Pilgrims from Kebbi have commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board for adequate arrangements for their stay in Medina.

The pilgrims said this on Sunday in separate interviews in Medina, the city of Prophet Muhammad.

Nasiru Idris said NAHCON and the board had lived up to the expectations of the pilgrims.

He said, ”This is in view of the fact that the arrangements put in place are superb, wonderful and commendable. We were received at the Medina Airport by the officials of Kebbi pilgrims board and buses were on standby even before our arrival. These buses smoothly conveyed us to our various hotels without paying a penny.

“To our greatest surprise, these hotels are very close to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Mosque, the distance to the mosque is not only trekkable but it is less than half a kilometer, just about 300 metres or less away from the mosque.

“Apart from that, we have been enjoying free breakfast and dinner every day, not ordinary food but rich food. Therefore, we are grateful to both organisations for treating us well.”

Rabi’u Abdullahi-Bena said he had noticed some significant changes in the administration of the Kebbi pilgrims board and urged the authorities concerned to sustain the tempo.

“As pilgrims, we are content with the reception, accommodation and treatment by both NAHCON and Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board. There is nothing better than to stay close to the prophet’s mosque in Medina.

“We pray in Mecca too, we shall be accommodated close to Haram (Ka’aba) for us to enjoy similar privilege. We are thankful to our creator, Almighty Allah and at the same time, we thank the two organisations,” he said.

Jamila Umar-Baba, APC assistant women leader in Kebbi, praised the treatment the pilgrims received right from the Hajj camp in Kebbi.

She said, “The board shouldered the responsibility of feeding the pilgrims in the camp  up to the time they left for the airport.”

She expressed satisfaction that the feeding continued on arrival in Saudi Arabia while accommodation was superb.

”Hence the need to appreciate the efforts of the pilgrims’ board as well as Governor Nasir Idris for his necessary support to the board,” Ms Umar-Baba added.

The APC chieftain said she had performed Hajj several times, but she had never witnessed such a tremendous improvement as the current Hajj operation.

She advised the two collaborating organisations to keep the happy tempo. 

(NAN)