buy them all due to lack of funds as the immediate past Governor, Darius Ishaku did not approve the proposal sent by the Board.
“We reserved 100 seats for the state government but because of the transition of power and the new administration has no money we reduced it to 50 and out of the fifty seats, the new government has so far paid for the officials of the Board, Ulamas, and the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali who will be the Amirul Hajj and two (2) other members of his team.
Some of the intending pilgrims who spoke to our reporter expressed optimism that the new administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas will serve its citizens better without any discrimination and promised to pray for peace and unity amongst the people of the state and the country as a whole while in Saudi Arabia.
Our reporter gathered that, this is the first time that the Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will not open a Camp for its intending pilgrims in 24 years of the creation of the state following the refusal of the former Governor, Darius Ishaku to approve its proposal for the 2023 Hajj operation.
Source: Sahel reporters
