By Gbenga Akingbule
Following preparations for the 2025 Hajj exercise, the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Monday appealed to Intending pilgrims from the state to desist from carrying excess luggage, warning that the state government will no longer pay bills for excess luggage.
Gatekeepers News reports that the excess luggage of pilgrims from Borno were dumped at the airport in Saudi Arabia until an additional N25 Million was sent by the state government to pay bills for the excess luggage of 2024 pilgrims.
This situation, according to the Borno State Governor, will never be tolerated, stating that pilgrims who have excess luggage must be ready to pay their bills.
The Governor directed the Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Board, Alh Mohammed Dawule to inform all intending pilgrims for 2025 of this new policy.
Prof Zulum made this known during the presentation of the 2024 Hajj report by the Amirul Hajj team, led by the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, at the Government House, Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
According to the Governor, “We have paid the bills of excess luggage for pilgrims this year, but we will not do it next year. If anyone reports to the airport with excess luggage, they will bear the cost themselves,” Zulum stated.
Prof Zulum also reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land for better performance.
Zulum described the 2024 Hajj as one of the most successful in recent years. “I want to assure you that during my tenure, “we have not seen such a degree of success in recent years. I was impressed by the way and manner our pilgrims were airlifted from Maiduguri to Madina and Jidda to Maiduguri,” Zulum stated.
He expressed particular satisfaction with the smooth airlift operations, the quality of services provided, the dedication of the Amirul Hajj team, and the conduct of the pilgrims.”
“I will continue to sanitise the system for greater productivity,” Zulum stated.
The governor also assured the public that he would review the report thoroughly and work towards implementing the recommendations. “Within the next few hours, I will go through the report clause by clause to ensure we implement the valuable suggestions made,” he promised.
Commending the committee for introducing innovative solutions, Governor Zulum highlighted the use of online media to inform pilgrims about their flight schedules and the publication of pilgrim names to ensure smooth operations.
“The previous practice of calling names throughout the night, which was inefficient, has been eliminated,” he noted.
Additionally, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of technology and the engagement of local government Hajj fare collectors to identify and eliminate individuals posing as pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Chairman 2024 Amirul Hajj team, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, announced that 1,803 pilgrims performed the 2024 Hajj, and five pilgrims were hospitalised in the Holy Land with no deaths recorded.
According to him, Governor Zulum has rendered enormous support to the pilgrims in areas of securing befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering the differential for Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) to the tune of 260 million naira, and payment of sacrificial animals amounting to 290 million naira.
Others include payment of 65 million Naira to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) as medical support and 25 million for excess luggage.
“His Excellency has extended hands of fellowship to the entire 1,815 pilgrims, the Amirul Hajj team, and the National Hajj Commission by extension. Some of the support rendered by Governor Zulum to the pilgrims while in the Holy Land includes the release of 380 million naira to secure a befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering BTA differentials, and payment of Hadya for all the pilgrims, among other things,” Lawan said.
Senator Kaka Shehu identified excess luggage as one of the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj operations and emphasised that the success of this year’s pilgrimage was largely due to the unwavering support provided by Governor Babagana Zulum.
