By Joel Okwara
Some Nigerian pilgrims observing the 2024 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have lamented the quality and quantity of the food they are being served despite paying over N8m for the exercise.
In a picture shared by a Facebook user, Babagana Digima, a small portion of pap and three beans cake were said to be the food they served the pilgrims in the morning on Tuesday, May 28.
Digima wrote, “After paying N8million for Hajj, see the breakfast that our pilgrims are being given! Nahcon (National Hajj Commission of Nigeria) Fatima Mustapha. This is what was given today 28th May 2024.
“In fact, some pilgrims have already started begging to get money to buy food because, even their remaining $300 that was promised to be paid to them in Saudi (out of $500), is not forthcoming from the authorities!”
Reacting to the post, a staff of the NAHCON,….. Ahmad, said the Nigerian authorities had begun to probe the issue.
The staff wrote: “NAHCON is right now there at the scene, gathering information for proper investigation because NAHCON is fully and totally providing feeding and accommodation in Madinah but in Makkah, NAHCON only supervises. Yet, the commission’s official will leave no stone unturned in revealing the truth of the matter and taking necessary action.”
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Board repirtedly said that no fewer than 100 intending pilgrims from the state would miss this year’s Hajj exercise “due to the alarming fees.”
The Nigerian government had also said it spent the sum of N90bn to subsidise the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage for citizens.
Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed this at the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital city.
“You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates,” Shettima was quoted as saying by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He continued: “President Bola Tinubu also worked round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency, to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.
“A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.
“Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication, to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.
“Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well-being of our pilgrims both in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey.
“We are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims.”
