The Kebbi State government on Saturday said it has settled the bill of sacrificial rams for the state’s pilgrims performing the 2024 hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The state governor, Nasir Idris, disclosed this during an interview with journalists at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Idris boarded the last flight to join other pilgrims to perform this year’s hajj.

Kebbi has about 3,800 pilgrims performing this year’s hajj out of which three died following brief illnesses.

Mr Idris, who did not disclose the amount paid to procure the rams, explained that the decision to pay the money was informed by his desire to make people happy.

He stated, “We have made a promise that we are going to help the people if God Almighty gives us the power. God has given us, therefore, we shall do everything possible to assist pilgrims, because it’s part of our pledge. When the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria announced an increase in the hajj fare, we spent N3.8 billion to pay-off more than 50 per cent of the 2024 hajj balance to enable our pilgrims perform hajj. Again, because of the logistics difficulties we used to encounter during hajj, we ordered new buses purposely for conveying pilgrims from hajj camp to the Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi and back to camp after exercise.’’

Mr Idris appreciated the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board and committees that participated towards ensuring the success of the exercise.

Appreciating the pilgrims for their perseverance, orderliness, support and prayers in the holy land, the governor insisted that his administration remained people’s oriented and would continue to focus its attention on people, especially the masses.

“Even before we came here, we were receiving reports on what the pilgrims are doing for us because of what we have been doing to the people of Kebbi. They pray for us, for the state and the nation at large. Our government is people’s focused administration and I am happy to say that from the first flight to the ninth flight everybody is engaged,” he said.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the way the board was being governed under Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, assuring that there were a lot of innovations that led to positive changes in the entire board operations.

He encouraged the executive chairman, board members and other members to sustain the tempo to take the board to the highest peak of operation not only in Nigeria but Africa.

 (NAN)